Is Xbox One S unable to connect to 5Ghz networks broadcasting on DFS channels (e.g.: 116)?

Etanarvazac Revorix · Oct 31, 2023

I have an Xbox Series S (hereafter "XS") and an Xbox One S (hereafter "XO"). I swapped my router's 5Ghz channel from 149 to DFS (radar) channel 116. XS detected the network perfectly fine whereas the XO failed to find the network even though it was connected to it previously. I chose channel 116 specifically after researching which DFS channels were used less for radar (spite my router having the ability to seemly switch back to non-DFS channels, should radar be detected). I noticed higher upload/download speeds on the XS verses any non-DFS channel (and I mean at least 125-150MB difference out of 400MB max speed). If there is a way to correct this so the XO can see the network on DFS channels, please let me know.

:)

David Wirsching

Hello Etanarvazac R, My name is David. I am an independent advisor, happy to help you today.

Yes, it is possible that the Xbox One S (XO) may have limitations when it comes to connecting to 5GHz networks broadcasting on DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) channels, such as channel 116. DFS channels are subject to regulatory requirements because they share the same frequency range as certain radar systems, and as a result, devices need to meet specific criteria to operate on these channels.

The Xbox One S and Xbox Series S may have different Wi-Fi hardware capabilities and firmware support, which could explain why the Xbox Series S (XS) is able to detect and connect to the network on DFS channel 116 while the Xbox One S (XO) cannot.

To confirm if the Xbox One S is indeed unable to connect to DFS channels, you can try the following steps:

Change your router's 5GHz channel: Set your router to a non-DFS channel that is within the supported range of the Xbox One S (e.g., channels 36-48 or 149-165). This will help determine if the Xbox One S can connect to the network on a non-DFS channel.

Update the Xbox One S firmware: Make sure your Xbox One S is running the latest system software and firmware updates. Sometimes, firmware updates can include improvements to Wi-Fi connectivity and compatibility.

Best regards.

Etanarvazac Revorix

Hello David,

I started messing around with it a bit today and found that disconnecting it from the network, doing a full shutdown, then trying again allowed the XO to find the network on a DFS channel.

To further this, I do recommend that before one switches between channels, to have the Xbox One completely on and connected to the network when doing the switch. Routers are designed to inform devices connected to them what channel the network broadcast is moving to. So with the active connection to the console while it is completely turned on, do the channel change. This will send the Xbox One "Hey, I'm moving this network to channel 120, a DFS channel!" and therefor, the console should begin looking for it on that new channel. As far as I can tell, this may be the only and easiest way to do this at this current time.

Etanarvazac Revorix

Hello David,

I started messing around with it a bit today and found that disconnecting it from the network, doing a full shutdown, then trying again allowed the XO to find the network on a DFS channel.

David Wirsching

That's great, I'm glad you found a way to connect to the network.

Samuel3201

Your settings should be as follows:

5GHZ: Network Mode: Mixed

Channel Width: Auto (20MHz or 40MHz)

Channel: AUTO (DFS)

SSID Broadcast: Enabled

2.4 GHZ: Network Mode: Mixed

Channel Width: 20MHz Only

Channel: AUTO

SSID Broadcast: Enabled

***NEVER force a network mode to only be 802.11n/g You will always end up with problems.

I hope this helps bud!

Your fellow Xbox Live Ambassador,

Is Xbox One S unable to connect to 5Ghz networks broadcasting on DFS channels (e.g.: 116)?