PC CD and DVD drives read data from optical discs using lenses that are very sensitive to dust and dirt. After lens is caked with garbage, it may work occasionally or fail to read or write discs at all. By cleaning lens of optical drive with alcohol, you enable to restore operation of dirty drive.

Instructions

Step 1

Turn off PC fully, and detach each cable from back. If you have a laptop with a tray-loading drive, emit the tray, turn off laptop, and skip to Step 5.

Step 2

Open PC as said by maker's suggestions. Desktop PCs usually have a release tab or knob on side or back, or may have fastening screws that you should remove. If you have a laptop PC with a slot-loading drive, you enable to take out drive from PC without opening PC. Search for screws on underside of laptop. If you take out these screws, you enable to slide drive out.

Step 3

Take out cables going into back of optical drive, take off drive from sides of drive bay, and slide it out of PC throughout front.

Step 4

Open optical drive to disclose the lens. Many drives have tiny screws on top or bottom that you can take out to release the cover.

Step 5

Moisten a cotton swab a little with alcohol. The goal is to obtain sufficient of alcohol on cotton swab to use its cleaning power, but not so much that alcohol runs down into drive.

Step 6

Run cotton swab evenly over lens, being cautious not to scrape it. The alcohol is enough to loosen dirt on its own. If cotton swabs turn dark from dirt, carry on cleaning with clean swabs and alcohol until you see no more dirt. Give drive some time to dry totally.

Step 7

Change drive cover, return it to PC, and close PC by reversing directions above.