How to Fix a Scratched DVD: Top 8 Effective Solutions

For you DVD fans, scratched DVDs are a typical problem. The causes can also vary, such as regular use or being played by your children. But don't worry, we have solutions to your concern about "how to fix a scratched DVD". In this guide, we will walk you through the complete steps to fix scratched DVDs and some tips to prevent DVD scratches and data loss. Read on!

Understanding DVD Scratches

There are a few things you should know about DVDs before you start to repair scratched DVD. A DVD is made up of multiple layers of plastic, each roughly 1.2 millimeters thick. The layers consist of:

1. Polycarbonate Layer

This layer gives the disc the depth it needs to keep the laser focused on the metal and data layers, and it also gives the disc enough force to remain flat. The polycarbonate layer is the outermost layer of the DVD, so fingerprints, debris, or scratches on this layer might cause data misreading issues.

2. Reflective Layer

Following the polycarbonate layer, there is a thin reflective layer, typically composed of metals such as gold, silver, silver alloy, or aluminum. The metal in this layer helps direct the laser's focus from the outer layer to the inner layer.

3. Data Layer

The data layer contains the data. The data appears in the form of markings or holes that absorb light from the laser beam or return light to the laser photo sensor via the metal reflecting layer.

After we've covered the layers of a DVD, let's move on to the different kinds of scratches. There are two kinds of scratches: minor surface scratches and deep scratches. Let's look at the differences between the two.

1. Minor surface scratches, it is usually just a light scratch or a small scratch that crosses the radius.
2. Deep scratches, the scratches go through the polycarbonate layer and get to the data or reflective layer. These scratches can cause data loss or make the disc unreadable. Since deep scratches are harder to fix, they can sometimes make the DVD unusable.

How to Clean a Scratched Disc Before Fixing

Before starting to repair a scratched DVD, you should clean it first to remove any dust on the disc. Below are the steps on how to clean a scratched disc.

1. Employ a gentle and lint-free cloth.
2. Mix a small amount of mild detergent or rubbing alcohol with water, dip the cloth in it, and wring it out thoroughly until it is only slightly wet.
3. Use the damp cloth to clean the DVD in straight lines from the center to the border.

Once you've determined that the surface of the DVD is clean, proceed to restore it with one of the ways listed below.

How to Fix a Scratched Disc: DIY Home Remedies

After learning how to clean a scratched DVD, we will now talk about how to fix a scratched disc. There are several methods that you can try at home. Let's go through the methods one by one.

How to Fix a Scratched DVD with Baking Soda

The first approach for repairing a scratched disc is to use baking soda. Complete the following steps to repair the scratched disc:

1. Apply baking soda to the scratched DVD surface but don't rub it.
2. Next, soak a cotton cloth with water to make the soda into a liquid paste.
3. Wipe in a straight line from the center to the edges, avoiding circular motions.
4. Wipe away any remaining soda paste with a lint-free tissue.

How to Fix a Scratched DVD with Vaseline

The next method to fix scratched DVDs is to use Vaseline. Just do what it says below:

1. Take Vaseline and put a little petroleum jelly on a soft cloth.
2. Gently rub the disc's surface in a circular manner. The oil in the petroleum jelly will help fill in the scratches and restore the disc's bounce.
3. Remove the Vaseline with a soft, clean cloth.
4. Allow it to dry, and then put it in the DVD player to check if this fix works.

How to Fix a Scratched DVD with Toothpaste

Fixing DVDs with toothpaste is one of the most straightforward and efficient methods to restore minor scratches. Toothpaste is made in the same way as rubbing compounds. Follow these steps to repair a scratched DVD with toothpaste:

1. Use your hands to spread a small amount of toothpaste over the scratches on the disc.
2. Rub from the inside out in a straight line, not in circles.
3. Rub it for about 60 seconds, and then use water to wash off all of the toothpaste.
4. Use a clean, soft cloth to dry the disc.

The toothpaste's moderate abrasive effect can help repair the scratched surface layer and recover the disc's reflectivity.

How to Fix a Scratched DVD with Banana

Bananas have natural oils that can help fill the scratches and restore the functionality of the DVD. To fix a DVD with banana, you can do these steps:

1. Cut a banana into a small piece.
2. Then, rub it on the scratched DVD from the inside out.
3. Use a clean, soft cloth and a small amount of glass cleaner to clean the disc.

How to Fix a Scratched DVD with Peanut Butter

Peanut butter can also be used to repair scratches on DVDs. Follow the steps below.

1. Take one to two teaspoons of peanut butter.
2. Carefully rub the DVD from the center to the edge. The oil in the peanut butter can gently polish the disc, while the peanut butter itself may help fill in scratches.
3. Use a cloth to wipe off all the peanut butter and then dry the DVD.

How to Repair Scratched DVD using Heat Treatment

Polycarbonate has a very low melting point and, with a little heat, becomes highly malleable. Therefore, heat treatment can be a solution to deal with scratched DVDs. To do it, put the disc on a 60-watt light bulb. After that, hold the disc about 10 cm away from the lamp for 30 seconds to heat it up and restore the scratched polycarbonate layer.

💡Note: If you don't want to damage your DVD even more, you should do it carefully.

Professional and Commercial Solutions

If the methods we've discussed don't work for your scratched DVD, you might need to try a DVD scratch remover or seek professional assistance.

DVD Scratch Removers

You can consider buying a DVD scratch remover if all the above methods do not work on your DVD. A DVD scratch remover may help you remove the disc material layer and polish your DVD. Simply follow the instructions provided with the remover. Here are some options:

• Aleratec DVD/CD Disc Repair Plus: $39.99
• JFJ Easy Pro Disc Repair Machine: $199.00 - $239.00

Professional Repair Services

If you've tried everything and still can't get the scratch off the DVD, you might need to get help from an expert. Professional repair services offer the appropriate tools and expertise to fix even deeply scratched DVDs. Here are some services to consider:

• https://retrogamefan.com/pages/disc-repair-service-ship-to-address
• https://www.forgottenfreshness.com/services

How to Prevent DVD Scratches and Data Loss

While some methods can fix scratched DVDs, there’s still a chance of losing data. That’s why backing up your DVDs is essential, it ensures you can still access your content even if the disc gets damaged.

But how do you back up a DVD? Don’t worry! We’ve got two simple and effective solutions for you. Let’s get started!

DVD Copying to Preserve Data

The first method to prevent DVD scratches and data loss is to copy the data. We recommend reliable and effective software to copy DVD content to your computer or flash drive.

Introducing DVDFab DVD Copy, a DVD copy program that can copy DVDs in 1:1 lossless quality. Moreover, this DVD copy program allows you to effortlessly remove DVD copy protection and create personal backups.

Detailed steps to backup DVDs with DVDFab DVD Copy

Step 1. Launch DVDFab 13 on your device

• Open the software and choose the Copy option.
• Insert the DVD, and the program will automatically find and read the disc.

Step 2. Customize the output

• You will get details about the disc once it is loaded. There are various customization options available, including Choose Other Titles and Advanced Settings. In this window, you can change the output size, audio track, subtitle, and even the chapter.
• Choose the output directory whether as a blank disc, ISO file, or folder.

Step 3. Start copying the DVD

• Hit the Start button to copy the DVDs.

DVD Ripping to Digital Formats

Another way to prevent DVD scratches and data loss is to rip DVD content to digital formats. It's easy to do this with DVDFab DVD Ripper. You can rip any DVD to any audio or video file in just 5 minutes with this software. So you can still access it free from concerns about data loss or DVD scratches.

This DVD ripper software has Cloud Decryption Service and can remove all kinds of copy protection, including RC, Sony DADC, APS, CSS, and many more. It allows you to rip DVD movies to any audio and video format in a compressed size while retaining image quality. With this feature, you may continue to play DVD content on all types of mobile or portable devices without worrying about your DVD becoming scratched due to overuse.

How to rip DVDs to digital formats to help you prevent DVD scratches and data loss

Step 1. Run DVDFab DVD Ripper

• Launch DVDFab 13, and then go to the Ripper option.
• Put the DVD into the optical drive of your device.

Step 2. Choose customize and the output format

• To choose an output format, please click Choose Other Profile.
• Customize the video by choosing Advanced Settings and Video Edit to adjust video quality, audio channels, volume, video codec, and many more.

Step 3. Start ripping the DVD

• Choose the destination for the output file.
• If everything meets your needs and desires, click Start to begin ripping.

FAQs

Can a scratched DVD be fixed permanently?

Yes, but it depends on how deep the scratch is. If it's just a minor surface scratch, you can use a microfiber cloth with Vaseline, peanut butter, baking soda, and many other solutions. However, if the scratches are quite deep, your DVD may be beyond repair.

Can a scratched DVD be repaired with software?

No, software cannot physically fix a scratched DVD. However, certain data recovery programs may help recover files from a damaged disc. If the scratches are shallow, cleaning or polishing the disc could enhance playback. For more severe scratches, professional resurfacing might be necessary.

When to give up and replace the disc?

You have to replace the disc when your DVD has scratches that penetrate the top layer where the data is stored, making the DVD irreparable. Purchasing a new copy or switching to digital formats like Netflix is the alternative solution.

Final Wrap-up

That's how to fix a scratched DVD using various methods. It begins with various DIY home remedies you can attempt at home to deal with minor scratches, leading up to seeking professional assistance for repairing deeply scratched DVDs. However, it can be helpful to take precautions against DVD scratches or potential data loss by utilizing DVDFab DVD Copy or DVDFab DVD Ripper.