Skip to main content

Troubleshooting

Disc Read Errors (DREs)

The PlayStation 2 was infamous for the number of disc read errors that occurred. There are a number of causes for this problem and a number of fixes:

  1. Clean the disc: Dust or smudges from fingerprints can cause disc reading problems. Use a high-quality cleaning cloth and remove all smudges from the disc by lightly wiping outward from the center hub. Do not use a circular motion.
  2. Clean the disc drive: If not the disc itself, dust buildup in the drive is often the culprit. For the tech-savvy, you may remove the disc drive, and gently clean the assembly with a cleaning cloth. For a less intrusive approach, use a can of compressed air, and attempt to blow the dust out from the vents and the disc tray, though this may also cause dust to settle where it is not desired.
  3. Repair the disc: If your game disc is scratched, it is sometimes possible to recover the disc with a disc repair kit.
  4. Ensure proper ventilation: To avoid overheating, make sure that your PlayStation 2 is placed in a well-ventilated area, and that the vents are not obstructed.

In-depth troubleshooting

Having problems with your PlayStation 2? Check out the PlayStation 2 Troubleshooting page.

Background

Released March 2000 by Sony, the Sony PlayStation 2, or "PS2", is a sixth-generation gaming console, competing with the Nintendo GameCube, Microsoft Xbox, and the short-lived Sega Dreamcast. The PlayStation 2 has secured the title of the best-selling game console ever, with over 140 million units sold as of 2009. It is backwards compatible with most PlayStation games. The smaller, thinner, and quieter Slimline PlayStation 2 was released in October 2004.

The guides and teardowns linked on this page are all related to the original bulky model.

Identification

The "fat" rectangular PlayStation 2 has a blue stylized "PS2" logo on the top of the console and a Sony and PlayStation logo on the front of the console near the power and eject buttons. The front of the console also features two controller ports and two memory card slots. The model number can be found on the back of the console.

Additional Information

Buy Used on Amazon

List of iFixit Troubleshooting Guides

PlayStation 2 Wikipedia Page

Sony PlayStation

PS2 Troubleshooting Forum via "AnswerBag.com"

Matthew Newsom

Member since: 01/05/10

40,884 Reputation

67 Guides authored

View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 141

Past 7 Days: 711

Past 30 Days: 4,427

All Time: 377,251