How to Fix Xbox One Error 0x80a40008

Some Xbox One users are encountering the 0x80a40008 error when they try to sign in to their Xbox Profile or when attempting to recover a profile on their console. Whenever the error pops up, it ends up denying access to the Xbox account, leaving affected users with no way of accessing their game library.

If you’re encountering the 0x80a40008 error, the first thing you should do is a test to see if there are any underlying issues with any of the critical Xbox Live services. If everything checks out, proceed by testing your network connection and see if your console is managing to establish an Internet connection from your router.

In case you discover a router problem, reboot it initially or restart if the issue is persisting. If you confirm a network or server issue, you can switch your console to Offline mode and play single-player games until access is restored.

However, if the issue is occurring locally (there’s no evidence that others are also having this issue currently), perform a power-cycling procedure in order to clear any temporary data that might be causing the issue.

Method 1: Checking for Xbox server issues

Before we move out to any fixes that other affected users have recommended, you should start this troubleshooting guide by checking the status of the Xbox Live servers. In most user-documented cases, the 0x80a40008 error ended up occur due to a temporary server problem – either a maintenance period or a server issue that is being actively resolved (in the past, this problem occurred when Microsoft’s servers experienced a DDoS attack)

To verify if the problem is indeed being caused by an Xbox Live core problem, access this link (here) and check to see if any of the services are currently unavailable.

In case the Xbox Live status report has revealed that every service is running smoothly, you are NOT dealing with a server-issue (that is beyond your control) and you can proceed with the next troubleshooting guides below.

However, in the event that you see an exclamation point next to certain services (particularly the Xbox Live Core Service), wait a while before attempting to sign in with your user profile once again. Issues of this kind are typically resolved in a couple of hours.

Additionally, if you don’t want to wait, you can follow Method 3 to use your Xbox One console in Offline Mode. This will allow you to access your game media library, but you will not be able to access any online features.

Method 2: Testing your network connection

If you previously confirmed that there every Xbox One service is running smoothly, you should proceed by testing to see if your console is successfully connecting to your networking device. As it turns out, the 0x80a40008 error can also be caused by common network inconsistencies that end up interfering with the connection between your console and your router or modem.

Follow the guide below to test the network connection on your Xbox One console:

1. From the main dashboard, press the Xbox button on your controller to open up the guide menu.
2. Once the guide menu is revealed, go all the way down to the gear icon to select it, then access the All settings menu from the newly appeared context menu.

   

3. Inside the Settings menu, select the Network tab from the vertical menu on the left, then access the Network Settings menu.

   

4. When you are inside the Network tab, go to the Troubleshooting tab and access the Test network connection menu.

   

5. Wait until the test is performed, then check on the results. If you get a message saying that ‘Everything is good‘, the issue is not being caused by your network connection.

   

In case the investigation you performed above has revealed some network inconsistencies that is preventing your machine from establishing an Internet connection, you should try rebooting (or resetting) your networking device (router or modem).

To do this, simply press the ON/OFF button (located on your router/modem) once, wait for 20 seconds or more, then power it back on and wait while the network is rebooted.

If that doesn’t work and you’re still encountering the same issue, your next step would be to reset your networking device.

IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that resetting your router might also reset the login credentials and any previously established network settings (from inside you’re router settings).

To perform a router or modem reset, use a sharp object to press and hold on the Reset button (typically located on the back of the device) and keep it pressed for about 10 seconds or until you see that all the LEDs start flashing at once.

In case you’ve followed this method with no success or this scenario, the network hasn’t revealed any inconsistencies, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 3: Using Xbox One in Offline mode

If the investigations above have revealed that you’re either dealing with an Xbox Live server or an ISP issue that is preventing your console from connecting to the LIVE service, one alternative that will allow you to access your game library immediately is to switch your console to Offline Mode.

This operation will allow you to play any single-player game from your library without completing the online sign-in procedure, but you obviously won’t be able to play multiplayer games and access any online features.

If this scenario is applicable and you’re willing to go this route, follow the instructions below to switch your Xbox Live console to Offline Mode:

1. Press the Xbox button on your console to bring up the guide menu. Once you’re inside, use the next menu to navigate to the following location:  System > Settings > Network
2. Inside the Network menu, navigate to Network Settings and access the Go Offline menu.

   

3. Once your console mode is successfully switched to Offline mode, access your game library and play any single-player experience.
   Note: You can regularly repeat the tests above (Method 1 and Method 2) to see if when the problem is resolved. Once it is, simply reverse engineer the instructions above to Go Online again.

In case the same problem is still occurring (or this scenario wasn’t applicable, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 4: Performing a power-cycling procedure

If none of the methods above have allowed you to fix the issue and you previously confirmed that the 0x80a40008 error is not being caused by a server or router/modem problem, you should do a power-cycle to ensure that the problem is not being facilitated by a firmware or software glitch.

Several affected users that went this route have confirmed that this operation finally allowed them to sign in with their Live profile without encountering the same issue.

Important: Keep in mind that this procedure is different from a regular console restart. What makes it more effective is the fact that it ends up draining the power capacitors on your console, eliminating the vast majority issues that are being caused by cached data.

Here’s a quick guide on performing a power cycle on your Xbox One console:

1. Once you’re in the main dashboard, press and hold the power button (on the front of your console). Keep it pressed for 10 seconds or more – or until you see that the front LED is turned off completely. When this happens, let go of the power button.

   

2. Once the procedure is complete, wait for a full minute before turning the device back on.
   Note: You can ensure that the process is successfully by physically disconnecting the power cable from the power source and waiting for a full minute.
3. Turn the console back on and be on the lookout for the initial starting up animation. Seeing it is the confirmation that the operation has been successful.

   

4. After the power cycling procedure is complete, attempt to sign in with your Xbox Live account once again and see if the issue is now resolved.