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How to Fix a Clicking Sound in a PS2 Slim Lens

A clicking sound in the disc tray of the PlayStation 2 indicates a laser and lens misalignment, which also causes a disc-reading error on some, if not all, of the game or movie discs. This clicking and read error can often be fixed by blowing compressed air inside the tray and optical lens of the disc reader. But if cleaning doesn̵7;t solve the problem, you should disassemble the PS2 to clean the lens thoroughly and then realign the laser beam, to get it to read the game discs correctly.

Things You'll Need

Phillps screwdriver
Precision screwdriver set
Compressed air
Various test games

Instructions

- 1
  Remove any adapters or cables from the PlayStation 2 console. Turn the device upside down, and remove all the rubber stop feet and square tabs. Insert the flat edge of a screwdriver underneath a tab, to pop it out. Unfasten the 10 screws located under the rubber tabs, with a Phillips screwdriver.
- 2
  Turn the PlayStation 2 back over, right-side up. Insert the flat edge of a precision screwdriver in the back cover seam. Slowly lift the plastic cover from the PlayStation 2 unit.
- 3
  Locate the interior side of the DVD/CD tray. This will have a black plastic cover on it and is a thin rectangular device. Remove the four screws holding this black cover in place, so you can access the DVD/CD laser-lens area. Use a Phillips precision screwdriver to remove the tiny screws. Lift the cover off, but let it remain dangling from the data cable.
- 4
  Eliminate all the dust, hair or debris you see here. Expect this area to be rather dirty, as dust and dirt tends to accumulate here -- interfering with the reading of a game disc.
- 5
  Connect the PlayStation 2 to the TV and the power outlet, in its open state. Press the ̶0;Eject̶1; button to get better access to the reading lens. Disconnect the PlayStation 2 from the power outlet again. Blow compressed air into the lens and crevices you see.
- 6
  Note the small, horizontal, white plastic disk behind and underneath the lens. This gear adjusts the level of the lens. Mark the current position of the gear at the point where it touches the silver plate. Do this so you can take the gear back to this point, if necessary.
- 7
  Turn the gear just a little ways clockwise. Note the lens rise a tiny bit as every clockwise turn raises it. Place a game disc in the tray, and put the black cover back on. Hold the cover firmly down but not too tightly or it will start clicking. Plug a controller into the front, and connect the PlayStation 2 to the power outlet.
- 8
  Test the game to see if it works. If not, turn the gear one level clockwise, and test the game again. Continue testing with other games to ensure they also work. Keep turning the gear one notch at a time, until you find the right gear position.
- 9
  Replace the covers, when you find the right play location for the lens. Replace the PlayStation 2 outer cover, and play or watch movies as usual.

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