“Kinect sensor has insufficient power” appears with a red light on Xbox 360 Kinect

You see the following error message along with a red light on your Kinect sensor for Xbox 360:

The Kinect sensor has insufficient power (C0051202)

This may mean that your Kinect sensor is not connected properly, or that your Xbox 360 console software needs to be updated.

To resolve this problem, try the following solutions. If a solution doesn't work, go to the next one.

Solution 1: Update your Xbox 360 console software

Here's how:

1. Insert a Kinect game disc.

2. Start the game from the Xbox Dashboard.
3. If your console software needs updating, you'll see the following message:

   Update Required: An update has been found. To apply this update you must restart your console.

4. Select Yes, Restart to install the update.

Solution 2: Check the cables

Here's how:

• Xbox 360 E console

1. Turn off the console.
   Important Remove the Power/USB adapter cable if your Kinect sensor came with one.
2. Plug the sensor cable into the AUX port on the back of the console.

3. Turn on the console.
• Xbox 360 S console
  1. Turn off the console.
  2. Unplug the sensor from the console, and then plug the sensor cable into the AUX port on the back of the console.

Important Remove the power/USB adapter cable if your Kinect sensor came with one.

3. Turn on the console.

• Original Xbox 360 console

1. Turn off the console.
2. Make sure that the power cord is plugged into a working electrical outlet, and the USB connector is plugged into the back of the console.

The light located near the middle of the split cable should be green.

No green light? Try plugging the cable into another outlet to make sure the cable is working properly. If you still don't see a green light, your cable needs to be replaced. You can order a replacement cable from the Xbox Online Service Center (sign in with your Microsoft account). Console registration may be required.

1. Turn on the console.

Solution 3: Request a repair

If the previous solutions didn't resolve the problem, your Kinect sensor needs to be repaired. See Getting your Xbox console or Kinect sensor serviced.