Repair Xbox 360 – 3 Red Lights
James at joystiq fixed his own 360 that was flashing three red lights, which indicates an internal error.
If you have this problem try this simple fix:
1) Remove your hard drive and/or memory units.
2) Run "Initial Setup" under the system blade.
3) Decline inserting HDD or memory unit when prompted.
4) Sync your controller and pop in a game.
*** UPDATE *** Microsoft has a new free warranty of 3 years for the 3 red light error. If you have this problem, you can send your console in for free repair. Or, if you don't want to pay shipping and have to wait 2-3 weeks, you can attempt to fix it yourself.
More details here:
NEW! Instructional videos to repair your 360 yourself in less than an hour, guaranteed: Xbox 360 Three Red Light Repair
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July 31st, 2006 at 4:17 pm
I got 3 red lights and have to send it in for repairs, 130 dollars but the tech person then tried to sell me INSURANCE!! So now I spent 40 dolllars a year for INSURANCE?? listen these Xboxes cost more than a new computer and i KNOW DELL replaces their faulty computers OVERNIGHT. so I have spent 500 on an Xbox 300 dollars on games and Yearly subscription for XBOX LIVE for 70 dollars, that comes to 900 dollars alone i spent, I had to PAY for the live upgrade to GRAW 20 dollars/worth of gold points to play the new maps because otherwise i couldnt get into any live games. not including the $130 for the repair and insurance so im paying over $1,120 dollars this year alone!!!!!!! Am i a SUCKER??? Thats Alot of CASH they got from me this year, just to play GRAW Live.
August 1st, 2006 at 4:10 am
I won my xbox 360 for mt dew i played it 100 times or so and i have been busy and away for 1-1.5 months i decide ill play a little madden(witch is crap very basic game) turn it on and find 3 light i thought no big deal ill just google it and fix it well wrong tried all crap they had on the site didnt work called them up they told me to go though the process again i did and he then told me i would have to send in for a change to me to fix it was to late to fight it out with him so im planning to call tommorrow to get this paid for by them becuse i dont want to have to pay for thier mistake the guy said its an internal problem
August 2nd, 2006 at 8:27 pm
this is 3 emails i sent to MS and my responces were.
Dear Daniel,
Thank you for writing Xbox Customer Support!
We understand your concern about your issue, and we are sorry to hear that you are not satisfied with the repair offerings we have provided. The best way to have complicated matters such as a repairs and warranties resolved is to work directly through phone support. As you indicate in your e-mail, you have already spoken with phone support about your concerns and phone support provided you with all of the options for repairing your Xbox. While we are concerned that you are not satisfied with the results of the conversation, we stand behind what phone support offers to resolve your repair issue.
We do track and report all complaints, and we will note that you are not satisfied with the service offerings we have provided. All feedback is taken into account in determining our service offerings. Should you change your mind and accept the offering provided by phone support, do not hesitate to call 1-800-4MY-XBOX and they work with you to set up a repair and get your Xbox up and running again.
For further assistance, please don’t hesitate to write back or call Xbox Phone Support at 1-800-4MYXBOX (1-800-469-9269) at your earliest convenience. We are open everyday from 9am to 12mn Central Time.
To expedite service, please provide Service Request Number ########### when you call.
For more information about Xbox360, please visit http://www.xbox.com or http://www.xbox.com/360.
Sincerely,
Kathy
Xbox Customer Care Team
— Original Message —
From: “daniel”
Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2006 7:55:40 PM UTC
To: XBOX_.X360.NA.00.EN.HAH.MNL.HW.T01.SPT.00.EM
Subject: Re: ################## – Xbox360 Hardware
This behavior occurs when the Xbox 360 console experiences a hardware failure. This is the problem i am having . Tried all three steps and it is still present .The issue is the $130.00 repair for a known hardware failure .
—– Original Message —–
From: Xbox360_Email_HW_EN
To: daniel wilkerson
Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2006 6:43 PM
Subject: RE: ############### – Xbox360 Hardware
Hello Daniel,
Thank you for writing Xbox Customer Support!
I do apologize for the inconvenience. I understand that you see three lights on the Ring of Light flash red on the front of the Xbox 360 console. The upper-right quadrant light is the only light that does not flash red.
This behavior occurs when the Xbox 360 console experiences a hardware failure.
Please try the following steps to resolve the concern that you’re having:
1.Restart your console.
2.If that does not resolve the issue, unplug all the cables from the console, and then firmly plug the cables in.
3.Have the customer power-off the console, remove the hard disk drive, and then turn on the console.
a.If the 3x Red LED error light is no longer displayed, have the customer turn-off the console, re-attach the hard disk drive, and then turn on the console.
If you continue to experience this behavior, contact Xbox Customer Support.
For further assistance, please don’t hesitate to write back or call Xbox Phone Support at 1-800-4MYXBOX (1-800-469-9269) at your earliest convenience. We are open everyday from 9am to 12mn Central Time.
To expedite service, please provide Service Request Number when you call.
For more information about Xbox360, please visit http://www.xbox.com or http://www.xbox.com/360.
Sincerely,
Rich
Xbox Customer Care Team
— Original Message —
From: “daniel wilkerson”
Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2006 10:35:30 PM UTC
To: XBOX_.X360.NA.00.EN.HAH.MNL.HW.T01.SPT.00.EM
Subject: Re: ################## – Xbox360 Hardware
I have the 3 light problem,all are onand flashing except the upper right hand one .I connected xbox support and was informed of the $130.00 fee for the repair of a product that has a known problem.1018 228 064 is the ref.# i was given.Thank You for your time
—– Original Message —–
From: Xbox360_Email_HW_EN
To:
Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2006 2:23 PM
Subject: RE: ############### – Xbox360 Hardware
Hello Daniel,
Thank you for writing Xbox Customer Support!
We deeply apologize for the inconvenience. It sounds like this has been a very frustrating experience for you. After careful review of your issue, we have determined that it is best that you call the Xbox Customer Support number for better assistance; United States and Canada : 1-800-4MY-XBOX (1-800-469-9269) International direct dial to US : 1- 425-635-7180.
For further assistance, please don’t hesitate to write back or call Xbox Phone Support. We are open everyday from 9am to 12mn Central Time.
To expedite service, please provide Service Request Number #######
when you call.
For more information about Xbox or Xbox360, please visit http://www.xbox.com.
Sincerely,
Norman
Xbox Customer Care Team
— Original Message —
From:
Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2006 5:54:55 PM UTC
To: XBOX_.X360.NA.00.EN.HAH.MNL.HW.T01.SPT.00.EM
Subject: Xbox360 Hardware
Service:
Xbox360 Hardware
What type of problem do you have?
Full Name:
daniel wilkerson
What e-mail address would you like a response sent to?
Be specific when describing your problem. The details that you include enable us to promptly send you the most likely solution to your issue.
is my ################### ref.# i just wanted to say after paying $450.00 for the console and now finding out that it will cost me another $130.00 to get it repaired after less 40hours on it ….. im not happy. Ive been a commited xbox user since day one of the oranigal buying my 2nd unit 3years after the first one was layed to rest .
Which operating system are you using?Windows XP: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 5.1; .NET CLR 1.0.3705; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; Media Center PC 4.0; .NET CLR 2.0.50727)
Which browser are you using: IE7
Location: en-us – English (United States)
Type of Support: E-mail Support
August 10th, 2006 at 2:40 pm
I love my 360 but I had originally bought the prime package on release date six months later it craps out on me so I call CS and luckilly I got them to take my 360 though it was only a couple of days out of warranty but here I am on my third one because the second one they sent me within a few hours of playing crapped out, then this third one after a week and a half just crapped out so this will be my fourth unit that I get from them all “brand new” cause each time they sent it to me it got replaced……
August 10th, 2006 at 2:42 pm
Anyone know who to contact to get this crap taken care of cause this is rediculos I am so buying a wii and just sticking to the old school roots this 8 million dollars for a gaming console is getting too old, I refuse to get shafted like this again.
August 12th, 2006 at 8:48 pm
Yeah my xbox360 started acting up right after I started playing dead rising,and the worse thing is that the warranty just expired 2 weeks ago,I think its a way for microsoft to make some money…
August 15th, 2006 at 10:49 am
Well, I just got my XBox 360 last night, brand new, and after about 3 hours of playing NCAA 2007 locked up on me. I shut down my XBox, started it up and it showed three flashing red lights. I can’t even get to the dashboard or the XBox opening screen. I am taking it back for replacement from where I purchased it last night. Hopefully I can get one that isn’t a lemon.
August 18th, 2006 at 1:45 am
I got my Xbox 360 the first week it came out, and while playing Call of Duty 2 this morning it froze. So I reset it and there were three red flashing lights. :’( I called that 4MY-XBOX number and they asked for my serial number and said it was invailed. BS!!!! I was reading it off of the xbox!!! Then they have the nerve to say I’m not on the warrenty. And I’ve spent so much money on my 360 including games, T.V.,HDD, ect. all for my 360. I guess I have to pay that stupid fee of $130.00! AWWWWW If anyone can give me any suggestions plese tell me.
August 20th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
I live over the pond in the UK. Worked after 6 days and then the 3 red lights (after dozens of random freezing sessions); I went to the shop and replaced it, the SAME problem. Microsoft don’t even have a gamer’s complaint contact – putting their heads in the sand away from the thousands of machines theyre flogging to innocent consumers. SHAME ON YOU MICROSOFT – PS3 HAVE ALREADY WON A MAJOR VICTORY TO YOUR INCOMPETENCE.
August 20th, 2006 at 2:39 pm
Red Light Patterns
Various issues occuring with the Xbox 360 system will cause various patterns of red lights to occur in place of the standard green Ring of Light.
The patterns are as follows:
4 Red Lights: The A/V cable is either not properly connected to the Xbox 360 system, or is not being detected. [27]
3 Red Lights: The Xbox 360 system is experiencing a hardware failure. Some Xbox 360 system owners have reported that this is due to a low-power problem, and was fixed by allowing the Xbox 360 console its own power socket. This also occurs during a power loss such as a blown fuse, power outage or other power loss. Even when power is restored, if the console was on when it happened, the 3 red lights will show up. Just reset and continue playing.
2 Left Red Lights: The Xbox 360 system is overheating. The console needs to be placed in an area with better ventilation.
1 Red Light: Will usually come with the ‘Contact Microsoft Support’ error message, but either way it means a hardware failure. Users experiencing this error should contact Microsoft Technical Support