DIY Guide: Xbox 360 S Fan Replacement – Step-by-Step Tutorial
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 50 Steps
Swap out that old, noisy fan for a new one and get your Xbox 360 S running smoothly and quietly again. A fresh fan will make your console hum like new, and with this step-by-step guide, you’ll be back to gaming in no time. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
Step 1
Be gentle while taking off the fan vent; those little plastic clips are more delicate than they look!
– Next up, it’s time to tackle the top vent! You’ll be popping it off the top panel, which is held in place by thirteen little clips. Let’s get to it!
Step 2
– Position the console so the ‘XBOX 360’ text on the sides is right-side up, with the faceplate looking to the left.
– Carefully slide a metal spudger between the top vent and the top bezel at the back of the Xbox.
– Gently twist the spudger away from the console to lift the edge of the fan vent until those pesky plastic clips pop free.
Tools Used
Step 3
– Gently slide a metal spudger into the gap between the fan vent and the top bezel on the left side of the console. You’ve got this!
– Now, just like you did before, start prying the left side of the top vent away from the top bezel. Keep it steady!
– Keep on prying along the left side of the device, making sure to pop all the clips free on that side. You’re doing great!
Tools Used
Step 5
To release each clip, slide a metal spudger under the bottom edge of the clip. Once you’re under there, just give it a gentle pry away from the console, and voilà! The clip is free!
– Next up, it’s time to pop those six clips out! You’ll see them glowing in red, just waiting for your expert touch. Let’s get to it!
Tools Used
Step 6
Give the console a little spin so the left side is facing you and the faceplate is over to the right.
You’ll hear a little “pop” when the clip lets go. Sounds cool, huh?
– Slide a metal spudger into the front-most gap on the left side of the top bezel, right between the bottom edge of the clip and the left case. You’ve got this!
– Now, give that spudger a little twist away from the console while gently pulling up on the top bezel to release the clip. Easy peasy!
Tools Used
Step 7
– Now, let’s tackle those last two clips on the left edge of the top bezel – use the same technique you mastered earlier to set them free.
Step 8
The top panel is still being a bit stubborn and won’t detach from the console just yet.
Step 9
– Let’s get started by rotating your Xbox 360 S so the rear is on the right and the right case is facing you – easy peasy!
– Now, take a metal spudger and carefully insert it through the slit on the right edge of the top bezel, making sure it’s between the clip and the right case. You’re doing great!
– While gently lifting the top bezel with your fingers, rotate the spudger away from the console to release the clip. Almost there, you’re a rockstar!
Tools Used
Step 10
– Just like you did earlier, go ahead and pop those middle and front clips loose along the right edge of the top panel. You’ve got this!
Step 12
Flip that Xbox 360 S around so the bottom is facing you, like you’re about to give it a high five!
– Give that latch holding down the hard drive cover a little push to the left.
– Now gently pull the hard drive cover away from the console. You’re doing great!
Step 13
The fabric tab is snugly fastened to a catch hidden deeper within the hard drive housing. You might need to give it a good tug to coax the hard drive out!
– Grab that little fabric tab that tells you the size of your hard drive (like ‘250 GB’) with a firm grip.
– Now, gently pull the hard drive straight out from the console. You’ve got this!
Step 14
Let’s get started by removing the bottom vent in the following steps.
– It’s held in place by the seven clips you see at the bottom panel. Let’s get those clips to cooperate!
Step 15
Get your Xbox 360 S ready for repair by flipping it over so the hard drive port is facing up and the faceplate is on your left – easy peasy!
Step 16
Now all the clips along the right and front edge should be free. If any other clips have come undone, don’t worry! That’s totally normal.
– Just like you did earlier, gently pop open the last two clips on the bottom right edge. You’ve got this!
Step 17
– Alright, let’s get that bottom vent off! Give it a gentle lift away from the bottom bezel, and it should come right off.
Step 18
Now it’s time for a little adventure! In the following steps, you’ll be tackling the bottom bezel removal, which is cleverly held in place by four clips. Get ready to gently release them and free your device like a pro!
– To detach those cheeky red clips, grab a metal spudger and slide it right under the bottom edge of the clip. Once you’re underneath, give it a gentle pry away from the console, and voilà! The clip is free. Easy peasy!
Tools Used
Step 19
You might hear a fun little ‘pop’ sound as the clip releases!
– Slide your trusty metal spudger into the tiny opening at the rear left corner of the bottom bezel. It’s like a secret door to your device’s heart!
– Gently pivot the spudger away from the device while lifting the rear bezel up with your other hand. Think of it as giving your device a little lift-off!
Tools Used
Step 20
Woohoo! That whole left side of the bottom bezel is now free. You’re doing great!
– Start by inserting a trusty metal spudger through the left middle slit of the bottom bezel – you’ll find it’s the perfect spot to get some leverage. Gently slide it between the bottom edge of the clip and the left case, and you’re on your way!
– Now it’s time to get that clip free. Pull the bottom bezel up and rotate the spudger away from the console at the same time. This might take a little finesse, but you’ve got this!
– Repeat the process for the clip at the front of the bottom bezel’s left edge. It’s similar to the last step, so you’re a pro at this by now!
Tools Used
Step 21
Let’s flip this console around so the faceplate is on your right and the right case is facing you – easy peasy!
Okay, this clip can be a bit stubborn, so be prepared to use some gentle force to get that spudger in just right. Don’t worry, you got this!
Step 22
Step 23
This little clip is a bit different – it’s smaller than the others, so don’t try to pull it out from above like you did with the rest!
Step 24
Hey there, champ! Just a heads-up – peeling back the Xbox 360’s case might mean saying ‘see ya later’ to your Microsoft warranty on any parts not attached to the main board. Think about it, and if you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
Step 25
Alright, let’s get this party started! Flip the console over so the front side is facing you. You got this!
– First things first! Find those two sneaky clips hiding at the top edge of the console, right behind the Wi-Fi card. They’re just waiting for you to discover them!
– Now, with one hand gently pushing the left and right cases apart, take a metal spudger and carefully pry those clips away from the case. You’re doing great—keep it steady!
Tools Used
Step 27
Turn the Xbox upside down so the faceplate is on your left and the left side of the case is facing you. Let’s get this party started!
– As you gently pry the left and right cases apart with one hand, go ahead and release the clip that’s hanging out next to the hard drive slot. You’re doing great!
Step 29
Feel free to pop out those spudgers that are keeping the top and bottom clips apart!
– Let’s get started by inserting the flat edge of a metal spudger between the left and right cases, where the warranty sticker used to be. This is the first step in separating the cases.
– Next, gently pry the left case upwards to create a gap between the two cases. Then, carefully slide the spudger in toward the left case to loosen it.
– Finally, rotate the spudger upward to release the last clip. If you’re having trouble with this step, don’t worry – it’s a bit tricky. Take your time and be patient, and you’ll get it done. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
Tools Used
Step 30
– Let’s get this party started! Release the clip on the front left corner of the top edge. This secures the left case to the faceplate, so you’ll want to be careful!
Step 31
– Flip the console over so the bottom is facing upward. Get ready to rock and roll!
– Release one clip in the front left corner of the bottom edge securing the left case to the faceplate. Easy peasy!
– Rotate the left case away from the device to release the last two inner clips. You’re doing great!
– Remove the left case. You’re almost there!
Step 32
Place the console upright, making sure the faceplate is facing you like it’s ready for action!
– Ready to unleash the right case from the faceplate? Just give that clip near the front right corner of the top edge a gentle release. It’s like giving your device a little hug, but with less emotion. 😉
Step 33
Flip the console over so the bottom’s up and the faceplate is looking right at you!
– Pop that clip open in the bottom right corner of the top edge to set the right case free from the front case. You’re almost there!
Step 34
Hey there, cool cat! You’re doing awesome. But hold your horses, that faceplate is still connected to the console by a thin ribbon cable. Don’t go yanking it off just yet, okay?
– Give that faceplate a little lift from the left side, like you’re opening a secret treasure chest! You’ll feel the last couple of clips let go on the right side.
– Now, gently detach the faceplate from the rest of the device – think of it like a puzzle piece coming out of its home.
Step 35
The locking tab has a limited range, moving just about 2 mm. Keep that in mind as you proceed!
– Grab your trusty spudger or just your fingernail and gently lift that clear blue tab away from the connector. You’ve got this!
– Now, slide the locking tab on the power switch board cable connector toward the top of the console. Easy peasy!
– Next up, pull the power switch cable straight out of the connector. Nice and steady!
– And voilà! The faceplate is now free from the rest of the console. Look at you go!
Tools Used
Step 36
– Let’s get started by removing the two 5.6 mm T8 Torx screws that hold the RF module in place on the metal case.
Step 37
The RF module is still hooked up to the Xbox via a large USB-type connector, so let’s take a look at that.
– Gently pull the board straight out from the Xbox to set it free.
Step 38
– Let’s get that wireless card out! First, remove the single T10 Torx screw holding it in place.
– Now, gently pull the Wi-Fi Board out of the console. It’s like giving it a little high five, but with less enthusiasm.
Step 39
Don’t let the tamper-evident sticker scare you – as long as you’re careful and don’t cause any damage, your warranty will remain intact. Now, let’s get started and have a smooth repair experience!
– Peel off the big white sticker from the metal frame to reveal a hidden screw waiting for you.
Step 40
– Unscrew those five 5.5 mm T10 Torx screws that are holding the right case to the metal frame. You’ve got this!
Step 41
Flip that Xbox over so the right side is looking up at you!
– Time to get this repair started! Carefully lift the right case off by its metal framework.
Step 42
– Time to set that optical drive free! Start by disconnecting the optical drive data cable from the back of the optical drive.
– Next, gently pull out the power cable from the back of the optical drive to keep things tidy and ready for the next steps.
Step 43
– Gently pop the optical drive out of your Xbox and give it some room to breathe. You’ve got this!
Step 44
Flip the console over, exposing the metal case on top.
– Time to tackle that little screw! Gently unscrew the shiny 11.3 mm gold T10 Torx screw from the spot labeled ‘G.’ You’ve got this!
Step 45
Check it out! There’s a handy locator peg hiding under the fan duct (it’s chilling in the top right corner, just like the pictures show). When it’s time to put everything back together, peek down the screw hole to help you line things up just right.
Step 46
– Say goodbye to that pesky 9.2 mm T10 Torx screw holding the hard drive cable connector snugly to the plastic bracket. It’s time to let it go!
– Now, gently lift the hard drive cable connector off the hard drive bracket. You’re doing great!
Step 47
– Time to get that 11.3 mm T10 Torx screw out of the way! It’s the one holding the hard drive bracket snug against the metal frame, right by the DC-In port. Let’s do this!
Step 48
– Gently pop the hard drive bracket out of its cozy metal frame. You’ve got this!
Step 49
– Time to unplug that fan! Gently pull the connector off the logic board. It’s like giving your device a little break from the spinning madness.
Step 50
– Let’s loosen those screws holding the fan! Use your trusty Phillips screwdriver to gently remove the two 11.7 mm screws securing the fan to the heat sink in the bottom right and top left corners of the fan.
– Now, carefully lift the fan from the logic board assembly. No need to be rough, just a gentle lift and it’ll be ready for the next step!