Hello dbbnewton, hi, chances are you dvd lens is dirty, you can buy aftermarket lens cleaners from doi it your self fix it stores, or hard wares, even in computer supplies, or you can use a clean ear bud, use one side wet it with warm water, and gently swab the lens, and the other side of the bud dry swab the lens, do it several times until the lens reads the dvd, just make sure you dont leave cotton resudue on the lens.