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Red Ring of Death Repair Guide

The Easiest, Fastest Way to Fix Your Xbox 360

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Red Ring of Death– A Guide to Fixing Your Xbox 360

The much talked about "Red Ring of Death" or 3 red light error on the Xbox 360 game console has garnered headlines and engendered frustration around the world. What can you do if your Ring of Light changes to something more sinister? What does the 3 red light error actually mean? Can you fix it on your own? Here's the information that you need to make sense of the situation. It can get a little technical but it's a simple problem and you don't even have to understand it if you just want to follow along with the repair (for more information on just the repair method scroll to the bottom).

"I Have 3 Red Lights And They Won't Go Away"

Don't panic, you have come to the right place! Your Xbox 360 has had a slight hardware failure (entirely Microsoft's fault) but you can quickly fix the problem permanently. Millions of people are in the exact same boat as you, and Microsoft is trying to sweep this whole ordeal under the rug (so to speak).

You will find little offical news of this online, but Microsoft screwed up BIG TIME and you are paying the price (literally). Microsoft made the cooling unit on the motherboard too small and as a result any Xbox 360 can overheat and fail (which in this case is, sadly, your system)!

It get's worse! The average warranty has expired now and Microsoft is charging $140 (that's right $140!) for a problem THEY CAUSED! If you ask them what the cause of this is, the staff just tells you to send it in and "we'll take care of it"---but it takes up to 6 weeks for them to repair it and send it back (what a waste of precious gaming time!).

Red Ring of Death (RROD)Quick Facts

The 3 red light error is caused by the GPU (graphics processing unit) coming loose.

Your Xbox 360 will NOT work again until you fix it (which is very easy) by stabilizing the GPU

You cannot fix this problem by using the "towel trick". That will only make matters worse

By now, your warranty has probably expired in which case it will cost you $140 and take up to 6 weeks for it to get repaired. If you are still under warranty you should send it in if you don't mind waiting.

To repair your Xbox 360 you just need to stabilize the motherboard and the GPU so it stops coming loose (which doesn't take long).

Once you fix this problem it will never come back! You will enjoy care free gaming as soon as you are finished!

GPU

RROD Warning Signs

There are a few warning signs that your Xbox 360 may display prior to the appearance of the 3 red light error. While the warning signs are few, there are some that you should keep an eye out for – graphic problems during game play are the primary symptoms. These can be stripes or squares across the screen, blurring or freezing during play and other graphic anomalies. Another sign of incipient doom is a change in sound playback. The sound may freeze or it may take on a static-like tone. These symptoms may be intermittent for some time, though they can also lead immediately to problems.

What Happened? Why You Have The RROD:

The most common type of issue that causes the 3 red light error seems to involve the solder used on the CPU and GPU chips on the bottom of the motherboard, as well as throughout other areas within the motherboard. While the owner's manual and Microsoft's online documentation are decidedly vague, outside sources have determined the cause of the problem.

According to numerous sources, one of the primary reasons for the problem is due to the incorrect lead-free solder being used during construction. Under high temperatures, the solder becomes brittle and weak. Once this has occurred, the solder can crack and break, reducing connectivity within your console (or eliminating it).

However, the real cause of Xbox 360 death is the poor design implemented by Microsoft during research, development and even production. Due to the unconventional design and mounting of the X-clamps, which hold the heat sinks to the GPU and CPU chips, extreme amounts of heat build up in the chips, X-clamps and motherboard. The heat sinks are of insufficient size to dissipate the heat generated during normal operation of the console.

This excess heat results in deterioration of the solder holding the GPU and (to a lesser extent) the CPU chip in place. Additionally, the heat affects the motherboard. Temperature fluctuations force the motherboard to expand and contract. This flex forces the pins of the GPU out of contact with the motherboard and disrupts continuity.

To repair the issue it's simply a matter of stabilizing the motherboard and making the connection between the motherboard and GPU secure (which is fairly simple).

"So In Laymans Terms What Happened?"

Here is the layman's 411 on what happened. Microsoft, in it's rush to be the first 4th generation system on the market, had a problem during the design stages.

There was not enough room for the heat sink (the cooling unit) and the DVD drive. So they decided to cut a corner and make the heat sink smaller. Big mistake...

Microsoft underestimated how well the smaller heat sink would work. As a result, the motherboard of Xbox 360's heat up very fast! As the motherboard heats up it begins to flex against the clamps that hold it in position. This flex and resistance action creates a big problem...

As the motherboard heats up and flexes, the GPU is heating up along with it. However, the GPU is soldered to the motherboard. As it gets hot, the solder points get weak. Weak solder points + a flexing motherboard = (you guessed it) the GPU comes loose!

Since the GPU processes the graphics, that is why your Xbox 360 will freeze in the middle of game or not even boot when you restart.

To fix this problem, you simple must relieve the heat on the GPU so it stops coming loose, which is thankfully very easy to do! Why Microsoft charges $140 for this is a mystery (or Bill Gates is willing to make a buck off people he screwed), but thankfully there is a better way and this is it.

"Can I Fix It?"

Currently, there are two methods you can use to repair your Xbox 360. First, you can send it back to Microsoft for a repair. Be warned, this can be quite expensive ($140) and it takes up to 6 weeks! This is outrageous since you can buy new consoles for $199 now! However, if you have a warranty on your console this is free and this may be the best route for you (if you don't mind the 6 week waiting period).

The second method of repair involves a do-it-yourself method. You should note, repairing the console on your own will void your warranty (if you have one). That said, the repair is relatively simple and, if you lack warranty coverage, this will save considerable amounts of money.

The Red Ring of Death (aka 3 Red Lights Error) Is Easily Fixed!
Look...

While it may sound odd, this overheating problem is easily fixed using common household tools (like screwdrivers and paperclips) and you don't need to send it into for repairs to get it working! It is simple to perform the repair and doesn't take long! If you get started right now, you will be done in less than 2 hours!

Since millions of Xbox 360 gamers are in the same boat as you, a simple repair guide was created so that you don't need any technical experience to fix this annoying problem! While nothing is 100% when dealing with electronics, this repair has had an extreme amount of success (to be more precise, this repair boasts a 89% success rate). Take a look at this forum discussing how well this guide works!

Proof

Over 1000 Xbox 360's with the red ring of death were repaired using this method and it worked 89% of the time!

You are going to be able to do this same repair yourself using common household tools. This guide is designed with the standard gamer in mind, and there is absolutely no technical jargon what-so-ever. All you have to do is get the guide, set up your tools (which are simple household tools such as screw drivers and paperclips), and follow the video.

For more technical information read on!

"Follow Along With With This Repair Video And Fix Your Xbox 360 Right Now! No Technical Experience Or Special Tools Needed"

It was said earlier but it will be said again: you may think it odd that you can fix your Xbox 360 with household tools when Microsoft is charging $140 for it, but it's true! Besides, if you know Bill Gates, he squeezes every dollar he can out of his businesses (even if it means overcharging people for his mistakes!)

The fact is using some simple tools like a screwdriver and a paperclip (or some poking device) you can complete this repair in just over 60 minutes (plus at least a 30 minute cool down period).

This repair is simple to do, and this repair guide shows you everything step by step. There is also also a manual included with the video. Not a single step is skipped in the book or video. It doesn't get any easier than this, so what are you waiting for? Get back to carefree gaming once and for all! Don't let your Xbox 360 become a $400 paperweight!

This video will explain the step by step way to repair your Xbox 360 permanently using tools from around your house.
No technical skill is required, every step is done on a 3 red light Xbox 360.

See the broken Xbox 360 with red lights get repaired and work once again!

Follow along and your Xbox 360 will too!

Repair Manual And Repair Video