Cannot join specific friend's party or games

One other thing (I just finally fixed this problem last night for good). I did a factory reset on my router. I had to redo my entire network (set up a new SSID, Network Key, the whole deal). However, once complete and everything was back online, I'm able
to connect with anyone, including the friend I couldn't party up with prior to the reset.

So, if all else fails (which it appears it has), try doing a factory reset on your router (have to look through your manual for a reset button. On my router, I had to use a paperclip to hold a button in for 30 seconds). Once complete, re-configure your network.
Then connect your xbox to your network, and try partying up with your friend again. Hopefully, that'll work!

I have this exact same problem. The only way I've found to resolve it is to plug my xbox directly into my modem (completely bypass the router). The moment I do that, I can set up a party and my friend can join and chat. Yet, if I unhook everything and set
it up again as normal (xbox into router, router into modem), the problem occurs again. I even went to far as completely factory resetting my router (erased all network settings...had to set up network again, etc). The moment I was back online and running again,
the problem remained. Yet, the moment I unhooked the router and plugged the xbox directly into the modem, the problem went away.

The crazy part? I only have one friend on my friends list that this occurs with. Any other friend I can join without issue when the router is hooked up. I've spent the better part of a month trying to resolve this issue.....to no avail.

So, anytime this particular friend wants to play COD or something, I simply unhook the router, hook the xbox to the modem, and have fun. Ticks everyone else in my house off as it shuts down their access to the internet until I'm done gaming, but then again....that
resolves lag issues on my end!

Hey there, man I hate to see this still giving you trouble.

First off, I'm going to move this thread into our networking specific Forums, since we have some real power users there who don't always hang out in the communication forums. Do you think there's any chance we could get your friend to post as well? If we
can get them, please have them fill out the info
here.

I saw you saying earlier that you wouldn't be able to wire your console to the modem and still connect it to a TV. Have you never been able to test a wired connection at all? If not, that's an important troubleshooting step. Is there a way you could change
your setup even temporarily to allow it? If you can, that'll help us confirm or eliminate the wireless settings as the source of the error on your end at least.

So to sum up:

• • This thread is now in Forum 02
  • Please have your friend post too if they can
  • Please confirm that you've tried a wired connection (just temporarily to test!) and let us know what those results are.
    

One way or another, we are gonna get y'all connected!

I tried resetting my modem to default settings to undo whatever I did, but it's still set to Strict.

Ok... Update.

I decided to mess with my modem settings today, because it just occurred to me that it has the same firewall and such that my router has. So I followed the tutorial here: [View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VYJJtStDhg]

which is specific to my modem.

I did everything there, and I reset my router and forward the ports, enabled UPnP, turned off the firewall...

SOMEHOW this has changed my NAT from open to STRICT. THIS IS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT I WANTED.

Someone help before I'm reduced to tears and violence.