Repairing An Xbox 360 Console Guide

This guide was created to help you fix your xbox 360 console without paying the $6.00 for other repair guides.

First off, i would thank you for looking and i hope you find this guide helpful

Xbox 360 Repair Guide, Error codes, and more!

First please before you start to read do the following. Take a dry towel and wipe the console down and make sure no dust is on it. Plug the power supply block into a different socket and secure it. Then simply wipe out the disk drive lightly to make sure no dust is on it. Also if you got it connected in HDTV, try using the composite video cables, it could be the problem. This guide is divided into sections-
Section 1 - Red light issues
A. Bottom Right Light
B. All Four light are lit up
C. Sections 1 and 3 are red
D. Sections 1, 3 , and 4
E. Section 4 and error codes explanations
Section 2 – Disk Recognition Errors
Section 3 – Drive Eject Problems
A. Freezing Problems
B. Opening up a stuck disk tray
Section 4 – Hardware failure
Section 5 – Opening you Xbox 360
Section 6 – To reset console
Section 7 – Updating you console so it is backward compatible
Section 8 – Backward Compatible Games list 
Section 9-Xbox live, Gamerscore, and respect 
Section 10- Connecting a Hard Drive 
Section 11- Connecting Digital Audio, The component HD cable, and setting up 5.1 surround
Section 12- Replacing the faceplate

 Section 1 – Red light issues             
If there is a problem with the xbox360 The LEDs in the ring of light will flash in a particular pattern. The pattern itself leads some insight to the problem. Certain patterns will lead to numbered error codes which will provide further insight to the problem. The numbered error codes are described below their corresponding LED code. The lights on the Xbox 360 that normally are green corresponding to the number of controllers plugged in or on describe error codes. If you are receiving any red lights you are encountering an error. Read the following and check with your Xbox to see if it is the same problem. The lights on the front power button are divided into 4 sections.
A. **IF 1 SECTION BOTTON RIGHT BLINKS AND YOU GET AN ERROR MESSAGE**
 
This is a result of hardware failure. Simply do what It says (Call in) or try the following.
Reconnect all the cables first off, then disconnect the hard drive and restart the console. See if it is fixed now. If not I would recommend finding out the error code use the guide further into the document?
B. **IF ALL SECTIONS ARE RED 4 LIGHT ERROR!!!!**

My Xbox 360 recently had this error, easy to fix!
The audio/video cable is not connected correctly or is broken
Ways to Fix:
Make sure that the AV cable is correctly connected to the Xbox 360 console. Disconnect the AV cable from the Xbox 360 console, and then reconnect the AV cable to the Xbox 360 console. If the four flashing red lights continue to flash, try wiping the metal area of the AV pack with a dry cloth. The metal area is the end that plugs into the console. Wipe the metal area thoroughly, and then try the AV Pack again. If the AV cable is correctly connected but the four red lights are still flashing, I would recommend trying the vga video cable if you are not already using it. It is a more stable connection. Also check to make sure your power supply is connected to the socket snuggly and is getting a clean amount of power. Make sure the A/V cable is connected securely and also the power cable. Make sure they are both clicked in!
 
 C. **IF SECTIONS 1 AND 3 ARE RED!!**
Your Xbox 360 console is overheated. If you experience this often most likely the problem can be a problem in your Xbox 360. This can be repaired by sending it in. First before you send it in try the following...Let the console cool well and wait 2-3 hours before playing. Also try purchasing a nyko intercooler it dramatically increases your Xbox 360 life and performance. To prevent this from happening again...Do not block openings or make sure it is in the open on a flat hard surface. Placing the console on a cushiony or soft surface is not recommended. The Xbox 360 has a poor rep for overheating because of the extremely high power consumption.
D. **SECTIONS 1, 3 ARE 4 ARE FLASHING RED!!**
This code simply means your Xbox 360 has general hardware failure and should be inspected by a dealer. Do not attempt to open the console this will void your warranty. If you do not care about your warranty and are willing to do anything to try to fix it. Read On -Try restarting the console. If restarting the console does not resolve the problem, follow these steps: Turn the console off. Unplug all the power and AV cables from the console. Unplug the power cord from the wall socket. Firmly reconnect all the cables. Turn on the console. If these steps do not resolve the behavior, turn the console off, remove the hard drive, and then turn on the console. If the 3x Red LED error light is no longer displayed, turn the console off, re-attach the hard drive, and then turn on the console. Also examine the lights on the power supply. When you turn on the console, the power supply light should illuminate green even if the three lights on the led are red still.
E. ***IF SECTION 4 IS RED*******
This means General hardware failure. Send it into an authorized dealer unless you want to open your box and attempt repair. The codes will be displayed at the bottom of the error screen.
Here are the hardware codes-
E65: DVD Drive Error.... DVD Timeout, Wrong firmware, DVD is without f/w chip, etc.
E67: Hard Drive Error... It could be a problem with the Hard Drive itself or a problem with the internal connection to the hard drive, Try removing the hard drive and playing without it
E68: Hard Drive Error... It could be a problem with the Hard Drive itself or a problem with the internal connection to the hard drive, Try removing the hard drive and playing without it
E69: Hard Drive Error... It could be a problem with the Hard Drive itself or a problem with the internal connection to the hard drive, Try removing the hard drive and playing without it
E74: AV cable error... There is a problem with the AV cable, try using a different AV cable.

Section 2 – Disk Recognition Errors
On rare occasions when a user inserts a game disc the game will not load and a white screen will display, followed by this message:
To play this disc, please insert it in an Xbox 360 console.
This message appears despite the fact that the console is, indeed, an Xbox 360. The error may be accompanied by a short and low buzzing noise. The best way to fix this is to restart the console, eject the disc and re-insert it or power-cycle the console. This could, however, be the initial symptoms of a hardware failure. (Note: This problem sometimes arises when no Xbox 360 controller either wired or wireless is connected to the console when loading a disc, or the disk may need cleaning)Another problem has occurred wherein discs of any type will not be recognized by the reader, and the dashboard will display an "Unplayable Disc" prompt. This is accompanied by a similar buzzing noise from the disc reader, although it affects all media and not just Xbox 360 game discs. This is due to a total failure of the disc-drive; the console itself still functions for Live and Arcade purposes, but discs can not be read, and the drive itself will fail to even spin up or read any discs. Another error that will pop-up during actual game play is "This disc is unreadable", with little indication as to why it’s unreadable, other than sounds of the drive straining to read the disc. The frequency of this error is also inconsistent, sometimes happening many times in one play session, or not happening at all with the same game. Just make sure you try multiple disks please before replacing parts. Unfortunately I realized this the hard way, Xbox 360s have no device to hold the disk down and they often scratch disks while playing them this cause be fixed usually by making sure the console is secure and is horizontally placed. Never place your console vertical, it says you can but it messes up your disks and console.
Section 3 – Drive eject Problems
A. Freezing issues are directly related to your Xbox 360 hardware and your game or console updates. Freezing is normally related to updates. Most people do not have Xbox live so you are going to need to get it and download the latest updates. I can almost guarantee it will be fixed.
B.This is on of the more uncommon problems but just incase. I have noticed, Xbox 360s when placed vertical jam the disk ALL the time. Please place it horizontal for decreased risk of it getting broken. This also can be caused by the face plate. To fix, take off the face plate and hit eject. If no luck on opening, try to gently pry it open with a small object. Simply use a butter knife, that is what I used.
 
 
Section 4 - Hardware Failure codes
To determine the codes read on. The error can be determined by the following method....Turn the Xbox 360 on, and wait till the 3 red lights are flashing. Press and hold the sync up button the small white one, while holding that button press the eject button. The LEDs will now blink the first number in the code as described below. Release the eject button and press it again. The LEDs will now blink the second number of the code. Release the eject button and press it again. The LEDs will now blink the third number of the code. Release the eject button and press it again. The LEDs will now blink the forth number of the code. Release the eject button and press it again. The LEDs will go back to the 3 red flashing lights. You should be able to determine the difference between the 3 flashing lights and the error code lights by the rate in which they flash.
Here is how you read the LEDs to get the code number:
1. All four lights flashing - 0
2. One light flashing - 1
 3. Two Lights flashing - 2
 4. Three lights flashing -3
30001 power supply problem
0002 Network Interface problem
0003 Power problem could be the PSU could be the GPU/CPU, somehow the console isn't getting clean power from the power supply.
0010 over heating
0011 over heating - If you are receiving this error after disassembling your console make sure to all 8 of the heat sync screws are tightened securely to the board/heat sink holes.
0012 over heating
0013 over heating
0021 DVD Drive Time out - Can be caused by problems with a firmware flash. This is also speculated to sometime be caused by a problem with the Southbridge chipset on the motherboard.
0022 GPU Error / GPU Overheating
When you get a error code and have opened up your box, do the following to try to repair the part that is broken.....first purchase the new part then...open it up..(VOIDS WARRANTY!!)
Section 5 -**Opening your Xbox 360**
 First, place the Xbox upside down on your lap, insert your index and middle finger into the memory slot holes, place your thumbs on the bottom of the Xbox (for leverage), and pull the face plate off with a steady force. It should just snap right off.
1. Next, break the Microsoft seal (you will void your warranty at this point)
 
2. Now, flip the Xbox on its side and take a close look at the holes located on the top and bottom of each side. If you look closely, you can see that some of the holes are filled in. Why would this be? Well, it is because the filled-in holes are keeping the grey plastic pieces on the top and bottom of the Xbox snuggly in place.
3. To remove the top and bottom grey pieces, you will need a small pointed object.
 
4. Locate a grey plastic tab by peering into the holes, then use the probe to carefully push down and lever out the grey top/bottom cover.Both pieces have three tabs/clips per side, with a total of six per piece. To remove the top grey piece, you will have to remove the rubber pad. This is the only rubber pad you will have to remove.
 
5. With the grey pieces removed, take a close look at the back side of the Xbox. On the right and left side there are small notches that will require closer inspection. You again will need a small screw driver or narrow probe.
6. Using the probe, start on the left side (near power plug socket) and push the catch a bit into the Xbox until it clicks, then use a screw driver to keep the two sides apart. Once the left side is done, start on the right side and do the same thing to the rest of the catches. This is probably the trickiest part of the whole process, so take your time.
 
7. Once they are all separated, the bottom of the Xbox will lift away. At this point slide it around to the front side and undo the four catches, keeping the case together.At this point you will need to grab your Torx driver set. I used a T10 and T8 for this part of the disassembly process. Other sites have suggested a range of torx drivers, but this worked for me. You DO NOT NEED a T12.
8. Unscrew the six T10 black screws,then use the T10 to unscrew all the silver screws. Finally, unscrew the black screws with your T8 driver.
 
9. Carefully flip the Xbox back over.
10. Remove the DVD button arm assembly to keep it out of your way. You just need to pry it off the black plastic guide.
11. Next, remove the top cover, watching the DVD button latch!
12. Disconnect the SATA connector and power connector from the DVD drive and lift it out of the case.
13. To remove the white plastic air guide, locate the notch on the top outward side, insert your probe/small screw driver, and leverage the air guide out. It should lift straight out very smoothly.
 
Next, disconnect the power for the cooling fans. Now, use your probe/screw driver to pry the fan catches out from the metal guard. This will allow you to remove the fan device from the Xbox case.
 
Next, look at the front of the Xbox on the RF module, and remove the white plastic power button. It is held in place by a clip on the top and bottom.
 
14. Now, remove the three screws from the front circuit board (RF module).
15. Once the screws are removed, you will be able to slide the front circuit board off the Xbox with a slight pull. Notice that it is connected on the lower left side. You should now be able to pull the entire circuit board right out of the case with relative ease. Be careful not to touch any exposed circuits.
16. That’s it, your done you have successfully disassembled your Xbox 360!

Section 6 -TO RESET CONSOLE
To Clear All Installed Game Updates and Console Cache Go to the "system" blade Select "memory" Press Y on the HD symbol Press X,X, Left Bumper, Right Bumper, X,X A message will appear saying: "Do you want to perform maintenance on your Xbox 360 storage devices?" Select Yes
Section 7 – Updating you console so it is backward compatible

This section is provided to help you update your console so you can play Xbox games on the Xbox 360. Not all Xbox games are compatible but most popular ones are. Ok first of, you have 3 ways of getting this update. The first way is to get Xbox live. The first time you login to Xbox live, it will automatically update this for you. If you do not have Xbox live, the other 2 methods are for you. The second method is to burn a disk with the files necessary on it. I will now explain how to do this. If you do not have an internet connection or something like that, go to a friend’s house and do this. First download the necessary files from xbox.com.

Extract the contents. Place default.xex on you desktop. Now insert the blank cd into your cd burner. Open up the writable cd file. Drag and drop the default.xex file into the folder. Click write file to cd. This burn process should take a minute. Now once it opens the disk drive, get the disk and place it into your Xbox 360. Hit continue and then hit yes update now. The console will restart. There you go, pretty easy huh?
The third way is easy but takes a while to get it. Just order an update cd from eBay or xbox.com.  Refer to section 8 to see what games you can play now!

I hope this guide helped you fix your xbox 360 console!