If you need Xbox 360 repair parts for an Xbox 360 repair, you should read this article. I will show you how to fix your system without buying Xbox 360 repair parts. Note: This article covers the Xbox 360 repair for red light errors and graphics freezing, this is not a DVD drive repair guide, or a general Xbox 360 troubleshooting guide.

Now first of all, if think you need Xbox 360 repair parts to fix the red ring of death (which I assume you have) you should know this: only 6% of red ring of death Xbox 360s actually need Xbox 360 repair parts. That means that there is a 94% chance you don’t need Xbox 360 repair parts, just a little tweak (and some basic tools) will get the job done.

The Cause of Xbox 360 Red Lights

The cause of Xbox 360 red lights is heat. As the motherboard heats up, it vibrates. As the motherboard vibrates the GPU (graphics processing unit) comes loose. Once the GPU comes too loose, your system freezes. You may think you need Xbox 360 repair parts to fix this, but you don’t as I will show you in a moment.

A warning: Do not use the towel trick to fix your system. Some people say you can wrap your system in a towel and overheat it. If you do this, you will cause permanent damage and you really will need Xbox 360 repair parts. You have been warned.

How to fix the red ring of death once and for all

Let’s get right to it.

First of all, before you do anything, I highly (highly!) recommend you consult a professional Xbox 360 repair guide. It will have videos that can guide you through this step by step.

For those of your who are nervous about opening your system up, don’t worry. This is a safe and easy Xbox 360 repair guide that doesn’t require new Xbox 360 repair parts. It is done with basic household tools and you do not need technical skills.

Here is what you do to fix your Xbox 360 red ring of death without new Xbox 360 repair parts:

1. Remove the casing (poke out the grayed holes until it “pops” out)

2. Take out the DVD drive and motherboard

3. Flip the motherboard over, and pop the X-clamp under the heat sink (the big silver box) off

4. Unscrew the heat sink and take it off

5. Clean the CPU and GPU with rubbing alcohol and apply a new coat of thermal compound over top (this costs about $1 and is found at any computer store). Heat the area with a heat gun for 25 seconds

6. Put 2 nylon washers under the heat sink and put it back on the motherboard. Also, put 2 nylon washers on the screws and then screw them back onto the heat sink

7. Put everything back together

8. Power it on, and you are done! No Xbox 360 repair parts needed!

Now you know how simple this process is and what the cause of your system freezing and Xbox 360 red lights is (a loose GPU). You also realize that to fix the red ring of death you probably don’t need Xbox 360 repair parts.

Again, I highly suggest you consult a professional Xbox 360 repair guide before you get started. Sending it into Microsoft for repairs is just foolish, it costs $140 and takes 6 weeks. Way better to do it yourself, especially since you don’t need new Xbox 360 repair parts 94% of the time.

Best of luck with your Xbox 360 repair, and I hope now that you know how to fix it you are not one of those 6% that actually needs Xbox 360 repair parts. The good news is professional Xbox 360 repair guides are cheap, and if it doesn’t work, you get your money back. Happy gaming!