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How to Fix the Red Ring

The Xbox 360 gaming system can experience what is known as the "red ring." This is a ring of red lights that form a circle around the system's power button. This red ring indicates that there is an error with the system. When you have a full red ring of four flashing lights, your system may be alerting you to issues with the audio/video connections to your television, or it may indicate that there is a much more serious issue with your system's hardware. If the issue is with the hardware, you cannot resolve the issue on your own and you need to send the system in for repairs.

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off your television and Xbox 360.
- 2
  Unplug the audio/video connection (the large, rectangular connection) from the back of your Xbox 360.
- 3
  Unplug the Xbox 360 audio/video connectors from your television.
- 4
  Plug the audio/video connectors back into the game system and television. This should clear out the connection between the Xbox 360 and your television.
- 5
  Turn on your television and Xbox 360. If the game system still displays a red ring, it is possible that you may have a faulty audio/video cable.
- 6
  Obtain a new audio/video cable for your Xbox 360. Purchase a cord from the Microsoft online store or most retailers that sell Xbox 360 accessories. You may also borrow a working cord from someone else that owns an Xbox 360.
- 7
  Turn off your television and Xbox 360.
- 8
  Disconnect the old audio/video cables and replace it with the working audio/video cable.
- 9
  Turn on your television and Xbox 360. If the system still displays the red ring, this indicates a hardware failure. You need to start an online repair request with the Xbox support website and send your system in for repair.

Xbox 360