As with any technology, there is always the risk of things being faulty from the manufacturer or just breaking after lots of (or improper) use. It’s not common for the BluRay laser to need replacing in the PS3, but it does happen and it’s not something you can just fix on your own. If your disc reader has stopped reading discs consistently and cleaning it has not solved the problem, you’ll need to send it in to get it fixed.
Unlike the top loading cartridge based consoles of the 1990s like the Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and Nintendo 64, consoles that use laser discs are prone to damage. With a cartridge based console, there are few ways for it to become damaged, but a laser can wear down over time, and also discs can become scratched. When the laser lens wears down to the point that it can no longer read discs, it needs to be replaced. However, for some consoles, like all of the Sony PlayStations, this can be temporarily solved by turning the console on its side (or flat if it’s been used on its side). This often fixes the problem for the moment because the lens is being used from a different orientation, and thus is not worn out on that part. You can also send the console in to the manufacturer to get it repaired, but…
The original cartridge-based game consoles were some of the hardiest technology products of all time. Consoles like the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, the Sega Genesis, and even the handheld Gameboy Advance could withstand the test of time and all the misfortune little brothers and sisters the world over could muster. Whether Coke was spilled in the cartridge slot, the console took a swan dive off the entertainment center, or the Gameboy was flushed down the toilet (oh yes, it happened), these resilient consoles could take the punishment. When the newer laser disc based systems hit the market, their reliability was constantly in flux. With more complex technology based on lasers, lenses, and complex electronics, newer systems are just far more prone to break down. However, it’s natural to need to perform Wii, Xbox 360, or PlayStation 3 repairs, and manufacturers and third party repair services have realized that there is…
