How to Fix an Xbox 360 Error E68

Last Updated: March 5, 2022

If your Xbox 360 does not work and your rings on the console are red, this means that your Xbox 360 has a hardware failure. In this case you should read the error code on the TV screen. Use this guide to fix the following error codes: E67, E68, E69, E70, E79.^{[1]
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Research source} Note: You'll only see an error code with 1 ring (manual off).

Steps

1
Turn the Xbox 360 off and disconnect the power cord.^{[2]
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2
Remove the HDD (if present). To remove the HDD from an "old" Xbox 360, press the button on the HDD and remove the HDD. To remove the HDD from a "Slim" Xbox 360, open the HDD door and pull the HDD out of the console. If there is no HDD installed in your console, go to the step 8.^{[3]
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3
Reconnect the power cord and turn the Xbox 360 on.
4
Is your Xbox 360 now operating normally? If it is, turn the Xbox 360 off and go to next step. If the red light flashes again, go to the step 8.
5
Place the HDD back in place.^{[4]
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6
Turn the Xbox 360 on.^{[5]
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7
Does the red light flash again? If it does, your HDD is defective and should be replaced. If the console is now operating normally, the HDD was loose. You can now enjoy gaming.^{[6]
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8
If the console is not operating even without the HDD in place, one of connected accessories may be defective. Follow the next steps to check the accessories.^{[7]
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9
Turn the Xbox 360 off.
10
Unplug all USB-devices (such as thumb drives, cooling fans, battery chargers, controllers) and memory units.^{[8]
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11
Turn the Xbox 360 back on.
12
If the console is now operating normally, one of the accessories is damaged or was connected loose. Turn the Xbox 360 off and reconnect one of the accessories then turn the Xbox 360 on. Repeat this with all other accessories. If the Xbox 360 operates normally after reconnecting all accessories, one of them was connected loose. You can enjoy gaming.^{[9]
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If your Xbox 360 is showing E68 error even without HDD and accessories connected, it is defective.

Community Q&A

Question

I only get an e68 error when I'm trying to play a certain game.

Community Answer

Unfortunately, this means that your game (or console) is defective. If you badly want to play it, you could try replacing the game, or if this occurs with all disc games, a new disc drive, or if this occurs with all games, a new console.
Question

Why does my slow-loading XBox have a red light?

Community Answer

That's probably the infamous "ring of death." You can to fix it, your Xbox may just need replacing.

Warnings

Always turn the Xbox 360 off before removing or installing the HDD.

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Helpful 22 Not Helpful 9
Do not open the console if it is still on warranty.

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Helpful 12 Not Helpful 9
As Support has ended (for Original Xbox 360s) you'll have to hope it isn't 1 ring. If it is, you can either replace your console or unplug it for 24 hours(Dan told me about the 24 hour thing.)

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