Fixing A CD Player That Doesn't Read Discs - Laser Power Adjustment Tweak - Repair Guide
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- In this video I repair a faulty CD player that doesn't read discs anymore, instead it just makes ticking sounds. This is caused by the laser being unable to read the discs over time. You can normally do this little adjustment trick to fix the problem for a while at no cost. All you require to try this repair is a few screwdrivers and a little bit of your time for some trial and error.
You will sometimes find the player will intermittently read CDs, only read certain types of disc, or even skip and jump while playing. Almost all of these type issues are usually caused by the laser alignment which you can easily adjust internally in most cases.
This may well not last forever and the ideal option is always to replace the laser diode/module itself, but this guide is a quick way to get more time out of your CD player at no cost. While the player is open then you should also take note of any model/part numbers on the laser assembly so you can source a replacement for future. That being said I have done this many times and had players go on to last multiple years without further issue.
Most CD player mechanisms are almost identical so this guide should cover most common units.
In this video I show you the repair on a KAM KCD 960 Twin Professional Rack-Mounted Unit.
It should also be a very similar process for a DVD player that is misbehaving and not reading discs properly.
You may also have a different message like No CD Error or Disc Read Error depending on your unit.
This repair will usually last a good while the first time - providing the laser is not defective and well worn-out/dying. In this case you would need to look for a replacement laser assembly and replace that part of the mechanism, which is also fairly straight-forward but out of the scope of this video.
I will cover this replacement process in a future video.
I have also made a quick video guide on fixing CD or DVD players with sticky trays that won't open or intermittently stick. You can watch that video here: • Fixing A CD Player Wit...
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will this work on my pioneer dvj x1
When I put the cd in it said reading for a while then it said no disc
Thanks so much from a fellow Northerner! I managed to give myself an electric shock but fixed my son's cd player! Feel a massive sense of accomplishment!!
lol I don't mean to laugh at you like this, but this really made me chuckle! Hope the shock wasn't too bad! haha
Phenomenal! It worked on my Technics SL-P1200. If you ever visit Florida, I’ll buy you a beer, or two.
Wish I'd seen this before purchasing a replacement laser assembley for a Denon DCD520. Still got the old unit might try putting it back in and give this a go. Thnaks for sharing Nathan.
Until this day I couldn't think I could ever use my Sony MHC-501 the way I wanted to, then I saw your video, and it got up spinnin' again! Thanks a lot, I really appreciate your video !!!
You're an absolute star, thanks for this video. I was just about to tip my CD player until I found this and fixed it in seconds!
You're very welcome, Glad to have helped save another unit from the landfill!
--Nathan.
You are a genius 💡 I finally found how to fix my Denon S10 cd-player that I have had to send in for repair every now and then ❤❤❤❤❤ I also use the Denon S10 as DA-converter from my streaming of Tidal to the Bluesound POWERNODE and via digital to the Denon S10 that make it sound beautiful and softer as perfect CD's. Thank you for the fix 👏
Thank you so much, Nathan! Repairing my 1980s Onkyo CD player took about five minutes, thanks to your informative video. Salute!
Thanks man! You helped me fix a 20 year old undercounter Kitchen CD player that I had given up for trash! Back in working condition!
That's great to hear! Glad you got it going again.
--Nathan
Wow, reading the comments you have certainly saved people a lot of money. Well done👍
Thank you, not done it yet but this might have just saved me a small fortune in buying a new player. I always thought when this issue happened the player was borked for good. Cheers.
Just wanted to say thank you. You just saved my old radio from the trash bin. Adjusted the laser and it works like never before 👍
Just did this to an old technics cd player that I shelved a few years back. Works perfectly now. Thanks ever so much.
OMG, you're a genius. It fixed it straight away. Checking out your other videos. Thanks man!!!!
I bought a 5 disc cd player at auction for cheap but it wouldn't read CD's. I had to find the adjustment screw because it wasn't as clear as in the video but I found it and it works! Thank you!
That's great to hear. Yes changers definitely definitely are a little more awkward and no two are alike! Glad you got it going again though!
Thanks I didn't want to replace my CD player
One thousand thanks, my friend ! Though I'm not able to do it by myself, now I can show your precious video to a technician and hope they can save my new Pioneer, bought just 2 years ago. It often fails on reading some discs, intermitently. A technician opened it, cleansed the lens ( that was pretty clean ), but didn't discover anything else. So, I was ready to keep the player aside and get another one, though not of the same quality as an original Pioneer that came from Japan. Once again, thank you very much !
I revive my 20 year old Yamaha CD player with this hack. Thank you!! 😊
Dude, just fixed my CD player using this - thank you so much!
Both videos very good, my CD draw not opening moved on to not reading CD later. brilliant thanks.
It worked! I love repairing old technology and recently picked up a Sony mega bass boombox. The cd drive wasn’t working so I took it apart (had to anyways to clean it) and check everything and didn’t see a problem. Cleaned the laser and all. Wasn’t till I saw your video it started working and read it faster than any cd player I’ve ever had. I can’t believe I’ve been repairing technology for years and didn’t know there was a little knob to adjust the laser. Then again I haven’t had to mess around with lasers too much. Thanks for the video! I’m so gonna raise it up in the air and play music for my fiancé 😂 Anything to make her laugh
Thanks
Thank you so much! Glad I could help you out. 😎
Very good sir! I have this small all in one boom box and I was going to give it to this old lady for her jazz CD’s. When I tested it. It would only play for 00:48 seconds. I opened it up and hoped something mechanical might I be able to fix. I found a large chunk of glue like wax that was in the CD part. Actually it found me when it fell out. Hell maybe that was what kept it from playing further. So I tried it after sticking all the screws in it. Pretty much the same as before.
I really didn’t plan on messing with it anymore but for some brilliant idea I decided to try a search for a fix. Damn if your video didn’t pop up.
It was already a pain in my ass but what the hell. One more time, I’ll open it again and if it’s not going to work it will be in the next trash pickup. I just wish I had done the search in the beginning.
So I been tweaking it and it played all 13 songs. But it is very sensitive to any type of vibration. It will freeze and then eventually it picks back up, I think right in the same place it stops. I tried messing with some more but haven’t been able to get it dialed in. The screw I adjusted is buried and I’m just able to get the screwdriver to it. The screw seems kinda loose and I was wondering if a drop of thread lock would be in order? Or and is there anything I can do about it being so damn sensitive?
I have had a few CD players in my possession and I’ve trashed for the same reason. I’m going to give this a go on my Sony multiplayer. I have been having problems with playing consistently without skipping a whole lot.
I’m going to throw a couple bucks your way every time I can fix a CD player.
Thanks so much for this video! It has helped me fix an annoying issue with my Onkyo DX-CD390 reading and not starting to play discs. 👍🏻
Nathan, you are awesome!. My denon dn2000f mkII cd1 had this exact problem. For years i used a seperate cdj to act as my cd1 and and the denons cd2 for mixing but always hated having to place the seperate cdj on top of a turntable. I seen this video and thought " no way" it cant be that ez. So i tried it anyway and guess what. "WAY"! ....
it worked! I can't thank you enough for putting out this video. I only wish i had seen this yesrs earlier. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Albert Ramirez
You make it look so easy! Thank you!
Well F me! Have a similar unit doing the same, but never trashed it. I’m going straight to the workshop today to fix it (hopefully)! THANKS!!!
Great video i have a similar all in one unit that is practically brand new and has developed this fault. Will try this and see if i can revive it👍🏼
this may come in handy...someone is shipping me a Copland cd player and he wasn't going to ship because he was afraid the laser might come out of alignment… and this video i might be needed...👍🏼
Just purchased a ' Kenwood XD-981 MD .. Midi Hi fi and it won't read discs so tomorrow I'm going to follow your advice and hope it works .. 😊
You made this look really simple! I'm going to give it a go. Wish me luck. Thanks
You are a universe legend sir
Thanks for the video, I'm going to try this with my JB Systems Twin CD System - CD500. I hope it works !!!
It still reads discs, but only after 3 or 4 tries
Thank you so much for this. Finally got my arcam 7se playing anything I through at it.
Thank you Nathan. Another save from the landfill. 🙂
Glad to have helped you out, and thanks so much for the super-thanks! It's really appreciated. 😀
--Nathan
Nice and simple explanation. 👍
Absolute legend...took me about 50 attempts, and on my last attempt it worked 😂👍👊
Best tip ever, you explained it by step by step, easy to follow instructions, thank you... I also adjusted my sticking drawer too by watching your other video.. THUMBS UP all is working fine now I've got noise haha.. :)
Awesome!! I'm glad to have been of help.
--Nathan
That looks like my NAD 521Bee laser unit. it is very inconsistent reading discs. I will give this ago. When it plays it is great but OH the inconsistency is so aggravating. Thanks for the video.
Thank you for a great tip. Can’t wait to try it tomorrow.
Thanks Nathan! Your info is great. Knowing that most players are built similarly, I may try this procedure on my 1988 JVC XL-M300bk unit w/6-disc magazine. I hope I can just pull the case off, find the adjustment screw and fix it. Wish I had seen your video before I ordered another 'old' one. I imagine if all goes well, I have a back up plan.
Update: As I thought, the six disc set up is hard to get access to the adjustment whereever it is. The real problem is the disc is spinng fine but not reading. I guess the laser burnt out. Any suggestions appreciated.
Thank you. I will try this. I have a model that holds 100 cd's. I will have to dig it out of my shed first!. It spins but won't read.
Yes on point. Was about to buy a new double cd dj component and I fixed it.
Thanks a lot man! I did what you did with my lil philips soundmachine and it worked for me also. Couldn't play any CD on it and was sad haha
Thank you soooo much! You have made a very useful video. God bless you!
I dont know what the laser looks like, I have the warning label, mine is a lid CD player not one that slides out? Omg I just found a tiny screw and adjusted it and it works!! Thanks
Glad you found it and got it going again. Yes some players are a little different but the control will be there somewhere! :)
--Nathan
Thanks Nathan - Arcam CD player working again!
thanks! that saved my son's cd player...
I’ve got a Denon DCD-625 that will only read certain CDs and it will just click away on others so I’ll try this!
Thank you for the demo
Nice clip, thanks. Can you please explain why, over time, the laser shifts out of position. Also, would this same technique work on an errant DVD player?
I have these but they're Numark CDN88s. When i put me CD in there a track plays and then it just starts looping out of nowhere. Loops the last 2-3 seconds over and over. Do you have any fix for that? Perfect video by the way!
Just to say that if you play computer burned discs them you need to VERY fine tune for both the glass mastered and computer burned cds.
Also play the last track, ie the outer one, and disc wobble will sometimes cause the focus to miss track.
Glass mastered cds have the information up through the plastic just u see the label. Computer burned ones have the active surface on the bottom of the cd. So the thickness of the plastic can make quite a difference to the amount of focus travel required.
This is the reason some cd players will not play computer burned discs.
I hope this is useful.
The read surface isn't on the bottom of a CD-R, though seemingly is a bit lower(I couldn't find any info on how much) than on a pressed CD, due to needing a reflective layer and a dye layer.
Looking forward to trying this! How many CD players have gone to landfill but for the twist of a screwdriver??
The clicks and messages my player gives are what you've described, however, the CD I need to fix is in my vehicle. Now I need to find out how to deal with that.
it worked!
My Sony CDP-XB920 its now working again with cd-r type cd's thanks for this tip :)
Thats great to hear! Glad you got it going again properly.
--Nathan
I love your video. Very helpful. But I don’t see the spot on my CD player to use a flathead screwdriver ever so slightly. I have a Yamaha CDC-565.
Great video. I have an old boombox panasonic rx d10. It identifies some discs but wont play any. CD just spins. Laser cleaned. Any ideas would be great. Thank you
3:24 Holy crap!! it worked. And to think i'd be nervous as a Kenwood engineer right now your doing their job "for free" Just out f curiosity, what does this do ? increase laser power or something?
Going to try this on my Sony radio. Thank you!
Thanks so muchNathan for the info -does that apply to my yamaha carousel 697 whihcsuddenly wont read any discs? Before iI take the casing off and break it completely...😊
Problem solved. Thank you very much!!
So you increased the voltage on the potentiometer right?
What exactly are you adjusting? You say that you are adjusting "laser alignment". I thought that it aligns automatically with a microprocessor and feedback loop. The service manual for my 1991 CD player shows a variable resistor to adjust laser power and says, "do not adjust, it has already been adjusted", but maybe after 30 years of service this is exactly what has to be adjusted?
I think you are correct. It stands to reason the laser loses intensity over time and must be driven harder towards the end of its life. My technician said the “laser was out of alignment” he probably just turned this potentiometer.
Helo...Younturning on left or right
Great video. This is exactly what mine needed
Wow thanks Nathan pH I am going to try an fix my DVD player by following yr steps been a plsure watching yr video 😂😮 from Ivan Rooplal in South Africa Durban phoenix kzn thank 👍👍💯
Any ideas on a child’s CD player please?
I have a sharp mini component set the cd won't play, can I do the same thing to get the disc working?
Bravissimo. Ma quanto durerà??
my Copland CDA 288 laser is not reading the disc...your video shows only only 1 screw adjustment...in that same place mine has 3 and I don't see any screw adjustments unless the are resest a little more...what one do i try to adjust and are the to be screws inside those holes for me to adjust❓
Excellent tip
Do you not need to be careful about the laser damaging your eyes? When I took the cover off my cd player there is a warning label about invisible radiation??
Yes all players have that warning. It's not all that bad and generally as long as you don't look into the laser itself, especially when/if there is no disc in the tray (which blocks the laser).
Just common sense stuff really.
Hope you managed to get your player going again!
--Nathan
Does the laser only come on when you press play? If its invisible, it's hard to know whether you are looking at it. I tried cleaning mine but have since been worried that I could have damaged my eyes
Thank you very much indeed
How is it working today and would this work on a Philips Mcb25 micro system?
Most of my cd's load and play just fine. However, there is one CD that will not load. Is this fixed the same way?
This is just a temporary solution. You're "increasing the power" of an already worn-out, dying laser lens. It will probably work for a few weeks or a pair of months before it stops working again.
And beware everybody: never look directly at a laser lens while the power is on, it could result in eye damage even if you don't notice it immediately.
That's disappointing to read. He said sometimes it can last years.....I'm confused about 2 things: how do you avoid getting a shock and seeing lens if you have it turned on like he does?
And b) I'd only heard of lens cleaning before. Yet he don't do dat here.....?
Some of the CD's from a certain manufacturer BIS will not read - so not sure the laser adjustment is the right fix. Any suggestions?
Does this fix work for a DVD player as well?
Thank you!!! so much. My problem is that it stocks in Reading.... Reading... but not playing.. how can I fix it! thank you in advance!!
This worked! Thanks!
thank you thats was helpful
My DVD player turns the CD but says no disk, I think mine one's not reading it because there's no light coming from the laser/reader. I wanted to know if the light is necessary or it works without light
Hi will this work on a car 6 cd changer? Thanks
good job
I just repair my pioneer cdj-800 that was lagging to load cd's. Thank you
It was very hard to get too. But just a hair clockwise and it worked first try
I have got my Sony gnv 111 d CD casserole not opening, not reading, problem. This problem arose due to non operating the system for six months. Kindly advise what may be problem
thank you my dude!
I have a Sony esoteric SACD player that does not read both CD and SACD layer. It spins continuously but no clicking sound like in this video. Should I try adjusting laser alignment? Cleaning the lense did work for a while but now it won't even read the cleaning disc
Do you know how to solve squeaky CD players, mine operates fine except sometimes on some cds I get a squeaky sound causing the track to skip
Cheers much appreciated
Thanks man that was good advise. Do you turn it clockwise? Or it doesn't matter? Can you damage it instantly if you go too far?
My CD disc is turning OK, but it is still not reading the disc, it also says no disc's. Your help would be appreciated.
Thank you
May well need a replacement laser module then in this case, that could be beyond economical repair but depends if you could find a replacement and the value of the CD player unit (if it is actually worth the cost to repair it). You'd have to look for any model or part numbers and search them online to try and find a replacement unit. Afraid I can't really advise much further though as there are so many different units and assembly methods when you get to that level so it helps to have some experience or find a service manual for your specific unit, otherwise try and find a local repair shop who could complete the work on your behalf.
Hope this helps somewhat.
--Nathan
How can i fix mine cd player. Yesterday i putted a cd and it read and all of a sudden the laser stopped and it kept ''CD READ'' and then no disc i tried every cd and there is no sound of the cd being read its just ''CD READ'' and after a while ''NO DISC''. I tried lifting up the cd player and it read the cd but when i wanted to put a different cd in it again the same problem occured. I dont know what to do. Last month it worked perfectly fine when i close the cd lid i hear a little click or some movement and thats it.
I am having problems with my Stanton C500.
It is so similar to your KAM, that I bet it came off of the same production line.
Two days ago, I plugged it in for the first time in 2 years.
It read the CD and played the first 3 songs on the disc.
Then there were reading errors, and now it will not spin at all.
I tried the adjustment that you suggested, but I get no movement at all.
I must have retried at 90 different settings, going from one end of the pot adjustment to the other in as small of increments that I can manage.
Still, I have no movement at all.
Any suggestions as to what I should do next?
I came across your video I tried to correct my problem still doesn't read the CD I have PYLE pro PDCD -4000 I can use like turntables any ideas how did it get it to read CD
I have a portable stereo with CD, and it will read the tracks but still won't play. Do you know if your fix can help me with it?
I don't see the screw you're adjusting in my player. An Onkyo C-7030. There is a circuit board above that came, but no screw or knob to adjust. 😢
You saved me from spending about 50-60$ on a new laser (shipping and taxes included)
This did help my nad c521bee. Only trouble is it doesn't read copy discs and the odd redbook ones (originals). It may play them but there's a crackling/distorted back ground noise which makes the cd unlistenable. Any suggestions would be helpful