Xbox 360 unreadable disc Solved/Closed

Question

Hello,

I have a premium Xbox 360 that I bought this summer in August, and for the past two weeks, I've been having a problem with it. It started off slowly, but today it can't read any of my Xbox 360 games; it reads all my music CDs and DVDs but not my games LOL. When I put a game in, it displays "Xbox interface unreadable." I can hear it trying to read, but then it stops and displays this message. So I was wondering if there’s any way to fix this without having to send it to customer service, because they're just going to send me a refurbished unit that’s been opened 50 times, and I’ll have to return it in six months LOL. I want to clarify that my console is horizontal and not vertical. Thank you, I look forward to your response.

Best regards, Godhunter

Configuration: Windows XP Firefox 2.0.0.11

Plouct · Accepted Answer

No, it's not your Xbox! It's due to a "circular" scratch that makes reading the disc totally impossible!
Take the damaged CD and try to look at it with the reflection of the light; it will look thin like it's scratched and it will make a perfect circle.

-But, what is it due to?-

Well, in 90% of cases, it's due to a misorientation of the Xbox! What is that? It's simply when you leave your Xbox lying down for a long time (or not) and suddenly you stand it up. Okay, I'm exaggerating on the "suddenly," it happens as soon as you misorient your Xbox, period.

-The solution to the problem-

It happened to me with GTA4, no luck, a disc that costs 60?! I was very annoyed, the seller didn’t want to take it back (Micromania tests the game first). I then did an in-depth search on the web. And I came up with MY solution!! My solution is to save your game on the hard drive!

WHAT?

Yes, you need to save it! I forgot the steps, sorry! :/
But basically, it went like this: I borrowed the game GTA4 from my friend, I saved it on my hard drive, and since to read a save on the HDD you need the original CD, I tested it with my damaged CD and... BAM, it launched the game without problems!! The principle is that the whole game is on the HDD so the CD is just a verification that you own the game! For the save procedure, rummage through the library in the game menus (in the Xbox interface). If you really need it, I’ll go on my console to repeat the procedure and explain it to you!

-Second solution!-

“Here’s a miracle remedy to bypass this message and play normally. In the Xbox 360 menu, go to the system tab. Then click on memory and then Y. Important, do not format or rename. Perform the following maneuver in order:

X,X,LB,RB,XX

This maneuver should open a menu on the right asking you to upgrade the storage. Press 'yes' and technically, you won’t get that unreadable disc message anymore.”

Geilekrolle · Answer

Hi, I have the same problem as you. To partially solve the issue, keep your console horizontal and every time you turn on your Xbox, at first it displays the Xbox interface, then instead of clicking to launch the game that's in the console, you manually open the Xbox tray, then close it without doing anything, and after that, the problem hardly occurs anymore.

ploiseau · Answer

I found the solution to your unreadable disc problem:
Take the GTA IV disc out of your Xbox 360 or PS3 console, look at it in the light to see if you can spot any small circular scratches on the readable surface of the disc.

These are not scratches, but a kind of glue: Perhaps liquid polycarbonate. More information at this link: http://www.supa9.com/dommages.html

Steps to follow:

1) Once you have identified the glue marks, get a tissue.

2) Blow on your disc to create some fog over the entire surface.

3) With your tissue, gently rub over the visible glue marks. Do this perpendicularly to the surface of the disc, do not make circular movements.

4) Repeat the process several times until you achieve satisfactory results (the marks should disappear).

I had this unreadable disc problem, my disc would freeze every ten minutes, thanks to this simple technique, I was able to play recently for three hours without any issues. Instead of a patch, grab your tissues and wipe your discs rather than your tears!!! lol

Aquabon · Answer

Hello everyone,

This is not a hard drive problem. Here is an article that explains a bit about it. In my case, it even fried my console (see my post in response to the article). My console has gone to customer service, but I don't know if the game will work once it's repaired... In any case, as you'll read, Rockstar is apparently looking to release a patch to resolve this issue, which seems to be widespread. But when this patch will be available, I have no idea. I will try to remember to update you if the game works once I get my console back, in about ten days probably.

Here is the link to the article: http://www.xbox-360.fr/

A+++

Aquabon

Lionel031 · Answer

Ploiseau Thank you very much, I indeed did what you recommended: Take the CD and rub it with a tissue or a soft material perpendicularly. Thanks again and enjoy the games.

Quelqu' un qui a marre que GTA IV ne marche pas : · Answer

I looked on my disk and there are some kind of little marks!! Is it that?? Your polycarbonate liquid!!! ??

Aquabon · Answer

Continuation of message 7.

I received my console after a quick round trip (about 10 days in total) to customer service and GTA is now running perfectly. They changed the motherboard, I believe. So there you go, customer service seems to be the best solution.

Aquabon

seamaster · Answer

I also have this problem, but not with GTA because I don't have it.
I have the problem with Colin McRae Dirt and with Mass Effect.
I have two Xbox 360s and I have the same problem, yet one of them went in for repair due to the red lights.
But I've noticed that when it happened, my console was saving or recording something on the hard drive
because I never have the problem during a cutscene or gameplay.
So I wonder if it’s not the hard drive that’s acting up with the console. I removed it and then put it back in, pressing it firmly, and for now the problem hasn’t reappeared in Mass Effect. Strangely, after removing the hard drive—console off, of course!!!—when I put it back, I played a game, Quake 4, and my console asked me which save device I wanted to use; I had to re-confirm my hard drive. My question about this is, why did it ask that since my console was off when I removed the hard drive? How did it know???
So as you said, for me it’s fine on this game; we’ll see. Plus, it shouldn’t be the console because it doesn’t happen with all games. As for the issue with the scratches on Colin McRae, I treated the disc with a Skip Doctor (the thing that micro-polishes the surface of a disc), and that’s not why the problem disappeared.

ZZZ Ronin · Answer

Hi, I know I'm a bit late, but for those who still have the unreadable disk problem, I happened to stumble upon this info:

https://www.game-focus.com/?nav=new&nid=9371

I haven't tested it, but I think it's worth a try. According to what's said, it's the hard drive that would be at fault and not the reader, and that this manipulation would fix that.

Good luck!

SPADS77 · Answer

D'accord, mais est-ce que ça efface les sauvegardes contenues dans le disque dur ?

SPADS77 · Answer

IF I USE YOUR TIP I'M FREAKED OUT ABOUT LOSING ALL MY BACKUPS SO WHAT DO I DO? DID YOU ERASE THEM?

SPADS77 · Answer

Please answer me.

SPADS77 · Answer

Please, I’m fed up that my Saints Row isn’t working, so does your technique erase the saves?

ZZZ ronin · Answer

No idea. I've never tried it before. I guess not, otherwise Microsoft would be getting their behind kicked by everyone who tried it.

Otherwise, you just need to back up your backups on a memory card. I know it's long and tedious, but it's doable.

SPADS77 · Answer

Thank you ZZZronin

SPADS77 · Answer

But is it really effective?

SPADS77 · Answer

BECAUSE IT'S ONLY SAINTS ROW THAT DOESN'T WORK EVEN THOUGH I'VE CHANGED IT 3 TIMES AT MICROMANIA

SPADS77 · Answer

I TRIED IT, IT DIDN'T DELETE MY BACKUPS BUT IT STILL DOESN'T WORK, WHAT TO DO? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SPADS77 · Answer

A response please

SPADS77 · Answer

Please respond to me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SPADS77 · Answer

A response please!

caneton91 · Answer

Honestly, no, there's no other solution than customer service because it's often the first signs before a death ring, and either they exchange a component in your console or give you a brand new one.
Just know that you won't have a console for three weeks, so you won't be able to play Gears of War 2 right away.

angelsstil91 · Answer

Buy yourself a PS3.

je · Answer

It works for me when I don't connect the hard drive, but when I connect it, it doesn't work.

arnaud1074 · Answer

I bought Blacksite yesterday, started playing right away, and suddenly the game bugged, then the console shut down. I turn it back on and restart the game, and the Xbox tells me this: unreadable disc, please clean the disc with a soft cloth and restart the console. The disc was scratched, and before that, it was brand new.

jeff82 · Answer

Salut, j'ai exactement le même problème avec GTA 4. Quand je le mets dans le lecteur, ça lit pendant 2 secondes puis ça ouvre le lecteur. J'aurais aimé avoir plus de renseignements, merci.

léo · Answer

Hello, I bought an Xbox 360 Elite about 3 months ago and so far there have been no problems. However, yesterday I wanted to play my game Need for Speed Undercover. The Xbox starts normally, but when it gets to loading, I hear the Xbox shut down and it says "Unreadable disc, clean it with a soft cloth." I did all that, but it still says "Unreadable disc." So I went to Micromania and the salesperson changed the game for me. When I got home, the game did exactly the same thing: "Unreadable disc." The next day, I went back to Micromania and the salesperson told me that it might be the beginning of the end for my Xbox, but I find that strange since my console is only 3 months old and all my other games work perfectly (10). The salesperson agreed to give me a new game, Grid 2, and it works perfectly. So I would like to know if I can play my games peacefully now, thinking that it was the game that had the problem or if I should send my console in for repair to Microsoft support.  P.S.: The salesperson tried the game on his Xbox and it worked perfectly.  Thank you in advance, hoping you'll find a solution to my problem.

SgEd29 · Answer

Sorry, I don't have an answer to your problem, but I have another one. Like you, I see that the disk is unreadable and all that talk, but only because I'm logged into my Xbox Live account. I tried it without logging in and it works perfectly. So if someone has an answer. Otherwise, it's okay, I'll send it for repair for the first time.   PS: The game is COD5.

INDY · Answer

lately impossible to launch cod5 unreadable disk and I tried this method and since then it works perfectly  https://www.game-focus.com/?nav=new&nid=9371

joe · Answer

Hello I have the same problem as you argh I wanted to know if I could send my Xbox console to customer service knowing that I don't have a receipt :s Do you think they will accept it? Thanks in advance

PIERRE1 · Answer

J'ai eu le même problème, et je me suis rendu compte que quand je mettais ma XBOX à la verticale sur le support (donc droite), les disques devenaient tous illisibles. Donc depuis, je la mets à l'horizontale sur le support (donc allongée) et tous mes jeux se lisent correctement.

Shiv' · Answer

For my part, I had a problem with Street Fighter, I followed this advice: lay the Xbox flat and it works!

Crydropdead · Answer

Hello!  Actually, I have the same problem as all of you and there are two explanations as well as three solutions.  It can be due to your gaming quota! If the XBOX runs too often, it will start to malfunction. It can also be caused by the lens; if there's even a speck of dust in front of it, bam, it goes out.  As for the solutions!  Play less often but more effectively. Before each game, blow into the disc tray. Use a cleaning kit for CDs. Change the lens (priced between 110 and 150 €).  Otherwise, customer support is always available.

lefloflo34 · Answer

Salut, crydropdead is right, but there’s one last solution: you can save the game to the hard drive; after that, you just need the game to start, then the CD stops spinning. I had the same issues and it worked for me.

Crydropdead · Answer

Regarding customer service, to avoid losing points and progress, there are quite powerful memory cards available to reintegrate your saves and replace them on the new console!

zabimarou · Answer

Hello, I had the same issue with my Xbox 360 Elite, it kept displaying unreadable disc in the middle of a game. It was annoying. The problem isn't the drive, it's the lens that's messed up. It's probably due to its wear (turning the 360 on and off, etc.). Here’s a solution to the problem: don't even think about customer service, (we live in Frankfurt and my dad works at Microsoft) here's what customer service does: they take your Xbox and swap it for another one that might have another issue, by polishing it up with plastic, they make it look new in a package that makes you believe it’s new, and the worst part is we pay 88 euros! Here’s what you should do: - Buy an Xbox 360 with ROD (three red lights) with a functional BENQ drive (preferably), it costs 30 euros. - Take your Xbox to a professional (I repaired mine when I was traveling in Morocco in the medina of Casablanca, the Moroccans are pros in this matter and only for 630 dirhams = less than 63 euros). - Ask the pro to change the drive (I asked for an adjustment that had a 50% chance of success and 50% of failing, the adjustment almost failed so he gave me a new drive from an ROD Siemens Xbox, and he generously gave me 2 games plus a flash of Xtreme 1.6 as compensation). - Test your box normally it should work, if the problem persists it’s simple, take the hard drive out of your console and smash it with a baseball bat and buy a new Xbox or a PS3. See you!

heg65 · Answer

Hello everyone. I have the same problem as all of you, with the only difference being that mine is with all games (actually, I only have 2: COD6 and Fable 2). The problem starts when launching the game. I hear it starting up, then when the screen goes black, the console stops (it makes no more noise). I conclude that the disc stops spinning. A message appears, here it is: "This disc is unreadable. 1. Clean the disc with a soft cloth. 2. Restart the console"  I've already tried both solutions many times, I also blew into the disc drive, I checked many forums but none had an effective solution. I also tested it with a DVD and the console read it without difficulties! Does anyone have the same problem as me? Does anyone have an answer to this problem? Please reply to me.   PS: I no longer have the warranty (it expired 2 months ago)   Happy New Year to everyone!

Japmad · Answer

Hello Zabimaru, I would like to know who the professionals you are talking about are and where to find them. I am located in Rennes, and I don't know where to go.  Thank you for responding as quickly as possible because my Xbox isn't even reading my first games anymore.

Plouct · Answer

No, this doesn't come from your Xbox! It's due to a so-called "circular" scratch that makes reading the disk completely impossible!
Take the damaged CD and try to see it with the reflection of the light, it will look fine like scratched and it will make a perfect circle.
[B]-What is it due to?-[/b]
Well, in 90% of cases, it's due to misalignment of the Xbox! What is that? It's simply when you leave your Xbox lying down for a long time (or not) and suddenly you stand it up. Okay, I'm exaggerating with "suddenly," it happens as soon as you misalign your Xbox, period.
[B]-The solution to the problem-[/b]
It happened to me with GTA4, bad luck, a disk for 60?! I was very angry, the seller didn't want to take it back (Micromania tests the game beforehand). So I did an in-depth search on the web. And I came up with MY solution!! My solution involves saving your game on the hard drive!
WHAT?!
Yes, you need to save it! I forgot the steps, sorry! :/
But basically, it went like this: I borrowed the game GTA4 from my friend, I saved it on my hard drive, and since to read a save on the HDD you need the original CD, I tested it with my damaged CD and... BAM, it launched the game without problems!! The principle is that the entire game is on the HDD, so the CD just serves as a verification that you own the game! For the backup procedure, fiddle around in the library, in the game menus (in the Xbox interface). If you really need, I'll jump on my console to redo the steps and explain it to you!
[B]-Second solution!-[/b]
"Here’s a miracle remedy to bypass this message and play normally. In the Xbox 360 menu, go to the system tab. Then click on memory and then Y. Important: do not format or rename. Perform the following maneuver in order:
X, X, LB, RB, XX
This maneuver should open a menu on the right asking you to upgrade the storage. Press “yes,” and technically, you won't have that unreadable disk message anymore."

Aide · Answer

Hello or good evening, so, I think I have the solution! So, here's a little quote:  Hello everyone, At Christmas, I bought the Xbox 360 Elite with the Halo pack and I have a very annoying problem: I finished Halo 3 a while ago, I want to restart the campaign on Legendary, opening cinematic, loading ...: THIS DISC IS UNREADABLE As recommended, I rebooted the console, that didn't work, I cleaned the disc with a soft cloth, still not working.... So, I try my other game: Halo 3: ODST, I played for several days until I got to the end of mission 8 (with Dare). I kill the enemies (Drones) until I reach the final checkpoint, loading ... THIS DISC IS UNREADABLE. Same as for Halo 3, I tried cleaning but with no effect...So here I am calling on you to help me find solutions so that my discs work again ;) Best regards. 0pport'    Hello again, Well, my Halo Multiplayer works, but the previously mentioned method does nothing, it is supposed to open a window when the button combination is done... however, that's not the case.  Info +: Be careful not to move the Xbox while it is on with a disc inside otherwise the disc gets scratched :D.  The solution: Quote from Thiht: Sand the CD with sandpaper, it will work afterward.  I tried and it works perfectly! :hap:   Well this little bit, I think it’s nonsense... but anyway ...: Seriously, I read a solution that works and it’s more ridiculous than the nonsense... The solution to your problem is toothpaste with microbeads (Yes) It removes the scratches... Tested and approved by Rccsebastien. http://www.infos-du-net.com/actualite/photoreportages/129-disque-dentifrice-dvd.htmlInfo  above.

Plouct · Answer

No, it's not your Xbox! It's due to a "circular" scratch that makes reading the disc totally impossible!
Take the damaged CD and try to look at it with the reflection of the light; it will look thin like it's scratched and it will make a perfect circle.

-But, what is it due to?-

Well, in 90% of cases, it's due to a misorientation of the Xbox! What is that? It's simply when you leave your Xbox lying down for a long time (or not) and suddenly you stand it up. Okay, I'm exaggerating on the "suddenly," it happens as soon as you misorient your Xbox, period.

-The solution to the problem-

It happened to me with GTA4, no luck, a disc that costs 60?! I was very annoyed, the seller didn’t want to take it back (Micromania tests the game first). I then did an in-depth search on the web. And I came up with MY solution!! My solution is to save your game on the hard drive!

WHAT?

Yes, you need to save it! I forgot the steps, sorry! :/
But basically, it went like this: I borrowed the game GTA4 from my friend, I saved it on my hard drive, and since to read a save on the HDD you need the original CD, I tested it with my damaged CD and... BAM, it launched the game without problems!! The principle is that the whole game is on the HDD so the CD is just a verification that you own the game! For the save procedure, rummage through the library in the game menus (in the Xbox interface). If you really need it, I’ll go on my console to repeat the procedure and explain it to you!

-Second solution!-

“Here’s a miracle remedy to bypass this message and play normally. In the Xbox 360 menu, go to the system tab. Then click on memory and then Y. Important, do not format or rename. Perform the following maneuver in order:

X,X,LB,RB,XX

This maneuver should open a menu on the right asking you to upgrade the storage. Press 'yes' and technically, you won’t get that unreadable disc message anymore.”

mih2o · Answer

The Best Solution... I have the experience, I've had the same problem...  So listen carefully:  - Before turning off your Xbox 360, go to the Xbox interface, then turn off the console,  because it's often due to the disc drive starting up poorly.  Or  - Go scratch your CD at the video game store, it's 5 euros and it's effective!   There's no better solution, believe me!!

kevin · Answer

j'ai un r5 qui est rayé, aidez-moi s'il vous plaît

kevin · Answer

It's scratched in the middle, let me explain. There's a hole to hold the disc and then there are two scratches, 1cm on each side, and they are 1cm long in the 16mm. Please reply to me as soon as possible, lol. Thank you very much.

titididi36 · Answer

Hello, it happened to me too, then I cleaned the disc and restarted the Xbox and it stopped. I hope it will work.

remy66fr · Answer

Salut ! To properly clean a disc, go to Micromania, you pay 5 euros, and they have a machine to repair games. I've already done it, and the result is favorable.

Red I AIGl3 · Answer

You need to send it for repair because the reader might be broken.

adamus42 · Answer

ta essayer avec un autre jeu ????

aure13800 · Answer

Hello, I've had the same one as you for 2 years, I have the same problem as you and on top of that it takes about 15 minutes to read the game. I've been told that it’s probably because there’s dust inside. So try giving it a blast with some computer cleaner and you'll see. If that’s not it, I can't help you. Bye.

omtv · Answer

I'm so disgusted, I just bought FIFA 2011 and when I test it, it tells me to clean the disc. I thought it was the CD that had a problem, so I tried another game and got the same result. Long live Xbox! The Xbox has a two-year warranty that expired a month ago.

nanovirus · Answer

Hello, I've followed the glue and cloth method. Actually, here's the thing: I can see the marks but it's impossible to remove them! Do you have a miracle method? I have Dead Rising and I'd really like to play it. Best regards

Jokos · Answer

It's the same for me :S

anniversary · Answer

I had that and the problem is simple, I changed the lens myself because the warranty costs 100 euros and I repaired it for 20 euros a year ago and it works like new. You just need to order it on eBay, but make sure to check the model of the reader because there are three. Go to the forum geux.com, there are very good tutorials ;) and it's very easy to do.

anniversary · Answer

http://cgi.befr.ebay.be/LASER-LENS-XBOX-360-LITEON-OPTICAL-READER-NEW-/170472284425?pt=FR_SK_JeuxVideo_Accessoires&hash=item27b0f0a109 for Liteon and there are Hitachi, be careful.

anniversary · Answer

it's not complicated, you have three possibilities  1. scratched disc and we will have it polished for 5 euros at a game seller  2. potentiometers misaligned on the lens, very meticulous and precise adjustment, see tutorial  3. wear of the lens or lens in poor condition, just replace it, takes a total of   and for everything 30 minutes while reading the tutorials

anniversary · Answer

and Microsoft's customer service is very bad, returns of Xbox in worse condition than when we sent it or not our Xbox one in another condition.

xboxman · Answer

Your Xbox is a piece of trash just like you, go buy another one you filthy gypsy.

theporc · Answer

WAI I hope you're doing well, I'm a bit pissed off. I'm going to play a little on the Xbox (Assassin's Creed). I would have lent it to you, but I don't lend it to Russian gypsies mmmmeeeeuuuuhhh.

captainspoutnik · Answer

The best solution for scratches is deodorant. It works every time. For example, my FIFA 11 CD had a circular scratch 3 days ago: a quick spray of deodorant, a rub with a tissue, and the disc is as good as new.

typtop595 · Answer

Salut, I had the same issue, but there's something that surprises me: when I removed all the storage devices, the game runs strangely pffffffffffffffffffff. So just so you know, remove the device and put it back once the game is launched. Bye, and voilà, it's resolved!

ClemSh00t14 · Answer

You paid for your after-sales service :O if you send it to Microsoft, it's free and I guarantee you that it's reliable! ;)

flo0wZz · Answer

I'm having the worst experience! I have Call of Duty Black Ops, all modes work except for multiplayer, which means that when I go into multiplayer there is no sound and 2 seconds later the game becomes unplayable, none of the solutions given work!!  Any help would be appreciated!!  Thanks in advance.

Xbox 360 unreadable disc

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