How To Repair Xbox 360 Red Ring

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The Ruby-red Ring of Expiry. It's every Xbox 360 possessor'south worst nightmare, and it tin can happen to anyone. It may seem like your 360 is beyond hope, but at that place are ways to get it running again, especially if you're willing to go your hands a little dirty. Follow this guide to acquire how.

1
Check your light lawmaking. There are 5 dissimilar light codes displayed effectually the Power button on the Xbox 360. Each of the codes represents a unlike failure country.
- Green lights. Dark-green lights indicate that the console is powered and operating correctly. The number of green lights indicates how many controllers are connected.
- One blood-red light. This is the Hardware Failure indicator. It is usually accompanied by an "E74" or like code displayed on the Tv. This is caused past the video scalar scrap being damaged.
- Two red lights. This is an overheating fault. If the console becomes too hot, the system will shut down and display this low-cal code. The fans will continue running until the components have been cooled.
- Three red lights. This is the Full general Hardware Failure, as well known as the Red Ring of Death. This indicates that one or more components have failed, and that the system is no longer operable. No error code volition exist displayed on the Goggle box.
- 4 reddish lights. This indicates that the AV cablevision is not correctly plugged in. Check the connection from the console to the Idiot box. This code will non display for HDMI connections.
2

Purchase a gear up-it kit online. While there is no piece of cake quick fix, repair kits can be found for way less than the price of a new game. These kits typically come packaged with an Xbox 360 opening tool, new thermal paste, new heat sinks, and new washers. Some volition include all of the screwdrivers you lot will need as well. Performing this prepare yourself can exist difficult, but tin can fix most Blood-red Band of Death cases.

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iii

Open up the 360. An Xbox opening tool will make this process much easier, and this tool is typically included in nearly repair kits. The opening process is the well-nigh difficult function of the repair process, if you don't have the Xbox opening tool..
4

Take out the DVD drive. Disconnect the cables from the back of the DVD drive. Once the cables are asunder, pull the DVD bulldoze up and out.
5

Remove the cooling fans. Pull the plastic shroud off by pressing in the sides and pulling information technology. Disconnect the fan cable from the motherboard. Pull the cooling fans out of the case.
6

Disconnect the ability lath. Pry off the plastic cover from the front circuit board. Remove the three screws that connect the board to the example. Y'all will need a T6 screwdriver.
7

Extract the motherboard from the case. Once the example has been completely opened, you lot can slide the motherboard directly out of the case. Place it on a protected surface to forestall harm or static shock.
8

Pry the clamps off the back of the motherboard. You tin pry the clamps off their posts with a small flathead screwdriver. Go slowly to avoid damaging the motherboard with the screwdriver.
ix

Remove the heat sinks from the CPU and GPU. Once the clamps have been removed, lift the heat sinks direct off of the board. Yous may have to apply a little force to pull the heatsinks off of the thermal paste.
ten
Scrape off the old thermal paste and utilize a new layer. You may need to use acetone or smash polish to completely remove the old thermal paste.
- You don't need to apply very much thermal paste. If the paste oozes out when you put the new heat sink on, then you have also much. Remove the heat sink again and clean the backlog thermal paste.
11

Remove the squishy thermal pads. Replace these with the replacement pads from our ready-information technology kit. These will apply more pressure to the board, keeping the RAM from condign unseated.
12

Reassemble the Xbox. Make certain that everything is properly screwed dorsum in. Plug your Xbox in and attempt to power information technology on.

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1
Have the panel professionally fixed. At that place are many establishments, both online and in brick-and-mortar shops, which offer Xbox repairs. They will essentially exist performing the steps outlined to a higher place. They may also reflow the solder using a heat gun or reflow automobile. These repairs can be expensive, just may be more than reliable than doing it yourself.
- Be sure to cull with a trusted establishment. Don't just send your Xbox to the first website you observe online, exercise some research and make certain they are legitimate.
ii
Have the console sent in to Microsoft. If you are notwithstanding under warranty, Microsoft will replace or repair your failed console. You may have to pay shipping or additional fees depending on the details of your warranty. If yous are out of warranty, you can pay Microsoft a fee to repair the console. The fee is less if y'all register online through Microsoft'south repair website.
- Microsoft may repair your console up to 3 years after you purchased it.
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1
Keep your system absurd. Heat is the number one cause of hardware failure for the Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 needs to be as cool as possible in order to operate properly. Overheating can cause a variety of hardware problems, leading to the failure of unlike components.
- Excess heat warps the motherboard, separating it from the CPU and GPU.
2

Proceed your system well-ventilated. Practice not place it in a chiffonier or other enclosed space. Make sure that other electronics are non shut, and that none of the vents are blocked. Exercise not place your 360 on a carpeted surface, as it will not exist able to vent out of the bottom.
3

Avoid long gaming sessions. Running your Xbox constantly volition increase the amount of heat it generates. Give your organization breaks to allow it to cool down.
four

Go along your organization horizontal. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that placing your organization vertically decreases its ability to dissipate heat, as well as increasing the chances of scratched discs. Place your system horizontally on a difficult, flat surface.
5
Avoid stacking items on the Xbox. Stacked items will reverberate oestrus dorsum into the system. Keep the top of your system clear.
- Even stacking a couple of game cases on top of the Xbox tin can cause a significant increase in heat.
half dozen

Clean your gaming area. Make certain to grit the expanse regularly to keep particles from accumulating in the organisation. Dust the surroundings to reduce the amount of dust in the air.
7

Grit your Xbox. Utilise a vacuum to suck dust out of the vents. Wipe dust off of the system regularly. In extreme cases, you tin can open up your case and apply compressed air to blast dust off of the components.

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Add New Question

Question

Tin can I keep a small-scale fan next to the Xbox so it volition cool it downwards more?

Y'all can accept a fan side by side to or on your 360 where the console draws air in, because the system is cartoon more than air in it will just aid draw it in. Though drawing more air in to the original fan will only slow the original fan down, so do so at your own risk.

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Do NOT wrap your Xbox 360 in towels to intentionally overheat the system and reflow the solder. While it may get the system working for a few minutes, the long term impairment to your Xbox is much more astringent, and you also run the risk of burn down.

Thank you for submitting a tip for review!

Opening your Xbox 360 will void the warranty. If your console is still covered past warranty, transport information technology to Microsoft first.

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