How to Clean the Laser Pickup Lens on your DVD Player
Is your DVD player malfunctioning? If you're getting a no-disc error, you may need to clean the DVD player's laser pickup. The laser pickup is what reads DVD's and allows you to view them on your TV. If you need to clean the laser pickup lens on a DVD player, follow these simple steps.
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Instructions
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Make sure the laser pickup lens is actually the problem. There are a wide variety of reasons that a DVD player might not read a disc efficiently. The disc could be scratched or dirty, for example. Test the DVD player with a disc that you know works before trying to clean the lens.
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Purchase or borrow a lens cleaner disc and try it first. You can find these things really cheap at any large department store. They usually get the job done well. However, you may need to clean the lens manually if the store-bought cleaner fails.
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Remove the outer casing of the DVD player. Remove the screws that mount the top casing onto the bottom of the DVD player and slide the top casing off. This will expose the DVD deck, which houses the laser pickup lens.
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Find the lens. The lens will be glass and under the DVD clamp. The lens will probably have a blue tint to it. If you are having trouble finding the lens, you could shine a light on the components and watch for the reflection.
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Use a cotton swab and some isopropyl alcohol to gently wipe the lens. Just a quick scrub will do. Dry the laser pickup lens with the other end of the swab.
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Give the lens a few seconds to dry and replace the covering of the DVD player. Test the efficiency of the player. If necessary, repeat the process.
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Tips & Warnings
A simple cotton swab will do the job of cleaning the lens well.
Don't overdo the cleaning or you may damage the lens.
Don't use anything sharp or rough to clean the lens. With one tiny scratch, it will be useless.
Make sure the DVD player is unplugged before you begin working on it.
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Comments
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Not sure where to get isopropyl alcohol. Will a dab with vodka or whisky do?
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sisophous
Apr 03, 2010
Terrific I came across this article. It did not go smoothly but it worked in the end. A small Phillips screwdriver undid the 3 rear screws and two side screws to remove the cover. Now that I got inside the unit I could not get the DVD clamp to release to get to the laser area. No directions were given and it is not easy to do so. I snapped about a dozen tiny plastic pieces with little pressure applied that were to support the unit and fortunately did not do harm. I used a basic thin sheet baby wipe cleaner from CVS (a paper towel may even do) and since my wipes were dried out, added some isopropyl alcohol and swiped it repeatedly under the center of the laser which is where the disc center is located. Despite my not being able to see the laser directly, I put the whole unit back together, connected the cables, plugged it in and it works perfectly. Thanks a million, you saved me a big... -
hoppingbuffalo
Jan 18, 2010
Being a photographer I figured camera lens cleaning paper or cloth would be better than a cotton swab. I've been using this with my DVDs for some time and it works well. I haven't needed to use any fluid, but camera shops also sell lens cleaning fluid too. I figured it's like a camera - less is more - prevention is better than fixing.
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reuteler
Jun 19, 2009
rubbing alcohol does not contain lanolin (a grease derived from wool) it contains isopropyl alcohol and water. nothing else.
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wizard100
Nov 01, 2007
DON'T USE isopropyl RUBBING alcohol, it contains lanolin and will coat the lens. use denatured alcohol. it's cost is about the same but it doesn't contain the lanolin.
