Article ID: 907533 - Last Review: August 30, 2011 - Revision: 21.0

Two lights flash red on your Xbox 360 console

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This article applies only to the original Xbox 360 console, and does not apply to the Xbox 360 S console.

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The original Xbox 360 console

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SYMPTOMS

This article tells you what to do when two lights around the power button on your Xbox 360 console flash red.

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Two Flashing Red Lights

CAUSE

Two lights flash red if the Xbox 360 console is overheating.

THINGS TO TRY

Solution 1: Move your console

  1. Turn off your Xbox 360 console.
  2. Move your console to an open, well-ventilated area, away from all other electronic devices.

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    Tips for positioning your Xbox 360 console
    • Don't put your console in an enclosed space. Put your console in an open area with lots of ventilation.
    • Don't stack other electronic devices on top of or below your console.
    • Make sure your console and its power supply are on a hard surface. Don't put your console on something soft (like a bed, sofa, or rug).
    • Keep your console away from heat sources, such as ventilation openings on televisions and electronic devices. Also, keep your console away from heating vents and direct sunlight.
  3. Turn on your Xbox 360 console.
If two lights around the power button of your Xbox 360 console still flash red, try the next solution.

Solution 2: Let the console cool down

  1. Turn off your Xbox 360 console.
  2. Wait one hour for the console to cool down.
  3. Turn on your console.

    Note After turning on the console, you might see a message on the screen confirming that the console was shut down due to overheating. The message will say:
    "Your Xbox 360 console is designed to automatically shut down to protect it from insufficient ventilation"
    The message will also contain information about ventilation and console placement.

    Press A on your controller close this message.
If two lights around the power button of your Xbox 360 console still flash red, try the next solution.

Solution 3: Request a repair

 If the above solutions did not resolve your problem, or you continue to receive the message that your console was shut down to protect for insufficient ventilation even after you move it to a cool, well ventilated location, your Xbox 360 console needs to be repaired at our service center. Start the repair process online (http://service.xbox.com) .

APPLIES TO
  • Xbox
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