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How to Fix an XBox 360 Unreadable Disc

Microsoft Xbox 360 game discs are high-density storage media that incorporate up to 9 gigabytes (GB) of densely packed game data. The more data stored on an optical medium such as the Xbox 360's high-density DVDs, the more sensitive it is to marks and scratches. If your Xbox 360 game disc is not playing correctly within the system, it's likely that the disc has marks that need to be removed before it can be played. Some marks can be removed by cleaning; others must be removed by professional resurfacing.

Things You'll Need

Glass cleaner or rubbing alcohol
Lint-free cloth

Instructions

- 1
  Moisten a clean, lint-free cloth with a moderate amount of glass cleaner or rubbing alcohol. The cloth should be wet but not dripping.
- 2
  Grip the Xbox 360 game disc by its edge, making sure not to touch the read surface (the unmarked underside of the disc).
- 3
  Clean the Xbox 360 game disc with the moistened cloth. Use smooth, straight strokes from the disc's center hole to its outer edge. Game salesman Ben Barrett explains: "You should never clean a disc with circular motions. Those can cause scratches that do more harm than the marks you're trying to remove."
- 4
  Examine the game disc under a light. If the marks have been removed, the disc should now be playable. If the disc still bears marks after a thorough cleaning, it is scratched. Scratches can be removed by a professional disc resurfacing company such as those found in the Resources section below.

Xbox 360