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How to Fix a PSP When it Will Not Read a Game Disk

Portable gaming systems are a wonder of modern technology, but they are also prone to breakdowns and glitches due to their hard-wearing nature. If your PSP stops reading game discs, the natural instinct is to send it back to Sony for fixing. However, if you̵7;re outside the warranty, you might be looking for a cheaper method that can be done at home. With a little friendly guidance and some supplies, it̵7;s possible.

Things You'll Need

Can of compressed air
Cotton swabs on sticks
Rubbing alcohol

Instructions

- 1
  Open your PSP carefully and remove any game or movie discs. Insert only the tip of the nozzle of the compressed air can into the PSP and use short bursts to clean the visible areas, focusing especially on the reader lens and disc-turning mechanism. Be careful not to damage any internal parts; the compressed air can be extremely powerful.
- 2
  Pour some rubbing alcohol onto one end of a cotton swab and gently clean the lens of the disc reader using small, circular motions. Look closely for accumulated dust; use a clean swab to remove it.
- 3
  Try to determine the cause of the malfunction by diagnosing the symptoms and searching for them on Sony̵7;s troubleshooting website. (See Resources below.) For example, a harsh clicking sound while trying to load a disc is indicative of bad bearings in the driver, whereas inconsistent working/not-working game discs might be slightly cracked. Knowing the symptoms and cause of your problem will help you fix it yourself or approach a professional with a defined problem.

Sony PSP