When a player launches the Xbox console, error 0x80a40401 can appear, often linked to being in the Russia region. The message “Service Unavailable – 0x80a40401” may surface not only when Xbox services are blocked for a country or region but also due to a missing or unstable Internet connection, issues with network devices, MAC address problems, or problems with the Microsoft account. This guide compiles several reliable methods to resolve these issues and get back to gaming quickly.
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Check your internet connection
Before making any changes, verify that the issue is not stemming from the network itself:
- Test your Internet connection on another device to rule out a broader outage.
- Restart the modem and the console to refresh network state.
- Try a different network, such as using a smartphone as a mobile hotspot to test connectivity.
If these steps don’t help, proceed to the next solutions.
Update MAC address
The MAC address identifies the console on the home network and on the Internet. Because this address has caused issues in the past, Microsoft has added a cleanup feature for this address to reduce conflicts.
To reset the MAC address on Xbox:
- Press the Xbox button on the controller.
- Navigate to the Profile and System tab, then select Options.
- In the Network Settings section, open Additional Settings and choose Alternate MAC Address.
- Pick a reset option, then restart the console to apply changes.
- After reboot, rejoin the Network Settings and test the connection again.
Log in to your account again
Sometimes the issue is tied to the account rather than the location. Removing the account and signing back in can refresh permissions and restore access.
Note: It helps to remember login details before proceeding.
- Open the Options menu as described above.
- Access the account settings and choose Delete Accounts.
- Select the target account and confirm the deletion.
- Restart the console, then return to Profile and System to add a new profile.
- Enter the credentials and reconfigure the Microsoft account.
Set up a personal DNS server
Another effective approach is to configure a manual DNS server. This setting can allow gameplay to continue with fewer interruptions while you troubleshoot.
To adjust DNS settings on Xbox:
- Open the Options menu by pressing the Xbox button on the controller.
- Navigate to Network Settings under the common section.
- Choose Additional Settings where DNS Settings is listed.
Switch to manual input and enter the following DNS values:
- Basic IPv4 DNS: 78.157.42.100
- Additional IPv4 DNS: 78.157.42.101
One potential drawback is a slight drop in network speed for some users with this approach.
End of steps. Implementing these methods often resolves the 0x80a40401 error and restores access to online services. Persistence and careful testing of each change will help identify the most effective solution for a given setup.