RROD Repair Guide 

Hi Everyone

I’ve set up this website as a helper to anyone who plays Xbox 360 and is looking for a red ring of death (rrod) repair guide to fix common problems.

You’ll find contained in this website common technical faults, reasons for the faults, common myths and ways to fix your Xbox 360.

First of all here is a brief rundown of the Xbox 360 and some of the problems you can experience.

The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft, and is the successor to the Xbox. It was launched in 2005 and has sold in excess of 28 million units worldwide.

The Xbox 360 is currently available in three configurations, the: Arcade, Pro, and  Elite consoles.

The Xbox 360 is subject to a number of technical problems. Since the console's release, users have reported concerns over its reliability and failure rate.

Microsoft has publically stated that the Xbox 360’s failure rate is within the consumer electronics industry’s typical 3% - 5%. Nevertheless, Microsoft has not released its official statistics on the failure rate of the various versions of the console; the company's press relations policy is to focus on the prompt resolution of any technical problems.

Some sources claim that this failure rate is actually between 30% - 33%. Even using the lower rate of 30%, that means that over 8.4 million consoles have been affected by problems.

Some of the common problems include:

·         3 Red lights (also known as the Red Ring of Death)

·         2 Red lights

·         Xbox freezing

·         Error E74

·         No video

Here is a great all round repair guide if you are looking to fix your Xbox 360 problems:

3 Red Light Fix Repair Guide 

Any way back to my review of Xbox 360 problems ...

Most people ask why do the Xbox 360 problems occur?

Below are the some of the common theories as to why they occur:

1.     Graphics Chip. In order to save money the graphics chip was designed in-house by Microsoft in order to cut out ASIC vendors (short for application-specific integrated circuit). Microsoft’s experience in graphics chip design does not compare to level of expertise of ASIC vendors. The Microsoft designed graphics chip is inefficient and dissipates too much heat and hence creates an overheating problem. Microsoft has since gone back to an ASIC vendor and had the chip redesigned so it dissipates less heat, however, there are still lots of Xbox 360 units that still use the old graphics chip. 

2.     Solder Joints. As many companies do, Microsoft avoids using lead in products that are used by children. As a result Microsoft made the Xbox 360 with lead free solder joints. Some claim that the wrong type of lead free solder was used and when it is exposed to high levels of heat over extended periods of time it becomes brittle. Once it is brittle this leads to hair-line cracks developing and often the solder joints break.  

3.     External Cooling Devises. Some intercoolers are reported to have caused hardware failure in a number of Xbox 360 consoles. The peripheral drains too much power from the console and causes faults to occur. Microsoft has stated that consoles fitted with the peripheral will have their warranties voided.  

4.     Heat Sink Clamp. The heat sink clamp design is flawed and causes Xbox 360 motherboards to flex. Too much pressure is placed on the motherboard as a result of the clamps plastic spacer (located in the centre). The excess pressure is caused when the console heats up and this causes the motherboard to flex.

5.     Xbox 360 heat is excessive. The Xbox 360 is a high powered devise with its components releasing a large amount of heat. Microsoft has dealt with this by adding heat sinks, vents and fans to disperse heat. If the airflow to your Xbox 360 is blocked this will cause your console to heat up leading to many of the problems outlined above such as the red ring of death.  

Hopefully I have answered some of your questions. Before purchasing a repair guide take a look at the research I have already done:

Best Xbox Repair Guides