The DVD skips

Polish out any scratches

When your viewing is interrupted by a skipping DVD, first try cleaning the disk (see above). If this doesn’t do the trick, check for scratches. Hold the disk up to a bright light—if the light passes through the scratch, it’s probably too deep to fix, and if the scratch runs around the circumference of the disk you may be out of luck, too. However, if the scratch is radial, try the following fix.

• • Cover the disk’s playing surface with a thin layer of furniture polish; wipe it on gently with a microfiber cloth, working outward from the center. Using a clean microfiber cloth, buff the surface until it is dry—then try your disk again.

WORKING SOME FURNITURE POLISH INTO A SKIPPING DVD WILL HELP FILL ANY SMALL SCRATCHES AND GET THE DISK TO PLAY SMOOTHLY

My home theater system has no picture

Change the way you start up your equipment

Home theater systems integrate a high-definition TV, DVD or Blu-ray player, a satellite box, and a surround-sound system. If you have set up your system and used HDMI cables to connect between the components, it should work perfectly—but sometimes it just doesn’t. That’s because each component must recognize all the others before it makes a connection in a process called the “HDMI handshake.” If the handshake fails for any reason, the components won’t talk to one another and you’ll have no picture or sound.

• • Try changing the sequence in which you switch on the individual components of your home theater system. For example, try turning on the TV first, then the DVD player, then the surround-sound system. If this doesn’t work, experiment a little and you’ll probably find a sequence that works for you.
• • Still no picture? You may need to update the firmware (the instructions embedded in the components’ circuits). You can usually do this via your system’s connection to the Internet. Consult your user manuals for detailed instructions.

Make it last TV AND HOME VIEWING

Keep your equipment cool by giving it enough space to breathe and by adding ventilation holes if it is kept in a cabinet. The hotter it runs, the shorter its operational life; plus there’s an increased risk of fire. Turn down the bright and garish default settings on your TV—these will cause it to run hot.

Position your TV so that it is not exposed to extremes of temperature (such as above a radiator) and sources of dust and water. Keep it away from strong magnets (such as those in speakers).

Close the front flap of your TV once you have finished using the controls beneath. These covers are often flimsy and can snap off if bumped.

Disconnect the antenna and power supply from your TV or system if a thunderstorm is expected—a lightning strike can damage your equipment. Consider buying a surge protector; many of these units also contain circuits that cut electronic “noise” to give you a cleaner picture on your TV.

Buy the best quality blank DVDs if you record TV programs on a DVD recorder—they will have a much longer useful life than budget alternatives.

GAMES AND CONSOLES

As with all complex digital devices, serious faults in games consoles will require professional repair, but there’s much you can do at home to address some basic problems.

The console keeps freezing

Check the disk and controllers, and keep it cool

A common cause of freezing during game play is a dirty or scratched disk. Try cleaning the disk and examine it under indirect light for scratches; shallow scratches can sometimes be filled with furniture polish (see here).

• • Disconnect your wireless controllers and substitute a wired controller that you know works. If this fixes the problem, try changing or recharging the batteries in your wireless controllers.
• • Make sure there are no obstacles (such as shelves or game disks) between the wireless controllers and the console. Try switching off any appliances that may interfere with the signal from the wireless units—these include fluorescent lights, microwave ovens, cordless phones, and wireless routers.
• • Turn off the console and leave it to cool for 30 minutes. Move your machine to a better ventilated position and never place it on a carpet—its fibers could block the cooling vents. Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment on a low setting to clear away any dust from the ventilation holes on the console’s casing.
• • Don’t use a “chipped” console (one that has been modified to sidestep copy protection) or play pirated games.

Try changing the batteries in an unresponsive wireless controller; clean the recessed battery contacts using the eraser on the end of a pencil.

My console won’t read a disk

Check the controllers and keep it cool

Make sure the disk is clean and scratch-free. If this doesn’t help, you need to check the console.

• • Turn off the console for 15 minutes, then restart and check if the problem is resolved.
• • Make sure that the console’s parental controls allow the playing of the disk—you’ll find these settings in the console’s menu; they allow you to restrict disks based on their age rating.
• • Game disks are made for sale in a particular region of the world—check that the disk’s region matches that of your console.
• • Check the connections between the console and the TV, ensuring that the plugs are firmly inserted.

My game console is running slow

Clear the system cache

If your games load or run slowly, try clearing the system cache—this is the console’s store of data, such as game updates and pictures of your friends’ game avatars. Select the “Memory” option from the console’s “System Settings” menu, and press the “Y” button on your controller, then choose “Clear System Cache.”

• • Keeping your console up-to-date with the latest system software will help it to run smoothly. If you are is connected to the Xbox Live service, press the “Guide” button on your controller, then navigate to Settings ▸ System Settings ▸ Network Settings ▸ Wired Network (or the name of your wireless network) ▸ Test Xbox Live Connection and then choose to update the console software if prompted. You can also update the software from a new game disk or by downloading it to a computer and transferring it to the console via a USB flash drive.
• • If you have a PlayStation®3 or PlayStation®4, update the system software online. Navigate to Settings ▸ System Update ▸ Update via Internet. The console will check if you have the latest version. If not, it will download and install it for you.

The disk won’t eject

Use the manual override

If pressing the eject button on the console does nothing, it’s still possible to remove a disk. There’s no universal fix for this common problem—much depends on which model of disk reader your machine came with. You’ll need to search the Internet for the solution that applies to your model number.

• • If you have a PS3, try this first. Turn off the power rocker switch at the back of the console. Place your finger on the eject button and hold it down. Turn on the rocker switch at the rear; when you hear the console’s cooling fan start up, repeatedly press down on the eject button—the disk tray should open.
• • Some PS3 consoles, such as the “slim” type, require a different approach. Switch off and unplug the console, then turn it upside down. Find the rectangular black plastic tab over the disk drive and pull it off to reveal two holes—one with a blue screw head. Insert a small Phillips-head screwdriver into the other hole, pushing through any protective tape; turn the screwdriver counterclockwise and the disk should emerge from the console. Pull it free when one-third of the disk protrudes.
• • If you have an Xbox, first switch it off and unplug it from the outlet. Then remove the faceplate from the console by pulling it away from its retaining clips. This will reveal a number of small holes just below the disk drive. Pushing a straightened paper clip into one of these holes will make the tray open slightly; when it does, use your fingers to gently pull the tray out completely. You’ll need to check on the Internet which hole to use for your model number—it is not consistent across all machines.
• • To avoid problems in the future, never stick labels onto disks and don’t move the console while there’s a disk inside.

Press repeatedly on the PS3’s eject button after restarting to free a stuck game disk.

To eject a disk stuck in your Xbox, remove the console faceplate, then use a straightened paper clip to release the tray.

I can’t get any video from my PS3

Change the settings

If you move your PS3 from one TV to another, you may find the screen is blank or displays a “No signal” message when you switch it on. The solution is simple: shut down the console, and then restart by holding down the power button until you hear two beeps. You can then select the correct display mode for the TV you’re using.

My PS3 can’t detect its wireless controllers

Synchronize your hardware

Blinking lights on a controller mean that it’s not linking with the console. Try joining it to the controller via a USB cable; allow it to connect and then unplug the cable. It should remain connected wirelessly.

• • Reset the console by holding down the power button on its front panel and then press the “Reset” button on the back of the controller using a straightened paper clip.
• • If that doesn’t work, switch off the console and controller; restart the console before turning on the controller.

My Wii seems to lag behind my movements

Set your TV to “Gaming” mode

If the on-screen action lags behind your movements with the controller or if the picture on your screen is blurry when you connect it to your Wii, try the following fixes:

• • Navigate to your TV’s menu and select its “Gaming” mode, if it has one.
• • Try using Component Video cables (see here) to connect to the TV rather than the Wii’s yellow video cable.