It is not reading the blank disks anymore

Make sure the disc you using are labeled "Consumer Audio". These units will not work with standard audio CDR. I have one of these and only use it for playback now because the "Consumer Audio" disc usually cost more and are sometimes hard to find. These were cool when they 1st came out but today I find it easier and cheaper to use my computer to make my audio disc.

Sounds like that may be the case. You can buy one of those cd cleaning discs and try using that. or if you want to spend the time dis-assembling the recorder and use some rubbing alchohol and a q-tip to clean the laser lens. Otherwise not worth the cost to repair.