Error code E68 occurs and one red light flashes when you use your Xbox 360 console

You see error code E68 and one red light flashes when you use your Xbox 360 console. Error code E68 contains the following message:

System error. Contact Xbox Customer Support.
Status code: E68

This may mean that the Xbox 360 has a hardware problem.

To resolve the problem, try disconnecting your console’s hard drive. Here’s how:

Xbox 360 E console

1. Turn off the console.
2. Unplug all accessories connected to the front or back of the console.
3. Position the console horizontally.
4. On the right side of the console, locate the hard drive cover release near the back of the console.
5. Slide the release diagonally (down and toward the front of the console) while pulling the hard drive door open.

6. Pull the tab to remove the hard drive.

7. Reconnect each accessory.
8. Close the hard drive cover before turning the console back on.

If the problem persists with the hard drive removed, you will have to get the console repaired. Request a repair.

If there is no red light around the power button, reattach your hard drive.

If the problem persists only with the hard drive attached, order a new Xbox 360 Hard Drive from our Xbox Online Service Center (sign in with your Microsoft account).

Note Console registration is required to replace a hard drive under warranty.

Xbox 360 S console

1. Turn off the console.
2. Unplug all accessories connected to the front or back of the console, including video cables, network cables, and USB devices.
3. Position the console horizontally.
4. On the right side of the console, locate the hard drive cover release close to the back of the console.
5. Slide the release toward the front of the console while pulling the hard drive door open.

6. Pull the tab to remove the hard drive.

7. Reconnect each accessory. Turn on the console (with the hard drive still out).

If the problem persists with the hard drive removed, you will have to get the console repaired. Request a repair.

If there is no red light around the power button, reattach your hard drive.

If the problem persists only with the hard drive attached, order a new Xbox 360 Hard Drive from our Xbox Online Service Center (sign in with your Microsoft account). Console registration is required to replace a hard drive under warranty.

Original Xbox 360 console

1. Turn off the console.
2. Unplug all accessories connected to the front or back of the console, including video cables, network cables, and USB devices.
3. Locate the hard drive on the top of the console (or on the left side, depending on how the console is oriented).

Note Not all Original Xbox 360 consoles include a hard drive.

4. Press the release button on the hard drive.

5. Lift the hard drive away from the console.
6. Reconnect each accessory. Turn on the console (with the hard drive still out).

If the problem persists with the hard drive removed, you will have to get the console repaired. Request a repair.

If there is no red light around the power button, reattach your hard drive.

If the problem persists only with the hard drive attached, order a new Xbox 360 Hard Drive from our Xbox Online Service Center (sign in with your Microsoft account). Console registration is required to replace a hard drive under warranty.