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How to Repair & Realign an XBox 360 Laser

The Xbox 360 is one of the most popular video game consoles. Because of online updates, the life span of the console has increased over time. However, the same cannot be said of the DVD drive. If you've noticed that your Xbox 360 is having a hard time reading your discs, then it may be a problem with the internal lens. Repairing and realigning the Xbox 360 laser is the only way to fix this problem.

Things You'll Need

Xbox 360 case opening tool
Torx
Philips #1
Q-Tips
Lens cleaner or rubbing alcohol
Compressed air
Magnetized screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Open the Xbox 360 using the case opening tool.
- 2
  Lift the DVD drive and remove the drive's two connections attached to the motherboard. Completely remove the drive from the console.
- 3
  Unscrew the two screws from the rear of the DVD drive and unclip the drive from the plastic structure. Remove the two parallel screws from the blue/grey metal covering on the DVD drive. Turn the DVD drive over so the bottom faces you. Pull up on the metal tab located over the IDE connector and slip off the cover. Push in the two catches close to the front of the DVD drive on either side, and lift the top panel off of the drive.
- 4
  Slide the laser lens back if it is forward in the tray. Spray the canned air into the DVD chassis, blowing dust away from the optics. Clean the mirror and lens with lens cleaner or rubbing alcohol applied to a Q-Tip. Let the unit dry thoroughly, and then reassemble the DVD drive into the Xbox 360.
- 5
  Use the magnetic screwdriver to replace the two parallel screws on the top of the DVD drive. Screw in the two screws on the rear of the drive. Slide the bottom and top casing back onto the unit. Plug in the DVD drive's connectors attached to the motherboard and reinsert the unit.

Xbox 360