Nothing’s more frustrating for gamers than being unable to sign in to their Xbox multiplayer servers. If you get a “Teredo is unable to qualify” message on your console, here’s what it means, and how to repair it.

What Is Teredo?

Teredo is short for Teredo tunneling, in this context. Think of Teredo as a translator between different versions of the Internet Protocol (IP), specifically version 4 (IPv4) to version 6 (IPv6.) The entire internet is slowly upgrading to version 6 over time, but that leaves many people using the outdated protocol. Teredo tunneling is used in situations where one endpoint of the tunnel is private, such as behind a router. That way, it can translate smoothly between the two protocols, allowing them to share data.

What Does ‘Teredo Is Unable to Qualify’ Mean?

This error means that the Xbox was unable to secure a Teredo IP address. In other words, it’s unable to determine where it should send internet traffic. 

When Does My Xbox Use Teredo?

Teredo tunneling is only used for in-game chat and online multiplayer features. Other online features, such as video streaming and using the online store, are generally unaffected, so you may not notice the error until you use these features.

How Do I Determine If My Xbox Is Using Teredo?

Generally, Teredo use is determined by your internet service provider’s choice of protocol. Checking your IP address online, or in the settings of a computer connected to the same network as your Xbox, tells you whether you have an IPv4 or IPv6 connection. These are two separate IP addresses; if there’s no IPv6 connection, then you are on IPv4. If you have an IPv6 connection, it connects directly.

What Causes the Xbox Teredo Error?

Xbox Teredo errors are usually connection errors that masquerade as something more complicated. The error often pops up when something gets in the way of an Xbox getting online, meaning an issue in your home network, not something on Microsoft’s end. It can be a simple Wi-Fi issue, a missed update, or something with the home network configuration.

How to Fix the Xbox Teredo Error

Now that you understand what Teredo is and how it works, you can troubleshoot issues that may arise if you experience the “Teredo was unable to qualify” error. Here are some things that might help:

  • Determine if the router is Windows-certified. This information should be on the router’s box or in its documentation. A non-certified router may lack the software to balance multiple consoles for Teredo properly.
  • Reboot the modem and router. It doesn’t hurt to reboot the console too. A reboot, or restart, can clear any errors or faulty processes and may fix the error.
  • Connect the Xbox directly to the modem or router. If you use a gateway or Wi-Fi extender, connect the console directly to the modem or router instead. This increases signal speed, making qualification easier. It also helps narrow down the possible point of failure.
  • Connect through an Ethernet cable. A wireless interference could be slower than the actual internet speed. Connecting through an Ethernet cable allows devices to take full advantage of the connection.
  • Check the router for a firmware update. Firmware often contains useful improvements to processes across a device, including tunneling. It’s also a good idea to check the console for an update.
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  • Disable your VPN. If you use a virtual private network to access the internet, disable it and attempt to reconnect. VPNs may interfere with providing login credentials or with the tunneling process.
  • Reset the router to factory settings. Certain custom settings may block tunneling, and resetting to the factory default can clear those custom settings and get things moving again.
  • Check the IP address. Look up whether your IP address is public, as Teredo tunneling requires a public IP on both ends to connect. Open the router’s settings app and look for the IP address, while using another device to look up the IP address you’re currently using. If the addresses match, it’s a public IP address. If they don’t, request one from your internet service provider.
  • Check the Network Address Translation table. Disable and re-enable Universal Plug and Play (UpnP) on the router. Then, restart the console and hold the Xbox button to open the guide. Go to System > Settings > General > Network settings and check the Network Address Translation (NAT) table. Set it to Open if it isn’t already.
  • Open ports for use by port forwarding on the router. Choosing specific ports may help the tunneling process. On the Xbox, select System > Settings > General > Network Settings > Advanced Settings > IP Settings > Manual and enter your chosen static IP address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway. Select DNS Setting > Manual and enter the primary DNS and secondary DNS, if available.
  • Enable DMZ or perimeter network settings on the router. This allows more access to public IPs.
  • Connect the Xbox directly to the modem using an Ethernet cable. If all else fails, cutting the router out of the equation may resolve the issue.

Determine if the router is Windows-certified. This information should be on the router’s box or in its documentation. A non-certified router may lack the software to balance multiple consoles for Teredo properly.

Reboot the modem and router. It doesn’t hurt to reboot the console too. A reboot, or restart, can clear any errors or faulty processes and may fix the error.

Connect the Xbox directly to the modem or router. If you use a gateway or Wi-Fi extender, connect the console directly to the modem or router instead. This increases signal speed, making qualification easier. It also helps narrow down the possible point of failure.

Connect through an Ethernet cable. A wireless interference could be slower than the actual internet speed. Connecting through an Ethernet cable allows devices to take full advantage of the connection.

Check the router for a firmware update. Firmware often contains useful improvements to processes across a device, including tunneling. It’s also a good idea to check the console for an update.

Disable your VPN. If you use a virtual private network to access the internet, disable it and attempt to reconnect. VPNs may interfere with providing login credentials or with the tunneling process.

Reset the router to factory settings. Certain custom settings may block tunneling, and resetting to the factory default can clear those custom settings and get things moving again.

Check the IP address. Look up whether your IP address is public, as Teredo tunneling requires a public IP on both ends to connect. Open the router’s settings app and look for the IP address, while using another device to look up the IP address you’re currently using. If the addresses match, it’s a public IP address. If they don’t, request one from your internet service provider.

Check the Network Address Translation table. Disable and re-enable Universal Plug and Play (UpnP) on the router. Then, restart the console and hold the Xbox button to open the guide. Go to System > Settings > General > Network settings and check the Network Address Translation (NAT) table. Set it to Open if it isn’t already.

Open ports for use by port forwarding on the router. Choosing specific ports may help the tunneling process. On the Xbox, select System > Settings > General > Network Settings > Advanced Settings > IP Settings > Manual and enter your chosen static IP address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway. Select DNS Setting > Manual and enter the primary DNS and secondary DNS, if available.

Enable DMZ or perimeter network settings on the router. This allows more access to public IPs.

Connect the Xbox directly to the modem using an Ethernet cable. If all else fails, cutting the router out of the equation may resolve the issue.

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