How to Fix a PS3 Disc Read Error

Open the PS3 Case

• 1

  Remove the power cord and audio and video cables from the PS3. Lift the hard drive door off from the side. Remove the blue HDD screw from inside the compartment with a Phillips screwdriver.

• 2

  Slide the hard drive out of the PS3 and put it aside. Remove the warranty sticker at the top of the space where the hard drive was. Unscrew the rubber foot from inside the space and put it aside.

• 3

  Slide the top of the PS3 to the left and remove the screws now in sight that have an arrow imprint next to them.

• 4

  Lift the top of the PS3 off from the back until it stops. Turn the PS3 around and remove the ribbon cables connected to the memory card readers if using a first-generation PS3. Take the top of the PS3 off and put it aside.

Replace the Laser

• 5

  Pull up on the Blu-ray drive. Pry the power cable connected to the Blu-ray drive loose with the eyeglass flathead screwdriver. Pull the power cable straight out. Release the tiny black lever beneath the large silver blue cable with your fingernail. Pull the silver/blue cable loose from the Blu-ray drive. Pick up the Blu-ray drive and put it down on the cloth.

  Remove the three black screws from the top of the case. Flip the drive over and lift the entire silver lid off.

• 6

  Remove the disc magnet from the center of the drive mechanism and set it aside. Remove the five black screws from the top of the drive mechanism and set them aside. Flip the drive mechanism over. Locate and remove the four tiny black screws holding down the KES-400AAA part. Remove the four metal brackets that the screws were holding down. Lift and remove the metal rods from the drive. Peel the black tape back and lift up the lever with your fingernail. Remove the defective KES-400AAA laser part.

• 7

  Unscrew the metal bracket attached to the side of the KES-400AAA laser part. Remove the small black screw holding down the white plastic clip. Remove the plastic clip. Remove the KES-400AAA laser.

• 8

  Mount the new laser to both the metal bracket and the white plastic clip. Screw the bracket and plastic clip back into position. Put the laser part back into position on the Blu-ray drive mechanism. Reattach the ribbon cable and clip it back on. Thread the poles back through the holes of the new KES-400AAA laser part and attach the metal brackets. Screw them back in.

• 9

  Put the disc magnet back into position. Screw the five black screws into the drive mechanism and reattach the power cable. Put the magnet back into position on the drive mechanism. Put the silver lid back onto the drive mechanism. Screw the lid back on. Put the Blu-ray drive back into position on the PS3 case. Attach the silver/blue cable and the power cable to the Blu-ray drive.

  Reverse the disassembly process to put the PS3 back together. Connect the PS3 to the power cord and the audio and video cables. Turn on the PS3 and insert a game disc. Play the game.