Home >> Internet Games >> Xbox 360

Xbox 360 Red-Light Error Repair Guide

The "red ring of death" is an Xbox 360 hardware problem where three flashing red lights appear on the console's "power button." The gamer is unable to access the dashboard and play games. "It's a safety feature so the console doesn't overheat," said Josh Plunk, a sales associate at Play N Trade. Plunk said the central problem involves the x-clamp, a piece of aluminum that gets hot and warps the motherboard.

Instructions

"Green Power Supply Light"
- 1
  Press the "power button" to turn off the Xbox 360. Detach the power cord on the back of the console. Remove the power cord from the wall outlet and the power supply unit.
- 2
  Reattach the power cord to the back of the console. Insert the power cord into the wall outlet and power supply unit.
- 3
  Examine all three power supply connections to ensure they are properly fastened. Press the "power button" to turn on the Xbox 360. Check to see if the three flashing red lights remain.
"Red Power Supply Light"
- 4
  Press the "power button" to turn off Xbox 360. Detach the power cord on the back of the console. Remove the power cord from the wall outlet and the power supply unit.
- 5
  Reattach the power cord to the back of the console. Insert the power cord into the wall outlet and power supply unit.
- 6
  Examine all three power supply connections to ensure they are properly fastened. Press the "power button" to turn on the Xbox 360.
- 7
  Check to see if the power supply light turned green and has four flashing red lights. Plug an Xbox 360 A/V cable into the A/V socket on back of the console.
"When All Else Fails"
- 8
  Contact Xbox Support by dialing (425) 635-7180 if the "red ring of death" remains. Explain the problem in detail to the Microsoft representative. Write down the Service Request Number given during the call.
- 9
  Place Xbox into the box sent by Microsoft. Remove the hard drive, verify that no disc is in the disc tray, and detach the power supply and all accessories.
- 10
  Post a return address and the Service Request Number on the outside of the box. Mail the box to UPS.

Xbox 360