Troubleshoot your Xbox 360 Power Supply when the power supply light is not illuminated

Sometimes, the light on your Xbox 360 Power Supply might not light up or illuminate. In this article, we'll help you determine how to resolve this problem.

When you use your Xbox 360 console, the power supply light for your Xbox 360 console is not illuminated. See a picture of the light on the power supply that is not illuminated in Figure 1.

If the power supply light is not illuminated, this usually means that the power supply is disconnected from the wall outlet. However, if you've confirmed that the power supply is connected to the wall outlet, and you still notice that the light is not illuminated, there might be a problem with the power supply.

Here are some steps that you can use to try to fix the problem.

Step 1: Make sure that the power cord for your Xbox 360 console power supply is connected to the wall outlet

• Determine if there is a switch that must be turned on for the wall outlet to provide power. If there is a switch and it is not turned on, turn on the switch. Then, check the power supply to see if the light is illuminated.
• If the power supply is firmly connected and there is no switch for the outlet, try using a different wall outlet. This will help you determine if the outlet is faulty or if the power supply is faulty.

For more information about how to connect and disconnect the Xbox 360 Power Supply, view the following article:

• 906205  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906205/ ) How to connect and disconnect the Xbox 360 power supply

If the power supply light is still not illuminated, try the steps in the next section.

Step 2: Check the power supply cables

If the wall outlet is working but your Xbox 360 console does not turn on, the power cords might be damaged.

1. Remove the power cord from the wall outlet and from the Xbox 360 Power Supply.
2. Examine the power cords for damage.
3. If either cord is damaged, do not use them. Contact Xbox Customer Support to obtain replacement cables.

For information about how to contact Xbox Customer Support if you have damaged cables, visit the following Web site:

Step 3: Try a different power supply

If you have another Xbox 360 Power Cord and Xbox 360 Power Supply, try using them to test the console.

Step 4: Get a replacement Xbox 360 Power Supply

If the steps in this article did not resolve the issue and the Xbox 360 Power Supply light continues not to be illuminated, you need to obtain a replacement power supply.

To contact Xbox Customer Support to get a replacement power supply or power cord, visit the following Web site:


Note Use of an unofficial, unauthorized, or third-party power supply might invalidate your warranty.

The power supply has several built-in safeguards to help prevent damage to either your Xbox 360 console or the power supply itself. The power supply will automatically turn off if either the current flow, the voltage, or the temperature is too high. When the power supply turns off for any of these reasons, the light on the power supply will turn from green (normal) to orange or to red, or the light will turn off. When the power supply light is green, the power supply is working correctly.

To help the power supply work correctly, always try to use the following best practices:

• Do not block any ventilation openings in the power supply.
• Do not put the power supply on a bed, on a sofa, or on any other soft surface that may block ventilation openings.
• Do not put the power supply in a confined space, such as a bookcase, a bookcase with doors, an enclosed a rack, or a stereo cabinet, unless the space is well ventilated.
• Do not put the power supply on a stereo speaker, an amplifier, or a heat source such as a radiator or a heat register.
• Plug the power supply directly into a working wall outlet. You may have problems with the power supply if you use an extension cord or a power strip if the extension cord or the power strip is faulty or cannot supply the required power to the console.
• If you are not sure about the reliability of an AC power outlet, power circuit, or power cabling, do not use it. Contact an electrician.

You can read the following articles to learn more about the different issues that you might have encountered that caused the power supply not to illuminate:

• 906205  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906205/ ) How to connect and disconnect the Xbox 360 power supply
• 906101  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906101/ ) Troubleshoot your Xbox 360 Power Supply when the power supply light is red
• 906102  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906102/ ) Troubleshoot your Xbox 360 Power Supply when the power supply light is orange
• 906104  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906104/ ) After you turn on your Xbox 360 console, the power supply light is green