Article ID: 2122791 - Last Review: July 23, 2010 - Revision: 7.0

Flashing red light on the Xbox 360 S console power button

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This article applies to the Xbox 360 S

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Xbox 360 S console

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SYMPTOMS

The light in the center of the Xbox 360 S power button blinks red.

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The power button blinks red


You might also see the following message on the screen:

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Error message that appears when the console overheats


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CAUSE

A blinking red light on the power button means that your console has insufficient ventilation. The red light will continue flashing until the console cools down.
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Things To Try

Solution 1: Let the console cool down

  1. Wait for the red light on the power button to stop flashing.
  2. Turn on the console.

    When you turn on the console, you might see a message explaining why your console shut down, and steps you can take to prevent the problem in the future.

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    Steps you can take to prevent an automatic shut down.



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Solution 2: Move the console

  1. Turn off the console.
  2. Move your console to an open, well-ventilated area, away from all other electronic devices.

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    Poor ConditionsGood Conditions
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    Xbox 360 console in a cluttered, poorly ventilated area
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    Xbox 360 console in an open, well-ventilated area


    Tips for positioning your Xbox 360 S console
    • Do not put the console in an enclosed space. Put the console in an open area with lots of ventilation.
    • Do not stack other electronic devices on top of, underneath, or against the sides of your console.
    • Make sure the console and its power supply are on a hard surface. Do not put the console on something soft (such as a bed, sofa, or rug).
    • Position the console away from heat sources, such as ventilation openings on televisions and electronic devices. Also, keep the console away from heating vents and direct sunlight.
  3. Turn on your console.

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Solution 3: Request a repair

If your console continues to shut down because of insufficient ventilation, even though your console is in a cool, well-ventilated location, your console might need to be repaired at our service center. Start the repair process online. (http://service.xbox.com)
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