When you want to make sure that your Xbox 360 isn't headed towards the dreaded 3 red lights error, which has been not so lovingly dubbed the Red Ring of Death, you'll find that being aware is the key.

The error that is indicated when those three red lights show up can be such that you need to send it back to the manufacturer, and at the very least, it can mean some time on the phone with Microsoft tech support, to make sure that you know what is going on with your machine.

Warning Signs

There are definitely some signs that you may be heading towards a 3 red light error. Even if you don't see those three iconic red lights, you may be able to tell that there is a real problem from the signs listed below.

- Your screen freezes up, either on a screen of your game or when a strange or broken image appears.

- The sound freezes or you start only hearing static in the sound that you are getting.

- Your console only responds to being turned on and off.

- You receive many messages saying that your disc is unreadable.

These are the warning signs that you may be headed toward the 3 red lights error. So in order to help prevent the error from occurring here are some things to keep in mind.

Ways to Prevent 3 Red Lights

The 3 red lights error mainly results from a poor hardware design. There is inefficient cooling in the system that causes the console to overheat. The overheating causes the internal components of the system to become damaged, such as solder joints fracturing and melting. So the key is to try to reduce the overheating of the console.

Some quick tips on doing so include:

- Limiting your gaming sessions to a couple of hours or less at a time.

- Provide plenty of ventilation for your Xbox 360

- Do not place your console on the carpet or let it get dusty

- Be sure not to surround system with books, magazines, etc that may inhibit ventilation

All of these tips should help to reduce the Xbox 360 3 red lights error. So now you know that your system could be headed toward the 3 red lights error you can take the proper steps to try to keep it from happening.

If you do get the error then fortunately Microsoft has extended the warranty of the Xbox 360 to 3 years to cover this error. If your Xbox 360 is still under warranty then you can have them to fix or replace your console for you.

If your system is not under warranty then you can pay Microsoft $99 to fix or try to fix it yourself. Finding a good guide online can take you step by step to correct the Xbox 360 3 red lights error. However be sure to choose a reputable guide with clear concise videos to instruct you.