The red ring of death refers to the three red lights on your console that indicate a general hardware failure. Perhaps you have a new xbox that works just fine and want to prevent the red ring of death from happening to you.

Perhaps you already experienced the red ring of death and don’t want it to ever happen again. Whatever your situation, there are a number of easy to follow prevention steps that you can take.

1.) Know where the cooling vents are and be sure to never block them. If air can’t freely flow into these vents, your Xbox will overheat. Make sure there is plenty open space around these vents. Keep them clear of clutter and don’t have them pushed up against the wall.

2.) Always keep your xbox clean of grit, dirt or dust. Dust can get suctioned into the cooling vents which will block them over time. The xbox’s cooling system can’t function properly with blocked vents. This blockage can also damage the cooling fans. Keep the vents clear by vacuuming out any dust or dirt.

3.) The power brick must also be kept cool. Therefore the same rules that apply to your xbox console also apply to the power brick. Make sure that air is free to flow around it. Avoid placing the power brick on soft or shaggy surfaces such as a carpet. Place it on a table or try hanging it off a hook.

4.) The xbox should be kept away from sources of heat. Keep the air conditioner running when you are using your xbox on a hot day.

Another point to remember is that the longer you run your Xbox, the hotter it will get. So it’s a good idea to limit your gaming to no more than a couple of hours at a time.

The main point to remember in all of this is that the red ring of death happens when your xbox gets over heated. The xbox has a weak cooling system and tends to run hot. So ensuring that it runs cool is up to you.

Marc Sandford is a gaming enthusiast and author. Get Xbox troubleshoot advice about fixing the Xbox 360 red ring of death.