How to Fix an Optical Block

Press down on the rocker switch on the PS3's back left corner. Do nothing until the red standby light has faded out. Remove the power cord from the back of the PS3. Remove the video and audio cables from the back of the PS3. Rotate the PS3 so you can see its back.

Wipe around the edges of the optical block with a soft cloth. Wipe the folding lid at the center of the optical block with an edge of the cloth.

Moisten another edge of the cloth with isopropyl alcohol. Press in on the center of the optical block with the edge to force the collapsing door to open inward. Wipe around the inside edges of the door with the moistened cloth. Remove the cloth.

Straighten a paperclip. Press an end of the paperclip against the center of the optical block to open the collapsing door. Hold the door open for two minutes so the alcohol can evaporate. Remove the paperclip from the center of the block.

Moisten another edge of the cloth with the alcohol. Wipe an end of the fiber optical cable with the moistened cloth. Line up the protruding tab on the end of the cable with the depression at the bottom of the optical block. Press the cable into the center of the optical block. Pull the cable out after a second has passed. Repeat this procedure an additional two times.

Press an end of the paperclip into the center of the optical block to open the collapsing door. Hold the door open for two minutes. Blow a burst of compressed air into the optical block.

Plug the power cord back into the back of the PS3. Push up on the rocker switch. Confirm that you can see a red light coming out of the optical block before removing the paper clip. Push the rocker switch down. Insert an end of the fiber optical cable into the optical block.

Reattach the video cable to the back of the PS3. Turn the PS3 back around. Push up on the rocker switch.