How to Clean the Optics on a CD Player
The laser in your compact disc (CD) player reads the tracks on the CD disc and then sends the information to the other components in the device for processing. If the laser is covered with dust and dirt, track information cannot be read properly. This leads to only part of the information being processed--resulting in the sound or data on the disc skipping. To keep your CD player from skipping and not playing your CDs, clean the optic laser beam on your CD player regularly to keep the player working properly.
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Things You'll Need
- CD lens cleaner disc
- Philips or flathead screwdriver
- Flashlight
- Cotton swab
- Isopropyl alcohol (99 percent)
Instructions
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Cleaning the Optics -- CD Lens Cleaner Disc
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1
Turn on the CD player, if it is off. If a disc is present in the player, remove it.
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2
Insert a CD lens cleaner disc label side up in the CD player.
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3
Press the "Play" button on the CD player's control panel. The CD disc will stop automatically once the cleaning process is complete.
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4
Remove the CD lens cleaning disc from the player.
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5
Test the CD player by inserting a music or data disc and pressing "Play." If the player is still skipping, repeat steps 2 and 3. If the player still is not playing properly, proceed to the "Cleaning the Optics -- Manually" section of this article.
Cleaning the Optics -- Manually
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6
Turn off the CD player. Unplug the device's power cord.
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7
Use a Philips head or flathead screwdriver to remove the screws holding the CD player's top or bottom cover in place. Place the cover to the side.
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8
Use a flashlight to locate the CD player's optic laser beam. If the laser is under a cover, remove the screws holding the cover in place.
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9
Pour ½ tsp. of isopropyl alcohol (99 percent) onto a cotton swab.
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10
Wipe the CD player's laser beam with the alcohol-soaked cotton swab. Turn the cotton swab around to the dry end if the swab. Wipe away any excess alcohol from the laser beam with the dry end of the swab.
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11
Place the laser beam's cover back over the laser, if one was present. Place the outer cover back on the CD player and secure the screws in place.
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12
Plug in the CD player's power cord. Turn on the device. Test the CD player by inserting a music or data disc and pressing "Play."
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1
Tips & Warnings
Do not use glass cleaner, liquid soap or an ammonia-based cleaner to clean your CD player's optic laser beam. These cleaners can fog and damage the laser beam as well as the electrical components surrounding the laser beam.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit cd player on white image by Photoeyes from Fotolia.com
