How to Repair Flashing Lights on an XBox

The flashing lights on an Xbox 360 console, commonly called the "Red Ring of Death," have been a nightmare for gamers since the console was released. The flashing lights can indicate a number of possible problems with the console. Some problems causing the flashing lights are very simple and can easily be repaired. Others may be internal problems that a professional service center may need to look at.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Observe how many of the four quadrants in the ring are flashing red because this indicates what the source of the problem usually is. If two of the four are flashing, the console has overheated. If three lights are red, there is a hardware problem. A full red ring should mean a bad connection with the cables.

2. Unplug the power source and let the console cool, especially if the ring has two of the four quadrants flashing. The overheating is likely caused by a bad location where the console can't get enough air flow. Try placing it on a hard surface with plenty of open space around it.

3. Disconnect the cables and reconnect them. The audio/video cable with the RCA-style plugs is the one to focus on. Listen for a clicking sound with as you plug this cable back into the console. This sound ensures that the cable is fully connected.

4. Remove the hard drive from the console. Press the button on the side hatch to open it and pull out the drive. Now reboot the system and run its Initial Setup, choosing not to insert a hard disk drive or memory unit a message box asks. Sync the controller and insert a new game to test the system.

5. Send the console over to Microsoft's repair center if none of these steps work. In the wake of so many problems with the flashing lights, Microsoft offers a three-year warranty to correct the issues. This warranty is only valid if you don't try to fix the problem yourself by completely opening the console.

Tips & Warnings

• Numerous third parties offer repair kits claiming to help fix the red light problem, and repair guides are available in many bookstores. Keep in mind that any of these methods will require opening up the console completely, voiding the console's warranty.

References

• Team Xbox Editorials
• Xbox 360 Maniac
• Online Software Downloads

[spartanic]

on 8/25/2009 Here's a few guides that you can use to fix your Xbox 360 in less than an hour. http://budurl.com/kdv9