If you’ve got a lot of digital movies, music, or game clips saved to a NAS (Network Attached Storage) at home, you might be wondering how to stream them straight to your Xbox Series X™.
At Asurion, we help people get more out of the tech they already own—from media storage setups to console streaming. Here’s how to connect your Xbox to a NAS so you can enjoy your personal library from the couch.
What is a NAS, and why use one with Xbox?
A NAS is like a private cloud server that lives in your home. It stores media and other files on your network so you can access them from multiple devices—like your Xbox, PC, or smartphone.
With a NAS and Xbox, you can:
- Stream movies and music from your media library.
- View photos and personal video files.
- Offload storage from USB drives or internal Xbox memory.
Method 1: Stream from NAS using the Media Player app
The easiest way to connect your Xbox to a NAS is through the built-in Media Player app.
- Turn on your Xbox and connect it to the same network as your NAS.
- From the Xbox home screen, go to Store and download the Media Player app if it’s not already installed.
- Open the app—your NAS should appear in the list of available devices.
- Select it to access your folders and media.
- Choose and play the video, music, or image file you want to view.
Your NAS must support DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) for this to work. Most popular NAS brands like Synology® and QNAP® support DLNA out of the box.
Method 2: Use Plex to stream media from your NAS
For a more powerful media interface, use Plex—a popular media server that organizes your library and streams to multiple devices.
- Set up a Plex Media Server on your NAS device.
- Install the Plex app from the Microsoft Store on your Xbox.
- Sign in to your Plex account on both the NAS and Xbox.
- Make sure both devices are on the same network, then launch Plex on your Xbox to start streaming.
This option supports more formats, better navigation, and a sleeker interface than the built-in Media Player.
Method 3: Map a network drive from a PC
If your NAS isn’t showing up in the Media Player app, you can use a PC as a middleman.
- Connect your NAS as a network drive on your Windows® PC.
- Share the folder that contains your media.
- On your Xbox, open Media Player and look for your PC under network devices.
- Access the shared folder and play your content.
This method works well for non-DLNA NAS devices or older models.
More helpful Xbox tips from our team:
- How to connect Xbox controller to a PC
- What to do when your Xbox keeps freezing
- How to fix Xbox Series X overheating
FAQ
Can I install games on my NAS for Xbox?
No, Xbox doesn’t support installing or launching games from a NAS. You can only use it to stream media like videos and music.
What file formats can the Xbox Media Player handle?
It supports most standard media types like MP4, AVI, WMV, MP3, and JPEG. Plex supports even more formats.
Why doesn’t my NAS show up in the Media Player app?
Make sure DLNA is enabled on your NAS and that both your Xbox and NAS are on the same network. Restarting both devices can also help.
Do I need an internet connection to use a NAS with Xbox?
No, as long as both your NAS and Xbox are connected to the same local network, streaming will work even without internet access.
