SquareTrade, a web site responsible for managing warrantees for xBox 360, reported that the failure rate for xBox 360 game consoles are well over 16 percent. This is an alarming amount of failure for a game system, especially coming from Microsoft. The xBox 360 crashing and other problems are widely, known among gamers, but I didn't realize the problem was this rampant.
Among the biggest problem gamers face is overheating of xBox 360 game consoles causing flashing 3 red lights called "Red Ring of Death." I have experienced similar problem in the past and there's a simple solution to repair this xBox 360 problem by using the famous 3 towel trick.
Three towel trick is a temporary repair that may last for a few days or even several weeks, nobody really has any idea how long this temporary fix will last. However, if you are desperate to repair your xBox 360 from red ring of death problem, following procedure is how you fix your infamous xBox 360 "Red Ring of Death."
The reasoning behind the 3 towel trick is to get your xBox game console very hot thereby reconnecting the possible loose connection on the game board. And if all goes according to plan, after using the towel trick, hopefully the game console will function normally again.
Repair xBox 360 Red Ring of Death Problem with Towel Trick
First thing you should do is turn the main power to your system off and disconnect all network cables, leaving only the power supply. Then turn on the power back on and with 3 or 4 thick towels, wrap the game console loosely. Turn the power back on. If you can't locate the power button with wrapped towels, you can turn the power on before you wrap your towel. Let the game console heat up for about 25 to 30 minutes. After heating it up for 25 to 30 minutes, take away the towels from the game console. Be extra careful not to burn yourself, because the console will be extremely hot at this point. Let the game console cool down for about 15~20 minutes and reboot your xBox. Do not connect your network cables at this point.
After applying the towel trick, your xBox 360 still flashes "Red Ring of Death," you're out of luck. You need to have it fixed by a repair personnel. However, if you find that the flashing red lights are gone, then your xBox is good to go again. Reconnect all your network cables and play your favorite game. Your xBox may operate without any problems for few hours, few days or even weeks or months without a hitch until you run into same problem again.
Remember, the towel trick is a temporary fix for your xBox 360 problems and you should seek a long-term solution. The reason for the dreaded three "Red Rings of Death" is because of the overheating of the game console. You can apply some of the tips below to keep your xBox from overheating.
Keep the xBox 360 game console in an open space. Keeping the game console in a tight space prevents the vent on the side to get clogged, causing it to get hot. You might also try to keep the main power supply from overheating by keeping it off of the floor. Some gamers use a tiny fan on the game console and/or power supply to keep the xBox 360 from overheating.
There is a product called Niko Intercooler, which has a 3 built-in fans that attaches directly to your xBox game console. Having this useful add-on for your xBox will keep your game console relatively cool while playing the game. It is a handy add-on that every gamer should have to avoid the ring of death and overheating. Intercooler is available for about $15 to $20 at most of major retailers and Amazon.com
You can avoid many of your xBox 360 problems simply by using these common sense tips. However, if these tips do not fix your xBox problems, you'll need to send it out for a repair to Microsoft or other third party repair center. If you are under warranty, Microsoft if your best option, but the repair may take up to 4 to 6 weeks plus shipping time and cost. And if your warranty has expired, you should consider other repair center for quick service. Most third party repair centers charge anywhere from $140 to $200 depending on the severity of your problem.
Many smart gamers choose another option to repair their xBox 360, which is using a self repair guide. There are number of xBox 360 repair guides that are available online which can help you repair xBox 360 yourself. Just remember, if you try to fix it yourself and break the game box for good, you may not be entitled to warranty coverage. So, decide wisely if doing a self repair is a good option for you.
About the Author:
Nok Cha is an xBox 360 enthusiast, who runs website dedicated to helping xBox gamers deal with xBox 360 problems with repair and troubleshooting tips at http://xbox360progamers.info. You can learn more about doing a self repair on xBox 360 and watch a video on xBox 360 self repair guide at his blog at Repair xBox 360 Problems.
How to Repair xBox 360 Problem, the Red Ring of Death
