Before trying to troubleshoot your Xbox 360's problems, try restarting the console by turning it off and back on. Additionally, check the connections for the power and A/V cables to ensure they are properly inserted.
Xbox 360 won't turn on
USB Shorting Out
Check the two front and singular back USB Ports of the console. If the pins are bent and touching the port casing, the USB will short circuit and prevent the Xbox from powering on.
Bad Power Supply
If your device is properly connected but the power supply is overheating, unplug the power connector and let the components cool for at least an hour. If the problem persists after the power supply cools down, you may need to replace the power supply.
Bad RF Module board
If the power supply is fine, the problem may be the RF Module board. If it's been damaged, you will need to replace it.
Bad Motherboard
If you have the same problem after checking all of the above, you may have a problem with your motherboard. It is a common problem for soldered joints on the motherboard to crack. If this is the case, it is possible to solder or re-flow the connections.
Disc drive won't open/close
Debris in disc drive
If your disc drive tray is stuck and will not open or close, then you have to manually eject the disc. Follow these instructions to remove the face-plate and manually eject the drive. Remove any obstructions, and plug the console back in. If the eject button still doesn't work, your disc drive may need to be replaced.
Xbox 360 won't read discs
Scratched discs
Discs that are extremely scratched will not be read by the console. Put a clean, unscratched disc in the the drive. If your Xbox 360 plays the disc without issue, then the scratched discs were the problem.
Dirty laser lens
If the problem is not due to a scratched disc, then there might be dust on the lens of the optical drive that is keeping it from reading discs. Remove the optical drive from the console and thoroughly clean it.
Bad optical drive
If the Xbox 360 will still not read discs after cleaning the optical drive, then your optical drive is likely faulty. Replacing a defective DVD drive with a replacement DVD drive does not work, since the replacement has a different DVD drive key, which the game console won't accept.
Can't save game data
Try as you might, your Xbox 360 won't save your game.
Bad hard drive
If your Xbox 360 isn't saving your in-game data, your hard drive is most likely either full or damaged. Make sure the hard drive is connected properly, assure there is enough free space for the save, and then attempt to save again. If this does not work, you may need to replace the hard drive.
Red error lights
Determining the malfunctioning component of your Xbox 360 depends on how many red lights around the power button are flashing.
One red light
If the bottom right light glows red, then the console has a hardware error. It will still power on, and should display an error code on the connected TV/monitor. The code begins with an E, followed by two digits. Some of the more common error codes can be found on this page, but more in-depth information can be found at the ConsoleMods error database.
Two red lights
When the two left lights are glowing red on the console, a component is overheating, which can cause the fans to ramp up. Shut down the console, and let it cool down for a couple hours. To prevent this from happening in the future, keep your console in a well-ventilated room and out of the immediate proximity of the walls, heaters, and/or other appliances. Ensure the console is clean from dust and debris preventing it from receiving adequate airflow.
Three red lights (AKA "Red Ring of Death")
The "Red Ring of Death" occurs when all light ring segments are flashing red, with the exception of the Top Right LED. A general hardware malfunction has occurred, affecting one or more components. The error message is not displayed directly, since the console doesn't function correctly. Now, it is possible to obtain the secondary error code from the Xbox.
Most, if not all, three-light errors in Xbox 360 consoles are related to the GPU. The problem is the connection between the DIE and the substrate on the GPU, which weakens with heat cycles. In simple terms, this is an issue in the GPU itself, not the connection between the GPU and the motherboard. There are various "fixes" for the RROD, all of which are false positives because they do not truly fix the issue. The only solution that fixes the Red Ring of Death is to replace the GPU with a later produced, more reliable GPU.
False positive fixes include, but are not limited to:
- Replacing the x-clamps with bolts. This is an awful idea, because this restricts the board from being able to naturally flex with heat. This can cause it to crack and break from stress, or in other words, it actively causes your system to break. And yes, this includes the Xbox 360 Red Ring of Death Fix Kit and guide.
- Reflowing the GPU's solder connection. This doesn't fix the bad soldering within the chip, it just resets it until it goes back to being broken from heat cycling.
- Replacing the heat sink in older models with Microsoft's updated Zephyr heat sink. This does not even remotely address the issue, and the heat sinks were well designed as is in the Xenon models.
- Using an external fan to help circulate air across the device. The Xbox 360 is designed to dynamically control the built in fans as it needs them, extra cooling either is not necessary or at worst actively interferes with the Xbox 360's internal cooling designs.
If your Xbox 360 is susceptible to being affected by the RROD, it is inevitable that it will fail. However, there are measures that can be taken to keep it from failing sooner. Mainly, keep it in a well-ventilated area and make sure the cooling vents are free from obstruction.
If the RROD is already plaguing your Xbox, and your console is no longer covered by Microsoft's warranty, there is still hope for it. Retrofitting a reliable GPU from a Jasper revision Xbox 360 into a Xenon revision has been made possible thanks to the efforts of Josh Davidson on YouTube. Note that this is a very advanced repair, and will be above a lot of people's abilities due to not only the equipment needed but the skill required.
Four red lights
If all four red lights are flashing, then the Xbox 360 A/V cable is not connected. Reconnect the cable either to the console or the display you are using.
Common error codes
Some of the information below is taken from a collaborative effort by users on Xbox-Scene forums. The full thread contains more information on diagnosing and repairing error codes.
E64: DVD Drive Error - Drive timeout or incorrect firmware. There are multiple causes to this error, but the most common is frequent use of scratched discs.
E65: DVD Drive Error - Often due to a disc tray that is not completely closed.
E66: DVD Drive Error - The disc drive version doesn't match the expected version by the console. Make sure the DVD drive is of the same version originally included with the console, and that it is using either the original firmware included with the console, or more recent firmware. If the drive can eject, read, and write discs in Windows, but causes an error code on the console, replacing original firmware should fix the issue.
E67: Hard Drive Error - Hard drive timed out during reset. Error is likely caused by a faulty hard drive. Remove the drive from the console, and attempt to login. If your Xbox 360 works without error when the hard drive is removed, then you can ascertain that the hard drive is bad.
E68: Voltage Error - Additional accessories are drawing too much power. Attempt to remove unnecessary accessories first, and then necessary components such as the hard drive and USB devices. Any modifications to the Xbox case can also cause this error. In some cases, this error has accompanied a hard drive that is not DMA configured.
E69: Hard Drive Error - Reading the hard drive security sector failed. This error could be caused by a bad hard drive or hard drive connection. Try removing the hard drive and playing without it to determine if it is faulty.
E70: Hard Drive Error - Hard drive not found by console. Make sure your hard drive is properly seated and connected.
E71: Dashboard Error - Possibly a dashboard update error. Attempt to clear the dashboard by holding the sync button while booting the Xbox. Any failed updates should be cleared during booting. If this does not fix the error, then the console must be serviced by Microsoft.
E72: Dashboard Error - Error is usually caused by a loose pin connector or missing NAND chip. The common solution has been reflowing the Southbridge.
E73: I/O Hardware Error - Caused by a cold solder joint on the Southbridge or ethernet chip. Usually, reflowing the ethernet chip or Southbridge area will fix this.
E74: I/O Hardware Error - Common cause of this error is a manufacturing flaw in earlier GPUs.
E75: Ethernet Error - Couldn't read ethernet PHY vendor. Oddly, this error is occasionally caused by the DVD drive not being connected properly.
E76: Ethernet Error - Your Xbox 360 has a dead network chip. This can happen when the chip has seen a high surge in voltage. The network chip must be replaced.
E77: Ethernet Error - Similar to E76, this error is caused by a bad network chip. It might also be caused by a short between the heat sink and resistors, or by more serious problems with the RAM. Attempt to reflow the area around the network chip.
E78: Dashboard Error - ASICID check failed. There are no known fixes to this problem.
E79: Dashboard Error - Couldn't start xam.xex due to a hard drive malfunction. Attempt to start the console again without the hard drive in to verify that this is the problem.
E80: Dashboard Error - This error occurs when your Xbox 360 dashboard has been upgraded, but you are missing the resistor R3T6. The easiest way to fix this error is to downgrade to the old dashboard, solder the resistor, and then upgrade the Xbox.
A full list of known error codes and their causes is provided by the ConsoleMods website.
Secondary error codes
An Xbox 360 with three flashing red lights will not power on, so the error message must be obtained by an alternate method.
Obtaining secondary error codes
Power the console on so the three red lights are flashing. While holding the sync button on the front of the console, press and release the disc eject button. The lights will begin flashing in a different pattern. The number of flashing lights in this new pattern determines the first digit of the secondary error code, ranging from 0-3, with all four lights flashing indicating a 0. Continue to hold the sync button, and press and release the eject button three more times to obtain the second, third, and fourth digits of the secondary error code in the same method. Pressing the eject button a fifth time should return the flashing lights to the original Red Ring of Death pattern. You have now obtained your 4-digit secondary error code.
Corresponding error codes
To determine which error message corresponds to your secondary error code, use the ConsoleMods error code database.
Power supply colour codes
No light No power - The power supply isn't receiving power from the mains supply (not plugged into mains supply).
Green light Working and Xbox on - The power supply is receiving power from the mains supply and is operating correctly, with the Xbox on.
Orange light Standby - The power supply is receiving power from the mains supply, with the Xbox off.
Red light Power supply fault - The power supply is receiving power from the mains supply, but isn't supplying power to the Xbox. The possible courses are:
- Incorrect mains voltage - If the power supply is plugged into a mains supply, that is at a different voltage to what the power supply is rated for (Xbox 360 power supply's are rated for 220-240 VAC or 110-127 VAC), this will cause the power supply to not operate properly and can cause damage to the power supply. This problem can also occur if your mains supply has issues, e.g. a brown out.
- Overheating - This is most commonly caused by a lack of ventilation. This can be diagnosed by feeling how warm/hot the power supply is. Check/insure that there is a lot of open space around the power supply, that the temperature in the room is cool (not excessively high) and that the ventilation vents on the power supply, are free from dust and debris. If the power supply is well in a well ventilated space and the vents are free of dust and debris, check that the fan in the power supply is still functioning properly.
- Too much current draw - This means that the console is drawing too much power from the power supply. This is most commonly found in modified Xbox's, due to hardware additions (such as excessive LED's, fans etc) and/or modifications being incorrectly done. If the Xbox is non-modified, this most likely caused by short-circuit somewhere in the Xbox. The most common short-circuit, is the USB ports being damaged and the pins inside the port are shorting out on each other.
56 commentaires
i have a 2009 and I get a status code 3f40 4099 2800 0f00 c000 0034 don't know why xbox cant tell me either but plug it in the the online network but I don't have internet on my system can anyone please help
danny - Réponse
I think that happened to me before the console doesnt want to update. You have to download the update through google either put the update onto a flash drive or burn to disc. the console will update and you will be able to use internet
jportiz831 -
Hey! Overall great information, and thank you for it all. But I'm sit ting here with my xbox 360 jasper completely taken apart and can't find out what Is wrong. The disk drive WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. The eject button is working perfectly but the tray always comes back out. Just started doing it today... please help
Tyler Brothers - Réponse
my xbox 360 will turn off when it wants to, sometimes will not turn on, replaced the brick, will turn on when no one is using it. thought it was my wireless remotes causing it. no joy. was told it was probably the brick so i bought a new one didnt fix the problem, any suggestions?
Darryell Fish - Réponse
my xbox 360 will turn off when it wants to, sometimes will not turn on, replaced the brick, will turn on when no one is using it. thought it was my wireless remotes causing it. no joy. was told it was probably the brick so i bought a new one didnt fix the problem,
idealw50 -
i have a xbox 360 s.When i push the button it only beeps.I bought a new power supply and rf module and it still wont turn on.
volkswagon2 - Réponse
My Xbox got wet a little bit let dry out and turned on it did ventilation message turned off and won't turn on again
Heather Tew - Réponse
Shorted out the motherboard
bvop -
I am having trouble, the disk tray won't stay closed nor will it run a disk. I think that they may be related.Michael
michaeljsecours - Réponse
My Xbox 360 E hasn't turned on for ages,when i press the on button on my Xbox,it doesn't turn on and then my power brick's light will go out,pi=I have no clue as to what it is,Do i need a new power brick?
cameronbolton340 - Réponse
Yes 100%. Its a short
bvop -
Please help me. Need some good advice here. I run to a technician to fix my xbox 360 64gb model 2005/07. And he told me the problem. It was the I.C. Of my unit. And when i ask the technician how much it will cause he told me its gonna cause me arround $50. That was to much! I could buy a 2nd for about 60-$70. Is there any possible that i could buy this i.c. And i will be the one to fix it. Looking forward to you guys. Thanks.
Richard Toliongco - Réponse
The CD tray will not stay closed comes right back open in about five to ten seconds
chuckyost71 - Réponse
Plz help me my xbox 360 250GB was shutdown suddenly cause of light gone and then i turn it on back and all data game or gone and console say format drive what i can do now plzzz tell me
Hassam - Réponse
My Xbox 360 S. did have a ring of death. but it only show the dot. I fix it and It work fine. But I lost my profile from malfunction. :-(
Konner Ferguson - Réponse
How did you fix it..
humayoon bajwa -
I turn mines on a red dot Comes on after the green dot but it shuts off because the red dot in the middle
Patrick Dubois - Réponse
My 360 won't turn on we've tryed unplugging it and tryed plugging it into a different outlet it'll come on for a few then we plug it into the tv and it shuts back off any ideas what it could be
Marie - Réponse
I tried what it stated and this all of a sudden factory reset my system. now it's back in full working order. happy days.
Emma Voyle - Réponse
my xbox has one red light on, just a few seconds after u turn it on. nothings displayed on my tv aswell, no error codes completely nothing.. just the one red light..
Thomas - Réponse
The common solution has been reflowing the Southbridge… E72
I did not understand
www.awaisliaqat - Réponse
I have green light but it's blinking and tv screen says no source. Can anyone help?
Trisha Oferrall - Réponse
I have green light but it's blinking and tv saying no source. Can anyone help me?
Trisha Oferrall - Réponse
My XBOX 360 has the hardware error light but no error code is displayed on my screen… what do I do?
legodragon 576 - Réponse
What myte be the problem if the Xbox 360 will read dvd’s but not games?
Mike Stull - Réponse
Hello, I had a problem in an update that the HDD was urged in full update, thanks to your guide I managed to change it, but it asks me to enter the HDD to continue with the update, it throws me the following error code: 417F-445E -2380-0F00-C000-0034, do you have a solution ?, do they have to end up in technical service ?, thanks for your attention in advance.
Raul Subires - Réponse
I have the same exact issue with my Xbox 360 S, I even downloaded the Offline System Update to a flash drive but it read the flash drive. I reformated the flash drive and everything….I just wish I could do a factory reset and just start over…
Eric Ziegler -
My 360 turns on with a green light showing after a few seconds the power light tuns red and nothing comes up on the tv ?any ideas
William Steadman - Réponse
My power brick won't turn on it won't work
Trey harris - Réponse
My xbox 360 is connected to my wii hotspot. It was working. Now im receiving an error code. 80151909. What should i do?
Corry Dawkins - Réponse
I need help. My Xbox shutted off and won't turn on. I unplugged everything for the whole night an hoped maybe in the morning it will work when I pull it back in. The adapter light is orange standby mode. Everytime I put the Xbox back on it makes a noise and immediately shuts off. I tried everything like checking the USB and it's fine. What should I do???
Lost fish - Réponse
My Xbox says internet blocked what can i do to fix this problem?
bajadeb1959 - Réponse
me xbox 360 will open during game operations for no reason I've checked IR codes and nothing interferes wit the game console so please explain why this keeps happening?
Thomas Gomm - Réponse
My Xbox 360 shuts off without warning and for no known reason soon after I start playing a game. It doesn't do this if it's on the Xbox 360 home screen. It will stop doing this after the 5 or 6 failure. Anyone had this happen, what fixed it/what was causing the failures? Thanks
John Turner - Réponse
So when I plug in the power supply Xbox will try to turn on but won’t does this mean I need to buy a new power supply
Mandy Kilgore - Réponse
My XBox 360 no longer has audio, is there a remedy?
Ken DuBois - Réponse
My xbox 360 will have redlines on the tv screen and / or won't be able to hear it?
Sarah Lee - Réponse
I bought this xbox360 from a friend, it comes on fine but when i go to play a game it wont let me it bring up codes and i looked some of them up but still wont let me .
I try to reset password and code but dont know them so try to reset them and it wont let me. Is it because i have to have the original one.
annette morgan - Réponse
my Xbox 360 won't let me play my new 2k15 game. It worked for awhile, then my son tried to log me into Xbox live. But since then when I turn it on and choose the game it lets me choose an avatar, but then the screen turns black and won’t do anything else…does anyone have any idea why. The Xbox plays my football game, but won't play either of my basketball games, which they both have played on it before this happened.
suzanne Furtado - Réponse
Hi,my Xbox360 will play all my games except for 1. I bought 4 NCAA 2014 football games And each one at some point will stop and the screen will say cannot read disc. Please help.
John Sarci - Réponse
My Xbox 360 just gives me red and green colour I turned it on one day and it's been like that ever since
Steven Murray - Réponse
i cant load any webpages but i am connected to the internet? help
Brandy McColgin - Réponse
when i click the power button on the front of the xbox 360 it makes the noise indicating it has been turned on but it wont turn on. it isnt the RF module board on the front because i have changed that already. if anyone has any suggestions that would be amazing.
Silent - Réponse
Whenever I turn on my Xbox it shows the startup logo but is off-centered and frozen yet I can hear the sounds of when you go to select a game from the home what do I do?
Liam Haws - Réponse
Xbox 360 full red light.. 3 times to change my A/V cable but doesnt fixed
Atienza Anacleto - Réponse
My Xbox will turn on and off by itself randomly and when it’s on it will only stay on for a few minutes at a time
Frank Urban - Réponse
My Xbox reads a certain dirty and scratchy minecraft disc, but it won’t recognize a new clean one, and it is the same disc for the same game and device. Does anyone know what I should do?
123kentreeax - Réponse
What's this about the inner soldering of the GPU being at fault? Not the solder balls that connect it to the motherboard, but what you mention about the GPU itself being badly soldered. Where can we read more about this?
Spudgeboy - Réponse
Microsoft explained it in their documentary about the Xbox 360.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2d6IMBS...
c08o -
Microsoft briefly mentions a simplified version of the problem in this documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2d6IMBS...
And here's some (very passionate) commentary over it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lW82Dhx...
The solder bumps between the die and substrate crack as mentioned in the two videos above, and the reason is that the underfill material that is supposed to support the bumps is defective, the Tg is too low. Basically, it liquifies and doesn't support the solder anymore, causing it to crack. It will always be defective in this way, and reflowing can really damage electronics if done too much, and especially if done wrong, like what the iFixit guides tell you to do. It will never be a fix. Bolt mods like the "Fix Kit" also break things, and are pointless because the X-Clamps are fine anyways, why would Microsoft use them on the Xbox One and onwards if they weren't? The only fix it to replace the GPU.
The underfill issue is touched on here (the PS3 had the same problem): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za7WTNwA...
Aiden Isik -
I guess there's simply no fixing this, then. Even after 15 years. E-waste pile it is. The GPU transfer is way too complex and it seems too expensive to perform. Thanks for your replies, it's been quite educational and this info saved me a lot of money.
Spudgeboy -
My xbox 360 doesnt want to read my fifa 13 disc, says error message, this disc region code is incorrect for this console
Leon Constable - Réponse
Mine will turn on and before I can set it up on my wireless wifi it turns off with the left red lights on. So it powers on for 20 to 30 seconds altogether.
Robert Wasdin - Réponse
My Phat 360's PSU was throwing a red light after pressing any button on the Xbox, and was fixed after swapping all of the 1500UF 16V capacitors on the board (they were all blown). Just thought id put this here incase its any help to anyone.
Miguel Bedard - Réponse
my xbox tells me im connected etc via webb, checked in settings an all ok, yet wont connect to webb,any clues
Dave John Wilson - Réponse
Tombol xbox saya mati,pas ditekan cuma ada suaranya
Tolong kasih saran
Cokor Berog - Réponse