In this guide, we will look into the possible reasons causing an error 0x803f9008 when playing games on Xbox and the four ways that might solve this issue on your gaming console. When you encounter this bug on your controller, you may receive the following error message as well – For this game, you need to be online (0x803f9008).
How to Fix Error 0x803f9008 on Xbox
If you are struggling with an error code 0x803f9008 while playing games on Xbox, consider applying the below fixes and check which one exactly resolves this issue. The possible solutions to this problem are as follows –
- Purge Stored cache on Xbox
- Connect to Xbox Live
- Enable My Home Box
- Clear or Reset Alternate Mac Address
1] Purge Stored cache on Xbox
In general, users play heavy games on the Xbox console. For the well functioning of a game, Xbox generates some cache which remains there unless purged. When the stored cache passes the permissible limit, this may start causing bugs and errors. So, make a habit of clearing the cache on this gaming console from time to time. If you haven’t performed this task for a long time, do it now and check if the error 0x803f9008 resolves this way.
Follow the below guideline on how to purge the stored cache on Xbox –
- Press the Xbox button to enter its Guide section.
- Select Settings and then System Settings.
- Go to the Storage option and select the available storage device.
- Do hit the “Y” button to reach out to the Device Options tab.
- Now, press A to select “Clear System cache” and when prompted, hit the Yes button.
- Xbox will take some time to clear the stored cache on it.
- Once this is over, you will be redirected to the Storage Devices screen.
Click on the Guide button again and you will return back to the Xbox Home. Now, check if you can play games on it without getting an error code 0x803f9008.
2] Connect to Xbox Live
The next viable solution to the error code 0x803f9008 is by connecting to Xbox Live. Several users reported fixing this error code by simply connecting to it. Here’s how to perform this task –
- Press the Xbox button and this will redirect you to the Guide section.
- Click “Connect to Xbox Live” and wait while the connection is established.
- As soon as the connection establishes, click Go online.
Now, check if the error code 0x803f9008 resolves by following this way.
3] Enable My Home Box
It is clear from the above workaround that going live on Xbox resolves this error code 0x803f9008. But since network glitches are not something you can control, you should set up your home box. This is applicable only when you play games on your Xbox regularly. Doing so will keep your gaming console connected even though there are some network issues while playing offline games. To do so, follow these easy steps –
- Start your gaming controller and hit the Xbox button.
- When its Guide opens up, select Profile & System.
- Head over to the Settings option next and proceed as follows –
General > Personalization
- Select My home box and set your current device as the home box.
- Now check if the error code 0x803f9008 resolves on your Xbox console.
Note: In case you ever want to remove this home box, you need to re-visit the path above and click Remove this as my home Xbox.
4] Clear or Reset Alternate Mac Address
A few users reported fixing this error code by simply clearing the default alternate Mac address on their gaming consoles. Do so and check if this helps to fix error 0x803f9008 –
- Launch the Xbox console by pressing the Xbox button.
- Head over to the System tab and scroll down to select Settings.
- Now, go to Network and choose Network Settings.
- Come down to the Advanced Settings and here you will find the Alternate MAC Address option.
- When found, hit the Clear button available next to it and reboot your gaming console.
- Launch your Xbox console again and check if the problem resolves on your controller.
Is it okay to clear your Alternate Mac address?
To answer that you need to first understand what a MAC address is. MAC, short for “Media Access Control” is a unique identifier and is assigned to a network interface controller for use as a network address in communications within a network segment.
So, when you reset or clear the existing MAC address, this does nothing except reboot your console. It should be noted that the field is already blank. All you are doing is assigning a new address to play games on your Xbox controller.
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