Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning
• What you need

Dirty CD player may cause poor sound quality or cause reading errors. First of all, you need to check with different discs to make sure the problem is with the CD player, not the damaged disc. If your Windows computer can't read the CD, it's more likely that the software is having problems than a dirty CD drive.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Clean the CD player

1. 

   Get the geotext out of the CD player. If the disc tray is in the CD player, open the tray and unplug it (do not turn off the power button). This will keep the tray open for you to reach the inside.

2. 

   
   
   Use a hand blender bulb for preliminary cleaning. This type of rubber bulb is often used where a jeweler's camera or equipment is stored. You need to squeeze the ball to gently blow the dust out of the slot and disc tray.
   • Compressed air sprays are also an alternative, though not very safe. You should only quickly spray short sprays to avoid unnecessary force, and check to make sure the nozzle is completely dry. Some aerosols have a small amount of liquid in the compressed air and this can damage the drive.

3. 

   
   
   Remove the lens cap (also known as the reading eye). If the problem is still not resolved after blowing the dust, you need to approach the lens. Unless this is a pop-and-open portable disc player, you will need to screw the front cover to the front. After reaching the CD holder, look for the small pins or screws that secure the plastic cover above the lens assembly. Gently press the latch or remove the screw with a small end screwdriver. Below is a small circular reading eye (similar in size to a phone camera lens) on one side of the disc axis.
   • Note: this process may void your warranty.

4. 

   
   
   Choose a lint-free cloth. Clean microfiber towels are the ideal choice. You can find them at electronics stores or glasses stores. Cotton swabs can also be used to clean electronics.
   • Only use a cotton swab if there is no other way. While effective at cleaning, a cotton swab carries the risk of scratching the lens.

5. 

   Apply a small amount of high concentration isopropyl alcohol to the lens. Use isopropyl alcohol with a concentration of at least 91% (ideally "reagent" alcohol of 99.9% concentration). Alcohol in low concentrations can leave a blur on the lenses. Dab a little alcohol on a towel / cotton swab rather than soaking it soaked, then gently wipe through the lens. Continue wiping until the center of the lens is shiny and slightly blue. A little blurriness in the outer ring usually does not matter.
   • You can use a lens cleaner instead of alcohol. Although rare, in some cases, you will need deionized water to remove any remaining sugary residue.
   • Deep scratches can make the lens unreadable. If the scratch is relatively hard to see then it doesn't matter.

6. 

   Allow the lens to dry before replacing the cover. Wait a few minutes for the alcohol to dry so that no alcohol is left inside the machine. In the meantime, you can use the ball to blow away the dirt (if any) inside the machine.
   • Avoid tightening the screw too tightly as this can cause the plastic cover to crack.

7. 

   Try using a lens cleaning dish. These discs gently brush the CD player and remove dust. In most cases, the toilet dish will not be as effective as the methods above, even a low-quality dish can cause further damage. You can try it if other options don't work, or skip to the last step if you want a more in-depth fix. The toilet dish usually runs on its own after it is inserted in the appliance, but you should also check the manual first.
   • Do not use a cleaning CD for a CD / DVD player combo. The cleaning disc for the CD player can scratch the DVD drive.
   • Carefully review the product label warnings before buying. Not all toilet dishes are compatible with all devices.

8. 

   Consider doing an in-depth repair. If the CD player still does not work, you can try further disassembling and checking other components. This method is relatively difficult and requires the manual of the device. If you are patient and technical-minded, try the following:
   • Slowly turn the drive upside down while observing the lens. With a normal disc player, the lens will move up and down smoothly without getting stuck or tilting. If the lens is not working correctly, you may need to replace the entire reader (or simply buy a new CD player).
   • Carefully remove the component surrounding the lens element (if possible). If you can reach the rotating mirror (looks like a small piece of glass), clean it in the same way as with lenses.
   • Find plastic gears attached to the laser system. Turn this gear slowly with a cotton swab and watch the relevant parts move. If any of the parts are dirty or not smooth, apply a thin layer of lightweight electronics lubricant.
   advertisement

Method 2 of 2: Troubleshoot CD drive on Windows

1. 

   Update the drive's firmware (firmware). You may need to update the firmware to fix the error or allow the computer to play a new type of disc. If we know the drive manufacturer, we can go to our website and download the latest update. If you don't know the manufacturer, determine by one of the following:
   • Find the name printed on the front of the drive.
   • Find the code on the drive and look it up at the FCC - Federal Communications Commission USA database.
   • Open Device Manager and double-click the item below the "DVD / CD-ROM Drives" heading.

2. 

   Use the built-in troubleshooter. On Windows 7 and later, we can let the computer fix the problem:
   • Open Control Panel.
   • Type "troubleshooting" in the search bar on Control Panel. Click "Troubleshooting" when the option appears in the search results.
   • Click "Configure a device" underneath the "Hardware and Sound" heading, click Select your CD drive and proceed in the direction of the led on the screen.

3. 

   Reinstall the drive. Open Device Manager and see the list of items below the "DVD / CD-ROM Drives" heading. Right-click on the names of these devices and select "Uninstall". Restart the computer to reinstall the drives. This is almost always effective if there is an X or a dot next to the drive letter.
   • If no drives are listed, the drive cable is disconnected, or the player is damaged and needs to be replaced.
   advertisement

Advice

• If using a cotton swab, tighten the tip of the cotton ball with clean hands (or wear gloves). Do not leave cotton wool on the reader lens.
• If the CD player still does not work, you should have it repaired or purchased a new one. Do not interfere with the electrical system if you do not know what you are doing.

Warning

• Never put your hand into the power outlet. Also limit this action if possible.
• Tobacco smoke can shorten the life of your CD player. Don't smoke in a room with a drive if possible.
• While rare, there are still instances where the laser beam hits your eyes while the player is open. This risk only occurs if you bend too close or look directly inside the player for a long time. For extra safety, you can place a piece of paper directly above the lens in a dark room. You will see a small red dot representing the laser's position (if any).

What you need

• A jeweler's screwdriver or micro-screwdriver
• Isopropyl alcohol 91% or more
• Microfiber towel or cotton swab specialized in cleaning electronics