How to Unfreeze an Xbox 360
By Daniel Hatter
Screen freezes can occur on the Xbox 360 for several reasons. The mostly likely reasons include problems with a game disc, corrupted installed game files, network issues and lack of airflow to the console. Screen freezes almost always cause you to lose unsaved game progress, so determining the cause helps you resolve the issue and prevent it from destroying your game. To unfreeze your Xbox 360 and help prevent future freezes, do some troubleshooting to find out the cause.
Step 1
Press the center "Guide" button on your Xbox 360 controller and then press "Y." If nothing happens, press the power button on your Xbox 360 console to turn it off. Make sure the console is positioned in a clear, ventilated area on a solid surface away from objects that could hinder airflow to its vents. Turn it back on.
Step 2
Check the game disc. Take the game disc out of your Xbox 360 console's disc tray and inspect it for cracks, scuffs and smudges. If necessary, take a soft, water-dampened cloth and clean the disc. Rub from the inside out. If, upon finishing, there are cracks or scuffs that haven't gone away, the disc is likely unplayable.
Step 3
Try a different game. If you're playing an installed Xbox 360 game, there may be an issue with the game itself. Load a different game and play it as you normally would. If it doesn't freeze, the game is the issue. Go to the Xbox LIVE Marketplace and re-download the problematic game to your console.
Step 4
Check your Internet connection. If you're playing on Xbox LIVE and your game freezes, it is likely that you lost access to the Internet. Check the Ethernet cable or wireless connection to make sure it is still connected. If necessary, contact your Internet service provider to make sure there aren't any outages in your area.
Step 5
Contact Xbox Support if you keep having freezing issues. Visit the Xbox Support Contact Web page (see link in Resources) and follow the prompts to contact Xbox Support about your issue.
Warnings
- Information in this article applies to the Xbox 360 Slim console. It may vary slightly or significantly with other consoles.
Writer Bio
Daniel Hatter began writing professionally in 2008. His writing focuses on topics in computers, Web design, software development and technology. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in media and game development and information technology at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.