Most of the electronic devices that we use are bound to face a number of problems as time goes by. CD players are no exceptions. This article has, thus, been written to help all those people who like to troubleshoot such problems themselves.
A CD player is a device that we use to play compact discs. The CDs that we try to play on our players can be anything, ranging from data to audio/video ones. But it is not necessary that the ordinary CD players that we use at our homes will be able to read data discs, as they were not built with these functionalities. The data CDs that we run on computers will be able to play as computers can read them. However, without going into the functionalities with which they are designed, let us try to understand the problems with CD players and the troubleshooting procedures.
#1: Player Cannot Read Certain CDs
The basic problem is that the CD head gets misaligned. You may get a sound that indicates that the CD is rotating inside the player, but the player is unable to read the tracks. Moreover, if a display device is attached, then an error message may get displayed.
Solution
Most of the time, this simple step helps you in restoring back your player back to its normal self. Use a proper CD head cleaner and clean the head very carefully, without applying any pressure and using a piece of cotton.
#2: Player is Not Getting Powered Up
It may happen that it may not get power, or the power that it receives is fluctuating.
Solution
Check if it is getting proper power supply. Use the power cable for your player on a different power socket, and check if it is working or not. If in case, it still does not get powered up, change the power cable.
#3: Player Cannot Read Any CD
If it happens that you have tried innumerable number of CDs on your player, and it cannot detect or play back even a single one, then your CD head is probably misaligned.
Solution
To start off with the troubleshooting process, you need to first remove the case of the CD player. Getting it out from the case is a quite cumbersome task that requires a lot of patience. You have to unscrew each of the screws carefully. Keep the screws in such a way that you can identify them when you are fixing the player back into its case.
Once you get through this process, you can have the player in front of you. You will notice a CD tray with an arm operated by a motor, which moves the lens over the CD. You will also see that there is a small circuit board. Now, attached to this board or somewhere nearby, you will find a small potentiometer. This is what you need to adjust. Move this potentiometer within a range of +/- 30 degree rotation. This is a trial and error process, where you put the potentiometer at one position, and then check if the player can detect the CD. In case it does not, then you have to rotate it again within the range. If you have sound knowledge about electrical and electronic appliances, the task is not difficult for you because you can check whether it starts working or not, without fixing it back into the cabinet every time, and handling it safely. Once the potentiometer finds itself back in its proper position, the player will be able to read the CDs that it was unable to read before.
Important Things to Take Care of When Troubleshooting Problems
Be sure that you have some technical expertise before you start off with the troubleshooting process. Handle the electrical connections carefully. Do not think that your player is not working just because it cannot read a few CDs. Try a good number of audio CDs before starting off with the troubleshooting process. Data CDs become a bit difficult for the player to read, but reading audio ones is comparatively a simpler task for it.
The methods discussed here are not meant for improving its performance. There are advanced CD players in the market, which can read even scratched discs. Using these processes will not upgrade the performance of your player to match those observed in case of the advanced ones. Also, keep in mind that when you proceed with these troubleshooting processes, have some discs with you for checking purposes, which are not in much use. This way, you will not damage important discs during the repair process.
