Microsoft, Comcast Fix Xbox One Software Glitch

Microsoft and Comcast have resolved a software issue that cropped up late last year for a subset of Xbox One users who tried to play games online over Wi-Fi networks that utilized IPv6 addresses.

The problem has apparently been ironed out after Microsoft released a mandatory system update for the new console in mid-February that also addressed the Wi-Fi multiplayer gaming issue.

According to the Comcast IPv6 Information Center blog, the issue was limited to Arris-made XB2 (TG852/TG862) integrated wireless DOCSIS 3.0 gateways being used in areas that support IPv6-enabled broadband. 

“Comcast and Microsoft have collaborated closely since this issue was discovered and are happy to report that this issue has been resolved,” Comcast explained, reiterating that Xbox One consoles that did not use Wi-Fi or other Comcast-supplied gateways were not affected.

As a temporary workaround, Comcast suggested in December that Xbox One users connect their consoles via Ethernet cables instead of Wi-Fi.

Comcast has been among the most aggressive with IPv6. As of last November, Comcast said it had deployed native IPv6 to more than 75% of its broadband network and was on pace to complete the job by early 2014. At the time, more than 25% of Comcast’s broadband subs were actively provisioned with native dual stack broadband Internet service.  Comcast has already completed IPv6 network rollouts on Arris cable modem termination systems (CMTSs), and is now expanding support to its base of Cisco Systems CMTSs.