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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March 11th, 2007 at 9:46 am
Ye anti xbox Mine started that way just random freezing then led to 3 red lights.
This can be fixed at home my box has clocked up 20 hrs plus now since i did the 4 min heat gun session on the mobo also cleaned the heatsinks and used arctic silver . I know we shouldnt have to do this but my box is modded and its out of warranty so the DIY worked well for me.
March 12th, 2007 at 12:22 am
I tell you the truth people will do anything to get some money big money at that inventing some Sh!t that only last a couple of days, weeks, or better yet some hours this xbox the gave it the right name 360 because thats what it does keeps taking you in circles trying to figure out how to fix this this gane when the already have the answer they just want more money to put in thier pockets when it should go on thier brains with they stupid aZZZ they can have this 360 cause ima get a 180 and keep going straight until i find a better game .
March 12th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
Just so you guys know you guys can use the “towel trick”, its where you completely wrap the 360 with yes a towel completely covered. Once its covered turn it on and you see the 3 red lights after about 10 minutes to 15 minutes passes by feel the back of the xbox and it is very hot? If it is that is good.
Now try it on now. If it doesnt work put the towel back let it get a bit warmer 5 to 10 minutes.
Now if it does work remember its only a temporarily fix however for me sometime doing that it lasts for a whole day without having to do that again.
Sometimes it doesn.t
All depends on how bad the situation is.
And i did that for about 2 weeks with no problem than no matter what it wouldn’t work so i sent it back now.
So for those that have the lights go ahead and try the temp fix to at least play on it a bit. Or of course send it back again.. Its my second time sending it back i should be getting it back this week. They better gotten it right this time. And remember guys report to BBB(Better Business Bureau) They got back to me within a couple of days.
Just complain as much as you want.
Good luck.
Any questions email qfawad2002@yahoo.com
March 13th, 2007 at 6:16 am
hey guys…i wanna ask ya…b4 the red lights happen…about 5 or 6 days b4…did u get some game freezing ..screen stoping from playing…i donno something suspecious…..help me out..
March 13th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
well 50hrs clocked up now and she hasnt even crashed once i did cook the living (*&%^ out of the board and removed the heatsinks arctic silver and dont put the case on (so as not to rewarp or unwarp from the heat treatment)
YES I DO KNOW MY BOX IS DEAD AND ON THE WAY OUT but she is not warantied so why pay 140 for a recon thatll go soon anyway. pay 20 dollars / euro ish do the fix and off ya go whoever put that post above there regarding strange freezing YES YOUR BOX IS ON THE WAY OUT to verify that take it apart look at the mobo underside and you will see the heat damage signs everywhere.
March 13th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
By the way just to add towel tirck is 1. very dangerous fire hazzard.
2. not as effective as cooking the board in an oven (remove all plastic form mobo)
3. not as effective as heat gun.
Whether or not it actually does reflow (which i doubt) the solder mine is running good the last 50 hours not even one crash after all the continued crashes leading up to now
March 14th, 2007 at 11:01 am
My 360 went after 1 year and twelve days (three red lights). MS took it away two weeks ago. They said it would take fifteen working days to fix this, but the are not charging me. So i suppose it’s not too bad. It’s just a pain having to wait so long.
March 14th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
hiya,,ive just got the red lights thingy and ive spoke to m$ about a pick up and got the label thru the post,,,im gonny try the towel thing and i’ll let you know what happens… any other ideas please let me know ta…
March 14th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
hi cant believe how many people have this problem it is a joke with this many compliantes would of thought ms would do something by now. i was watching watchdog if every one complains they said you would be able to get it fixed for free or new machine. what a lot of money for crap i could of given it to a charity.
March 14th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
trying towel thing now
will let you know what happens