XBox 360 Error 51-C00DF236 Fixed [Play Videos Offline]
The Annoying Introduction
If you’ve found this entry from a search engine, you’re probably at your wits end with trying to solve this issue. You’re trying to play a video file on your XBox 360, but it won’t let you watch it unless you’re signed on to XBox Live.
You attempt to play the video, but unless you’re signed on to XBox Live, you get a message saying you need to download an update in order for the video to play; an update that you’ve already (countless times) downloaded. Well, that’s not exactly the problem. In fact, that’s not the problem at all.
This all has to do with Microsoft’s annoying DRM (Digital Rights Management) practices. I’ll give you my story, and I’m willing to bet yours is similar. I got my first XBox 360 about 4 years ago. It finally died on me a couple months ago. Obviously, a 4 year-old XBox is not under warrantee any longer. So, I went out and bought another one. Kept my hard drive and stuck it on my new XBox.
Now, Microsoft’s sneaky little trick is that they only allow your videos to be played on the original XBox that you set your gamertag up on. Let’s call my original XBox that I purchased 4 years ago “XBox A,” and my new XBox will be called “XBox B.” Each XBox has a unique “Console ID” number. A long string of numbers uniquely identifying your particular XBox.
Because I initially set up my gamertag on XBox A, when I attempted to play videos on XBox B, Microsoft realized that I was playing videos on an “Unauthorized” XBox that I had not originally set my gamertag up on. So, obviously they had to weasel their way into my life and keep me from watching videos in a convenient manner – meaning I had to be signed in to XBox Live in order to watch anything.
That’s not to say there isn’t a fix, because there is. And here’s how to do it…
The Solution
Microsoft has a site where you can “Transfer Content Licenses to a New Console.” It’d be nice if something like this was mentioned on the XBox error message. It could possibly save a lot of anger and frustration.
From this site, you get all the instructions on how to transfer your “license” to watch your own videos on your own XBox! So much for “Digital Rights.” More like Digital TYRANNY! No wonder torrent sites are so popular. All of the content with none of the restrictions.
Anyway, that’s the fix. You have to go to that site and transfer your license to your new XBox.
Hope this helps!
l found your article “XBox 360 Error 51-C00DF236 Fixed [Play Videos Offline]” today just when l was “at my wits end”
l followed your straight forward instructions and l am now back to the land of movies!! thank you for the simple advice, it seems xbox isnt able to supply simple advise…
Ha ha I guess that explains it. I always wondered why I needed to constantly download the “update” but it was never a problem until today when Live has been down all day and I haven’t been able to watch any videos. Thanks for the solution, I’m gunna go try it now.
Any suggestions for my issue: I have 100s of videos I created by transcodeing my DVD collection into .mov and .mkv and .avi files. I have ‘em all on an external HD connected to the USB port on my Xbox360. I only have issues playing them back when disconnected from xbox live. Since i didn’t buy them from microsoft there’s no license.
I email microsoft, who promply ignored my message and sent a form letter back. Any suggestions other than buy an apple TV and mail a copy of the recepit to Redmund?
James,
The issue isn’t with the license for the individual movies. The license is for the media player on the XBox, itself. Whether it’s a DivX codec, or Windows Media, the license is for the player, not the movies. So, you will have to follow the same instructions. Transfer your “license” to your current XBox.
But, be careful. You can only transfer your license once every 12 months. So, if this is not your primary XBox, don’t do it.
Thanks very much for this info. I had a feeling it had to do with whatever profile the update was installed with, but I didn’t know the reasoning behind it.
Brilliant, totally fixed the problem. Thanks :-)
Just transferred content licenses to new xbox, followed instructions to redownload files, had nothing about media player license, still cannot play avi files when offline. Is there an amount of time i need to wait for licenses to transfer????
Thanks
Dan,
It should take effect immediately. Yours is the first case I’ve heard of it not working properly. You have to make sure that you follow the steps exactly. See if it will let you try the process again. Maybe it hasn’t been completed yet?
I have the same problem as Dan. I followed the steps and have plenty of games to download again but nothing in the video section. I am also playing movies off of my external HD. Hmmm, is there a way around this at all?
For those who are experiencing troubles, I’d recommend contacting Microsoft directly. The link I provided is for transferring your license to play video offline. If that has not worked for you… if you’re certain you’ve followed the steps exactly as is shown on that site, then I’m not sure what the issue is.
You can contact Microsoft XBox tech support here. There are several methods of contact. I’d recommend calling the tech support line for your issue.
Their number is: (800) 4MY-XBOX. They may be able to help. It seems pretty rare that this issue isn’t resolved by transferring your license.
You sir, are a legend. I have been struggling with this issue for over a year, and now it’s fixed. Thank you.
Glad to be of help. I struggled with it for a while myself.
Thanks for that fix, that problem was pretty annoying. That’s an annoying move by Microsoft.
Thank you so much, seriously been getting bugged by that as microsoft said the licenses were transfered when my console was replaced….. turned out to be a blatant lie, thanks for solving the problem :-)
If you want to play xvids offline for non-ms video’s just make a new live account and delete the old OMU. Then re-d/l it with the newly created account and BAM they will work offline. I had to do this as I have no internet and wanted to enjoy XVIDS.
Hey! Seems you’ve made a lot of people’s days here but mine.I have a the exact same issue with my 360, the only difference in my case is I NEVER ONCE swapped my xbox. It never broke down, never got repaired, nada. So why in a witch’s tit would they start breaking MY balls with this crap? I’ve downloaded the update and everything, to my original box, on which all of my accounts were ORIGINALLY created, so what might have happened here?
The funny part is it worked fine up until one day when it started showing the 51-C00DF236-code, which is really kind of creepy because I never even connected the internet-cable between the working days and the 51-C00DF236-days. Do they have little evil catterpillar-usb-robots that sneak in to my house, rape my port and squirt all kinds of annoying DRM-STD’s into my xbox or what?
Thanks in advance!
/Smejks
I never understood why I had to be connected tot Xbox Live to watch my Avi’s. It just didn’t make sense, untill I read your post here. This is my 3rd Xbox and now I understand that my licenses are spread between 3 console id’s. I followed your instruction and finally I can watch my Avi’s even when my Xbox doesn’t want to connect to Xbox Live.
Thank you so much for your help! You have saved me from this ongoing frustration.
I had the same issue. My Xbox 360 was replaced under the 3-year 3 flashing lights warranty. But I could not play avi or mp4 files without being connected to XboxLive. The solution was in a letter from Microsoft, included with the replacement Xbox 360. Sign into XboxLive, enter the gametag and select “Manage Account” and then “Download History”. One of the items in the History should be “Optional Media Update”. Just do “Download Again”. This will restore your license and you will be back to normal, watching movies on your Xbox 360 as before.
What if the console was the original? I’ve never replaced my console before. This is my first elite and I’m trying to play my external drive but it gives me this error. What should I do.
I am having a similar issue. I always used to be able to stream movies i had on the hard drive of my computer to my xbox via the router, my xbox has always been connected to the internet, i haved never disconnected my xbox, the only thing i have done, is change from a silver to a gold account on live. I can still view the files on the xbox but when i try to play them, this seriously annoying message comes up telling me to download this update, which i already have! this happens with all codecs, divx, xvid etc. This also happened when i plugged a usb stick into the xbox. I used to be able to play them, i changed nothing, now i cant! aaarrrgggghhhhh please help!