CD Player Having Problem Reading CDs

[EDLIU]

I have a stereo system that I bought for a while but seldom listen to. I recently found out that the CD Player cannot read the CDs sometimes. I do not know what I should do. Is it caused by the lens, or because of other problems?

I googled, and found the following two products:

E-books Lens Cleaning Disc (7 USD)

Or

CHISTO Disk Analoguer CD/DVD Cleaning Liquid (45 USD)

BTW, one stupid question:

If I get the Chisto Disk Analoguer, do I need to use it on "all the CDs that are having problem with the CD Player"?

Thanks.

 

[thedudeabides]

Likely the lens. Try the Allsop CD ROM Cleaning Disc. It's a CD with tiny brushes to clean the laser lens. And it's cheap so if it doesn't resolve your issue, no big loss.

 

[APP]

+1, it fixed mine.

 

[EDLIU]

But won't the tiny brushes harm the laser lens?

What about Cleaning Disc that uses liquid? But it has moisture problem...

Thanks.

 

[NorthStar]

• https://m.wikihow.com/Clean-a-CD-Player

• http://grayreview.com/best-cd-lens-cleaners/

? I use the third one from Allsop, with eight tiny brushes:
Allsop Ultra ProLens Cleaner for DVD, CD Drives.*

For unusually tough situations I use a can of compressed air with a thin tube @ the mouth and press couple shots aiming towards the lens with the disc drawer open.

If not successful, I remove the top cover and go directly to the lens.
- Remove the disc clamp top.
- Wet a Q-tip with isopropyl alcohol (99%)
- Sqeeze two fingers to remove excess, so that it won't drip.
- Rub gently the lens for few seconds.
- Use the other side of the Q-tip to dry for two seconds.
_____

Sometime some of my friends have their CD players that don't work anymore.
I power the CD player.
I press the disc tray button to open it.
I put my mouth close to it.
I blew air from my mouth inside towards the lens.
I put a CD in, press play, voila; the music plays like by magic.
I look @ my friend's faces with their smiles, and I smile back @ them.

* $7.99 -> https://www.allsop.com/product/cd-dvd-lens-cleaner-56500/

 

[GSOphile]

Is this per chance an old (e.g., manufactured 20th century) CD player that will never play only certain CDs?

 

[EDLIU]

I'm planning to get a CD Player Cleaning Disc. Would be appreciated if anyone can tell me that "will the Cleaning Disc tiny brushes harm the laser lens"?

Thanks.

 

[Barry2013]

I have used one sparingly over the years with no ill effects

 

[Legolas]

Another reason could be the laser is going. I have had CD players in the past die, and it was the laser going weak. It had errors and skipping, eventually not playing anything.

 

[NorthStar]

I have used one sparingly over the years with no ill effects

Same here, I use an ALLSOP one with eight tiny brushes, for the last thirty years.
I never had any problem, ever. It's in one of the links above; I've already mentioned it very clearly, highlighted in dark capital letters. I must have used it in over fifty 5-inch disc spinners.

? https://www.allsop.com/product/cd-dvd-lens-cleaner-56500/

 

[EDLIU]

Another reason could be the laser is going. I have had CD players in the past die, and it was the laser going weak. It had errors and skipping, eventually not playing anything.

What causes the laser to go weak? Age or usage of the CD Player?

I have the stereo system for about 10 years, but I seldom listen to it. Will the laser still going weak?

Another question, will the Cleaning Disc that uses liquid harm the internal structure of the CD Player?

Thanks.

 

[thedudeabides]

The Allsop disc works and it doesn't need any liquid. Lasers are generally good for thousands of hours unless they fail early, which is always a possibility. Having said that, they will typically exhibit the systems described by astrostar above before failure.

 

[EDLIU]

"exhibit the systems before failure"?

What does it mean?

BTW, Allsop products are not sold at the place where I live. Are there other brands (with good quality products) that you would recommend?

Thanks.

 

[NorthStar]

It could be many reasons.

If dust accumulated inside it's a good thing to remove the top cover and use a can of compressed air. Then clean the laser lens with a Q-Tip and isopropyl alcohol. Google it for a tutorial YouTube video.

 

[NorthStar]

You don't need any lens cleaner disc that uses liquid. Do it manually as above.

And use one of those lens cleaner disc as below, with tiny brushes.

 

[thedudeabides]

"exhibit the systems before failure"?

What does it mean?

BTW, Allsop products are not sold at the place where I live. Are there other brands (with good quality products) that you would recommend?

Thanks.

I meant symptoms, not systems such as skipping, unable to read disc, etc. Can you not order from Amazon.com? Maxell makes a similar product. If not, try contacting Allsop directly and find other purchase options. This should not be difficult. I'm done.