Xbox consoles read information from the surface of the discs using a laser. If the disc is scratched, the laser will be refracted, resulting in the disc not being read or will be read with an error. However, you can try to repair a scratched Xbox disc using scratch-fill materials. For example, you can use toothpaste or lip balm. Read this article to learn how to recover a scratched Xbox game disc.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Using Toothpaste
Step 1. Rinse the disc
Rinse the disc before applying toothpaste to remove dirt and dust. You can rinse the disc with warm water over a sink.
However, you will not be able to change the situation if the disc is delaminated or cracked. Cracked discs damage the structure, and delaminated discs deteriorate due to delamination of the substrate and polycarbonate data base
Step 2. Wipe the disc with a soft cloth
Use a microfiber or other soft cloth to wipe the disc after you rinse it. Wipe the disc from center to edge. Avoid circular motions. Thanks to this, no more scratches will appear.
Step 3. Buy regular white toothpaste
You will need an appropriate toothpaste to repair a scratched disc. The toothpaste will act as a grinding tool that will remove the thin top layer along with the scratches. To get the desired effect, you need regular white toothpaste containing baking soda.
Do not use gelled toothpaste or one that contains whitening agents
Step 4. Squeeze some toothpaste onto the scratch on the disc
Apply a small amount of the paste directly to the scratched area.
Step 5. Use a cotton swab to spread the toothpaste evenly over the surface of the disc
Take a small cotton swab and wipe the surface of the disc in a circular motion. Do this exactly as if you were waxing your car. Finish the entire length of the scratch.
There is no need to put in a lot of effort. Do this in a gentle circular motion
Step 6. Continue sanding the disc until the scratch is completely gone or barely visible
New fine toothpaste scratches may appear, but major deep scratches will disappear completely.
Step 7. If this method does not work the first time, repeat the toothpaste option again before using the other method
Step 8. Wash the disc and dry it
After removing any scratches, rinse the disc under running water and wipe it dry with a soft cloth.
Part 2 of 5: Using Lip Balm (Chapstick)
Step 1. Rinse the surface of the disc under running water
If you don't have the right toothpaste that you can use to sand out scratches, use lip balm instead. First, remove any remaining dirt and dust by rinsing the disc under running water.
Step 2. Use your regular lip balm
It must not contain dyes, flavors or glitters. You can also use petroleum jelly or the like.
Step 3. Apply lip balm to scratches in straight lines
Swipe lip balm up and down the disc. Do this several times so that the scratch is completely filled.
Repeat the process to remove any existing scratches
Step 4. Using a soft cloth, remove the remaining lip balm
After applying several coats to the scratch, use a soft cloth to polish the disc in small circular motions. Keep doing this until the balm is completely removed. The scratch should be less noticeable after the procedure.
Step 5. Try to start the disc
After you've removed the scratch with lip balm, try starting the disc. Most of the wax should be wiped off the disc before inserting it into the Xbox. A wax-coated disc can damage your Xbox.
Part 3 of 5: Using the Magic Eraser
Step 1. Get the Magic Eraser
To quickly remove deep scratches, try using a dry Magic Eraser. This is a special cleaning sponge for removing stains and scratches from all kinds of surfaces. You can purchase this product at a hardware store. Cheap options for this tool are also quite effective. The secret of this eraser is the material that is commonly called melamine foam.
Step 2. Use an eraser to remove scratches
Wipe the surface of the disc, starting from the center outward. Apply enough force to remove the scratch. However, do not overdo it so as not to remove the entire surface layer of the disc.
Step 3. Rinse and dry the disc
After you have removed scratches with the Magic Eraser, rinse the disc under running tap water and wipe it off with a soft cloth. Wipe the disc dry. Do this from the center outward.
Step 4. Try to start the disc
After you remove the scratch and rinse the disc, try starting it again. If it still doesn't work, you can try repeating the above process or resort to a different method.
Part 4 of 5: Using a Disk Recovery Tool
Step 1. Purchase a scratch removal tool
This tool can be ordered online or purchased from an electronics store. A device called SkipDr is designed to restore the readability of optical discs when they are naturally worn out, in particular when the working surface of the disc is worn out. Although you can use other similar tools as well.
Step 2. Rinse the disc with water and wipe it dry before using the tool to remove scratches from the disc
Rinse the disc with warm water to remove dust and debris, then wipe it with a microfiber cloth. Typically, this soft cloth is already included in the kit.
Step 3. Spray the polishing liquid on the underside of the disc
Before starting work, it is necessary to treat the disc with a special liquid using the spray included in the kit. Apply fluid evenly over the entire bore of the disc.
Step 4. Insert the disc into the slot of the damaged disc recovery device
Depending on the type of device you will be using, the disc loading process may differ. Make sure that the tip of the disc faces the grinding attachment. Follow the directions in the instructions so you can insert the disc correctly.
Step 5. Turn on the device designed to recover damaged disks
Press the button or turn the knob to make the disc rotate. In the process of rotation, the working side of the disc will be sanded with special pads. You will most likely have to repeat the process several times to remove deep scratches.
Step 6. Wipe the disc with the supplied soft cloth
Typically, a disc polishing cloth is included. Polish the disc thoroughly. However, don't overdo it. Do this in small circular motions.
Step 7. Insert the disc into the Xbox
If it works, the problem is solved! If not, you may have to repeat the process. In some cases, you may have to repeat the process at least ten times to get the disk working again. If the scratches are too deep, it will not be easy to remove them with this device.
Part 5 of 5: Using the Lamp
Step 1. Purchase a desk lamp with a 60 watt light bulb
Heat the back of the disc so that the plastic cover melts, which will remove minor scratches. Use a desk lamp with a 60 watt light bulb.
- However, do not use overly intense methods of heating the disc, such as holding the disc over a fire. In this case, the disc may melt and will no longer be recoverable. Opt for a 60 watt light bulb.
- Economy lamps do not generate enough heat. Therefore, you are unlikely to be able to melt the top layer of the disc.
Step 2. Hold the disc over the lamp for 5-10 minutes
This will be enough to melt the outer layer.
Step 3. Keep the working side of the disc at a distance of 10 centimeters from the lamp
Keep the disc close enough to get heat on the surface.
Hold the disc around the edges. You can also insert your finger into the hole on the disc
Step 4. Bring the disc to the lamp and, turning it on one side or the other, hold the disc on each side for about 20 seconds
If you overexpose the disc, it can be damaged. It is better to remove it from the heat source earlier and try again later than keeping it on for too long.
Step 5. Insert the disc into the Xbox
If it works, the problem is solved! If not, you may have to turn to professionals.
Advice
- Borrow a disc with the same game from a friend and install it on your Xbox from a friend's disc. This will help the console save information from a working copy of the disk instead of using the data from the damaged disk.
- Apply a small amount of car wax to the damaged surface if none of the above methods are effective. The wax will fill in any remaining scratches and prevent future ones. Using a soft cloth, apply wax in small circular motions all over the disc.
- Some shops or service centers where you can buy video games offer repair of damaged discs for a small fee. Typically, such workshops have a wide range of tools. If the above methods do not bring the desired effect, you can use the services that these stores and service centers offer.
- Do not mount your Xbox 360 upright as discs are known to scratch in this position.
- If a deep scratch is located around the center hole of the disc, the disc is most likely defective and needs to be replaced.