How to Recover Data from Scratched CD / DVD?

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A CD (Compact Disc) is a flat, circular optical disc used to store digital data. Originally developed for music playback, CDs later became a popular medium for storing files, software, photos, and videos.Its storage capacitycan be up to 700MB, mainly used for storing audio (CD-DA), video, or general files (CD-ROM). A CD reads data using a laser beam that scans the surface of the disc.

Can You Recover Data from a Scratched CD?

Although CDs were once widely used, they are prone to scratches, dust, and aging, all of which can disrupt the laser’s ability to read data properly. The good news? In many cases, the data is not completely lost. With the right combination of cleaning methods, recovery software, and a bit of patience, it is possible to retrieve at least some, if not all, of the lost files.

How to Recover Data From a Scratched CD (Minor Scratches)?

If your CD is minorly scratched but not completely destroyed, there’s a good chance you can recover some or even all of the data. Here are several methods to try:

1. Clean the Disc Surface

Before trying anyscratched or corruptedCD data recovery software solutions, it’s best to start with the simplest fix: physically cleaning the CD. Sometimes, the issue isn’t the scratches themselves, but rather a layer of dust, fingerprints, or smudges that interfere with how the laser reads the data.

✔️What You Need:

A soft, lint-free microfiber cloth (like the ones used for glasses or camera lenses)

Distilled water or rubbing alcohol (preferably isopropyl alcohol, 70% or higher)

A clean, flat surface to rest the disc on while cleaning

Cleaning Steps:

Step 1. Hold the disc by the edges to avoid adding more fingerprints.

Step 2. Place it on a clean, soft surface—label side down.

Step 3. Dampen a corner of the microfiber cloth with a small amount of distilled water or rubbing alcohol. Don’t soak it—just lightly dampen.

Step 4. Gently wipe the disc in straight lines from the center hole outward to the edge.(Avoid circular motions, as they follow the data track and can worsen the damage.)

Step 5. Use a dry section of the cloth to go over the same area, drying it thoroughly.

Step 6. Let the disc air-dry for a minute before reinserting it into the drive.

Even minor smudges or oily fingerprints can scatter the laser beam, causing read errors. Cleaning helps eliminate these surface-level obstructions so the drive can focus on the actual data underneath.

2. Try a Different CD/DVD Drive

Not all CD/DVD drives are created equal—some are better at reading scratched or damaged discs than others. If your computer’s built-in drive can’t read the scratched CD, trying another drive might help you recover the data.

Use Another Computer’s CD/DVD Drive: Borrow a friend’s or family member’s computer and try reading the disc there. Different brands and models may have better luck reading scratched discs.

Use an External USB CD/DVD Drive: External drives can be connected via USB and often have more advanced laser technology or firmware that handles errors better. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to use.

Use a Dedicated CD/DVD Player with Data Export：Some standalone DVD or CD players allow you to export data to a USB flash drive or recordable disc. These players might be more tolerant of scratches and can sometimes read discs that computers can’t.

3. Create an ISO Image

When a CD is scratched, directly reading individual files can cause repeated errors and put extra stress on the disc, potentially making the damage worse. A safer and often more effective method of recovering data from scratched CDis to create an ISO image—a single file that contains the complete data from the CD. Once you have an ISO, you can work with it without repeatedly using the original disc.

Step 1. Choose an ISO creation toollike ImgBurn (free), PowerISO (trial version available), InfraRecorder (free)and others.

Step 2. Insert the scratched CD into your drive.Open the ISO tool (e.g. ImgBurn) and select “Create Image Files from Disc”.

Step 3. Select the source and destination drive folder and start the imaging process. Then the software will try to read all readable sectors, retrying problematic areas multiple times to salvage as much data as possible.

Step 4. Wait for the process to complete.

Once the process is done, you can use built-in tools in Windows (right-click > Mount) or third-party virtual drive software (like Daemon Tools) to mount the ISO as a virtual CD.

Step 5. Once mounted, the ISO behaves like a normal disc. You can copy files out of it without risking further damage to the physical CD.

4. CD / DVD Data Rerecovery Tool

If cleaning the disc, trying different drives, and creating an ISO image don’t fully solve the problem, specialized recovery software can help you retrieve files from scratched or corrupted CDs and DVDs.One highly recommended tool is MyRecover.

Step 1. Insert the scratched CD or DVD into your computer’s drive.

Step 2. Open MyRecover and select the CD/ DVD drive to start scanning.

Step 3. After the scan completes, browse and preview the recoverable files. Select the files you want to restoreand click on "Recover" button.

Step 4. Save them to a different location (never back onto the damaged disc).

When the recovery is done, you’ll get a message showing how many files were successfully recovered. It will also display the folder where those files have been saved for easy access. Just click on the path link or the "Browse" button, you can check the recovered files from scratched or corrupted CD.

Extra Reading: How Do You Repair Scratches on a CD?

These methods don’t "heal" the disc, but they may help the laser read through surface damage.

1. Use Toothpaste (Non-Gel Type)

Toothpaste acts as a mild abrasive that can polish out shallow scratches.

• Apply a small dab of white, non-gel toothpaste to the disc’s data side.
• Gently rub in straight lines from center to edge with a soft cloth.
• Rinse with warm water and dry with a microfiber cloth.

2. Apply Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline)

Vaseline can fill in tiny scratches temporarily.

• Apply a small amount to the disc.
• Gently wipe off the excess, leaving a thin, even layer.
• Test in your CD/DVD drive.

3. Use a Commercial Disc Repair Kit

If you prefer a ready-made solution, kits like SkipDr, JFJ Easy Pro, or Disc Genie are designed to resurface discs using polishing compounds and spinning wheels.

4. Furniture Polish or Banana Peel

Some users report minor success with furniture polish sprays or even rubbing the back of a banana peel, but results are mixed—use with caution.

Final Thoughts

These simple at-home methods are worth trying when you're facing the frustrating question of how to recover data from a scratched CD. If the CD is severely scratched, contains irreplaceable data (e.g. wedding photos, legal documents), and none of the above methods work, you may want to consult a professional data recovery service. They use advanced hardware to read deeply scratched or deformed discs.