E64 Xbox 360 error code | Tinker Mods
The E64 error definition
If your Xbox 360 console has the E64 error code you might not know what to do or where to start. I can help with that! The E64 error is a rather common one that can be caused by multiple issues. Some of them easy, some of them not. So let's get into it!
A disc drive issue
The E64 Xbox 360 error code is routed in the dvd disc drive. Specifically the drive timed out and was not responding correctly during boot up (Or any time actually) This is a multi-layered issue that can be caused by quite a few things. Let's start with the biggest issues and work our way to the easier and more common problems.
The Southbridge
The hardest but rarest reason this E64 error can occur is a bad southbridge chip. A cold solder joint could also be the issue. This would require you to reflow, reball, or replace that chip to get the E64 error to clear. Unfortunately this is a very advanced repair and would need to be handled by a professional. For the novice, replacing the motherboard with one like this can also fix the issue. Don't try that first however, as there are several more reasons this error can be thrown on your Xbox 360.
The DVD drive PCB
A much more common cause of the E64 Xbox 360 error code is the DVD drive PCB. This is the circuit board located inside the disc drive itself. You might have damaged the PCB while opening or modding your Xbox 360. It is entirely possible a chip or connector has also gone bad. Unfortunately simply replacing this board isn't a simple task. The disc drive PCB is married to the motherboard with a key code. This means you would need to have the ability to re-program that PCB to match the mobo. This is a task not easily completed by novices, and if this is the final thing you haven't tried to fix yet, you may want to consider replacing the motherboard with a working one like these.
Bad firmware update
Another very uncommon cause of the E64 Xbox 360 error code is a bad firmware update. Typically if an update is being applied to your Xbox 360 console and something goes wrong mid update, you can have major issues. If the update went wrong and was attempting to update the dvd drive firmware it will throw this error. Unfortunately you will need to do further research on how to back date an update on your own. This is a complicated process that wouldn't be practical to teach here
Bad Sata/power cables
The last cause for an E64 error on your Xbox 360 are the cables for the disc drive themselves. If the sata cable or power cable that connects your motherboard to the disc drive is shorted, or damaged, you can get this error code. Buying a replacement set of cables is the quickest and easiest thing you can try with this error code. Try this first, if it doesn't help, you will need to try the fixes above instead.
