How to Recover Data from a Scratched or Damaged CD/DVD

How to Recover Data from a Scratched or Damaged CD/DVD

As more portable and powerful storage drives have emerged, the number of people using CDs/DVDs has significantly reduced. However, there are still some who rely on CDs or DVDs to store their favorite music, videos, recordings, or other audio files.

Because CDs or DVDs can scratch, deteriorate, or become otherwise unreadable over time, you may eventually lose access to your data.

So, can we recover data from a scratched or damaged CD/DVD? If your CD or DVD is scratched or damaged, we've rounded up several reliable solutions to fix bad CD/DVD to help you repair the damaged/scratched disc and retrieve your files as soon as possible. Read on for details.

Manually check for scratches or damage on the CD/DVD

Before trying to fix a DVD or CD that won't work in a DVD player or computer, go through this troubleshooting checklist first. It will help you identify the problem with the disc, and might even recover your data:

• Step 1: Use a jewelry cloth to clean the dust off the CD or DVD.
• Step 2: Insert the CD or DVD into the DVD player or computer CD-ROM again and check if it is accessible.
• If accessible, congratulations. We recommend creating a folder on your PC and copying the data saved on the CD/DVD to this folder.
• If inaccessible, move on to the next step.
• Step 3: Check the surface of the un-readable or scratched CD or DVD to determine the repair method needed.
• If the surface of your CD or DVD is as smooth as shown in Image 1, you can turn to professional CD recovery software.
• If your CD or DVD disc has scratches like those shown in Images 2 and 3, you need to use manual methods to repair the scratches and then recover data.
• Notice that if your disc is fully covered by deep scratches as shown in Image 3, you may fail to restore the saved data.

Solution 1: Seek assistance from the best CD/DVD Data Recovery software

Applies to: Scratched or slightly damaged CDs/DVDs that can be detected but not accessed on your computer

When CDs or DVDs become inaccessible or unreadable, specialized CD or DVD data recovery software can usually scan and restore the disk's data easily.

Here is a list of CD/DVD recovery software that you can use to recover inaccessible data from your CD/DVD:

1. CD Recovery Toolbox

There is a free version of this software that will let you scan your CD or DVD to find and recover your data and files. You can search for it online and download it to get help.

2. Roadkil's Undelete

It's a utility similar to CD Recovery Toolbox that allows you to scan and recover data from damaged or scratched discs.

You can also search online for CD or DVD recovery software to find a better solution.

Solution 2: Repair Scratches Manually on the CD or DVD

Applies to: CDs or DVDs with light or deep scratch damage

There is a popular method for repairing scratches on CDs or DVDs by waxing or polishing the disc. Here's how:

1. Step 1: Get some toothpaste, Vaseline, liquid car wax, or use Scratch Out.
3. Step 2: Apply a thin layer of toothpaste, Vaseline, or Scratch Out on the scratched CD/DVD.
5. Step 3: Rub the disc with a soft, lint-free cloth in a radial motion (from the center outwards).
7. Step 4: Test the disc by inserting it back into your computer to see if it's accessible.
8. If it's accessible, congratulations! To protect this precious data, we recommend creating a new folder on your computer and immediately copying the data to it.
9. If it's still inaccessible, don't worry. Go back to the first solution and use the recommended software to recover data from the CD or DVD.

Bonus Tip: 3 Steps to Recover Saved CD/DVD Videos, Images

If you've previously saved video and pictures from CDs or DVDs to your computer but have lost them due to incorrect operations, your last chance of recovery is to scan the same drive where you saved the CD or DVD copies with professional data recovery software. All you need to do is download the tool Data Recovery Wizard and follow three steps to restore your files.

Step 1: Select the hard drive where you lost data and click “Scan”.

Step 2: Once the scan is complete, use the "Filter" or "Search" option to locate the missing file.

Step 3. Select all the files you want and click “Recover.” Browse and choose a different secure location to save them.