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How to Fix the PS3 Blu-Ray Lens

If your PlayStation 3's laser lens gets dusty in any way, it has the potential to cripple your entire system. The lens is used to read Blu-ray video discs and game discs for playback on the console. The dust could obstruct the lens, which would prevent the laser from reading the content and playing back the information on-screen. Other problems, like obsolete firmware or incorrect settings, can also cause havoc for the PS3's laser lens.

Instructions

- 1
  Run "System Update." This feature downloads and installs any official updates to the software (also called "firmware") that runs on your console at all times. System Update is the first option in the "Settings" menu. Newer Blu-ray discs may be incompatible with older hardware, so the problem with the lens may simply be that it doesn't know how to read the disc. Updating the firmware will update the lens' ability to read newer software.
- 2
  Enter the "Video" section of the "Settings" menu and make sure your PlayStation 3's Blu-ray capabilities are configured correctly. The options selected in "Video" should match the types of cables and equipment in your home theater setup. For example, if you connected your PS3 to your TV with an HDMI cable, "HDMI" should be selected. Incorrect settings can cause the Blu-ray lens to incorrectly interpret and output video information from a Blu-ray disc.
- 3
  Insert a laser lens cleaner into your PlayStation 3 to get any dust or dirt out of the inside of the system. These discs can be purchased in electronics stores. They are inserted into the console the same way a regular Blu-ray disc or game disc gets inserted. The disc spins around and cleans the lens and then ejects itself, fixing the lens' dirt-related problems in the process.
- 4
  Send your PlayStation 3 to Sony for repairs. If you are unable to fix your PlayStation 3 Blu-ray lens on your own, your only choice left is to send it to Sony. Opening and attempting to fix the PlayStation 3 Blu-ray lens yourself could result in permanently damaging the system - it was not designed to be fixed by the user - and will void your PlayStation 3 warranty. Fill out an "Online Service Request" form on Sony's website and detail the problem you are having. You will be instructed where you should send your PlayStation 3 and how long it will take to fix your Blu-ray lens.

PlayStation 3