How to Fix a PSP That Won't Read UMDs

Lay the PSP face down on a table and remove the battery. Press the battery cover release latch and remove the battery cover. Pull the battery out of the battery bay.

Remove the seven screws holding the PSP's faceplate in place. There are four screws on the back of the device and three along the sides. Use your PSP safe open tool to carefully pry the faceplate off of the device.

Remove the button bar below the LCD screen. The bar is held in place by retaining tabs on the sides. Use your safe open tool to pry the bar free of the tabs. Disconnect the ribbon cable running from the bar to the logic board.

Slide your safe open tool between the LCD screen and the metal frame, along the top left side of the screen. Carefully pry the screen out of the frame. Use gentle pressure to avoid cracking the screen. Once the screen comes loose, tilt it forward and disconnect the cables running from the screen to the logic board. Remove the screen and lay it face down on the PSP faceplate to protect it.

Disconnect the remaining ribbon cables from the logic board. These remaining cables include the directional button cable, UMD laser cable, and power cable. Every cable must be disconnected to remove the logic board.

Remove the metal bar along the top of the logic board. Carefully pry the directional pad assembly off of the logic board. Remove the screws holding the logic board in place and remove it from the PSP's back case.

Open the UMD door on the back of the device. Notice one of the hinges protrudes through the case to the front side. Use your safe open tool to gently pry the hinge free. Remove the white plastic piece holding the door spring in place and remove the spring. This reveals the second hinge. Pry the second hinge loose and the UMD door can be removed.

Remove the four screws holding the UMD drive in place and remove the UMD drive. Replace it with a new UMD drive and replace the screws. Reverse the previous steps to reassemble your PSP.