Q&A for How to Fix a Scratched CD

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How do I know how deep the scratches are?

Community Answer

By observing the scratches with your eyes, you should be able to see how deep they are. (The reflection of the light will be a clue.)

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Question

How do I get the scratches off my DVD?

Community Answer

The methods for a scratched CD will work for a DVD as well.

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Question

Can I use any kind of toothpaste for repairing DVD scratches?

Community Answer

Use paste instead of a gel because it is grittier.

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Question

Is it true that CDs can be repaired with a banana?

Community Answer

Sliced fresh banana can clean up minor smudges and scratches on a CD. Rub a banana slice over the CD and wipe it off with the inside of the banana peel. Then use a clean cotton cloth to wipe down the CD.

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Question

If my DVD gets too many scratches, will it become unfixable?

Community Answer

If the scratches are bad, yes. It's more about how deep the scratches are than how many there are.

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Question

Can I use Windex to repair the scratches on a CD?

Community Answer

You can, but it might not work as the other methods.

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Question

How do I fix a deeply cut CD?

Community Answer

You can’t. However, if you take it to a professional, they may be able to copy the information onto another disk.

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Question

Not only is my disc not playing properly, but it has static all though the recording now that wasn't there before. So far, none of these have helped. Any idea what this could be?

LEILA OWENS

Community Answer

That happened to mine as well, I figured out that it was because my toothpaste had a sort of fine grit in it that scratched up the entire surface, ruining my brand new CD. What I would suggest would be to try the wax solution and burn a new one.

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Question

How do I fix a game disc?

Community Answer

I used the toothpaste method for my Just Dance 2 game with heavily used toothpaste and it worked perfectly.

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Question

Can I copy music on a DVD disc?

Community Answer

Yes, but you will only be able to play it on a DVD player.

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Question

I can't repair it. The scratches aren't deep, but I'm too scared to use toothpaste. We don't have bananas, and besides, everyone thinks it's a lost cause. What do I do?

LEILA OWENS

Community Answer

Pledge, the furniture polish will work to fill them in. Just follow the instructions for the toothpaste one substituting your medium.

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Question

My CD has many little scratches on its surface. What method will I use?

Community Answer

Any of the ones mentioned above will work. I find that the toothpaste method is the easiest.

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Question

Will the toothpaste destroy the laser?

Community Answer

No. Remember, you're removing the toothpaste before you try playing the CD again.

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Question

For the wax method, what do we do if our disc is covered in scratches?

Community Answer

The wax fills in the scratches so that the info can be read. Try to save the data onto your computer, a flash drive, or another CD/DVD, though.

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Question

Can I fix a Wii game the same way as a scratched CD?

Community Answer

Yes, of course. A Wii game has the same kind of surface as a regular CD, you can use the same methods.

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Question

What is the science behind fixing a scratched CD?

Community Answer

The player uses a laser to reflect light off the surface of the CD into a lens. Scratches can prevent the laser light from being reflected properly. So, the goal is to either remove the scratch enough, or fill in the scratch enough so that the laser light reflects properly into the lens allowing the disc to be read.

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Question

What methods will fix scratched Wii U disks?

Community Answer

All of the methods will work exactly the same as CD disks for Wii U disks.

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Question

How do I fix a scratched Xbox 360 game?

Community Answer

Do the same as you would a CD/DVD. They are the same. It will also work for any other gaming disc, or a blue ray disc.

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Question

How do I fix a microwaved CD?

Community Answer

In this case, you can't. A microwave can warp and damage the CD, leaving it unusable for good.

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