Three flashing red lights around the Xbox 360 power button
(nicknamed the "Red Ring of Death"), represent an internal problem that
requires service.
Warning signs may include freeze-ups, graphical problems in the middle
of gameplay, such as checkerboard or pinstripe patterns on the screen,
and sound errors, and the console only responds to pressing the power
button to turn it off.
This error code is usually caused by failure of one or more hardware
components, although it can indicate that the console is not receiving
enough power from the power supply, which can either be due to a faulty
power supply or if the power supply cable is not fully inserted into
the console.
Distinct from the General Hardware Failure is a similar-looking
error warning where four red lights appear, in which case the console
does not detect an AV cable is plugged in.
The four lights can sometimes also be seen when power surges or very
brief power outages occur while the console is running, in which the
console needs to be unplugged and plugged back in again to reset the
error. Two red lights appear when the system is overheated.
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