How to Fix the DVD/CD-ROM drive on a Xbox 360

The Xbox 360 game console uses a DVD/CD-ROM drive to play game discs. Dirt can get into the DVD/CD-ROM drive and settle on the lens that the laser inside of the drive uses to read the game discs. This causes the discs to be read incorrectly and results in video glitches and other onscreen errors. Fixing the DVD/CD-ROM yourself can be done by cleaning the lens so that the laser can again read the game discs correctly. This requires opening the Xbox 360 and removing the DVD drive, but having the skill of an electrician is not necessary.

Things You'll Need

• Towel
• Long thin stick
• Torx screwdriver
• Phillips screwdriver
• Phillips jeweler's screwdriver
• Compressed air
• Photographic lens cleaning cloth
• Photographic lens cleaning solution
• Camel's hair brush

Instructions

1. Disconnect all of the cables from the Xbox 360. Put the Xbox 360 down on a table. Grab the left side of the front faceplate at the top and squeeze. Put two fingers of the right hand into the USB door at the bottom of the front faceplate and pull up. Remove the faceplate.

2. Push in on the right side of the Xbox 360. Insert the long thin stick into the space between the side panel and the top case. Use the long thin stick to release the four tabs holding the inside piece of plastic to the top case. Press the power button on the front of the Xbox 360. Release the four tabs holding the inside piece of plastic on the left side of the case by repeating the process that was done at the left side of the case.

3. Turn the Xbox 360 upside down and put it onto the table. Lift up on the bottom shelf and remove the 14 screws using the Torx screwdriver. Turn the Xbox 360 back right side up and put it down on the table.

4. Pull the top case off of the bottom case of the Xbox 360. Remove the two side panels from the bottom case. Remove the back panel from the bottom case.

5. Remove the screws holding the DVD/CD-ROM drive to the bottom of the case using the Phillips screwdriver. Pick up the DVD/CD-ROM drive. Pull out the power plug from the back of the DVD/CD-ROM case. Release the ribbon cable that is attached to the DVD/CD-ROM case from the circuit board by squeezing both sides of the ribbon cable and pulling it up.

Cleaning the DVD/CD-ROM Drive's Lens

1. Put a towel down on the table. Put the DVD/CD-ROM drive down on the towel. Remove the screws from the sides and back of the DVD/CD-ROM drive using the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver. Push up on the two catches near the back and remove the top portion from the bottom of the DVD/CD-ROM drive. Pull out the DVD tray from the bottom of the DVD/CD-ROM drive.

2. Locate the laser assembly that is riding on two rails at the center of the bottom case. Carefully wiggle the laser assembly free from the two rails and put it down on the towel.

3. Blow off the lens on the laser assembly with compressed air. Moisten the corner of a photographic lens cleaning cloth with the photographic lens cleaning solution. Gently rub the moistened corner of the photographic lens cleaning cloth against the lens. Wipe the lens with a dry corner of the photographic lens cleaning cloth.

4. Wipe off the lens with the camel's hair brush once the lens has dried. Blow off the lens with the compressed air. Reassemble the laser assembly to the bottom of the DVD/CD-ROM drive.

5. Reattach the DVD/CD-ROM drive to the bottom case of the Xbox 360. Reassemble the Xbox 360 and reattach all of the cables. Turn on the Xbox 360 and insert a game disc into the DVD/CD-ROM drive to ensure proper function.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear cotton gloves to avoid getting fingerprints on the lens when handling the laser assembly.

• Opening up the Xbox 360 will void the warranty, and Microsoft or an authorized service center could refuse to do any kind of repair work on it.

References

• The LLamma's Adventures in Xbox 360: Xbox 360: Disassembly Tutorial
• The LLamma's Adventures in Xbox 360: Xbox 360:Cleaning your Xbox DVD drive

Resources

• Xbox.com: Home: Xbox 360