The popcorn’s ready, your soda is ice-cold and refreshing, and the couch in front of the TV is comfy. Just when you thought nothing else could go wrong, the DVD player rejects the DVD movie you want to watch. Before you start cursing, stop: there are simple, but effective ways to fix a broken DVD. Here are some examples.

Clean The Disc

In some cases, the DVD isn’t really scuffed or scratched; it just has a dirty surface. Contaminants can prevent the player from reading the DVD correctly, making you think it’s broken. Clean the disc before trying other solutions.

1. Put the DVD under warm running water, removing dust.
2. If you see grease or stubborn dirt on it, rub liquid soap or a gentle detergent on it while running under the water. Rubbing alcohol also works well.
3. When you wipe or rub the DVD make sure you begin near its center and going outwards to the edge, preventing further scratching.
4. Shake the disc to remove excess water, then let it air dry.
5. Don’t sun-dry the DVD. Wiping it with a cloth or towel also isn’t advisable.

Polish The DVD

Existing scratches can be made shallower by removing some of the outer plastic coating. To do this, you must polish the disc. For this task, household products like Brasso or toothpaste can be used.

1. Apply a small amount of the toothpaste or Brasso to a clean, lint-free cloth, like an eyeglass-cleaning cloth.
2. Rub this on the DVD scratches with a non-radial motion, beginning at the center, to the edge, then going around in strokes. Circular motions can make small scratches that throw off the DVD player’s laser tracking system.
3. Keep polishing for at least a couple of minutes. If needed, reapply more toothpaste or Brasso. Make sure you don’t apply too much pressure.
4. If you used Brasso, wipe off the excess, then let the DVD dry. Wipe it again with a clean cloth. If it’s toothpaste you used, rinse the DVD under warm water, then let dry.

Wax It

Polishing sometimes doesn’t work, so instead of the toothpaste/Brasso method, here’s what you should do:

1. Get some liquid car wax, Vaseline, or furniture wax, then apply to the DVD’s playing surface.
2. Wipe away the excess with a soft, clean cloth, with a radial motion. If you’re using wax, though, refer to the instructions on the packaging first.
3. Let the DVD play on your player. If it works, burn a new copy immediately. This is only a temporary solution.

Burn A New Copy

When the DVD still doesn’t work, the best remedy you can try is by burning another DVD. Your computer has CD/DVD burning utilities installed, and they may be able to read the DVD without any problems. Produce a new copy with these burning tools, and you’ll soon find yourself with a perfect and flawless DVD you can watch.

Other Tips

• Practice these methods on scratched DVDs you don’t mind losing, before trying them on those you like.
• Your DVD reader can be damaged with the cleaning or polishing products you used, so before playing the DVD, make sure it is free of excess product and dried properly.
• Use Brasso carefully, and in a well-ventilated area.
• Avoid touching the DVD in a circular pattern. Instead, make a perfect line, starting from the inside towards the outside of the disc.
• Hold the disc using the hole in the middle. Touching its middle part causes finger marks, dirtying the surface again.

Your DVD problems will all be gone if you try these tactics. Ready those scratched discs, and try these methods. Soon, you’ll be able to lean back, relax and enjoy the movie.

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