Connect your Xbox console to the Xbox App in three steps

The Xbox App on Windows lets you play games from your console on your PC, stream gameplay, and manage your library from one place. To connect them, you sign into the same Microsoft account on both devices, turn on streaming in your console settings, and pair them through the app. The whole process takes about five minutes and requires both devices on the same network.

Your console and PC must be on the same Wi-Fi network or connected to the same wired network. If you use a guest network or a separate 5 GHz band, the devices may not find each other. Once they're on the same network and signed into the same account, the Xbox App will detect your console automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • Both your Xbox console and Windows PC must be signed into the same Microsoft account for the connection to work.
  • Your console and PC need to be on the same network — the same Wi-Fi network or the same wired connection, not a guest network.
  • You enable streaming in your console's settings under Devices & Connections, then pair the devices in the Xbox App.
  • Once paired, you can play console games on your PC, see what's installed, and manage your game library from the app.

Sign into the same Microsoft account on both devices

Start by checking which Microsoft account is signed into your Xbox console. On your console, go to Settings, then select your profile. Note the email address or username. On your Windows PC, open the Xbox App and sign in with the same Microsoft account. If you don't have the Xbox App installed, read it from the Microsoft Store.

If your console is signed into a different account than your PC, you'll need to add your main account to the console first. Go to Settings on your console, select Add or Switch, and sign in with the account you use on your PC. You don't have to make it the primary profile, but it must be present on the console.

Enable streaming on your Xbox console

On your console, go to Settings and select Devices & Connections. Choose Remote Features, then turn on Xbox App Connectivity. This setting allows your PC to detect and connect to your console. You'll see a confirmation message once it's enabled.

While you're in this menu, check that your console's network connection is stable. If your console is on a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network and your PC is on 5 GHz, they may have trouble connecting. Switch one device to match the other, or use a router that broadcasts both bands under the same network name.

Pair your console in the Xbox App

Open the Xbox App on your Windows PC. In the left sidebar, select Console & Accessories. The app will search for consoles on your network. When your console appears, select it and choose Connect. You may be asked to confirm the connection on your console — if so, select Allow.

If your console doesn't appear after 30 seconds, check that both devices are on the same network and that Xbox App Connectivity is turned on. Restart the Xbox App and try again. If the problem persists, restart your console and your router, then repeat the search.

Play console games on your PC after pairing

Once paired, the Xbox App shows your console in the Console & Accessories section with a green dot next to its name. Select your console to see what games are installed on it. Choose any game and select Play on Device to stream it to your PC. The game runs on your console but displays on your monitor.

Streaming quality depends on your network speed. A wired connection (Ethernet cable on both devices) gives the most stable stream. Wi-Fi works but may have lag or lower resolution if your signal is weak. You can adjust streaming quality in the Xbox App settings under Remote Play if you experience stuttering or delays.

Troubleshoot if your console won't appear

If the Xbox App can't find your console, first check that both devices are signed into the same Microsoft account. Open Settings on your console and confirm the account you're using. Then verify that Xbox App Connectivity is enabled under Devices & Connections on your console.

Next, confirm both devices are on the same network. Open your router's settings or check your phone's Wi-Fi list — your console and PC should both show the same network name. If your router has a guest network enabled, disable it temporarily, as it can interfere with device discovery. Restart both your console and your PC, then try pairing again.

If you still see no console after these steps, check your firewall. Windows Defender Firewall may block the connection. Go to Settings on your PC, select Privacy & Security, then Windows Defender Firewall. Choose Allow an App Through Firewall and make sure Xbox App is checked for both Private and Public networks.

Understand what you can and cannot do after connecting

Once connected, you can stream any game installed on your console to your PC and play it using an Xbox controller connected to your PC. You can also see your console's game library, manage installed games, and launch games remotely. The Xbox App also shows your console's storage and lets you delete games to free up space.

You cannot transfer games from your console to your PC — streaming plays the console version on your monitor. You also cannot use a keyboard and mouse to play console games through the app; most games require a controller. Some games may not support streaming due to licensing or technical limits, though most modern Xbox games do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Xbox Game Pass subscription to stream games to my PC?

No. Streaming console games to your PC works with any game you own on your console, whether you bought it or have it through Game Pass. Game Pass itself is optional and gives you access to a library of games on both console and PC, but it's not required for the streaming connection to work.

Can I use a wireless Xbox controller on my PC to play streamed games?

Yes. Connect your Xbox controller to your PC using a USB cable, the Xbox Wireless Adapter, or Bluetooth if your PC supports it. Once paired, the controller works with streamed games the same way it works on your console.

What if my console and PC are on different networks?

They must be on the same network to pair. If your PC is on your home Wi-Fi and your console is on a guest network, move the console to your main network. If you're trying to stream from a console at a different location, that's not supported through the standard pairing process.

Does streaming use a lot of internet bandwidth?

Streaming uses bandwidth based on the quality you choose. Standard quality uses around 10 Mbps, while high quality can use 35 Mbps or more. If you have a slower connection or share bandwidth with others, you may see lag or lower resolution. Wired connections are more stable than Wi-Fi for streaming.

Can I stream games if my console is in rest mode?

No. Your console must be fully powered on to stream games. You can turn it on remotely from the Xbox App if you've enabled that setting in your console's power options, but it won't wake from rest mode automatically when you try to stream.