How to Troubleshoot a Freezing Xbox

Restart the Xbox and relaunch the game. If the game freezes again, remove any unnecessary peripheral devices. Restart, then relaunch the game a second time. If freezing persists, continue to step 2.

Insert a different game disc into the console and play it briefly. If the game does not freeze up, examine the underside of the first disc for marks or scratches. Polish over any blemishes with a soft cloth, moving outward from the center of the disc to the edge. Microsoft does not recommend using commercial cleaners such as sprays, solutions, or pre-moistened wipes on Xbox game discs. If any marks or scratches cannot be removed and the game continues to freeze, the disc may need to be replaced. If the second game disc does freeze, continue to step 3.

Clear any freezing games' caches from the console's hard drive. This will eliminate saved data, so first back up your saved games on an Xbox Memory Unit if one is available. After the data has been backed up, remove the disc, restart and wait for the "Dashboard" menu to appear.

Select "Memory," then "Xbox Hard Disk." Scroll through the saved games to find one of the games that was freezing, then select it. Select the large game icon that appears on the left side of the list. Press the "A" button twice, select "Yes" and then press A again to delete the cache file. Repeat this process with other saved games, if necessary. Restart the Xbox. Load the most recent saved game or start a new one. If freezing continues, proceed to step 5.

Check the power supply light on the front of the console. If the light glows red or orange, the Xbox may be overheating. Unplug the console and any peripheral devices. Open the Xbox case with the screwdriver and carefully remove the hard drive (which may be quite hot). Place all of the components on a cloth in a safe location away from any heat source, such as a radiator or even the television. Allow the parts to cool. Later, spray the console with compressed air to remove dust, hair, and other debris, paying special attention to the vents. Reassemble the Xbox, plug it in, insert the game disc and attempt to play the game again. If freezing continues, proceed to step 6.

Remove the game disc and restart the Xbox without a disc inside. When the Dashboard appears, select "Main Menu," then "Settings, then "Clock." If the time and date are inaccurate, reset them and exit the menu. Try to play the game again. If freezing continues, proceed to step 7.

Consult your Xbox owner's manual for information on having your console serviced by a professional, as the problem most likely stems from malfunctioning or damaged hardware.