PS3 Blu-ray Lens Problem : Price & Solution

First row of PS3 systems is known for its fragile Blu-ray lenses, Total Manga checks out what seems to be a problem about the earlier model of Sony next-generation console and try to bring solutions for those who do not want to pay for another entirely new system...

[Saaking]

My launch PS3 is still running perfectly. Delivering great gaming day after day.

[Mc Fadge]

But this one problem has caused hell for me.

40GB laser died, covered by warranty. Repaired 40GB laser died, covered by warranty, Re-repaired 40GB laser died, covered by warranty. Launch 60GB laser died, not covered by warranty.

$315 AUS :(

No problems since then, so it has a happy ending I guess.

[deadpoole]

This might sound stupid or nonsense statement but what Ive noticed that leaving game/movie/disc inside drive when PS3 turned off is resulting deterimental to laser life.

It does seem that when PS3 starts with disc in drive takes a big blow on laser life thus resulting in early lens failure ... I dont know I might be wrong, I dont have any research papers on it.

This happened with my Sony DVD player ... died after 1 year of watchin movie cuz of my this habbit (leavin disc in drive)... When I bought same model DVD player again, salesman there told me about this (ejectin disc before turnin it off) at that point I lmao and told him like are u fínf serious about that ... but now its been 8 years (following his method) and same DVD player is workin like champ.

[ApocalypseShadow]

you seem to have fallen into the low industry percentage standard.hope it works out for you.

so far,my ps3 is working great since ps3 US launch(60g now 500g).hope it lasts another 6 years like my ps1/ps2 have.there is the occasional web browser lock up that pisses me off,but other than that,great system.if they fix the browser,then i would say it's near perfect.

but for 3 years,i got my money's($599-not exactly that.i traded in some things beforehand so it's actually less) worth.i have used:

ps1/ps2/ps3/cd/dvd/bluray/web browser/memory sticks/online/streaming/ps2 memory card reader/eyetoy/pseye/swapped my hdd...and...

IT KEEPS ON TICKING.

hope laser diode prices go down so that whomever falls into that low percentage can get a cheaper fix out of warranty.

[LukaX23]

I recommend not eating greasy foods like potato chips or Cheetos before touching your game disc. Call me a clean-freak but I haven't had a single problem with my PS3 and I always wash my hands before touching the game disc, the console or the controller. Even a tiny bit of grease can build-up and attract dust which will probably cause problems with the console.

[terrorofdeath]

Thanks for the tip. Even though there's no evidence on it, I'll keep that in mind.

[Triella]

- dust or fingerprints on disc : the particules and sebum tends to accumulate around the lens dirtying it.
- scratched DVDs may cause calibration problems to the lens.
- bruned CD/DVD : some burner softwares burn discs at an unstable sampling frequency which can result in reading errors or calibration problems;

However, leaving a BR in the console while it's off won't cause any damage as far as I know,

[Projekt7tuning]

@ Mc Fadge
I've commented on this before about my 60 gig. I went through the same deal with my laser, it would play dvds, and PS2 games, but blu-ray no dice. Unfortunately for me I too was out of the first year of warrentee and was so pissed that they wanted $150 us to fix it. I was mostly pissed because I had 2 360s replaced for free because of rrod and Sony was so flip about there customer support. At the time the price of PS3s were uber expensive still, so I just took it for the team and paid. Im glad because of the benefits of having the launch 60gig capability. If it was to happen again my local mom and pop video game store will fix the problem for $89. So I think if it happened again I would take my chances with them. I know quite a few people that had this problem, and if you look at the blu-ray repair kits on ebay, or goggle the problem. It seems to be a lot bigger of a problem than a lot of the hardcore fans on this site will admit. I just wish Sony would recognize the problem and at least make it some what more affordable to fix for the less fortunate.

[BulletToothtony]

that some people that have had this problem sometimes is created because they smoke inside their home..

If you smoke you might want to cover your ps3 somehow without stopping airflow of course, but nicotine can be an electronics killer.. specially with the ps3 since it sucks air like an air purifier.

[IdleLeeSiuLung]

Yeah, more than the RROD. However, with the recent installation option on the 360, this is a non-issue. I have had my Xbox 360 for 2-3 years now with heavy use and had no problems what so ever.

Now instead this is the biggest concern I have for my PS3, since all games require the disc to spin regardless when playing even if an installation is available!

This is the most likely point of failure on any system!!!

[WenisWagon]

Looks like Sony has created another faulty piece of hardware. This is reminiscent of the Disc Read Error problem that plagued the fat ps2s (that I might add, conveniently started to happen right after the warranty expired, forcing many gamers to buy another ps2. Cheap tactic by Fony to boost their sales).

[Bob Dole]

Bob Dole's launch 60gb quit reading Bluray discs about a month before the warranty went out. He called the number and got a box to send it in for repairs. It took them 6 days to send it back. After that the system's been running like a champ except for the fan being ridiculously loud. But Bob Dole smokes like a chimmeny so he assumes that there's hella dust on that fan and is going to duster the hell out of the insides and see if that helps.

[Montrealien]

and because your PS3 is running great it means the rest are Saaking? Typical N4G world revolving around navel comment. Just because you guys seem to have perfect sony consoles all the time does not mean everyone does.

My launch PS3 will be sent of next week for a new Video Card, it will cost me 150$. I am not alone. Now, because my PS3 is broken does it mean they all are? NO!

the PS3 ain't perfect, deal with it kids. Just call the hardware support line, there is a reason we ave like 6 choices to chose from when we call for a defective PS3.

[execution17]

i wish my 60gb was still alive, but the power supply went out 2 friggen days before KZ2 so, i bought one when it came out...fyi i kept mine practically dust free since the day i got it.

just assuming it crapped out because i always had it on

[ultimolu]

Sympathies Fadge. I hope mine doesn't have that problem. This is going on three years since I had mine. I cross fingers and toes that it survives in 2010 and 2011.

[mabreu]

Out of warranty, I decided to buy the slim. Hard choice to make but worth it b/c the replacement system from Sony has a 90 day warranty. My Slim has up to 2 years.

[deadpoole]

PS3 Lens repair cost is horrendous.

[Marty8370]

My launch PS3 is still running perfectly

[komp]

Launch PS3 here. Still going fine so far.

[wxer]

same here

sadly
we cant say the same thing about any Launch 360's

[RuPaul]

Launch 360 working fine here.

[wxer]

@1.3

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
thats funny
thanks foe the laugh that was a good joke

[likedamaster]

My launch core 360(later added HDD) still working NO red rings. There are a lot out there that haven't red ringed but its beside the point.

Launch 60 gigger PS3, no problems.

[4point7BillionLoss]

The blue ray of Doooooom !!!!!

Play Behind ....

[BeastModeYMOB]

My disc drive is broke too. I have a BC 80gb and I've had to send it to sony 1 time already for the YLOD. Then they sent me a brand new one 1 week later, 2 months before MW2 came out my disc drive went out. Sony said they would fix it for $150 but i'm just goin to wait and buy a slim when i'm done gettin my kids x-mas out the way. The kids can have this one until I get it fixed.

[crillyconlig]

on me too, my launch 60gig, stoped reading blurays, lucky i worked in an electronics store at the time and got a free replacement :)

[Myth-Psn]

I havent had a single problem with my Lauch 60gb ps3 console, I think these stories are a result of mis treatment and hate towards the ps3.I mean maybe somone turned their ps3 off during an update, Dropped it, Or Put a disk in the ps3 with something stuck to it,Because here, Neither I nor my 10 friends who've also got a ps3 have had a single issue with it.BTW guys, The "YLOD" doesnt kill your console, If u get it, Check your hard drive, As it means it isnt inserted correctly or broken.You really dont need to send it to sony for a hard drive error, Just buy a new one for 50 euro,If your worried about being charged an arm and a leg for a sony repair.

[Feral Gamer]

You don't have 10 friends....
Also, hate towards the PS3?, that's hilarious

[ReBurn]

You'll say that it's mistreatment until it happens to you. Sometimes these things are defective and they just break.

[Dark_Overlord]

However, I suffered the YLOD (due to the sh1t thermal paste job Sony did with the original models), fixed that myself :) and 2 weeks later the PSU is starting to play up.

So while you say it is due to mis treatment, basically sh1t happens no matter how well you look after your console.

P.S There are 2 possibilities to YLOD, 1 being the HD not positioned correctly, and 2 the solder being shifted on the RSX an Cell.

However as I have recently found out, if you get the red lights with no yellow light, it means its down to the PSU

[Myth-Psn]

Im sure there are some cases where its down to the ps3 itself but the majority of these come from mistreatment.Of the people complaining about sony support, I find that 7 out of ten have opened there ps3 (of the people who have ps3 problems), For whatever reason lol, And Feral Gamer, Keep being an ignorant ass, It will get you places ;).

[OpenGL]

I've had both my 360 and PS3 break, and neither was due to mistreating the hardware. My PS3's Blu-ray drive was fixed under warranty, as was the RROD with my 360. Before you try and claim dust, I run a HEPA air filtration system in my entertainment room 24/7 so dust is basically non-existent. I've been building and modifying computers for years, and I've got consoles and computers that are much older than the PS3 or 360 that still work.

With that said, I know a lot more people who have had a 360 break, but I've still got a few friends who have experienced hardware failure with the PS3. All you can hope for is that the repair process is not too costly or lengthy when your system of choice breaks.

[glennc]

sounds like the PS2 issue when that first came out, but not anywhere near as bad. this is to be expected from a launch console with new tech in it. the number will always be higher than 2nd and 3rd gen versions of the same console. aside from the price, that's the reason i don't buy launch consoles, nothing to do with who makes it... sony MS or nin doesn't matter, it is just a fact of life these days with technology.
what makes a good company is how they deal with it.

not everything is a conspiracy, like people on this site would have you believe.

[Feral Gamer]

My neighbor's PS3 quit reading discs. I'm not sure if it's the lens, but he's sending it in for repairs. Praise to the gods that it wasn't mine!

*EDIT*
Disagree all you want, but it did break. I have no reason to lie about PS3, I love mine! *hugs PS3*

[Rocco Siffredi]

because your dont buy and play games.. so of course your PS3 is running :D!

Anyways the older FAT onces have better lasers than the new ones in the SLIM. we will see more broken PS3s after a few weeks/ months.

Right now, the xbox360 with the Jasper board is the safest way you can go.

[RuPaul]

360 failure rates are > 4% now while PS3 slim failure rates are near
10%.

[YoungKiller25]

please can you show me the source of your information

[DatBoiDrew]

360 failure rate 4 percent???... keep coming with the jokes! You're Hilarious!

[jhoang]

its 4 percent for the first year for 360 while its 10 percent for 2 year on the ps3. still bs though

[Chet Faliszek 360]

lol! all these ps3 fanboys keep saying blu-ray is so great but right now multi-plat games look the same if not better on the xbox 360.

[HolyOrangeCows]

It has to do with making games bigger, not better looking.

And the PS3's graphics are pretty great anyhow.

And btw, have you seen the Lost Planet 2, Burnout:Paradise, Batman:AA, etc comparisons? Oh right, those are multiplats and look better on the PS3. I'd say "right now" multiplats are starting to look better on the PS3.

[AliTheBrit19]

LOL PS3 Fanboys try to act as if the PS3 doesn't have problems

Yeah, the 360 has console failures, but so does the PS3, and don't ever try to act like it doesn't

I've had 3 friends who have had YLOD, then Rich's YLOD repaired PS3 went and had another failure, not sure what it was

and just the other day another friend got a failure, her lens no longer reads games.

[DatBoiDrew]

You might have been mistaking those ps3's for the black 360s. Sorry...

[Strikepackage Bravo]

PS3 is perfect, it never breaks :(

[bjornbear]

wrong

[ultimolu]

Nobody ever assumed that.
Grow up.

[Rocco Siffredi]

i think right now the PS3 failrure rate is 3 times higher than the 360 once.

Gamespot made an article 1 month ago:

http://www.gamespot.com/new...

This year the 360 had a failure rate about 4% only... looks like the Jasper model is RROD free like MS said. WHile The PS3 failure rate is about 10%. I also think that the SLIM will have more failures compared to the fat one which was better in terms of Quality.

Sony designed the SLIm very poor, cheap blu Ray components and so on.

[ULTIMATE_REVENGE]

@Chet Faliszek 360. Multi platform games have got nothing to do with failure rates so you owned yourself with that one.

@AliTheBrit91. Just because a few PS3 owners say their PS3's are still running doesn't mean they're saying the PS3's perfect, yes you get a few dumb idiots here and there but most of us do acknowledge the faults of the PS3 but at least most of us can actually say they're still running whereas 90% of the time most 360 owners can't say the same.

@Rocco Siffredi. Hardware company's never design poor hardware idiot! and you read the article wrong you dumb child. The 360's failure rate has dropped down by 4% which currently puts it at 50% from the before 54% or it could be at 64% since MS said the console had a failure rate of 68% so minus 4% and that puts it at 68% so you FAIL!!. There's one other thing I'd like to mention and that's the fact that the article only talks about the fat PS3's failure which is currently at 10% and not ONCE does he mention the Slims failure rate because the article was made 1 day after the PS3 Slims launch so you owned yourself with you're own link.

The PS3 is and will always be the best quality games console and for what it comes with it's well worth the $300 price tag.

[ULTIMATE_REVENGE]

It says in the manual ''NOT TO LEAVE DISCS IN THE PS3 WHEN NOT IN USE''

Do people find it so hard nowadays to at least read the 'WARNING!' and health & safety parts of a manual?

I knew this from day one and people are finding out today. I think Sony should engrave parts of the manual on to the PS3's faceplate so those dam fat lazy people can make some effort in actually reading the dam thing.

[Feral Gamer]

I can't possible fathom how leaving discs in a powered off machine would harm anything. It's not as thought he laser is being used while the PS3 is turned off. It doesn't make any sense.

[f789790]

If I can turn my ps3 upside down while friends are playing on it, I think it will be fine with a disc it when it off.

[commodore64]

@ ultimate

funnily enough, it was also written in the 360 manual to not move/tilt the 360 while a dvd/game was in use.

Yet, people DID exactly that, despite the warnings
Then people complained about scratched discs and threatened to sue.
Then people cussed and cursed MS and a new legion of haters were born onto n4g, purely because they didn't do as they were told in the 360 manual

Hope the irony of this situation doesn't escape you...

[nan0]

It's true. My friend used to keep his discs in his PS3 and one day it froze during gameplay. It worked but it wouldn't play games (the system came on, XMB menu etc but it couldn't read discs).

So when he sent it in to get repaired he called and some dude told him not to keep the discs in, because even though the system may be off it still tries to read the discs and strains the lense/laser. Since then his PS3 has been running perfectly and he doesn't leave discs in anymore.

Take it or leave it. Better safe than sorry. I'm too lazy to deal with my PS3 going out of action and having to fix it, to not to just take the disc out for a second.

[PLAYSTATIONGENRATION]

My friend is going through it right now...

[mrkeith]

lol i always leave disc's in the ps3. i treat it like my pc haha. so far no problems but seeing that they dont want you to leave disc's in the PS3 from what the manuel says i will start taking them out.

[Premonition]

I use compressed air from time to time my PS3 will turn 3 years next week, and because of that i have a great library of games i can play with without worrying about repair cost etc.

[hesido]

My bluray died, out of warranty. Paid 150 usd to get it fixed.

[Domer25]

didn't know about this. Interesting, i will definitely take out the discs before turning the system off. I learned something on N4G, who knew.

[GumBo]

my 40g died from falling asleep watching dvds and letting it sit on the menu all night lol. now i got an 80g and stream my movies with ps3 media server. much better idea

[hoo_mook]

That is an awesome piece of software. I've tried Play On and tVersity as well and i prefer PS3 Media Server. It doesn't take up as much resources as the 2 previously mentioned applications and I never get DLNA error messages.

Also, one of the users in PS3 Media Server's forums created a world radio add-on that is just SICK!

Here's a link to PS3 Media Server:

http://code.google.com/p/ps...

[rob6021]

keep in mind PS3 media server gives you an option to make a pic for each video, it can take time but makes things really slick.

[Rocco Siffredi]

lol @ ultimate.. brain dead or just retarded??

you said: "and you read the article wrong you dumb child"

well, i cant see a "54%" or "68%" in that article... so who is the dumb child now??

haha

owned yourself hard!

[ULTIMATE_REVENGE]

I said it currently puts it at 50% from the already well known 54% failure rate by everyone on this I never quoted the article dumbass.

Again you owned yourself and you proved to me you're a child who couldn't even understand my comment.

and you said the article talks about the PS3 Slims failure rate when it doesn't even mention the Slim once so you owned yourself twice.

[4point7BillionLoss]

54% was from an online user poll ... not accurate at all as we all know what happens when users are allowed to vote ... just look at the KZ2 abd Halo 3 user rated online scores ....

However, $4.7 billion losses from the PS3 ... those are from Sony themselves .... just ask them

Quoting 54% is a joke ... it's on you .... play behind

[YLOD Service Tech]

The PS3 Bluray D.R.E's are becoming a very common widespread problem. There goes the so called indestructible PoS3. It's the PS2 all over again.

[ElementX]

I said before the PS3 will have problems. It's new technology and barely a few years old. Just give it time and all these blue diode lasers will burn out in a widespread problem. No way in hell Sony was able to test long-term PS3 usage before launch. People turn them off and on, leave them on, leave movies/games paused for hours.... all of these could be detrimental to the life of the laser. I guess time will tell and it's starting to already.

[Rocco Siffredi]

PS3 Failure rate (blu ray drive only) is at 40% since slim launch! Ouch!

[ian72]

My launch 60 gig PS3 laser broke after about 1 and half years. It did get a lot of use though. Got a replacement 60 gig from Sony but it cost me £145. That was around a year ago and not had any more problems yet. Will probably get it fixed myself if it happens again, should be cheaper.

[ApocalypseShadow]

no one said it won't have problems.

1. it's still below or within industry standard.

2. you have no proof that there will be some widespread bluray diode plague.

it's best to have proof and truth before spreading lies. ps3 is not the 360.

[phantomexe]

my 60 gig went out yesturday,the blue ray player anyway.I called sony they were cool about it but its going cost me 149$ to get it fixed.I seen the arcle the mourning and was like wow whats the odds they just happen to be talking about bluerays going out today.It's a 60 so it most be fixed.I've got a 80 gig for backup.

[DigitalEnemy]

My launch machine gave up reading discs on Friday 13th. It was acting strange Thursday when the controllers failed to hold its sync to the console,however that issue fixed itself. The disc read error did not.
So being the PS3 fan i am, I just went out saturday morning and bought a slim with NFS Shift and extra controller for £240. My trophies aint syncing though which is annoying! Any tips??

My broken PS3 is on Ebay, currently have one bid at £105 ( thats for 60gb machine upgraded to 250gb, and i threw in a couple of old games)

[BigPenguin]

My PS3 died out of warranty. They asked me for a copy of the receipt, and they fixed it for free(actually sent me a new one). I am not sure how you all are having to pay $150.

EDIT: Launch 60gig, died a year ago right before Christmas.

[dkgshiz]

360 failure rate 4%? Slim 10%? You sure like to BS.

[IWentBrokeForGaming]

I wonder how many people with failed PS3's are out there that still knock 360... I think it's hilarious!

[rob6021]

It's probably not very many.

[Halo3 MLG Pro]

The ps2 is the reason why I always get a simple replacement package. That console was horrendous with failed disc drives and lenses. I bought my 360 at Best Buy here in the states. $80 for 2 years for a simple swap. All electronics breaks. I recommend always getting a replacement package. The peace of mind is worth the price.

[jujulolo]

My 60Go PS3 died on me after 1 year and 2 month...

I had to buy a 80 Go and i lost PS2 compatibility (i so wanted to finish Disgaea ...).