DVD player repair for issues like reading the disc is often a simple matter of cleaning the player and the disc. In some cases, however, the player may experience more serious issues and a simple cleaning is not adequate for a repair. Depending on the model and the point of purchase, a warranty service may offer an easy path towards repair or replacement.
Clean the Player
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Before jumping to the cleaning process, run one simple test first. Place a different disc in the player and attempt to play. Use a brand new disc if possible. The player will not read a damaged disc and if the original is scratched and has been exposed to the elements, it may be the disc and not the player. In this case, the disc will simply not play and requires replacement.
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If the disc is not at fault, cleaning the player may solve the problem while restoring full functionality. Open the tray and remove the disc if one is present. Use a dry cloth to wipe away any visible dust. Do an inspection for debris and remove carefully with the cloth or tweezers if needed.
Take a can of air designed for use with electronics. They are easy to find at electronics stores and even hardware and auto part stores. Make sure the can has a narrow straw attachment to focus the air pressure. Attach the straw and use the can to thoroughly remove dust from the tray and sensor. After completing the air cleaning, add a DVD to the tray and test the system.
No Disc Error
When the DVD player says no disc, it means the sensor is not recognizing a disc in the tray. The cleaning should help solve this problem but it may persist. Try a number of different discs to see if the problem is disc-related. Use commercial discs and nothing homemade or pirated as those are not likely to read.
Next, unplug the player from power and wait a few minutes. Return to power and test to see if a power cycle reset fixed the problem. Also check the connections to the television to ensure everything is snug and working as it should.
If the problem persists, cleaning the lens on a reader is necessary. Use a lens cleaner just like you would for glasses and spray the glass lens housing. Wipe it with a lint-free cloth to really clean the reader. Test again for functionality.
DVD Player Repair
When the DVD player is clean and the disc is new and in good condition, it should function easily. A consistent no disc error CD player is often indicative of a bigger hardware-based problem. The laser reader can go bad and require replacement and other issues like damaged trays and fittings can require repair.
In this case, the best solution is a professional electronics repair service or a warranty service from the manufacturer. A newer unit may have a warranty from the manufacturer or from the point of purchase. Many retailers offer protection plans when purchasing electronics as well.
If the player is beyond repair, consider switching to a streaming service as DVDs are phasing out of production. Online viewing is more prevalent and easier to access in the modern marketplace.