Games

If your Xbox 360 has recently come down with the dreaded 3 red lights, I'm sure you're interested in getting it repaired. This article is going to talk about the two most common methods for fixing your Xbox 360 and the repair cost for each.

Method 1
By far, the most common method for fixing your Xbox 360 is by having Microsoft themselves fix it. If your console is still under warranty this is FREE and it would be a good idea to take advantage of this service if you don't mind waiting 4-6 weeks to get your console back.

If your system is not still covered under warranty the cost is $140 with added costs of shipping (which will run you about $20 extra). That means you'll be paying almost half of the cost of a brand new console. And the worst part is, Microsoft repair is not guaranteed to fix your console permanently.

That's because Microsoft only replaces your console with a refurbished model and doesn't fix the root cause of the 3 red lights.

Method 2
A repair method that is becoming more and more popular is fixing the console yourself. This may seem daunting at first, but many online guides have been created that literally walk you through the process.

If you choose to fix the Xbox 360 yourself, it's highly recommended you pick up a guide since it will guide you through the process with videos and tech support--which usually takes you about an hour. That will cost about $30 and you won't have to wait because you can stream videos online or download them instantly.

It's also good to know that this is a permanent fix, since it fixes the cause of the 3 red lights. However, you should also know that you will be opening up your Xbox 360 which will void the warranty if it's still under warranty. This won't hurt at all if your warranty has already expired or if you simply don't want to fool with Microsoft's 2 month repair time.

Final Notes
There is a rumor going around online that suggests fixing your Xbox 360 by wrapping a towel around the console for about 30 minutes to an hour (called the towel trick). While this may make it work a few times in the short run, do not do this. This can and will soon destroy the insides of your Xbox 360.