Most homes include a DVD Player, sometimes as part of a home theater. This Fix-It Guide on DVD player repair tells how a DVD player works, what often goes wrong, how to identify a DVD problem, and what parts and tools you will need to fix it. It then gives simple step-by-step instructions for how to clean a DVD disc, service a DVD player disc tray, service a DVD tray motor, and clean a DVD player objective lens. This guide also refers you to other Fix-It Guides for specific repairs such as electrical cord repair, fuse replacement, switch repair, and motor repair.
How Does a DVD Player Work?
A DVD player is an electronic digital video device. A small motor rotates a flat plastic disc that has been stamped with a digital code representing video and audio data. The data is sent to and translated by a television. A DVD player operates similarly to a CD Player.
What Can Go Wrong with a DVD Player?
Like CD players, DVD players are relatively trouble free. You can clean the machine, replace cords, and replace faulty motors, belts, and trays. More often, problems with DVD players are caused by faulty DVD discs, either damaged or dirty.
Fix-It Tip
A good investment is a CD/DVD repair kit for polishing out surface scratches, available at larger stores where CDs and DVDs are sold.
How Can I Identify a DVD Player Problem?
What’s the problem? If the player does not work at all, make sure the power supply is on at the outlet. Check the electrical cord and replace if necessary, remove the housing and test the fuse, and test the on-off switch. If the player works but produces no picture or sound, check the connections to the television. If it still doesn’t work check and clean the objective lens.
If the player skips, make sure that the DVD disc is not dirty or scratched.
If the tray won’t open or close properly, check the belt for dirt or wear. Then check the tray for misalignment. If needed, remove, clean, lubricate, and reinstall the tray following the instructions in the owner’s manual.
Fix-It Tip
Before attempting any repairs to your DVD player, refer to the troubleshooting section of the unit’s owner’s manual. If the unit is under warranty, the manual will tell you whom to contact.
What Do I Need for DVD Player Repair?
You can find replacement parts through the DVD manufacturer or through an aftermarket supplier such as an electronic store. Check the owner’s manual. Tools and materials you may need include these:
- Screwdrivers
- Canned air or soft brush
- Foam swab or camera-lens tissue
- White lithium grease
- Lens cleaner fluid
- Clean cloth
- DVD/CD cleaning fluid or denatured alcohol
- Multimeter
What Are the Steps to DVD Repair?
Clean a DVD disc:
- Hold the disc by its central hub and outside edge.
- Blow dust from the bottom surface with a can of compressed air.
- Clean dirt and fingerprints from the bottom surface with a lint-free cloth dampened with CD/DVD-cleaning fluid or denatured alcohol, wiping from the center outward.
Remove screws from the rear of the case to remove the top and access internal components.
Service a DVD player disc tray:
- Open the housing by removing mounting screws and anything blocking the tray. Press the open/close control to the extend tray, then unplug the unit. To remove a clip-on tray front, brace the tray and slide the panel to one side.
- Unplug cables between the front panel and the interior. Remove any screws securing the front panel and remove the panel. If it won’t move, check beneath it for clips or additional screws.
- Remove the hold-down on top of the disc tray and gently pull the tray out of the player. Clean the travel rail and guides with a swab dampened with denatured alcohol. Lubricate lightly with white lithium grease.
- Remove the drive belt (using gloves or tweezers) to inspect for dirt, water, or damage. Clean with a lint-free cloth moistened with denatured alcohol. If the belt is damaged, replace it.
Once inside a DVD player, you’ll see that it’s mostly made up of circuit boards. Not much to work on–except testing a fuse and maybe replacing the tray motor.
Service a DVD tray motor:
- Unplug the player and test the motor with a multimeter.
- Unplug the motor plug and spray it with electrical contact cleaner, then plug it back in.
- To remove the motor, unscrew or depress the end of each bale and lift out the motor. Replace the motor if necessary.
Clean the DVD player objective lens:
- Remove the housing and lift the hold-down clamp to expose the lens.
- Remove dust with canned air or soft brush. If needed, use a foam swab or a camera-lens tissue dampened with lens fluid.
