Troubleshoot problems with a Windows Media Center Extender device

If the only firewall running on your computer is Windows Firewall, verify that the Media Center Extenders check box is selected in the Windows Firewall exceptions list. For more information about determining which firewall (or firewalls) are running on your computer, as well as how to verify that the Media Center Extenders exception is selected in the Windows Firewall exceptions list, go to the Firewalls and Media Center Extender article on the Microsoft website.

If you are using a non-Microsoft firewall, you might need to manually open the ports that are listed in the table below. However, some firewalls are already configured to allow a Media Center Extender to connect to a Windows Media Center computer. For a list of firewalls that are already configured to allow a Media Center Extender to connect to a Windows Media Center computer, as well as information about manually opening ports for other firewalls to allow a Media Center Extender connection, go to the Firewalls and Media Center Extender article on the Microsoft website.

Make sure that you know the user name and password for an account that has administrative privileges on your Windows Media Center computer. You must be able to provide this information when prompted on your Windows Media Center computer for Extender Setup to make certain changes to the Windows Media Center computer.

If you are using a fingerprint reader or another security program on your computer, you might need to change the program's settings before an Extender can be connected to the computer. If the security program does not include a setting that resolves connection issues, you'll need to uninstall the program to use an Extender.

If you have Windows Live OneCare installed on your computer, select the Connect my Xbox 360 or Media Center Extender to my Media Center PC check box in the Windows Live OneCare Firewall Connection Tool. For more information, including the steps to change this setting in Windows Live OneCare, go to the Firewalls and Media Center Extender article on the Microsoft website.

Verify that both the Media Center Extender and Windows Media Center computer are turned on. Also, make sure that the computer is not in Hibernate or Sleep mode.

If you are using a wired connection, make sure that the Ethernet cable is plugged into the Ethernet port on the Media Center Extender.

You can try to determine where the problem is occurring by connecting your Xbox 360 directly to your Windows Media Center computer by using a regular Ethernet cable. If Xbox 360 can connect to your Windows Media Center computer, then the problem might be occurring with the router, hub, or switch and the settings on them. However, if your Xbox 360 and computer still cannot connect, the problem might be associated with a setting on your router, hub, or switch alone or in conjunction with a firewall setting. For more information about connecting your Xbox 360 directly to your computer and for information about troubleshooting connection issues by using this method, go to the Connection Issues article on the Microsoft website.

Make sure that your Windows Media Center computer is not joined to a domain. Some network domain policies might be set that prevent Xbox 360 from connecting to a Windows Media Center computer as a Media Center Extender device. If your computer is connected to a domain, remove the computer from the domain, and then go through Extender Setup again.

Make sure that both the Windows Media Center computer and Extender are connected to the same router. This ensures that Xbox 360 and the Windows Media Center computer are connected to the same network. If Xbox 360 connects to your home network using a wireless router, plug one end of an Ethernet cable into an Ethernet port on your Windows Media Center computer and plug the other end of the cable into an Ethernet port on the wireless router.

If the Media Center Extender is connected to the network using a wireless connection, make sure the Media Center Extender is within range of the wireless access point or router with as few obstructions as possible between the Media Center Extender and the access point. For more information about troubleshooting low wireless signal problems, see Troubleshoot low wireless signal quality problems.

If the Media Center Extender is connected to the network using a wireless connection and your wireless network uses a security key, verify that you have the correct network security key for the type of wireless network security method that your network uses. For more information about the different wireless network security methods, see What are the different wireless network security methods?

Try restarting the Windows Media Center computer, the Media Center Extender, and your network hub, router, or switch.

If you are using a wired connection, make sure that the Ethernet cable is plugged into the Ethernet port on the Extender, and then verify that the Ethernet connector on the other end is plugged into the Ethernet port on your router, hub, or switch.

Verify that the Media Center Extender is plugged in and turned on.

If the Media Center Extender is connected to the network using a wireless connection, make sure the Media Center Extender is within range of the wireless access point or router with as few obstructions as possible between the Media Center Extender and the access point. For more information about troubleshooting low wireless signal problems, see Troubleshoot low wireless signal quality problems.

If the Media Center Extender is connected to the network using a wireless connection and your wireless network uses a security key, verify that you have the correct network security key for the type of wireless network security method that your network uses. For more information about the different wireless network security methods, see What are the different wireless network security methods?

Use a wired network connection to connect your Media Center Extender device and Windows Media Center computer. Using a wired connection results in a faster connection speed compared to using a wireless network connection. For more information about what you need to set up a wired network connection, see What you need to set up a home network.

If the Media Center Extender is connected to the network using a wireless connection, make sure the Media Center Extender is within range of the wireless access point or router with as few obstructions as possible between the Media Center Extender and the access point. For more information about troubleshooting low wireless signal problems, see Troubleshoot low wireless signal quality problems.

If you are using a wireless network and using a wired network connection is not a viable option for you, consider upgrading your wireless network to use a faster wireless network connection. For a list of different wireless networks, as well as pros and cons of the different types of wireless networks, see What you need to set up a home network.

The Media Center Extender device might not be able to connect because the Windows Media Center computer is either turned off or in Sleep or Hibernate mode.

The Media Center Extender may not be able to properly connect to the network. Make sure your network and Windows Media Center computer are running properly.

Try restarting the Windows Media Center computer, the Media Center Extender, and your network hub, router, or switch.

The Windows Media Center computer might be too busy where there are not enough available system resources at that time. Close any unused programs.

Clear obstructions between the Media Center Extender and the access point.

If you are not using an 802.11a network, make sure there are no appliances interfering with the connection.

Try moving the Media Center Extender or access point to improve the connection between the two devices.

Go to the Microsoft Support Site. On the Microsoft Support site, type Xbox 360 in the Search Support (KB) search box, and then click the Run the search button. You can then filter your search results for Windows Vista.

Go to Windows Media Center Overview on the Microsoft website. This article provides additional information about Windows Media Center and Media Center Extenders.

If you encounter errors when using a Media Center Extender, you can go into the Event Viewer and look for errors associated with Windows Media Center and Media Center Extender. After locating the error in Event Viewer, you can select the error and get more information about the specific error code (called an EventID) by clicking the Event Log Online Help link.

For more information about opening and using Event Viewer in Windows Vista, see Open Event Viewer.

Go to The Green Button to get help from the Media Center community.