While attempting to use your Xbox 360 console as a Media Center Extender, you receive the error message: "Connection Failed"

When you try to connect an Xbox 360 console to a Windows Vista-based Media Center computer, you receive one of the following error messages:

This can happen if your computer is joined to a domain that has a Group Policy setting that prevents the console from connecting to the computer. This can also happen if the Media Center Extender certificate is corrupted.

Try the following methods in the order that they appear.

Method 1

First, determine whether the computer is joined to a domain. If the computer is joined to a domain, determine whether the group policy is causing this error. To do this, temporarily remove the computer from the domain, restart the computer, and then try to add the Xbox 360 console as an Extender again. If the Group Policy settings are causing the connection issues, complete method 2.

Method 2

Remove the Media Center Extender certificate. To remove the certificate, follow these steps:

1. Click Start
   Collapse this imageExpand this image

   
   , type mmc in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
2. Click the File menu, and then click Add/Remove Snap-in.
3. Click Certificates, and then click Add.
4. Select Computer account, and then click Next.
5. Select Local computer, and then click Finish.
6. Click OK.
7. In the Navigation Pane, under Console Root, expand Certificates, expand Personal, and then click Certificates.
8. Right-click Microsoft Windows Media Center Extender Host, and then click Delete.

After you remove the certificate, uninstall the Extender, and then reinstall the Extender. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Start Windows Media Center.
2. Click Tasks, and then click Settings.
3. Click Extender, and then select the Xbox 360 console.
4. Click Uninstall.
5. After the uninstall process is complete, click Extender again, and then click Configure.
6. When you're prompted for the setup key, follow these steps:
   1. On the Xbox 360 Media Remote, press the Y button.
   2. Press the Windows Media Center Start button.
   3. Note the eight-digit setup key.
7. Return to the computer, and then enter the setup key.
8. Complete the Extender setup.

If you still can't install the Extender, you may need additional support. Please see the "Additional support" section below.

For more information about Media Center Extenders, visit the following Web site:

Additional support

If the steps in the previous section did not resolve your issue, your console may have to be repaired. For more information about how to start the online repair process, please visit one of the following Web Page links: For more information about how to contact Xbox Customer Support directly, please visit the following Microsoft Web site: