How to Fix XBox Chip

The XBox 360 game console is very popular but has an ongoing problem where a chip will overheat. This causes a single red light to appear on the front of the console and an "Error 74" message to appear on the television screen. Repairing the chip and getting your XBox 360 working again only requires an adjustment inside of the console's case so that adequate air is flowing through to keep the chip from overheating. The repair can be done within an hour.

Things You'll Need

• Clean cloth
• Long, thin stick
• Flat-edged screwdriver
• Torx screwdriver
• Television
• XBox video cable
• XBox audio cable

Instructions

Opening the Case of the Xbox 360

1. Remove the power cord and audio and video cables from the XBox 360 and put it down on the clean cloth on a work surface.

2. Squeeze the top and bottom of the faceplate with one hand while inserting the other hand inside of the door covering the USB ports. Pull off the faceplate.

3. Turn the console upside down on the clean cloth. Remove the four clips holding the top sheet of the console to the bottom using the flat-edged screwdriver.

4. Bend the gray ventilation shield on the right open. Push your long, thin stick through the white holes to dislodge the clips holding the tabs to the gray piece of plastic inside. Press the button on the front of the console and repeat the procedure to release the gray piece of plastic that is inside the left side of the console.

5. Lift off the top of the bottom shelf you can see inside.

6. Remove the 14 silver screws and the eight black screws with the Torx screwdriver. Turn the console right side up and remove the outer shell.

Repairing the XBox 360 Chip

1. Plug the power cord and the video cable back into the XBox 360 and turn it on. Wait as the "Error 74" message screen appears on the television screen. Turn the XBox 360 off.

2. Locate the small fan that is to the left of the larger, gold fan. Remove the "X" clamps from the back of the small fan using the Torx screwdriver. Put the "X" clamps and the screws away and wait 10 minutes.

3. Remove the metal shell covering the fan with a smooth, upward motion. Put the metal shell aside. Turn the XBox 360 back on and wait to see two red lights start to glow. Turn the console back off and unplug the power cord.

4. Replace the metal shield over the small fan by pushing it down till it clicks into position. Plug in the XBox 360 power cord and turn the console on. Wait as the green lights come on and the normal XBox 360 screen appears on the television.

5. Remove the power cord and the video cable from the XBox 360. Reverse the disassembly process to put the XBox 360 console back together.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear an antistatic strap to eliminate the chance of static electricity damaging the internal components of the XBox 360.

• Opening an XBox 360 voids the warranty and will cause Microsoft or an authorized dealer to refuse to do any kind of repair on it.

References

• How To Fix Error E 74 On Your Xbox 360

Resources

• Xbox 360