Xbox video game DVDs can get scratched easily and fixing the problem is the hardest part of the job. You can go to stores like GameStop and purchase a dedicated product to remove scratches from the surface of CDs and DVDs, but these types of products are not effective on all types of scratches.
Steps
Step 1. Remove the DVD from the Xbox drive
Step 2. Turn off the console and remove the disc from the player
At this point, simply try to open and close the console DVD player carriage repeatedly at two-second intervals for about 20-30 times. If the disc is read by the console at some point, you won't need to use one of the other methods.
Step 3. If this simple solution doesn't work for you, read on to try to solve the problem in another way
Method 1 of 9: Polish the Disc
Step 1. First, use air
For example, you can just blow on the surface of the DVD or you can use a very soft brush to remove any residue or debris from the surface of the disc before polishing.
Step 2. Get a soft, lint-free cloth
You can also choose a specific cloth for cleaning eyeglass lenses and moisten it before using it.
Alternatively, you can use wet toilet paper (in this case, be sure to use very soft toilet paper; avoid the cheaper one that is slightly rough)
Step 3. Use the damp cloth or wet toilet paper to clean the reflective side of the disc (you don't have to clean the side where the cover image and game name are printed)
Step 4. Dry the surface of the disc
At this point, use a dry cloth specially designed to polish the surfaces or any other fabric that leaves no residue. Do not use toilet paper or kitchen paper, as the roughness of the paper may further damage the surface of the disc. Alternatively, you can also use a clean old shirt.
Step 5. Insert the disc into the Xbox drive
With a bit of luck it should work. If not, try cleaning it again up to 5 times.
Method 2 of 9: Use Soap or a Cleaning Product
Step 1. Use soap or a window cleaner
Lightly dampen a piece of absorbent paper and use it to clean the surface of the DVD in linear motion, starting from the center and moving outward. In this case, do not proceed in circular motions as you may create scratches in line with the data burned to the disc, which would render it unusable.
Step 2. Use a product designed for cleaning furniture
It should be able to remove most of the scratches.
Method 3 of 9: Use Toothpaste
Step 1. Spread a thin layer of toothpaste on the underside of the DVD
Use only classic toothpaste, avoiding gel products. At this point, moisten a soft, clean cloth.
Step 2. Use the cloth to clean the disc starting from the center and moving towards the outer edge
Step 3. Now, wipe off all toothpaste residue using a wet cloth
When you have finished cleaning the disc, wipe it with a clean, dry cloth.
Step 4. Try using the disc
The console should be able to read its contents.
Method 4 of 9: Use a Car Polisher
Step 1. Try cleaning the DVD with a product designed to revive vehicle bodywork
- Get a clean, dry cloth on which to pour a small amount of product, for example the Polish T-cut.
- Now rub the surface of the disc to be treated for 15-20 minutes with circular movements, then dry it. Alternatively, you can apply a small drop of product to the tip of a cotton swab and then wipe the surface of the DVD in circular motions.
- This method is suitable for removing marks caused by disc wobbling inside the optical player when the Xbox is standing upright or being moved.
Method 5 of 9: Use Peanut Butter
Step 1. Use peanut butter
It may seem strange to use a food to clean a DVD, but it works.
- Pour a small amount of peanut butter onto a clean, lint-free cloth.
- Use the cloth to clean the surface of the disc, but avoid circular motions. The oil contained in peanut butter is very useful for repairing and eliminating scratches.
- At the end of the cleaning phase, try inserting the disc into the Xbox to check if it is being read correctly.
Method 6 of 9: Use Denatured Alcohol
Step 1. Pour a small amount of denatured alcohol onto a cotton ball
Step 2. Rub the surface of the disc with the cotton ball starting from the center and moving towards the outer edge
Continue cleaning until you have treated the entire surface of the disc with alcohol.
Step 3. Wait until the surface of the disc is completely dry before inserting it into the Xbox drive to see if it works
Method 7 of 9: Using Candle Wax
Step 1. Get some melted wax from an ordinary candle
Step 2. Gently pour the melted wax over the scratched area of the disc
Rub it with a soft, clean cloth.
Step 3. Now wipe off the excess wax using a damp cloth
The surface layer of wax must be uniform and perfectly smooth.
Step 4. Let the wax dry for about 5-10 minutes
Try using the DVD. If the game manages to start, your job is done. If not, try a second time.
Method 8 of 9: Using the Vanish OxiAction
Step 1. Use the Vanish OxiAction
This is a powdered stain remover that you can buy at any supermarket.
Step 2. Cover the bottom side of the DVD, the reflective side, with the Vanish OxiAction powder
Step 3. Wait 5 to 10 minutes
Step 4. At this point, remove the product from the disc surface using a soft damp cloth
Step 5. Insert the disc into the Xbox drive
It should be clean enough to be read correctly by the console.
Method 9 of 9: Other Solutions
Step 1. Take the disc to a game or computer store
Tell the store staff about your problem and ask if a solution can be found. Normally, the cost of the repair should be a few euros.
Step 2. If one of your friends owns the original DVD of the same game, ask if they can lend it to you; install it on the Xbox hard drive and try to check if the console recognizes it
Since in this case the console will only have to verify that the DVD in the player is the one related to the game, but will use the data on the hard drive, this solution should solve the problem.
Advice
- If the disc has circular scratches, it means that the Xbox was placed vertically or horizontally (or vice versa) while the DVD player was running. In this case, the laser head of the optical reader has violently made contact with the surface of the disc, scratching it. If the DVD is no longer readable, you will have to throw it away because in this case the damage is irreparable.
- If you own an Xbox 360, DVDs have been known to be scratched by the console. If you usually buy video games from chains such as GameStop, you can request an extension of the warranty also to cover similar damage at an extremely low cost. This is a very useful solution if you love to take your games and console to your friends' parties.
- Try using Meguiars PlastX Polish instead of toothpaste and apply it with extreme delicacy. It is a specific product for the treatment of opaque or time-worn plastic surfaces. It is also very useful for polishing CDs and DVDs. Always follow the directions on the package.
- The sensitive part of a CD or DVD is the side superior of the disc; the lower side, the reflective one, can be cleaned and polished in case of small scratches. On the other hand, if the upper side is scratched, the layer in which the data is stored immediately below could be irreparably damaged making the media unusable.
- Some video rental shops also offer an optical media cleaning service which is often free or has an extremely low cost (a few euros).
- Before using it, make sure the disc is perfectly dry on both sides.
- If the disc is badly scratched, you can go to stores like GameStop which are equipped with a special machine that can solve the problem. The cost of the operation should be less than € 10.
- If the disc is physically cracked or chipped, all the methods described in the article will obviously be of no use.
- If the surface of the disc is extremely scratched, it is very likely that the DVD is irreparable.
- Place the disc under a lamp or any other tool that produces very bright light. This way the lightest scratches should fade away.
- Do not clean the disc surface with toothpaste using circular motions. Doing so will only make the problem worse.
Warnings
- Be careful not to damage the disc by accidentally making it dirty or scratching it further.
- Make sure that there are no abrasive residues on the surface of the disc, otherwise you risk scratching it during the cleaning phase.
- If you use a cloth, fabric, paper or any other inappropriate material to polish the disc, it will most likely only make the situation worse.
- If the disc surface is still wet, do not insert it into the console player, otherwise you risk damaging it.
