Microsoft KB Archive/906101

= Xbox 360: The power supply light is red =

Article ID: 906101

Article Last Modified on 9/24/2007

-

APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft XBox 360 Video Game System
 * Microsoft Xbox

-



SYMPTOMS
The Xbox 360 power supply light is red.

Note If you see three lights on the Ring of Light (RoL) flash red on the front of your Xbox 360 console, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

907534 Xbox 360: Three red lights flash on the Ring of Light



CAUSE
The external power supply has detected a fault. The power supply has several built-in safeguards to help prevent damage to either the console or to the power supply itself. The power supply will turn itself off under the following conditions:
 * When there is too much current
 * When the voltage is too high
 * When the temperature is too high

Under these conditions, the light on the power supply will turn from green to orange or to red. Or, the light will turn off. When the power supply light is green or orange when it is connected to the wall outlet, the power supply is functioning correctly.

For more information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

906102 Xbox 360: The power supply light is orange

906103 Xbox 360: The power supply light is not illuminated



THINGS TO TRY
Here are some things that you can try to fix the issue or to determine what the cause is. If you cannot fix the issue yourself, please contact Xbox Customer Support. Visit http://www.xbox.com/support/contact for information about how to do this.

Make sure that the power supply is cool
The red light may indicate that the power supply is too hot or is overheated. Therefore, you should let the power supply cool for several hours in a well-ventilated space. During this time, you should not try to turn the console back on to allow the power supply sufficient time to cool. As soon as the power supply has cooled off, the power supply light will change from red to orange, and you can turn the console back on.

If the power supply light is still red after you have let the power supply unit cool in a well-ventilated space, the power supply unit may require replacement.

Contact Xbox Customer Support at http://www.xbox.com/support/contact for information about how to do this.

Make sure that the power supply is plugged in correctly
Make sure that the power cord is plugged directly into a working wall outlet and not into an extension cord, a surge protector, or a power strip.

If the power supply does not work after you connect it directly to a wall outlet, try the power supply in a different wall outlet, ideally in another part of the house. Follow these steps to correctly move the power supply:  Disconnect the cord that connects the power supply unit to the Xbox 360 console power socket.

For more information about detailed instructions on how to do this, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

906205 Xbox 360: How to connect and disconnect the Xbox 360 power supply

 Unplug the power cord from the power outlet in the wall. Disconnect the power cord from the power supply unit. Plug the power cord into a working wall outlet. Then, without the console connected, reconnect the power supply unit to the power cord.

Turn on the console:
 * If the power supply light is orange, reconnect the cord that connects the power supply unit to the console and make sure that the connector is inserted fully.
 * If the power supply light changes from orange to red after you connect the console, the issue is with the console itself. Therefore, the console will require service.

Contact Xbox Customer Support at http://www.xbox.com/support/contact for information about how to do this.

Try another power cord and power supply unit
If you have another power cord and power supply unit available, try using it to test the console. If the console now powers on, you may have to replace the faulty power cord and power supply unit. If the console does not power on, the issue may be with the console itself.

If none of these steps resolved your issue, your console may have to be repaired. For information about how to start the repair process online, please visit http://www.xbox.com/support, and then click Console Repair? in the upper-right section of the Web page.

Note Online repair service is currently not available in all countries or regions.

If you would rather contact Xbox Customer Support directly, please visit http://www.xbox.com/support/contact for information about how to do this.



MORE INFORMATION
Follow these safeguards to help the power supply work:
 * 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 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 experience problems 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.

Keywords: kbresolve kbxboxext kbxbox360pacrimportal kbxbox360europeportal kbxbox360americasportal kbxboxperipherals kbxboxconsole kbpubtypekc kbtshoot KB906101

-

[mailto:TECHNET@MICROSOFT.COM Send feedback to Microsoft]

© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.