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Maximum Transmission Unit
The MTU referred to in the Xbox error message stands for ̶0;Maximum Transmission Unit.̶1; Computers send data over networks and the Internet in blocks. These blocks of data are contained in a structure called a packet. The packet carries the data in the body and then has a number of headers on the front. The headers of a data packet contain addressing information and administrative details that help the two computers communicating over the network to maintain a connection. The MTU dictates the largest length of data packet the network will tolerate. This figure is given in bytes and includes the space taken up by the packet headers.
MTU Settings
Users should not search their Xbox settings screens to correct the MTU problem. The MTU is a setting of the modem or router. Home routers, including Wi-Fi routers, can be contacted by typing in a special address in the address box of any computer connected to the network. This will display the console of the router in the Web browser. The MTU setting can be found in these configuration options.
Xbox Requirements
Xbox will not make a connection with Xbox Live if the network MTU is lower than 1,364 bytes. This is because this is the packet size the Xbox 360 and the Xbox Live site use to communicate. If the network MTU is lower than this size it will either split up, block or drop incoming packets and the Xbox 360 will not be able to send out its standard data packets.
Recommended Settings
Microsoft Windows recommends that the MTU should be set at 1,500 bytes. This clears the requirement for Xbox. However, some Internet service providers have an MTU of 1.492 bytes, and so, although Xbox packets will never exceed this size, home network users are recommended to set their router's MTU to this size if they encounter problems with an MTU setting of 1,500 bytes.