PS3 Won't Play Blu-Ray Movies

[TommySyk]

My 250GB PS3 Slim Console plays games and DVD's perfectly, but when I insert Blu-Ray Movies into the console, it starts making weird sounds with pauses between each of them and then make a "fake eject sound". It will play certain movies but the majority of them won't. This started back in September but I didn't bother because I have a BD player on my living room that works perfectly, but now I'm rarely home alone so I can't watch movies there 'cause there's always someone watching TV. I've tried 'Restore File System' in Recovery Mode but it doesn't work, and I really don't want to erase all my data from my PS3. If someone knows how to fix this please tell me, 'cause I don't really want to send my PS3 to Sony for repairing.

Oh and I'm sorry if there's already a thread regarding this (I didn't find it) / this thread is in the wrong section.

[AnimalChin]

The blu-ray laser might be messed up, I know that can be fixed but I don't know how to do it.

[TommySyk]

Originally Posted by AnimalChin

The blu-ray laser might be messed up, I know that can be fixed but I don't know how to do it.

Yeah but it plays Blu-Ray Games so it should play Blu-Ray movies too right?

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by TommySyk

Yeah but it plays Blu-Ray Games so it should play Blu-Ray movies too right?

One would think that's a logical assumption. However, the way in which information is retrieved from games vs films on the same media format may differ slightly. With film it is mostly just find the start and follow the line. With gaming it would be more actively seeking various tracks at various times. It's not so "straight forward" due to different variables/conditions within the game environment.

I'm no expert, but it's entirely possible. Yet, even in that case, I don't know why the more simple form of reading audio/video from a film BD (follow the line of data) would be the one having troubles over a sporadic, more complex, technique used by gaming.

[Craigster]

Originally Posted by TommySyk

Yeah but it plays Blu-Ray Games so it should play Blu-Ray movies too right?

I had the same problem. I fixed it, with a can of compressed air by blowing it into the DVD slot with the long red tube. Mostly blowing it in the middle where the head would be. It didn't work at first, until I put a DVD in and blew the air again. After that it can read Blue-ray movie again.

[MoulinBlu]

It doesn't sound like it's the optical pickup, if you're not having problems with games, it's just with movies. But that doesn't mean it's not, as I'm not really sure how games are encoded, considering so much of a game is redundant information.

Have you ever cleaned the lens with a disc-based lens cleaner? If you have, that can cause the optical pickup - which is much more sensitive to misalignment than cds - to get misaligned. Those disc cleaners were ill-advised even for dvd, they should never be used for BD.

A few things you can try that sometimes help with playback issues, some of which Sony will likely have you try before sending it in:

1) update your firmware (if you haven't updated your firmware since before the 3D update, you'll definitely have some problems)

2) clear your residual text memory (not sure if that's the right name for it, but it's the memory that stores words you've typed when using PSN's messaging service, for faster typing in the future)

3) clear your movie data from the discs you've played (according to Fox that's sometimes the culprit when a disc won't even load)

[Blu-Benny]

did u get a "disc can't be played" error and then a bunch of random #'s in ( ) ???

if so, mine is starting to do the same thing w/a few of my movies.

i went into a local gaming store and they said they are starting to see quite a few of the slims coming in w/lasers going out on them.

[master_8ball]

I recently replaced my slim for the issues Benny described above. Some movies would play fine, some movies would freeze and then force a restart on the PS3 and some movies would not be recognized by the PS3 (Pulp Fiction, Total Recall, The Raid), with the unrecognizable disc I would get a different numbered code each time it happened. Sometimes when trying to read the blu ray it would give a beep and eject the disc half way and then suck it back in. Games would play no problem at all as well as videos off the HDD or USB. I did do some of the options given above such as deleting all the old blu ray movie data, checked and did an update as there was a non-mandatory one that was there to do as well as reset the time on my PS3, nothing worked.

[TommySyk]

Originally Posted by MoulinBlu

A few things you can try that sometimes help with playback issues, some of which Sony will likely have you try before sending it in:

1) update your firmware (if you haven't updated your firmware since before the 3D update, you'll definitely have some problems)

2) clear your residual text memory (not sure if that's the right name for it, but it's the memory that stores words you've typed when using PSN's messaging service, for faster typing in the future)

3) clear your movie data from the discs you've played (according to Fox that's sometimes the culprit when a disc won't even load)

None of these methods worked for me unfortunately

Originally Posted by Blu-Benny

did u get a "disc can't be played" error and then a bunch of random #'s in ( ) ???

No, the blu-ray discs don't even show up on XMB

[Blu-Benny]

Originally Posted by TommySyk

No, the blu-ray discs don't even show up on XMB

oh wow....i could still @ least select the blu.

i'd select it, it would make like it was going to load the it came back to the "app" selection screen or whatever u want to call it w/that message.

[gpatel]

I have had this problem that suddenly blu ray disc movies would not be recognised on my PS3. They used to play before but now don't show up in the menu. I found a fix for getting the disc to work. I remember seeing it on Youtube but I can't find it now.
Anyhow you need 2 discs. Put the disc you want to play in. Let the PS3 take it. What usually happens is I hear a kind of ejecting noise and nothing else happens. If you get that eject the disc. Then put it back in and quickly 1/4 insert disc 2 in the slot. I don't know why but it works everytime for me and loads the movie.

[TommySyk]

Originally Posted by gpatel

Then put it back in and quickly 1/4 insert disc 2 in the slot.

I Don't understand what you mean here. Sorry, English is not my primary language

[MoulinBlu]

Originally Posted by gpatel

I have had this problem that suddenly blu ray disc movies would not be recognised on my PS3. They used to play before but now don't show up in the menu. I found a fix for getting the disc to work. I remember seeing it on Youtube but I can't find it now.
Anyhow you need 2 discs. Put the disc you want to play in. Let the PS3 take it. What usually happens is I hear a kind of ejecting noise and nothing else happens. If you get that eject the disc. Then put it back in and quickly 1/4 insert disc 2 in the slot. I don't know why but it works everytime for me and loads the movie.

If sticking another disc one quarter of the way in right after inserting the disc you want to watch is fixing it, maybe the slot loading mechanism isn't pulling the disc in properly.

Optical pickup problems were probably the biggest cause of disc reading failure with dvd, and BD's alignment is even more sensitive, especially for players that use the same drive for both BD and DVD. Though, often times it's not drive failure so much as a dirty lense, especially if you rent a lot, have young kids, or buy a lot of used movies and don't make a point to clean the discs before playing them. But actual failure of the optical drive is still probably the number one cause of actual player failure to. I'd guess that failure of loading mechanisms - even for tray based players - is probably the second most common issue sent in for repairs. I've had both happen with dvd over the years. So far with BD, it's been even more regular. I've had optical pickup failure twice, once with a PS3 and once with a Panny BD player. The Panny failed within just a couple years of use. The PS3 lasted a lot longer, but it wasn't used as much for BD until the Panny failed, and was a first gen fat, with better ventilation and better quality parts than the slim. Though, it YLOD'd at the same time, so that could have been a contributing factor, as I've been told it's quite common for the optical drive to go bad too with YLOD fats.

[ChainSmokerTFK]

Originally Posted by TommySyk

My 250GB PS3 Slim Console plays games and DVD's perfectly, but when I insert Blu-Ray Movies into the console, it starts making weird sounds with pauses between each of them and then make a "fake eject sound". It will play certain movies but the majority of them won't. This started back in September but I didn't bother because I have a BD player on my living room that works perfectly, but now I'm rarely home alone so I can't watch movies there 'cause there's always someone watching TV. I've tried 'Restore File System' in Recovery Mode but it doesn't work, and I really don't want to erase all my data from my PS3. If someone knows how to fix this please tell me, 'cause I don't really want to send my PS3 to Sony for repairing.

Oh and I'm sorry if there's already a thread regarding this (I didn't find it) / this thread is in the wrong section.

I had this exact same problem, wouldn't load BD movies at all. The issue is that your system isn't reading dual-layer BDs. Most PS3 games are single layer. Most movies, however, are dual. Try loading a dual layer game like GTAV or Beyond Two Souls. That'll confirm it. The way I fixed it sounds ridiculous, but works. And I have no clue why.
When you load the disk, immediately lift the PlayStation with both hands (just to be extra careful) tilt front end up and hold it vertically with the disk drive slot on top. Once again, the traditional "on it's side" vertical position will not work. The top-loading, a/v cables on the bottom position is the only one that will work. If tilting the system every time isn't your style, you can always figure out a clever mounting solution that keeps it the "load on top" position permanently, but be sure to account for the fan and AV/POWER connections being on the bottom. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's kept me from buying a new ps3.

[RubeDeCube]

Originally Posted by ChainSmokerTFK

I had this exact same problem, wouldn't load BD movies at all. The issue is that your system isn't reading dual-layer BDs. Most PS3 games are single layer. Most movies, however, are dual. Try loading a dual layer game like GTAV or Beyond Two Souls. That'll confirm it. The way I fixed it sounds ridiculous, but works. And I have no clue why.
When you load the disk, immediately lift the PlayStation with both hands (just to be extra careful) tilt front end up and hold it vertically with the disk drive slot on top. Once again, the traditional "on it's side" vertical position will not work. The top-loading, a/v cables on the bottom position is the only one that will work. If tilting the system every time isn't your style, you can always figure out a clever mounting solution that keeps it the "load on top" position permanently, but be sure to account for the fan and AV/POWER connections being on the bottom. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's kept me from buying a new ps3.

I was just having this problem and stumbled on this thread. Your ridiculous idea worked haha Thanks a bunch!

[RandomAccount777643]

Originally Posted by ChainSmokerTFK

I had this exact same problem, wouldn't load BD movies at all. The issue is that your system isn't reading dual-layer BDs. Most PS3 games are single layer. Most movies, however, are dual. Try loading a dual layer game like GTAV or Beyond Two Souls. That'll confirm it. The way I fixed it sounds ridiculous, but works. And I have no clue why.
When you load the disk, immediately lift the PlayStation with both hands (just to be extra careful) tilt front end up and hold it vertically with the disk drive slot on top. Once again, the traditional "on it's side" vertical position will not work. The top-loading, a/v cables on the bottom position is the only one that will work. If tilting the system every time isn't your style, you can always figure out a clever mounting solution that keeps it the "load on top" position permanently, but be sure to account for the fan and AV/POWER connections being on the bottom. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's kept me from buying a new ps3.

I raelize how long ago you posted this but I made an account on this website to say thank you! I mean holy shit, I don't know why you thought of doing that but it just helped

[devanttrio]

Originally Posted by ChainSmokerTFK

I had this exact same problem, wouldn't load BD movies at all. The issue is that your system isn't reading dual-layer BDs. Most PS3 games are single layer. Most movies, however, are dual. Try loading a dual layer game like GTAV or Beyond Two Souls. That'll confirm it. The way I fixed it sounds ridiculous, but works. And I have no clue why.
When you load the disk, immediately lift the PlayStation with both hands (just to be extra careful) tilt front end up and hold it vertically with the disk drive slot on top. Once again, the traditional "on it's side" vertical position will not work. The top-loading, a/v cables on the bottom position is the only one that will work. If tilting the system every time isn't your style, you can always figure out a clever mounting solution that keeps it the "load on top" position permanently, but be sure to account for the fan and AV/POWER connections being on the bottom. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's kept me from buying a new ps3.

I know this thread is a few years old, but I was having problems getting TWD S6 to show up in XMB. I tried this and it worked! So many thanks to you!!

[ImStylinOnYaBro]

i've noticed lately on my ps3 if im in say, my mail, and insert a disc, it won't auto launch it, an when i move through the xmb to launch the disc, it loads, then freezes with an error and boots me back into the xmb. upon taking the disc out and reinserting, and letting it auto launch, it works fine. another peculiar issue i've been experiencing since getting weeds the complete series (with the pesky book sleeve case) is the discs play fine, then random in a episode will freeze. i take the disc out and put it back in and it freezes at the same area. i then just use my shirt to rub around hte disc and insert it and it works fine..could it be oil from my fingers or something from gripping the discs so hard to remove them from the case? o.O i find it odd that just wiping a disc, which just had a finger print, suddenly allows it to work.

[a0161613]

Originally Posted by TommySyk

My 250GB PS3 Slim Console plays games and DVD's perfectly, but when I insert Blu-Ray Movies into the console, it starts making weird sounds with pauses between each of them and then make a "fake eject sound". It will play certain movies but the majority of them won't. This started back in September but I didn't bother because I have a BD player on my living room that works perfectly, but now I'm rarely home alone so I can't watch movies there 'cause there's always someone watching TV. I've tried 'Restore File System' in Recovery Mode but it doesn't work, and I really don't want to erase all my data from my PS3. If someone knows how to fix this please tell me, 'cause I don't really want to send my PS3 to Sony for repairing.

Oh and I'm sorry if there's already a thread regarding this (I didn't find it) / this thread is in the wrong section.

Sorry for resurrecting a dead thread but we are experiencing the exact same problem with our PS3

The film in question is Red Dragon. We've checked other Blu-rays and DVD's. They have been fine. We have checked the disc in another PS3 and it worked.

Did you ever fix your PS3?

[Mobe1969]

I did with mine. I just replaced the laser and track assembly. It was a cheap part and pretty easy to do actually. This was on a slim.