Disc Won't Play

Sometimes, a Wii or Wii U is unable to read a disc; other times, a game will freeze or crash. Occasionally, the console won't play a disc at all. Before you throw the disc—or the console—out the window, a couple of easy fixes may get you back to your game.

If a disc won't play properly, start by checking the disc. A flaw in the disc could prevent the console from reading it. Hold the bottom side of the disc to the light to see any smudges or scratches.

If a smudge is the culprit, cleaning the disc often fixes the problem. Use a microfiber cloth like the ones used to clean eyeglasses. Or, use a tissue that doesn't include lotion of any kind. Gently rub the smudged spot. When using a tissue, steam the spot with your breath first.

When the disc looks clean, put it in the console. If it doesn't work, find a brighter light and look again. Small scratches and smudges are difficult to find.

A scratch on a disc is more problematic. If the disc is a game you just bought, take it back where you purchased it and exchange it for another one. Otherwise, polish out the scratch to fix a scratched CD. Use a home remedy such as toothpaste, furniture polish, or petroleum jelly to fix the scratch. There are also CD repair kits that include a machine that buffs out scratches for you.

Some older Wii consoles have trouble with dual-layer discs, which pack more information onto the disc. Games that use dual-layer discs include Xenoblade Chronicles and the Metroid Prime Trilogy. If your Wii has trouble reading a dual-layer disc, use a lens-cleaning kit to clean the lens in the console.

If you cleaned the disc and the game console and the disc still won't play, the disc may be bad.