DVD player

DO NOT LOOK AT AN OPERATING LASER INSIDE A CD PLAYER OR DVD MACHINE; DOING SO CAN DAMAGE YOUR EYES!

ANY OF THE BELOW DESCRIBED PROCEDURES MIGHT DAMAGE YOUR EQUIPMENT MORE THAN IT IS, SO PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK SO I AM NOT ACTUALLY RECOMMENDING THEM :

Often, in cases like this, the focusing lens for the laser is dirty or out of alignment. I don't know how good you are with tools and electronics, but one often has to take out the dvd player to reach the lens directly to clean it. You'd have to be very careful not to scratch the lens or leave any lint, even a tiny hair; you can also knock the movable trolly out of alignment.

I've had good luck with a bit of 90% rubbing alcohol and a cue tip, but some say you need special cleaner. Sometimes a blast of compressed air from one of those cans specially designed for cleaning electronics parts is enough to do the job.

If you can see the lens and you have a long enough red plastic tube that comes with the can you may be able to blast it clean without disassembly. Note that there is a focusing lens and a laser with a lens on it; both often need cleaning, but the lower lens is generally inaccessible without significant disassembly.

Lastly, there are a number of good DVD and CD repair hints for this exact problem because it's fairly common and the fix is generic. You can find these on the web with Google, Just type in key words like " DVD Can't read disc error", or something similar.

GOOD LUCK!