If your PlayStation 3 fails to read games or Blu-Ray discs it could be because of a number of reasons (see below). There are only a few options you can try from home to resolve the issue, but the worst case scenario involves sending it off to Sony to get it repaired (which will cost you money). Before you send it off to Sony, follow this guide and try to resolve the issue yourself.
Reasons for failure:
- Blu-Ray disc is scratched / dirty
- Blu-Ray laser is dirty
- Blu-Ray software failure
- Blu-Ray laser / drive is broken or damaged
- Other hardware failure
Solutions 1 – Clean the Laser and Discs:
Use a lint-free cloth to clean your Blu-Ray discs if they are dirty. If you handle discs regularly, you should avoid touching the under-side of the disc to prevent finger prints and dust. You can use a laser-cleaning disc to clean the actual laser. You can find CD and DVD cleaning discs for a few dollars/pounds. These cleaning discs have a brush on the under-side that clean the laser.
After cleaning the laser and discs, give the game another go and see if it works. If not, try Solution 2.
Solution 2 – Recovery Menu:
Before trying any of the below solutions, we recommend you backup your system to a external hard drive – you can see our video if you need help. Then, follow the guide to access the PS3 Recovery Menu.
The PS3 Recovery Menu has helped solve similar problems in the past, but it doesn’t always work. You should at least consider using the menu before sending your console off for repair. The recovery menu has a few different options you can try.
2.1 – Start with Option 2 – Reset default settings. In most cases, this doesn’t really do much but it’s worth a try.
2.2 – Restore the PS3 File System (Option 3). This will check for corrupted and missing system files but will leave your other data untouched. This can fix any software issues that may affect the drive. Give the game another go and see if this helps.
2.3 – Restore PS3 System (Option 5). Warning: Backup your system before attempting this. This option deletes all data on your PS3 and resets it to factory defaults. You will lose all data, gamesaves etc. This solution has proven to work in some cases. Give the game another go and see if it works.
2.4 – Update Firmware (Option 6). This is the final usable option on the Recovery Menu.. Try and update the firmware on the Ps3 again. Most users complain about disc-read errors after updating their firmware. Reinstalling the firmware can fix any system files that might be damages or corrupted.
Solution 3 – Send to Sony:
If all else fails, you have no other hope but to get the console fixed. If you are out of warranty you can expect to spend over $100 getting it fixed, but it’s still cheaper than buying a new one. This option is especially useful if you own the older 60GB models with backwards compatibility and 4 USB ports, as you can no longer buy these models.