Red Ring of Death

The Red Ring of Death (RROD) is a hardware failure indicator on the Xbox 360 gaming console. When the console encounters a critical error, three red lights form a ring around the power button, signaling a malfunction that prevents proper operation. This issue was often caused by overheating, faulty solder joints, or hardware components failing over time, leading to instability. Microsoft released several fixes, including hardware repairs and redesigns, to address the problem. The RROD became emblematic of early Xbox 360 hardware issues, highlighting the importance of proper cooling and manufacturing quality control.