XBox 360 Overheating Issues

Since the new XBox 360s came out, there has been lots of talk about overheating issues. According to Microsoft, this accounts for just a tiny percent of all their machines, but there are an awfully lot of overheating stories out there. Lots of XBox fans aren't happy with the way they're dealing with the problem.

Here's what usually happens: In the middle of a hot game your console freezes up. This happens a few more times, and then you see the Red Rings Of Death. The RR of D is not a feature of XBox, nor a foe in a fantasy game. The RR of D means that you're machine is overheating. Some people have reported seeing an orange screen flashing as well. The Rings shut down your machine and you lose your unsaved data. What it means is that it's overheated.

Some machines overheat after hours of play, but some do in as quickly as 10 minutes. Either way, the machine is defective and something has to be done about it.

Now, you can either send the machine in for repairs, or you can fix it yourself. Lots of gamers have been peeved at Microsoft's slow response to their overheating woes. They say that Microsoft is slow to repair the units. Often, they will offer a refurbished unit instead. Refurbished machines are as good as new, so it sounds pretty good, but there are tons of stories online of defective replacement machines. Some XBox owners have gone through 3 or 4 machines, all of which overheated!

It's a pretty sad state of affairs. Overheat sufferers claim that the company's customer service is less than helpful, and that they fail to adequately take responsibility for their faulty machines.

There are a few things you can do on your own to deal with overheating. Just like any other electronics, try to keep the back of the console clear so that the hot air can escape. With a well-made machine, this shouldn't be a problem, but if you have it all the way back against the wall, it might be a factor in why it overheats.

Supposedly, the root of the overheating problem in XBox 360s is that they tried to cut corners by using cheaply made, slow fans. There are 2 fans on either side, and they are really important for cooling the console. You can always reach back there and feel if the unit feels very cold or super hot. If one of the fans is not turning, or if it is going too slowly, you might want to replace the fan yourself. Of course, it shouldn't be YOUR responsibility to do that, but considering all the headaches customers have had with Microsoft's replacement machines, it just might save you some trouble.

If you send the machine in for a new fan, they may try to gouge you for it. If you look on the web (check eBay), you can find the exact same fans that are used in the XBox 360 for as low as $10. It isn't too difficult to replace the fan yourself, and you can find schematics and tutorials online to help you.

Another minor repair you can do yourself is to put some Arctic Silver 5 on the heatsink. This is a cooling compound that you can buy online. If you apply it on the heatsink, which is located just between the CPU and the fans, it will cool down the components. People who have used Arctic Silver report great results. It seems to keep the unit from ever overheating again.

Remember also that your XBox 360 has a year long warrantee. The original warrantees were six months, but they've since extended it, and it's retroactive. That means if you bought yours within the last year, it still should be covered.