5 Ways to Fix a Scratch DVD for Uninterrupted Viewing

You are all set for a relaxing movie night with your top pick. However, as you pop in the DVD, it is skipping and stuttering due to scratches. Frustrating, right? But fear not! This post is here to save the day. It will teach you how to fix a scratched DVD and share methods to safeguard your DVD and Blu-ray discs from future scratches. Ready to rescue your movie marathon? Let us get started!

Part 1. 5 Simple Methods to Fix a Scratched DVD

Have you ever found your favorite DVD scratched up and struggling to play? Fear not! Five easy methods exist to rescue and teach you how to fix a scratch DVD. These methods are your ticket to reviving your scratched DVDs and returning the entertainment you love!

Method 1. Assess the Damage

Take a close look at your scratched DVD. Hold it up against light to see how bad the damage is. If light passes through the scratches, fixing it might be challenging, as deep scratches usually cannot be repaired.

Method 2. Clean the DVD

If you want to learn how to clean a scratched DVD, just gently wipe it with clean water and a soft cloth. If you prefer, you can use alcohol, but avoid other strong chemicals as they can harm the DVD.

Method 3. Use a Special Cloth

Grab a jewelry cloth or even an eyeglass cleaning cloth. These work well to buff out scratches on DVDs.

Method 4. Proper Cleaning Technique

Hold the disc from its sides and use the jewelry cloth in a gentle, circular motion. Start from the center and move towards the edges. Keep wiping in this manner until you have covered the entire surface.

Method 5. Vaseline Technique

If the scratches are persistent, try using a small amount of Vaseline. Apply a thin layer over the entire DVD surface. This might help reduce the visibility of the scratches. After a while, carefully wipe off the Vaseline using alcohol and ensure no streaks or residues are left behind. You can test whether it works with a Windows DVD player.

Part 2. How to Protect Your DVD/Blu-ray Discs From Being Scratched

Protecting your DVDs or Blu-ray discs from scratches is crucial to keeping your favorite movies safe. Copying the content creates backups, ensuring your collection stays intact even if the original discs get damaged. This section will help you secure your favorite movies for years to come. It keeps those cherished stories ready to be enjoyed whenever you want.

1. Tipard DVD Copy

Protecting your DVDs from scratches is brilliant, and Tipard DVD Copy can help safeguard your precious movie collections. It works by making a duplicate, or copy, of the content on your discs. It ensures that even if the original gets scratched or damaged, you still have a pristine copy to enjoy.

This program offers three modes for copying DVDs: Full Copy, Main Movie, and Customize. This gives you options, whether you want a replica, only the main movie, or a customized selection. In addition, it allows you to create backups on your computer, whether a DVD folder or ISO files. This ensures you always have a copy of your favorite movies or data.

Step 1Start by installing Tipard DVD Copy on your computer. Once installed, launch the program to get started.

Step 2Put the DVD you desire to copy into your computer's DVD drive. In the program, click the File button. Under the Select Source option, choose the DVD you inserted as the source. Move to Select Target, and indicate where you want the copy to be saved.

Step 3Select the copy mode you prefer, whether Full Copy, Main Movie, or Customize. You can choose Full Copy to replicate everything, Main Movie to copy on the main film or Customize to pick specific parts.

Step 4If you have a Target Size, select one from its drop-down menu. After that, click the Next button to proceed.

Step 5On the next window, you can enable the following options: Remove Menu, Skip Menu, Remove region code protection, etc. Once everything is set, click the Start button to begin copying. Let the program do its work, and once it is done, you will have a duplicate copy of your DVD.

2. Tipard Blu-ray Copy

Your go-to for decrypting, copying, and backing up Blu-ray content without losing any quality is Tipard Blu-ray Copy. It makes exact copies of your Blu-ray discs, matching sizes perfectly. Whether BD50 to BD50, BD25 to BD25, or switching between these sizes.

There are four copying modes: Full Disc, Main Movie, Clone, and Write Data. Besides that, you can switch high-quality audio to a smaller format like Dolby AC3 to save space. Copying is easy, with an option to select the number of copies you want with a simple click. With Tipard Blu-ray Copy, you can know that your collection is safe from potential scratches or damage.

Step 1Begin by installing the Tipard Blu-ray Copy on your computer. Once installed, run the program to start doing your task.

Step 2Insert the Blu-ray disc you want to protect into your computer's disc drive. Select your preferred copy mode, Full Disc, Main Movie, Clone, or Write Data. If you want to copy the entire content, go for Full Disc.

Step 3Pick the Blu-ray disc as the Source. Then, decide where you want to copy the content on the Target.

Step 4Suppose you choose the Full Disc; you can enable the Remove HD Audio. Besides that, you can rename the Volume Level, set your Target Size, and Copy.

Step 5Once settled, click the Start button to copy the Blu-ray disc to a folder or ISO image files.

Part 3. FAQs about Fixing a Scratched DVD

What is the DVD scratch remover?

DVD scratch removers are tools or products designed to fix scratches on DVDs. They come in various forms, such as liquids, polishing compounds, or special cloths. Some use mechanical buffing, while others involve chemical solutions.

Does toothpaste remove DVD scratches?

You can apply a bit of slightly abrasive toothpaste onto the scratched area of the disc. Gently rub it using your fingers in straight motions. After that, rinse off the toothpaste with running water and carefully dry the DVD using a lint-free cloth.

Do minor scratches affect DVDs?

Thanks to error correction, minor scratches usually would not cause issues when playing DVDs. However, CDs are more delicate because their data layers are closer to the surface. Even a tiny scratch from a fine-point pen can seriously damage a CD, making it hard or impossible to fix.

Why do DVDs become unreadable?

Disc rot refers to how DVDs can go wrong and become impossible to read due to chemical breakdown. It happens because of the reflective layer rusting, reactions with dirt, and damage from UV light. Besides that, the layers of the disc come apart because the adhesive weakens.

Are there professional services for fixing scratched DVDs?

Yes, some stores or online services offer professional DVD repair. They use special machines or techniques to resurface the disc, removing scratches and restoring its functionality.

By Jane Pineda on Mar 06, 2024