
Like most electronic devices, DVD players seem to attract dust, pollen, fingerprints, and other contamination. They require regular maintenance and care to function efficiently. In this Techspirited article, we take a look at some simple, easy-to-do ways in which you can clean your DVD player.
With the majority of people opting to watch movies on it, DVD players have increasingly become an indispensable part of our entertainment needs. However, like all electronic appliances, it attracts dust, and is prone to scratches and fingerprints. It therefore needs a cleaning regime, to not only make it last for ages, but also enable us to watch movies without the interruption of skipping discs or grainy pictures.
DVD players need to be cleaned from inside as well as outside. While cleaning the exterior is fairly simple, it is the interior of the DVD player which is likely to attract even more dirt than the exterior. The good news is that, with a few household products and appropriate maintenance, you can keep your DVD player clean and running smoothly.
How to Clean a DVD Player?
First things first, before you start cleaning your DVD player, remember to turn it off and unplug the machine from the television. Move it to a more suitable working environment, like a table or a desk. Remove any old discs that may be jammed in the player.
Cleaning the Interior
Using DVD Lens Cleaner
When your DVD does not load, or skips, and you note a deterioration in the audio or video signals, it may indicate the fact, that you need to clean the interior of your DVD player. This usually entails the cleaning of the lens of your player, which can ensure that the disc is being read properly. The easiest, most hassle free way of doing this, is by buying a lens cleaning disc. These DVD cleaning discs are easily available in the market and are often recommended as the first troubleshooting method, when you are trying to repair a DVD player, that is having difficulty reading discs. They contain bristles, situated on top of the disc, so that when the disc is inserted into the player, the disc begins to spin and the raised bristles on it dust the lens. Once the cleaning cycle of the cleaning discs is complete, the lens should be clean.
Dismantling the DVD Player
If you want to clean the DVD player thoroughly, you need to dismantle the player and clean the insides by hand.
1.For doing this, you need to turn the machine over and look at the seams for finding the screws and the tape, that holds the case together. Remove the screws and lift up the tape, to expose the insides of the player.
2.Find the lens of the DVD player. Made up of glass, the lens is located in the middle of the disk drive and has a bluish tint to it.

3.Use a cotton swab or a fine bristled brush dipped in lens cleaner or rubbing alcohol to clean all the surfaces, except for the bright green circuit boards.
4.Use a can of compressed air, to flush out the dirt from hard to reach places. Keep the can at a distance of around ten inches and blow air in short, controlled bursts to remove the dust. Remember while doing this, to not tilt, shake, or hold the can upside down, as the liquid nitrogen that comes out can damage your electronics and your skin! Once the alcohol is dry, reassemble your DVD player. Apart from compressed air canisters, you can also use hair dryer on cold setting.
5.Reassemble back the covers and put the screws back in. Test the DVD player to check if it is functioning properly.
Cleaning the Exterior
To clean the outer part of the DVD and remove household dust and stains, wipe the top, front and sides of the DVD player with a damp, clean cloth. To clean the back and the bottom of the player, use a dry cloth.
The exterior of the DVD player can be cleaned with other simple household items, like rubbing alcohol. Use a cotton, lint free cloth and apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to it. Gently rub the exterior of the player. The alcohol will evaporate quickly, leaving the DVD player exterior clean and free of any smudges. Use the cloth to clean the player’s vent areas, where dust might have accumulated. Avoid a duster, as it might just end up pushing the dust further inside. Cleaning the vents of the DVD player is of utmost importance, as heat dissipating from the inside of your player might not be allowed to escape, causing it to overheat. You could also clean the vent by using a can of compressed air. It can be softly sprayed into the vent, to clear out the dust build up.
Things to Watch Out For
- Do not clean the DVD player when it still plugged into the main switch as there is a risk of getting an electric shock.
- While cleaning the player internally, do not touch the parts with dirty fingers.
- Do not use water to clean the insides of a DVD player. This is because water is corrosive and can damage the player.
- When using a can of compressed air, make sure that you read and understand the instructions properly, otherwise instead of spraying out air, you will pour out cold water on the inside of the player.
- Cleaning the insides of the DVD player is not necessary each time. It is important to note that disassembling the DVD can invalidate the warranty.
Cleaning your DVD player every four to six weeks ensures that it keeps running like new, for longer than you thought possible. There are also a host of commercial DVD cleaning kits available, which assist in cleaning, and are also easy on the pockets.