The Compact Disc (CD) Won't Play (2024)

FAQs

Why is my CD player not reading all the discs? ›

If the disc still will not play, depending on the location of your CD player, the issue can also be caused by condensation. Open the disc compartment and let the unit sit for about one hour to allow any condensation to dissipate. If the unit does not play any of the discs, the laser pick up may be dirty.

Some CD players are designed to only playback commercially-produced CDs. Depending on the type of recordable CD media that you are using (such as CD-R or CD-RW discs), not all CD players will support the playback of the different types or recordable discs available.

To clean a CD or DVD a microfiber cleaning cloth or cotton based tissue or cloth is recommended. Any materials used should be checked to ensure they are non-abrasive. In most instances water will suffice as a cleaning agent.

A dirty or scratched disc surface is the most common reason for a CD/DVD issue when inserted into a computer. Check the disc for damage and confirm that the disc is compatible with your computer. Clean the disc and check for damage: Clean any dust or smudges from the disc with filtered water and a lint free cloth.

Apply a very thin coat of Vaseline, chap-stick, liquid car wax, neutral shoe polish, or furniture wax to the CD's playing surface. Let the wax sit in the scratches for a few minutes—remember, the idea is for the wax to fill in the scratch so it can be read again. Wipe away the excess wax.

Verify the disc is inserted into the CD player properly. The disc may eject if inserted upside down. Press the RESET button on the front of the car stereo. Try a couple of different discs just to make sure there is not a problem with the disc that you are trying to play.

Disc rot is the tendency of CD, DVD, or other optical discs to become unreadable because of chemical deterioration. The causes include oxidation of the reflective layer, reactions with contaminants, ultra-violet light damage, and de-bonding of the adhesive used to adhere the layers of the disc together.

If your CD/DVD drive is having trouble recognizing a disc: If you know the disc isn't blank, check whether the data surface is damaged. There will be obvious scratches if the disc is too damaged to read; if there's any doubt, then the surface is probably not damaged enough to be unreadable.

How do you reset a CD disk? ›

Step 1: Insert the rewritable disc into your computer. Step 2: Go to Windows Explorer, clicking "This PC". Step 3: In Windows Explorer, click the DVD drive icon. Step 4: On the toolbar, click "Erase this disc", and then follow the steps in the wizard to successfully erase, clear, or wipe CD or DVD.

Verify that the disc is inserted correctly, with the playback side of the disc facing down in the disc tray. If the disc is dirty with fingerprints or smudges, or if the disc is scratched or broken, the player may not recognize the disc, clean the disc using a soft, dry cloth.

The worst that can happen is the CD will not play properly. There may be audible noise, it may fail to track properly, abort at random times, or not even be recognized. The electronics will not melt down. It is just about impossible for a dirty CD to do any damage to the player.

According to google, CD players last 5 to 10 years. The most common reason for failure is the laser/laser mechanism wears out. How old is your CD player? and how many discs do you play per day? My main Player is 25 years old, I have another I bought a couple of years ago which is 30 years old.