A can of compressed air is a risky alternative. Use brief blasts only to avoid excessive force, and check that the spray is completely dry first. Some brands spray a little liquid along with the air, which can destroy your drive. [2] X Research source
This will likely void your warranty.
Use cotton swabs only as a last resort. While they often work fine, there is a risk of scratching the lens.
You can use a lens cleaning solution instead of alcohol. In rare cases, you’ll need deionized water to remove sugar-based residue. [7] X Research source Deep scratches on the lens could make it unusable. If the scratches are barely visible, they are unlikely to be a problem.
Avoid over-tightening the screws, which can crack the plastic case.
Do not use a CD cleaner disc on a combination CD/DVD player. Cleaner discs made for CD players will scratch a DVD drive. [9] X Research source Check the product label for warnings before buying. Some discs are not compatible with some devices.
Slowly turn the drive upside down while watching the lens. The lens should move up and down smoothly, without sticking or tilting. If it doesn’t behave correctly, you may need to replace the whole pickup unit (or just get a new CD player). Carefully remove components around the lens if possible. If you can access the turning mirror (a small piece of glass), clean it the same way you cleaned the lens. Look for a plastic cogwheel attached to the laser mechanism. Turn this slowly with a swab and watch for moving parts. If any of them seem dirty or sticky, clean them with alcohol, then apply a thin layer of light lubricant suitable for electronics.
Look for a name printed on the front of your drive. [11] X Research source Look for a numerical code on the drive, then search for it at the FCC database. Open Device Manager and double click the entries underneath “DVD/CD-ROM Drives. “[12] X Research source
Open Control Panel. Type “troubleshooting” in the search bar in the Control Panel. Click “Troubleshooting” when it appears in the results. Look under “Hardware and Sound” and click “Configure a device. " Select your CD drive and follow the onscreen instructions.
If there are no drives listed, the drive’s cables are disconnected or the drive is broken and needs replacement.
