Got The Red Ring Of Death? Try These 5 Easy Tips

The newest Xbox 360's have a redesigned motherboard and an "improved" graphics chip that's supposed to generate less heat. Whether or not the new Xbox is free of the red ring of death problem remains to be seen. Only time and a good deal of use under all of your typical playing environments will decide.

However, for the rest of us with the old Xboxes, the red ring of death and other heat related problems are still a fact of life.

This article will talk about some simple troubleshooting suggestions for you to try out before considering refurbishment or repair.

1.) Now I know this first tip is lame but it's included for completeness: Try restarting the console.

2.) If restarting didn't help, then the problem might be caused by loose cords or cables. First, pull out all cables and cords that can be removed from the Xbox. Disconnect the power cord from the wall.

Now the cables are to be plugged back into the Xbox. Plug the power cable into the wall and turn the console back on.

3.) If the above tip didn't work, turn off the Xbox, unplug the power cable, and disconnect the hard drive. Reconnect the power cord and switch on the console. If you don't get the three red lights error, power down the console and remove the power cord. Now put the hard drive back in, plug the power cord back into the wall, and switch the console on.

4.) The power cable's contacts can sometimes get hot enough to melt. This can happen if you use your Xbox over extreme lengths of time (up to 12 continuous hours). In many of these cases, an intercooler was being used.

Check the contacts for any signs of melting. The Xbox may work OK when the power cable is pulled up. But the ring of death occurs when you let the power cord droop back down. Replace the power cord if this is your problem.

5.) If your problem is overheating, then let your Xbox to cool down by giving it occasional "rests". Keep all cooling vents free of obstructions and place your Xbox in an open area with plenty of ventilation. There shouldn't be any heat sources in the vicinity.

Use some air to blow out dust buildup from inside the Xbox. Aim a fan at the console to cool it off. The power brick also needs cooling, so don't set it down on anything soft such as a shag carpet.

Place it in an open area with ventilation. The power brick can also be hung by its cord off of a hook.

So there you have your troubleshooting tips for the red ring of death that don't require repair. If this wasn't enough to resolve your problem, getting your machine repaired or replaced is your next option. Don't forget that your warranty is void if your console is opened up.

Marc Sandford is a gaming enthusiast and writer. Get more Xbox troubleshooting information about fixing the Red Ring of Death.