Do CD player cleaners work?

[Ari]

I've got an old (but otherwise perfectly good) CD player that's started skipping and jumping tracks. I've seen CD player cleaners for sale, but given that it's an optical reader, I'm a little skeptical.

Anyone had any joy with these?

[TheOversteerLever]

I've used them years ago and they've had the desired effect. Worth a pop for a couple of quid on eBay.

[LuS1fer]

Yes albeit they are crude. They have a little brush you put cleaner on which sweeps the laser.

[Tony1963]

If the CD player has little to no value, then go for it. However, the cause of your problem can be a faulty transport, and no amount of cleaning the laser's lens will help.

If the player has value, it can be possible to fit a new one for little money.

[jmorgan]

I have two discs that seem to get a bit skippy (no not kangaroo). Run the cleaner and they play OK. Not sure why, seems an odd thing to do when all the others are fine.

[Tony1963]

jmorgan said:

I have two discs that seem to get a bit skippy (no not kangaroo). Run the cleaner and they play OK. Not sure why, seems an odd thing to do when all the others are fine.

Those particular discs might have scratches that the error correction in the player struggles to cope with.

[jmorgan]

My first thought was scratches. I suspect the disc pressing/construction as they seem spotless however run the cleaner once and they run fine and it may be several discs before they come out again and they will be OK then one day, off they go again. Run the cleaner and all is good for another few runs.

Not a dusty room. Maybe, maybe not. Cannot see the laser in mine without prodding around with a torch.

[Ari]

Cool, thanks. I’ll give it a go.

[LuS1fer]

Worth washing your CDs in warm water and washing up liquid to remove any inadvertent finger grease too.

[Monty Python]

There is also the possibility that the head isn't moving freely - as they get older the lubricant on the guide rails becomes less effective.

[Ari]

Bought an Allsop Pro Lens Cleaner from Amazon, and so far it appears to have done the trick!

It has little brushes on it which presumably sweep the laser head thingy, so not in fact just witchcraft. (Or at least, not entirely...)