How to Fix Xbox Series X Slow Download Speeds
You pay for 500Mbps fiber, but your Xbox is struggling to hit 40Mbps. This “bandwidth gap” is one of the most common complaints on the Series X. While your ISP might be partially to blame, the Xbox OS has several built-in features that intentionally throttle your speed to prioritize other tasks.
1 Use the “Suspend Game” Tool
If you see a game in your “Queue” with a message saying “Download speeds are being throttled,” you need to suspend your active session. Go to My Games & Apps > Queue and select Suspend my game. This instantly unlocks your full bandwidth.
2 Clear the “Alternate MAC Address”
Sometimes your console’s network cache gets bogged down with stale data, causing a bottleneck between your console and the Microsoft CDN. Clearing this flushes the pipe.
- Go to Settings > Network Settings > Advanced Settings.
- Select Alternate MAC Address and click Clear.
- The console will restart and re-establish a fresh, high-speed connection.
3 Change to a Custom DNS
Your ISP’s DNS might be routing your download request to a server that is hundreds of miles away. Using a global DNS can often “shorten” the distance.
- Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1 (Primary) / 1.0.0.1 (Secondary)
- Google: 8.8.8.8 (Primary) / 8.8.4.4 (Secondary)
4 Check Your “Energy Saver” Settings
If you want games to download at full speed while you’re asleep, you must ensure your power settings are correct. Go to Settings > General > Power Options and ensure “When console is off, turn off storage” is UNCHECKED. If it’s checked, your SSD turns off and your download pauses.
5 Disable “QoS Tagging” for Speed
While QoS (Quality of Service) is great for reducing lag during games, it can sometimes interfere with raw download throughput on certain routers. Try disabling DSCP Tagging in your Advanced Network settings to see if your download speeds “uncap.”
Comparison: Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet
Even with the best Wi-Fi 6 router, the Xbox Series X’s wireless chip will rarely hit the same speeds as a $5 Ethernet cable.
| Connection | Typical Speed Cap | Reliability |
|---|---|---|
| 5GHz Wi-Fi | 200 – 300 Mbps | Prone to interference |
| Cat6 Ethernet | Up to 1000 Mbps | Rock Solid |
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are installing a game from a disc and the download stops, the Xbox is likely struggling to install the base files from the disc and the update from the internet simultaneously. Go offline, install the disc, then go back online for the update.
Yes. The Ethernet port on the back is a Gigabit (10/100/1000) port. If you have a Gigabit connection and aren’t hitting at least 700-800Mbps, your Ethernet cable is likely an older Cat5 instead of a Cat5e or Cat6.