
How can I fix a scratched DVD at home?
- Clean the disc with a mild soap and warm water. This will remove any oils and finger marks.
- Dry the disc with a lint-free cloth.
- Squeeze toothpaste on the disc.
- Rub the toothpaste on the disc in a straight motion (not in a circular motion) from the center to the outer edges.
- Wash off the toothpaste and dry the disc.
How do you repair a scratched CD?
How to Repair Scratches on a CD
- Theory of How this Repair Works. First of all you can go ahead and make yourself an omelet and a banana split to keep you company during this project, as ...
- Rubbing Compound (Polish) Method. I prefer the good old standby of automotive grade rubbing compound, such as from 3M. ...
- Toothpaste Method. ...
- Finish with Some Wax. ...
How do you remove a scratch from a CD?
Some of their advice includes:
- Do not insert disc into microwave
- Do NOT use as a coaster for your favorite non-alcoholic soft drink (alcoholic is probably fine, then?)
- Do not use as the final piece in your 10,000 CD-mosaic art installation
How do you fix a cracked disc?
- Apply a tiny amount of plastic glue to the crack, using a pin or toothpick. Try to work the glue into the crack, if possible. Wipe away excess glue.
- Give the glue ample time to dry. Time will vary depending on the glue.
- Try to play the disc.

Is it possible to fix a scratched game disc?
Clean the disc with warm water, soap, and a cloth and then dry it, making sure that no lint is left behind. Squeeze toothpaste onto the disc and rub it on the disc in a straight motion from the center out to the edges. Finally, wash off the toothpaste and dry the disc. It should work now!
How do you get scratches out of discs?
1:487:25How to Fix a Scratched or Damaged Disc and Unreadable ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the first thing you're going to want to do is take your toothpaste. And just take small amount ofMoreSo the first thing you're going to want to do is take your toothpaste. And just take small amount of it again.
Can toothpaste get rid of scratches on discs?
You can use toothpaste to buff out minor scratches in the CD. Choose a mildly abrasive toothpaste, and apply it to the scratched area with a small amount of water, and then gently rub the mixture with a clean cloth over the scratched surface.
How do you fix a scratched disk without toothpaste?
Rub a small amount of a product such as Vaseline into the scratch. Let sit for 60 seconds. Next gently rub the Vaseline off of disc by using an inward to outward motion in a straight line.
How does Vaseline remove scratches from CDs?
Remove Scratches From a CD/DVD With Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly)Step 1: Materials. Before you start removing scratches from your CDs and DVDs, you should grab your materials. ... Step 2: Cleaning Time! Now it's time to apply the petroleum jelly. ... Step 3: Remove the Scratches. ... Step 4: Finished!
Why does toothpaste fix scratches?
Paste-based toothpaste acts as a mild abrasive that levels out the scratch, removing it or making it less noticeable.
How long does it take for toothpaste to harden on a disc?
You should try to cover one small area at a time, with a thin layer of toothpaste. Apply the toothpaste in a circular motion. After the entire playing area is covered with toothpaste, set it aside. Allow the CD to dry for 5 minutes.
How do you fix a scratched DVD with chapstick?
Using Lip Balm (Chapstick) Rinse your disc off with running water. Lip balm often works to fill scratches in game discs. First, remove any excess dirt and grime by rinsing the disc off with running water.
How do you fix a scratched DVD with baking soda?
0:252:09How to Remove Scratches From Any DVD - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd open up your container and place the CD inside your container then pour the soda on it theMoreAnd open up your container and place the CD inside your container then pour the soda on it the baking soda on top of it seal it up give it a little shake I'm set it aside.
Can you fix a CD that skips?
Incredibly, scratches in the surface of a CD or DVD can be fixed with softened wax! As with the toothpaste fix, you can use shoe polish, lip balm, furniture wax, or even petroleum jelly. Again, rub it into the surface of the disc to fill the scratch. With a lint-free cloth, wipe of the excess wax, with a radial action.
How do you fix a scratched CD with a banana?
InstructionsThe first thing you do is apply toothpaste on the scratched surface of the DVD. Next, rub the toothpaste gently into the DVD using the rag. ... Remove the toothpaste from the DVD using the rag. Then take the cut banana and in small circular motions rub the banana into the DVD. ... Clean the DVD using the rag.
How do you fix a scratched CD with sandpaper?
2:343:49Fix a scratched disc for cheap! (Not using toothpaste! CD/DVD only)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we put on some more water and put the 2500 grit sandpaper on there. You can see it's wet sanding.MoreSo we put on some more water and put the 2500 grit sandpaper on there. You can see it's wet sanding. It.
How do you fix a scratched DVD with baking soda?
0:252:09How to Remove Scratches From Any DVD - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd open up your container and place the CD inside your container then pour the soda on it theMoreAnd open up your container and place the CD inside your container then pour the soda on it the baking soda on top of it seal it up give it a little shake I'm set it aside.
How do you fix a scratched ps4 disc?
2:144:47How to FIX Damaged, Scratched and Unreadable Disc Errors for PS4 ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd if you do see a particular scratch on your disk go ahead and just work the toothpaste in thatMoreAnd if you do see a particular scratch on your disk go ahead and just work the toothpaste in that crack make sure it's there.
Can a scratched CD be repaired?
If the CD is scratched on the bottom, you should be able to repair it.
How do you get rid of scratches on a disc?
Toothpaste can be used to repair scratches on a CD. Clean the disc with warm water, soap, and a cloth and then dry it, making sure that no lint is...
What kind of toothpaste removes scratches?
You'll want to use a plain white enamel toothpaste. Avoid any type that has abrasives or glitter in it and be sure to pick a paste, not a gel.
How can I recover data from a damaged CD?
Your first option is to try to repair the CD using the toothpaste or automotive grade rubbing compound methods (both are explained in the article a...
Can you buff out a deep scratch?
Buffing with the compound should be enough to erase most moderately deep scratches. The JFJ One-Step Eyecon CD repair machine is a good choice for...
How much does it cost to repair a CD?
If an at-home method does work, your best bet is to purchase a kit or machine, as most stores don't offer CD repair services anymore. Two great opt...
How long to polish a disc?
Test the disc. If the problem persists, polish again for up to 15 minutes, or until the scratch is almost completely buffed out. The surface around the scratch should begin to look shiny with many tiny scratches. If you still do not notice any difference after polishing for a few minutes, the scratch may be extremely deep, or you may be polishing the wrong scratch.
How to mark holes in a disc?
Flip the disc and mark the areas holes with a permanent marker.
How to polish a CD?
2. Apply toothpaste to the CD surface. Squeeze a small dab of toothpaste onto the scratched surface of your CD and spread it evenly over the surface of the CD with your finger. 3. Polish the CD.
What causes scratches on a laser tracker?
Rubbing in a circular motion (as opposed to a radial motion) can cause small scratches that throw off the laser tracking system in the player.
What compound to use to polish CD?
Decide which compound you will use. A number of common household products can be used to polish the CD, but 3M rubbing compound and Brasso are probably the most tried and true. You can also use fine-grit polishing compounds designed for cars or hard finishes.
How to clean a CD?
Clean and dry the CD. Run the CD under some warm water and rinse thoroughly. Then, using a soft, clean cloth, dry the CD and double check to make sure you've removed all traces of toothpaste or moisture. After you've cleaned and dried the CD, use a soft cloth to buff the surface of the CD. Score.
What happens if you can't retrieve data from a CD?
If you cannot retrieve data from the CD after attempting the masking tape method, you may have lost all of the information. However, if the masking tape method works, you can expect to retrieve at least 70% of your data. Try again... False.
Why is my disc scratched?
A disc can appear to be scratched even if it not owing to dust, oil or other contaminants on the surface. They might prevent it from playing properly and hence give you the idea that it is probably scuffed. Thus, attempt to simply clean the disc properly in order to fix scratched disc.
How to polish a scratched CD?
To polish the CD, household baking soda based toothpaste is most commonly used. Apply a small amount of toothpaste (paste not gel) to a clean, soft, lint-free cloth.
How to move past holes on a disc?
The best way to move past them is to skip them altogether so that at least the remaining data can be accessed and saved elsewhere. Hold the disc with its shiny side up in clear view of a bright light. See if any holes are visible on the shiny side. Flip the disc and mark the areas holes with a permanent marker.
What happens if you scratch a CD?
So much so, that after a point, a scratched CD/DVD becomes unreadable. And a scratched CD could mean bad news – data loss! While a lot of CD recovery software and tools are available for purchase, it isn’t always necessary to invest money in them. There are a lot of things you can do at home to fix a scratched CD and recover your data.
How to make a CD look shiny?
Apply a very thin layer of Lip-balm / Vaseline / liquid car wax / furniture wax / neutral shoe polish on the shiny playing surface of the CD.
How to get rid of a scratch on a sandpaper?
Apply a small amount of toothpaste (paste not gel) to a clean, soft, lint-free cloth. Gently rub the cloth on the scratch in a radial motion (starting at the center and rubbing out to the edge). Do this 10 – 12 times or for a couple of minutes applying more toothpaste as necessary. Do not apply too much pressure.
How to clean a disc?
To clean it more effectively, use a mild detergent or liquid soap dissolved in water. You could also use alcohol for cleaning the disc. However, in that case use a cotton swab to clean.
How to fix a scratched CD?
The theory behind fixing a scratched CD, is similar to fixing scratched paint on your car. The key is to polish out the deep scratches by using a substance that will create very fine scratches, and essentially polish the CD. To do this you can use any number of plastic polishes, rubbing compounds, and some have even reported good results ...
How much does it cost to repair a scratched CD?
The JFJ One-Step Eyecon CD repair machine is a good choice for deep scratches, though it isn't cheap — full price it'll run you about $160.
How to repair a CD?
Your first option is to try to repair the CD using the toothpaste or automotive grade rubbing compound methods (both are explained in the article above). If that doesn't work, try free online software like Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Windows or MiniTool Power Data Recovery Personal Edition.
How to clean a CD with toothpaste?
All you want is a good old fashioned white toothpaste. There is no need for frills here. Squeeze a smidgen of paste on the CD and rub it in using a straight sweeping motion with your finger from the center radius of the CD to the outside. Work your way around the CD using this motion until the CD is completely covered with a thin layer of the toothpaste.
How to clean a CD that has been scratched?
If the CD is badly scratched, you may want to rub the to othpaste around the radius of the circle several times. Once finished, let the toothpaste dry to the touch. Hold the CD under your sink with running water and gently rub the tooth paste off. When satisfied with the cleanliness of the CD, gently dry it with a clean, soft cloth.
What happens if a CD is scratched?
If the CD is scratched on the bottom, you should be able to repair it.
Can you polish a laser tracker in circles?
The experts tell you to always polish in a straight line from the radius of the center to the outside, rather than polish in circles. While this is good advice for the most part, since small circular scratches have been known to throw off the laser tracking system of a player, most tracking systems today are far superior to the ones we remember from the 90's. So, if you are willing to let the rubbing compound breakdown to its final stages, circle polishing can work well too.
What is the best software to restore a backup DVD?
Wondershare Recoverit is the best software that can help you on how to restore files from backup DVD. You can recover it with these steps:
Why won't my CD play?
Sometimes the CD/DVD fails to play because of the dust settled on it. Try cleaning it and fixing the issue. You can clean it with warm water by rubbing the surface gently with your finger. However, a mild detergent can also work. You can even use alcohol on a cotton swab to clean it.
Can you take professional help if a CD is scratched?
You can take professional help if the scratched CD/DVD is not fixed with the above two solutions. The professionals can mend it and can even help in taking backup of the data.
How to clean a vinyl disc?
The best way to clean your discs is to start at the center and work your way outward in a straight line. This allows for a better grip while cleaning and lets you avoid damaging any of the data printed onto the polycarbonate layer below. The reason for this is that the data runs in a spiral around the disc, as on a vinyl record. Because the disc spins so fast, the reader has to be able to compensate for missing bits of the data as it goes, and when a scratch runs straight out from the center of the disc to the edge, it’s a lot easier for the algorithm to catch the error and fix it automatically.
Why does a disc spin so fast?
Because the disc spins so fast, the reader has to be able to compensate for missing bits of the data as it goes , and when a scratch runs straight out from the center of the disc to the edge , it’s a lot easier for the algorithm to catch ...
What does foam do to a disc?
The idea is that the foam acts as an abrasive, like sandpaper, and may smooth out the outer layer of a disc and result in a smooth surface to read from. Think of it like pumice stone against the rough skin of your heel — rub it and you’ll get some of the dead skin off, but if you rub too hard, you’ll take off the important bits underneath. Be careful to not rub too vigorously on the disc, or you’ll risk damaging the data layer underneath.
Can you scratch a Blu-ray disc?
It’s important to note that the methods outlined below will not work with Blu-rays. Those discs use a harder coating that’s more difficult to scratch and damage, which is good, but the downside to this is that once it does scratch, it typically becomes unusable and has to be replaced. Minor damage may be corrected with a microfiber cloth, but the data density and layers prevent any of the options featured here from working particularly well or even being advisable for a Blu-ray. Error-correction features on the best Blu-ray players may help them to ignore scratches, of course.
Can scratches on a disc cause read errors?
Given that the layer of data that is encoded onto the polycarbonate surface is so close to the top layer of the disc, scratches and dents on the label can cause read errors in the same way a ding in the reflective surface can. Make sure to store all your discs in cases or on spools, and handle them by the inner ring to avoid damaging the data.
Can you heat a scratched disc?
Nonetheless, if you’re still committed to watching your scratched disc, you could try slightly heating it. Polycarbonate has a very low melting point and becomes very malleable with only a bit of warmth. A desk lamp will do just fine, and you can just hold the disc through the ring in the middle up to the bulb.
Can a scratch on a disc damage it?
There are all sorts of ways you can damage a disc, but it’s important to identify how deep a scratch is or what caused the disc to malfunction before proceeding. The first trick is to confirm that the problem is actually with the disc. This is usually done by trying to play the disc in another device that has a disc drive or inserting another disc into the original drive that gave you issues.
