PS1 My PS1 is skipping on spotless discs. Any way to fix this?

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

Thought I might ask. My console has occasional trouble reading some discs that appear, at least to my eye, to be spotless. Is there any way to adjust the laser strength or something to fix this, or is it worth looking into buying a whole other console?

 

[bjork]

What model of PS1 is it? If memory serves, the originals had issues overheating, until the version with the red box in 97. That would cause skipping and people did all kinds of stuff to try and combat it, but I saw "put your playstation upside down" as a common one back then.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

What model of PS1 is it? If memory serves, the originals had issues overheating, until the version with the red box in 97. That would cause skipping and people did all kinds of stuff to try and combat it, but I saw "put your playstation upside down" as a common one back then.

It's an SCPH-9001. No Parallel port, single AV port, but original design.

 

[Klonoa7]

Back when I owned a PS1 and had that problem I would clean the disc lens with a cotton swab that had a slight amount of isopropyl alcohol on the tip and the games ran fine after that.

 

[TruxtonTatsujin]

might have to look into getting a replacement laser. They're not too expensive, just have to make sure you get the right one for your model. Swapping it out is fairly easy.

 

[bjork]

It's an SCPH-9001. No Parallel port, single AV port, but original design.

Doing a little clicking around, it could be time to replace the optical drive entirely, or that it just needs lubricated. I guess both involve disassembly, so that may be more of a chore than you're looking for.

 

[RageBurner]

If you are noticing an abnormal amount of noise when the PS1 attempts to read a disc, it would point out to what Bjork said. Maybe the drive motor could be faulty, or the lens assembly could be.

 

[FFTW]

The Playstation 1 (and 2 too) is well known for laser errors, so that would most likely be the case. I recommend a replacement laser.

 

[maddogmcclure]

Turn it upside down ;)

Kidding aside, the real fix is a new laser and a replacement PSU like the PicoPSU

 

[Leon]

As has been said already it's likely the laser failing, replacing the laser is braindead easy on the ps1 so you could probably just buy one off of ebay or somewhere and do it yourself, no soldering required (last i checked, it used a ribbon cable).

 

[Blamhammer]

PlayStation 1 lasers are very old now, and I would point to it as the failure point.

SCPH-1000 units positioned the laser near the PSU, which can cause issues. The housing holding the laser unit in place was also made of plastic, so having it go back and forth on the rails wore down the sides causing the housing to slant ever so slightly.

Thats why they say turn your PS1 upsidedown, it levels out the laser so it reads the disc straight on, rather than at an angle!

SCPH-5000 onwards had metal housings and auto power adjustment to the laser.

A note for anyone buying a new laser - keep the original laser housing and only replace the laser itself.
The rails on all the replacements I bought don't have any lubrication on them and the CD spindle was always warped or placed at the wrong height.

 

[tigg]

sounds like a dirty/defective laser eye

 

[G78]

If your PS1 has trouble reading discs (long loading times, stuttering video/audio, read errors), you can try adjusting the laser trimpot. This is a small variable resistor on the optical block that controls the laser power.
How to adjust it :
1.Disassemble the console – unscrew the bottom screws and remove the cover. On the laser unit, you’ll find a small trimpot (usually white or metallic).
2.It’s a good idea to measure the initial resistance with a multimeter – this way, you can revert the settings if needed. Typical values range from 600-1000 ohms, but it depends on the model.
Turn it slightly clockwise – this increases the laser power. Do it very carefully, just 1-2 degrees at a time, then test how well the console reads discs.
Risks:
If you turn it too much, the laser can burn out quickly, and you’ll need a replacement.
The goal is to set the lowest possible value that still ensures stable reading.
If the lens is dirty or the laser is already weak, try cleaning it first (cotton swab + alcohol) instead of immediately adjusting the trimpot.
On later PSone models (SCPH-10x), the laser is more delicate, so be extra careful.
Other things to try:
Clean the lens from dust and dirt.
Check the quality of your discs (originals or good burns at low speed).
If nothing helps, consider replacing the laser unit.
If done carefully, this adjustment can bring your PS1’s disc drive back to life. There are plenty of guides online with photos and videos showing the process, so if you’re unsure, it’s best to check those first.