Last updated on February 2nd, 2025
This site is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
It happens to all of us. We put our older DVD in the computer DVD drive all excited to watch a movie or install a game and the DVD does not read!
This is because the DVD is most probably bad and have scratches all over. This means that your computer DVD drive cannot read the DVD or rip/extract the files present there. It can be stressful and painful to encounter such a situation.
But don’t worry! We will teach you how to fix a scratched DVD. The methods we will mention are not difficult at all. Anyone who faces this problem can easily fix their DVDs using these steps.
7 Systems or Ways to Fix a Scratched DVD
If you are facing issues with a scratched DVD, then there’s nothing to worry about. This is an easy fix. Scratched DVDs are not uncommon. Some DVDs, whether it’s a DVD9 or DVD5 may be old and overused while others may have gone through bad handling and care. Whatever the reasons are for having scratches on you DVD, there are ways to fix this issue.
#1: Best System - Using Aleratec DVD & CD Motorized Disc Repair Plus
Using the Aleratec DVD and CD repair tool, you can easily fix your scratched discs. The process of repair is quite easy and anyone can use this repair tool. If you have a problematic DVD or CD that won’t read, consider getting a hold of this repair system.
Aleratec DVD and CD repair kit is a motorized repair system. It can easily fix up to 99% of scratched DVDs in a few simple steps. The good thing about this repair tool is that it comes with all the necessary tools such as the main repair kit, cleaning cloth, and the cleaning kit. It also has several cleaning and repair cycles for different degrees of scratches.
To use this kit to fix your DVDs or CDs, all you need to do is insert the damaged DVD or CD in the repair kit. After this, on the repair wheel, you’ll need to apply three drops of the repair solution. Simply start the repair and wait for the DVD disc to get fixed.
#2: Alternative System - Using SkipDr DVD and CD Motorized Disc Repair System
Alternatively, there are other equally good repair kits that you can use to repair a badly scratched DVD. The SkipDr DVD and CD repair system is also a motorized repair system and it is very easy to use all the required amenities that come with it.
The SkipDr repair kit comes with the rejuvenating fluid, patented flexiWheel, a buffing square, a guide, a drying cloth, and even batteries. The good thing about this repair kit is that it is capable of fixing more than 25 types of DVDs and CDs including DVDs for Xbox, Wii, and even PlayStation and PlayStation 2.
The fixing process is easy to follow. Just spray a good amount of the rejuvenating fluid on the faulty DVD and place it on the repair kit. Now, you will need to power it on and the flexiWheel and the DVD will start spinning.
The wheel will spin faster. The wheel has a micro fractional surface and when it spins, it smoothens and removes the scratches. Once the spinning is done, take out the disc, dry it with the cloth, and buff it with the square provided.
#3: Best for CD/DVD Disc & Player - Using Maxell Disc Scratch and Repair Kit
Having a scratched DVD or CD in today’s day and age is not a big deal. The repair solutions are really simple. One of the easiest ways to fix a scratched DVD is to use the Maxwell Repair Kit. This product works wonders on scratched DVDs and even CDs and can easily repair more than 100 DVDs.
Maxwell Repair Kit comes equipped with 10 cleaning cloths, a repair platform, a repair fluid, and even the cleaning fluid. Using all these, your scratched DVD will get fixed in a matter of minutes. The repairing process involves just two steps. There is also no need for technical skills or knowledge.
In order to use this repair kit, start by placing the damaged DVD on the repair platform. Then, search properly for the scratched areas and apply the two drops of repair fluid. Let this dry for about five minutes. After that, buff the DVD.
Now, proceed to spray the cleaning solution and then polish the DVD using a given clean cloth. Your DVD disc should work after this.
#4: Best CD & DVD Data Recovery Software – Using IsoBuster
The prospect of losing all your precious files stored on a faulty or badly scratched DVD can be quite stressful and painful as those DVDs may contain priceless media files.
If your DVD is damaged, there is no way your computer or DVD player can read it. This means you won’t be able to access the files. Thanks to IsoBuster, you can have a chance to recover the data. But this is data recovery software and not DVD copy software.
IsoBuster is capable of repairing and recovering files from not just DVDs, but CDs, USB sticks, Blu-ray, and even memory cards. All formats and forms of media can be recovered. However, Blu-ray (BD and HD DVD) can only be recovered using the paid version. The free version supports recovery from CDs and DVDs only.
To use the program, you need to buy or download and install the software. Run the IsoBuster program and put the damaged media on the DVD drive that needs recovering.
IsoBuster will start to mount the media and you will get to see all the files and media that are present in the damaged DVD. This way you can not only access but start recovering all the media files that are important to you!
Official page: https://www.isobuster.com/isobuster.php
#5: Free Alternative Software: Roadkil’s Unstoppable Copier
If you have a DVD which has scratches all over, there is a high chance that it is damaged and your computer won’t be able to read it. Once a DVD gets damaged due to scratches, it is impossible to access the contents inside. The contents inside might be sentimental and invaluable. But don’t worry. Roadkil’s Unstoppable Copier can easily fix this issue.
Except for Windows 10, Roadkil’s Unstoppable Copier can run on most operating systems including Linux. The great thing about this program is that it supports many languages including Greek, Japanese, English, German, and even Italian to name a few. Using this program, files can easily be recovered and become usable again.
Download and run the program on your PC and once it starts, you need to choose a destination where you want the recovered files to be stored. This destination can be another DVD, a hard drive, a USB device, or even a memory card. After this, click on copy and the files that can get recovered and useable will get copied to the selected destination.
Download link: https://www.roadkil.net/program.php?ProgramID=29
#6: Free Way - How to fix a scratched DVD with Vaseline?
DVDs and CDs do not last forever. This is common knowledge. They have a lifespan of around three to five years. But sometimes, even before they reach the end of their life cycle, they tend to get spoiled. This may be due to poor handling and rough use. Scratches can cause DVDs and CDs to spoil which means your files and data might get lost.
If you’re someone who is not tech savvy, you can try home remedies to easily fix scratches on your DVDs. There are many repair kits and software available to fix DVDs, but if you don’t know how to use them or you can’t get your hands on them, do not worry! There’s a solution right in your house. Yes, you heard that right! You can make use of Vaseline to try and remove the scratches.
You can start by using cotton pads or cotton balls. Dip them in alcohol and start cleaning the DVD or the CD that needs repair. After this, put some Vaseline otherwise known as petroleum jelly on the scratched areas. The Vaseline will fill in the scratches and hopefully, your DVD will become readable again.
#7: Free Way - How to fix a scratched DVD with Toothpaste?
Almost everyone has faced the problems that come with having a scratched DVD. Sometimes it becomes annoying when you need to access the files present in the DVD. But if your DVD or even CD has scratches all over, the chances of it being spoiled are quite high. And we all know that spoiled DVDs are not readable.
There’s good news for people with scratched DVDs. Using materials found at home, you can easily try to repair it. We all have toothpaste in our homes. Many people have successfully used toothpaste to fix scratches on DVDs and CDs.
First, clean the DVD using an alcohol solution and cotton pads or balls. Let the DVD dry for about five minutes. Now, apply toothpaste all over the DVD and rub it in straight motions. Never rub your DVDs or CDs in a circular motion. Now, wash off or wipe off the toothpaste, and hopefully, your DVD will start working again.
Conclusion
DVDs and CDs were insanely popular at one point in time. In fact, people who prefer doing things the old-fashioned way still make use of DVDs and CDs. But the thing with DVDs and CDs is that they do not last long and are easily prone to scratches. A DVD that has scratches will not work when played on a computer or a DVD player.
If you have spoiled discs due to scratches or know someone who is facing this problem, then try the suggested system #1 mentioned above instead of using the free methods. These steps will teach you how to repair a scratched DVD.
We hope that by using the provided system, you can recover and fix all the DVDs that seem unplayable on your devices. Save your priceless memory on those DVDs now. I hope this article answers your queries on how to fix a scratched DVD.