The Xbox 360 is one of the most popular gaming consoles on the market.It is capable of rendering incredible graphics, providing online groupgame play, head-to-head game play and wonderfully immersiveenvironments. However, the console is also prone to numerous issues.Owning an Xbox 360 console can be enjoyable, but it can also befrustrating and maddening, especially when you understand thatMicrosoft will do little to nothing to help in the case of errors dueto manufacturer defects.

What Causes the Xbox 360 Problems?

While Microsoft would like you to believe that there are numerous reasons the Xbox can experience errors, there is a single underlying cause for the majority of problems experienced. The design of the Xbox console results in a propensity for overheating, leading to numerous error codes. These codes are displayed through the Ring of Light, with the exact code being displayed by specific LEDs illuminating red and flashing. Four error codes can be displayed by the console. These are:

1. A single red light - This is the 1 red light error and will be accompanied by an error code on the television screen. The error code will appear as Exx, where the x's indicate numbers. For example, E74 is a common error code, while E73, E69 and E64 are examples of less frequent error codes. The 1 red light error may appear to be linked to the AV cable, but is usually caused by a malfunctioning GPU chip.
    
2. Two red lights - If the lights in sections 1 and 3 are illuminated and flashing, the Xbox is experiencing general overheating. This can be due to incorrect placement, but is more commonly associated with the poor design Microsoft used during construction.
    
3. Three red lights - If sections 1, 3 and 4 are illuminated and flashing, you are experiencing the dreaded Red Ring of Death, or 3 red light error. This code indicates a "general hardware failure". However, this code can also be traced back to problems with design and implementation.
    
4. Four red lights - If the entire Ring of Light is illuminated and flashing, it means that the console does not recognize the presence of the AV cable. This can be caused by a faulty AV cable, a loose GPU chip, the incorrect TV output setting on the AV cable and more. However, overheating is the most common cause of  the issue.

As you can see, the underlying cause of most problems is the extreme amount of heat generated by the Xbox during operation. Xbox 360 overheating repair can help solve the problem.

How Can I Repair My Xbox 360?

If you encounter the abovementioned problems and basic troubleshooting does not help, it is time to repair the console. You have two options available when this becomes necessary:

• Send the console back to Microsoft - If you have remaining warranty coverage, this is the best choice. However, the repair process can take up to two months, leaving you without a gaming system. If you lack warranty coverage, this option will cost you $150 plus shipping costs, as well as the time it takes to complete the repairs.

• Repair the console on your own - Repairing the console on your own is a simple process. However, it can void your warranty if you have one. That said, home repairs are easy, fast and effective, and allow you to bypass the lengthy wait for Microsoft to complete repairs that should never have been needed in the first place. This basically involves heating the system so that the chips come loose, then cooling down with the chips back in the right position (you don't do any soldering).

What Is the Problem?

The problem with the Xbox 360 overheating and giving the red ring of death is a multifaceted subject. It involves Microsoft cutting corners during research and development, as well as bypassing the testing process required to ensure that the console was free of errors before putting it on the market. The heart of the matter is the heat generated during operation. The solder used to attach the GPU chip and the CPU chip to the motherboard is unable to withstand these temperatures. In essence, the heat causes the solder to become brittle and fragile, forming cracks and fissures in the soldered joints. The heat sinks used to cool the chips are too small to operate effectively, and the protective thermal paste used on the chips is likewise ineffective against overheating.

As the console heats up, the motherboard flexes due to heat. While this is a normal process, the weakened solder around the GPU breaks, allowing the flexing action to force the GPU chip out of contact with the motherboard. This causes numerous errors, including the 3 red light error, the 1 red light error, 2 red light error and many others that are not indicated by the Ring of Light. In short, your Xbox 360 is now useless and will not operate.

How Do I Repair It Myself?

Repairing the console on your own may sound like a daunting task. Actually, it is surprisingly simple. All you must do is modify the cooling system to enhance the dispersion of heat during game play and ensure proper GPU chip contact with the motherboard. In fact, you can accomplish this repair using only tools that you likely already have on hand and about an hour of free time. Compare that with the two months of waiting for Microsoft to repair a problem that is their own fault!

As a note, there have been numerous "fixes" developed to combat Xbox overheating. Do not attempt many of these repairs! Wrapping your console in a towel or sticking it in the freezer is an excellent way to damage the console permanently or even cause a fire in your home. Use only a tested, accurate repair method to ensure you get your gaming system back on track and avoid potential damage and harm.

About the Author
Anthony Uccello has been playing video games since pong. He bought an Xbox 360 the day it launched, and was on the brink of tears when he got the red ring of death. After doing some research he managed to fix his Xbox 360 and then founded his own Xbox 360 repair website which helps people with all their Xbox 360 problems.