How to Repair a Cracked Game Disc

By S.C. Palmer

Updated September 22, 2017

Items you will need

  • Clean cloth

  • Baking soda toothpaste

  • Cotton swab

Don't throw away your game discs just because they have a little scratch on them.
i compact disc image by Nini from Fotolia.com

It's a situation that is all too common: You pop your favorite video game disc into your console or computer only find that it doesn't work. When you check the disc out, you realize it has a big crack in it. If the crack is deep, there is usually no hope in saving it. You can repair small cracks, however, with just a few common household items.

Check the disc to find out what the problem is. You may want to try putting other discs in your console to make sure it is just the disc and not the console itself. If it is the disc, inspect it to find where all of the cracks are.

Be sure the cloth you use is clean so you don't accidentally scratch the disc further.
i different colored washcloths face cloths on yellow background image by Steve Johnson from Fotolia.com

Make sure the disc is free of dust and debris. Wipe the disc in strokes, not in circular motions, with the cloth.

Apply a bit of toothpaste to a cotton swab. Gently rub the toothpaste on the crack in circular motions. You are essentially buffing out the crack with the toothpaste. You might see little scratches forming, but if the deeper crack is becoming less prominent, then you are doing it correctly. Do not apply too much pressure, as you might break the disc.

When you have diminished the size of the crack, dip a clean cloth into a bit of water and gently wash off the toothpaste. Dry the disc off.

While this method works, it doesn't always work on deeper scratches.
i black game pad and hand image by Warren Millar from Fotolia.com

Test the disc by putting it into your computer or game console. If you are having the same issue, try the toothpaste method again.

Tips

Use a gritty toothpaste, not a gel toothpaste, to buff out cracks.

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