How to Fix a Game Disc

A scratch on your disc can make it skip or become unreadable.

Toothpaste is commonly used to repair scratches on game discs and CDs. Discs are usually only scratched on the outer polycarbonate layer, which is there to provide a smooth surface for the laser to read the disc's data. The toothpaste works not by filling in the scratch but by smoothing out the surface of the disc so that it can again be read without a hitch.

Things You'll Need

• Toothpaste (not gel)
• Soft cloth

Instructions

1. Place toothpaste on the disc following the grooves.

2. Using a soft cloth, gently rub the toothpaste in small circles until the scratch has disappeared. You may create small surface scratches in the process, but the larger scratch should be repaired.

3. Rinse the disc with water to wash off the toothpaste. Wipe it gently with a soft cloth, starting from the center of the disc and moving outward. Dry it the same way.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't gum up the discs with a lot of toothpaste; a small amount is sufficient.

• Does not work well on Game Cube Discs.

References

• Make Use Of: Geeks Weigh In: Can You Fix a Scratched CD With Toothpaste?