Scratched CD/DVD/Blu-ray Discs

When you have trouble playing or reading an optical disc, CD, DVD, or BD (Blu-ray Disc), the first thing to do is clean the disc. There's no need for fancy cleaners – just hand wash the disc with mild dish soap (nothing abrasive), rinse thoroughly, and dry with soft cloth (not paper towel, which can scratch).

If that doesn't do the trick, then the disc may be scratched, which interferes with the optical laser pickup. Expensive kits are available to fix scratches in optical discs, but what can do the job more cheaply in many cases is simple furniture polish (e.g., Pledge™). Spray on generously; polish thoroughly with soft absorbent cloth; and make sure it's completely dry before trying to play or read it.

If that doesn't work, then commercial polishing using abrasives, like the TAP Plastics Novus system, may be needed.