LG Blu Ray drive not working: Is it the laser or a bad motor?

[spellbinder2050]

I have an LG Blu Ray drive that suddenly stopped reading a disk as I was copying some files from a back up bluray. It doesn't read any disks now, including CD's and DVD's. I'm wondering if its because the laser is dirty or something is wrong with the motor inside, but I have no way to really tell the difference.

Is there a way this could be tested? I'm probably going to get a cleaner disk, as opening it up to clean the laser is harder than I thought it would be. I tried it and couldn't get to the laser.

I have the following drive:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136250

 

[hypogogic]

Just sounds like a faulty unit. Happens once in a while. Rather than fix it send it back for a replacement.

 

[spellbinder2050]

Just sounds like a faulty unit. Happens once in a while. Rather than fix it send it back for a replacement.

I've had the drive for 4 years. lol I'm not sure if they'll replace it.

 

[10tacle]

Likely it's just burned out. I've been noticing BD players/burners do not last as long as traditional DVDs do. I've had failures on both my PS3 and PS4 with the optical laser, but not yet on my PC BD burner (Sony branded). But I don't use my PC BD-R much.

I don't recall when actual PC BD burners started coming out, but your model was out in Spring 2012 so maybe it was an early adaption issue and later production variants got better. Who knows. I will say this: NewEgg reviews report a lot of failures with that drive.

 

[bigpinkdragon286]

The cost of the drive is such that replacing it doesn't seem that big of a deal. Only ten bucks more than a reader at this point. Servicing a drive like that now costs more in time than it's worth.

 

[10tacle]

Also NewEgg has a 7-day promo code going on with that drive making it only $40. I may roll the dice and snap one up for that price. If it craps out after the 1-year warranty is up, then I'm only out $40.

 

[bigpinkdragon286]

Amazon already has the drive for $39.99 with free shipping.

 

[10tacle]

^^Yeah I saw that. Except that Amazon charges state sales tax. NewEgg does not in states where they do not have a distribution warehouse. Their shipping is $1 on this item. That's one reason why I watch prices closely between Amazon, NewEgg, and B&H Photo who also doesn't charge state sales tax (outside of their only warehouse in NY). And I do have an Amazon Prime account.

 

[bigpinkdragon286]

My bad. I'm in a state with no sales tax.

 

[spellbinder2050]

I tried to open it up again. This time I succeeded. I cleaned the laser and moved it around, but it's still not working, so yeah, I now have to get a new Blu Ray drive. On Newegg the one I have and the 16x version above it seem to be hot sellers. I'm wondering if I should buy the same drive again or opt for a newer drive. Does it really make a difference?

 

[bigpinkdragon286]

If something newer doesn't have any new features, you're not going to gain much paying more. There's never a guarantee of longevity, and it sounds like you already got your money's worth out of the drive you had.

I've had an LG, PC based Blu-ray drive since before 2009 that I continue to use as a primary optical drive, with zero issues, so the lifespan of the optical mechanism LG is using is probably no worse than anybody else.