How To Troubleshoot Your Xbox 360 For The Red Ring Of Death
The red ring of death sometimes has a very simple fix that doesn't require any disassembly of your Xbox 360. Before assuming that your Xbox needs repair or has to be sent back to Microsoft, you should rule out the simple stuff first. This page will provide a troubleshooting procedure to do just that.
For those who are unfamiliar with the term, the red ring of death refers to those three red lights that make a three quarter circle about the power button of your Xbox 360 when it malfunctions.
See below why this happens, what you should do before getting your console repaired, and finally how you'll be able to repair your Xbox yourself and whether you should.
For those who are unfamiliar with the term, the red ring of death refers to those three red lights that make a three quarter circle about the power button of your Xbox 360 when it malfunctions.
See below why this happens, what you should do before getting your console repaired, and finally how you'll be able to repair your Xbox yourself and whether you should.
Something You Need to Know Before Proceeding Further:
OPENING UP YOUR CONSOLE WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY.If you've already been inside your console or if your warranty has ran out then no problem. Otherwise you should give this some careful thought first.
Make Sure That You Actually Have The Red Ring of Death
If flashing red lights are a new experience for you, make certain that you count three red lights (see picture to the right). Four red lights also form a red ring but it is not the red ring of death. A brief description of the other error codes including the four red light error are given here. So Why Does the Red Ring of Death Happen in the First Place?
Causes for the Red Ring of Death
There are two broad reasons why your Xbox 360 will flash the red ring of death:
1.) When the console is getting insufficient power. This can be readily identified and easily fixed without having to open up the console.
2.) The other more serious cause for the red ring of death is overheating of your Xbox. The Xbox overheats because of various design problems.
Sometimes overheating will trigger the three red light condition (red ring of death) before any damage has occurred. In such cases you will have to pamper your Xbox in various ways (described in the troubleshooting procedure) to keep it from overheating.
However, overheating (or repeated overheating) can also damage the motherboard. If this is the case, then repair of some kind will be necessary. You can either send your Xbox back to Microsoft if you have a valid warranty or you can do the repair yourself (see the "Repairing Your XBox" section below).
The heat problem and the Xbox design issues that contribute to the red ring of death are explained as follows:
1.) When the console is getting insufficient power. This can be readily identified and easily fixed without having to open up the console.
2.) The other more serious cause for the red ring of death is overheating of your Xbox. The Xbox overheats because of various design problems.
Sometimes overheating will trigger the three red light condition (red ring of death) before any damage has occurred. In such cases you will have to pamper your Xbox in various ways (described in the troubleshooting procedure) to keep it from overheating.
However, overheating (or repeated overheating) can also damage the motherboard. If this is the case, then repair of some kind will be necessary. You can either send your Xbox back to Microsoft if you have a valid warranty or you can do the repair yourself (see the "Repairing Your XBox" section below).
The heat problem and the Xbox design issues that contribute to the red ring of death are explained as follows:
1. Heat
Xbox 360 heat is excessive.
There are a lot of high powered components within the Xbox 360 that are packed into a small space. Now, a lot of heat is put out by these components (the CPU and GPU in particular). Heat sinks, fans, and vents inside the console are used to dissipate this heat. Because of it's marginal cooling capacity, this system easily overheats if the airflow into the Xbox 360 is obstructed. When the heat levels get too high, various design flaws begin to act up leading to the red ring of death.
Xbox Heat Sinks
2. Lead free solder
Xbox 360 solder is brittle.
In order to avoid using lead in products used by children, Microsoft made the Xbox 360 with lead free solder. Lead free solder tends to be more brittle. To make matters worse, the wrong type of lead free solder was used by Microsoft, one that gets really brittle with heat exposure over long periods. If you stress this brittle solder, tiny hair-line cracks will develop. The cracks can obstruct the flow of electrical current and also result in a weak solder joint that easily breaks. 3. Flawed heat sink clamp design
Xbox 360 heatsink clamp causes motherboard to flex.
The X clamp is a questionable design because the clamp presses down with a non uniform force. When the GPU and CPU heat up, this uneven pressure intensifies, which makes the motherboard bend and flex. Brittle, lead free solder joints get stressed when the motherboard flexes. When this stress is repeated over time, cracks and breaks occur in the solder joints.
X Clamp
4. Left over foil on the heat sink
Xbox 360 heat sink has foil attached.
On a number of it's units, Microsoft failed to remove some foil on the heat sink. Several "ring of death" failures can be attributed to this. The thermal compound must be reapplied if you decide to remove the foil. 5. Deficient Manufacturing Process: Soldering Temperature Was Too Low
Xbox solder process was sub-optimal.
The soldering process during manufacture was done at too low a temperature. When lead free solder is under heated, the resulting solder joint is full of voids and other defects. These weak joints won't hold up for long even under normal circumstances. If you include the other Xbox faults such as running too hot and warping of the motherboard, you've got the perfect formula for failure.
6. The Graphics Chip Puts Out Too Much Heat
Instead of going to an experienced vendor for its chip design (ASIC vendor), Microsoft designed the graphics chip in house, in other words, on it's own. They did this in order to save some tens of millions of dollars in the cost of the design.
Although Microsoft has some experience here, it doesn't come close to the level of expertise of the ASIC vendors. As a result, their graphics chip is inefficient in that it dissipates too much waste heat.
This problem dovetails in with the weak cooling system in the console.
Microsoft has gone to an ASIC vendor in the US and had the graphics chip redesigned. This move goes a long way to resolving the overheating problem.
However, there are lots of Xbox units in use that still have the old graphics chip. These will continue to be susceptible to heating problems.
Although Microsoft has some experience here, it doesn't come close to the level of expertise of the ASIC vendors. As a result, their graphics chip is inefficient in that it dissipates too much waste heat.
This problem dovetails in with the weak cooling system in the console.
Microsoft has gone to an ASIC vendor in the US and had the graphics chip redesigned. This move goes a long way to resolving the overheating problem.
However, there are lots of Xbox units in use that still have the old graphics chip. These will continue to be susceptible to heating problems.
Graphics Processing Unit
Troubleshooting Tips for the Red Ring of Death
Xbox troubleshooting before you do repair.
Before attempting any repair on your Xbox 360, you should consider these suggestions first. If you're lucky, your Xbox has not sustained any heat damage yet. So keep those fingers crossed. Troubleshooting tips in order from the simple to the more complex:
Xbox trouble shooting procedure
- Restart the console.
- If this did not work, there could be a loose cord or cable. First, any cables and power cords that can be removed should be disconnected. Unplug the power cable from the wall plug. Firmly reattach all cables and cords back into the console. Now connect up the power and turn on the console.
- If the above step didn't work, then try turning off the console, unplugging the power and then disconnecting the hard drive. Now plug into the power and turn the console back on. If console does not show the three red lights error, turn it off and disconnect the power cord from the wall. Finally, reconnect the hard drive, plug in the power, and turn on the console.
- If you are using a defective surge protector, plug strip, or extension cord, your xbox may not be getting adequate power. Try plugging the power brick directly into the wall. This sort of thing happens more often than you might think. My DSL connection used to be very unreliable until I bypassed my surge protector and plugged my modem directly into the wall. I should have done this in the first place rather than making a lot of angry (and useless) phone calls to my internet service provider.
- If you think that your machine has overheated, then turn it off and let it cool down. Ensure that the cooling vents are not blocked in any way and keep your Xbox 360 in a ventilated and open area.
Do not place near it any sources of heat. There are obvious sources like heaters and radiators and such. But less obvious sources include the electrical devices that are sitting on top or beneath your xbox.
Try removing any dust buildup inside the machine.
Cool off your console with a small fan.
Don't forget to keep the power brick cool, so keep it off of shaggy carpeting. Better still, place it on an elevated surface. You can even hang the power brick by its cord off of a hook.
Keep the rear of the console clear. Don't push it up against a wall and keep any debris away. This includes not allowing any cords and cables to get all bunched up in this area.
Don't do any all day gaming marathons. Limit your gaming to just a few hours, then turn it off and let it cool down for a while. The warmer the room temperature is the shorter your playing time should be.
XBox 360 Cooling Systems
Xbox cooling devices
If the above cooling suggestions weren't enough, there are plenty of external cooling devices designed for the Xbox 360 being sold on Amazon.
Showing 1 - 9 of 50 results
Two things you should NOT do:
Xbox towel trick
1.) Bake your Xbox - Otherwise known as the towel trick.Wrapping a towel around your Xbox so that it gets hot enough to melt and maybe join some broken solder joints or join a detached heat sink will also bake the internal chips.
Even if you pull this off without causing damage, the fix is only temporary in most cases. So there's not much to gain from this risky technique.
2.) Freeze your Xbox.
Don't put your console in the freezer or out in very cold weather. Trying to cool down an overheated Xbox in this way is very hard on the internal electronics which were meant to operate near room temperature.
If all else has failed...Repairing Your XBox
The Xbox 360 Three Red Lights Fix
If you're still having problems after trying the above suggestions, getting your machine repaired is the next step. All Xboxes experiencing the ring of death have had their warranties extended for three years beyond the purchase date. If you have opened up your console this warranty is void.
If you're not used to working with your hands, then sending your Xbox back to Microsoft is the safest way to go. But expect a few weeks of delay before your repaired Xbox gets back to you. It doesn't make sense to do otherwise unless you're feeling comfortable about doing the repair yourself.
An expensive but quicker option is to send your console to a repair shop.
For those who are inclined to take matters into their own hands, the quickest and cheapest option is to repair it yourself using this guide. If you can follow directions, it's fairly simple to do. My sister recently repaired her kid's Xbox.
If you're not used to working with your hands, then sending your Xbox back to Microsoft is the safest way to go. But expect a few weeks of delay before your repaired Xbox gets back to you. It doesn't make sense to do otherwise unless you're feeling comfortable about doing the repair yourself.
An expensive but quicker option is to send your console to a repair shop.
For those who are inclined to take matters into their own hands, the quickest and cheapest option is to repair it yourself using this guide. If you can follow directions, it's fairly simple to do. My sister recently repaired her kid's Xbox.
Fix Your Xbox Yourself.
This guide will fix these problems:
Freeze ups
Distorted Graphics
2 red lights error
3 red lights error (ring of death)
4 Red Lights
E74 Error - this is the error where you get text on the screen saying E74
The fix will take you 1 to 2 hours to do and can be done with some common household items and tools. It has full videos and a guide to take you through each step with ease. Nothing in the repair process is left out.
The 8 high definition videos are quite good. You can see everything that he's doing and his presentation style is very clear.
If you do this fix following the videos you will have a working Xbox.
Useful Amazon Products
Xbox 360 Repair Kit - X-Clamp Hardware Replacement
1 used & new available from $12.95
Xbox 360For Dummies
14 used & new available from $5.97
Moonknight 7 Piece Opening Tool Kit for Xbox 360 and Xbox
1 used & new available from $9.99
Xbox 360 Intercooler 360 - Black
52 used & new available from $7.99
The Gadget Geek's Guide to Your XBox 360
38 used & new available from $9.90
More Info here:
- Inside Source Reveal the Truth About Xbox 360 "Red Ring of Death" Failures
- An individual who has worked on the Xbox 360 project for many years had these unflattering remarks to say...
- Wikipedia
- Useful and comprehensive information on the ring of death from Wikipedia.
Xbox 360 Disassembly - Photo Sequence
Fixing Your Xbox 360 Is Doable With Some Common Household Items:
If you missed reading my section on repairing your Xbox yourself, click here to find out if this is the right option for you.
Xbox 360 Red Light Error Codes Explained
Xbox 360 red light error code diagnostics
Whenever you see red lights flashing on your console, it's an indication of a problem. Of course you won't need the red lights to tell you something's wrong because it'll be obvious since your Xbox will be acting funny or won't work at all. However, those red lights are useful for diagnostics purposes. So understanding what they mean will hopefully tell you what you need to do to get your Xbox running properly. Depending on how many red lights are flashing, it will mean something different. Below is a listing of the red light error codes. A description for each is given as well as the appropriate course of action to take.
One red light
What it means - There was a hardware failure.
What you should do - Turn off the power. Unplug and then reconnect all of the cables. Turn the power back on.
Next, if a hard drive is attached to the console then turn off the power, disconnect and then reattach the hard drive again. Turn the power back on.
Finally, if the Xbox contains a memory unit, then turn off the power, disconnect and then reattach the memory unit again. Turn the power back on.
The above will either correct or rule out problems caused by any cables that are loose as well as an improperly attached hard drive, and memory unit.
Two Red Lights
What it means - The console is overheated.
What you should do - Turn your Xbox off and give it some time to cool down. You will need to limit your hours of usage and will want to use your Xbox in a cool and well ventilated environment. Check the fan intakes for dust build up or blockage of any sort. Use the heat related suggestions mentioned higher up on this page in the red ring of death trouble shooting procedure.
Three Red Lights
What it means - This is the red ring of death (the subject of this web page).
What you should do - Follow the trouble shooting procedure listed higher up on this page.
Four Red Lights
What it means - The AV cable is loose.
What you should do - Disconnect the cable then firmly reattach. If there is still a problem, the cable may be damaged and will have to be replaced.
Xbox 360 Reliability Statistics
Xbox 360 has worst reliability but should improve.
The following statistics and bar graphs are taken from a study made by Square trade. It analyzed the failure rates of over 16,000 game consoles covered by their warrantee care plans.
The malfunction rates of Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii after 2 years of ownership were compared. Of the three, Xbox 360 had the worst reliability record. With the introduction of the "Jasper" chipset in late 2008, the Xbox 360's reliability should improve.
In the graphs below, RROD is short for "Red Ring of Death".
The malfunction rates of Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii after 2 years of ownership were compared. Of the three, Xbox 360 had the worst reliability record. With the introduction of the "Jasper" chipset in late 2008, the Xbox 360's reliability should improve.
In the graphs below, RROD is short for "Red Ring of Death".
Game Consoles That Overheat - Is This The Wave Of The Future?
The picture below is taken from Google Insights. It shows a graph that indicates the trend of searches that people have made on Google for the phrases "Xbox 360 overheating" and "PS3 overheating". The top curve is for "Xbox 360 overheating". The bottom curve is for "PS3 overheating".
When people search on Google with these phrases, they most likely have problems with their consoles and are looking for a solution. As you can see, the searches have been relatively steady in recent years. The dotted line indicates Google's prediction for 2010. Why does this problem persist? Why does the PS3 also have overheating problems?
While the Xbox 360 and the PS3 are different pieces of hardware with their own individual quirks, they face similar design challenges. In consumer electronics, there is the expectation that new products are supposed to get smaller and do more things.
Both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 Slim have become more compact than their predecessors. At the same time, the newer games make greater demands in terms of power consumption on the consoles that play them. When game consoles consume more power, they also generate more heat. The cooling system must dissipate this heat, otherwise the console gets too hot.
The problem here is that if you want a cooling system that can handle this extra heat, it needs to get bigger. It'll need bigger heat sinks, bigger fans (or faster fans), and more open space around the heat sinks for proper airflow. This is very hard to do if you make your new console smaller.
In a nutshell, there's too much power going into too small a space. New chip technology will generate less heat. But the cosumer will demand games with even greater sophistication that will consume yet more power and generate more heat. In the years to come, the newer consoles will either have to be made larger or their design will have to be more clever than they currently are.
When people search on Google with these phrases, they most likely have problems with their consoles and are looking for a solution. As you can see, the searches have been relatively steady in recent years. The dotted line indicates Google's prediction for 2010. Why does this problem persist? Why does the PS3 also have overheating problems?
While the Xbox 360 and the PS3 are different pieces of hardware with their own individual quirks, they face similar design challenges. In consumer electronics, there is the expectation that new products are supposed to get smaller and do more things.
Both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 Slim have become more compact than their predecessors. At the same time, the newer games make greater demands in terms of power consumption on the consoles that play them. When game consoles consume more power, they also generate more heat. The cooling system must dissipate this heat, otherwise the console gets too hot.
The problem here is that if you want a cooling system that can handle this extra heat, it needs to get bigger. It'll need bigger heat sinks, bigger fans (or faster fans), and more open space around the heat sinks for proper airflow. This is very hard to do if you make your new console smaller.
In a nutshell, there's too much power going into too small a space. New chip technology will generate less heat. But the cosumer will demand games with even greater sophistication that will consume yet more power and generate more heat. In the years to come, the newer consoles will either have to be made larger or their design will have to be more clever than they currently are.
Environmental Factors That Reduce The Life Of Your Xbox 360
photo: dusty electronics
1.) Hot, closed in, unventilated areas. This has already been mentioned in the troubleshooting procedure above but it doesn't hurt to stress this point again. Heat is the enemy. The Xbox's marginal cooling system can barely keep up even in the best of circumstances. So you really have to pamper it in this regard.
2.) Dust. Dust is just as lethal to your Xbox as is heat. It just takes a little longer to do damage. Why is this? Dust, as well as grit, lint, and hair does two things:
First, the cooling vents as well as the spaces within the Xbox can get partially obstructed. This diminishes the cooling systems ability to transport cool air to where it is needed inside the console. Imagine your bronchial tubes being partially obstructed. In such a state, you won't be running marathons. In a similar way, the Xbox must have unobstructed air passages to stay cool.
Second, dust is a good insulator. This means that a layer of dust buildup inside the Xbox acts like an insulating blanket that locks in the heat. This insulating effect further diminishes the effectiveness of the cooling system.
3.) Cigarette smoke (in combination with dust). Cigarette smoke contains sticky tars. With time, these tars adhere to the inside surfaces of your Xbox (such as the motherboard) making them sticky. Any dust that gets drawn into the Xbox will adhere to the tar deposits. So now you have an insulating dust layer that's cemented in place.
This happens over a period of time. Even in a relatively clean room, dust has a way of building up in those areas that never see a vacuum cleaner such as under the couch, or the top surface of a cabinet that's out of reach. The inside of your Xbox 360 is also one of those places that never gets vacuumed.
