Repair a Bose wave radio CD player?

My problem had a strange set of variables. The CD would eventually play but I had to choose the next track or the next and sometimes have to change a different play mode. It would eventually play but moving to the next track was not a given.
I had unlugged the unit, changed the battery and cleaned the lense previously but did it again. This time I took the advice of moving the laser carriage all the way out then all the way back in. It sounded a bit like gears stripping and I was kicking myself for not opening it up to see if I might damage something. It worked despite the cringing noise! So far, so good!

Todd
August 2021

Well that tip about the blob of solder just might do the trick!
I was very puzzled by it when I saw it on the original, and could not understand what it was there for and when I tried the new unit in the Bose it didn't work at all. I'll go back and try again.
Big Cheers for that tip!! Thanks.

Dave B
February 2021

After 11 years, Steve O'Donnell's simple and effective answer keeps giving and giving. The alcohol worked! Thanks for sharing.

Charles

charles
March 2019

Thank you SO MUCH! My maybe 16 year old Bose Wave AM/FM CD player would play some tracks but fewer and fewer. . . it would just sit there, especially on track 1. The Q-tip and alcohol worked like a charm. I also manually moved the lens carriage back and forth over its entire travel twice. What the heck, it was broken anyway. Now it works perfectly. Thank you all for your comments

Graeme
April 2018

Q-tip and alcohol to clean lens worked amazingly!!!

jcp
December 2017

The plastic clear front display on our Bose Wave Radio was damaged by a hot appliance and now we cannot read the display. Is there a way to replace it if we could find the part? TIA

Patricia
December 2017

I have a Bose Wave CD/Radio circa 2005
For the last couple of years, the CD player has been 'stuttering' when it commences playing. If I leave it alone, it corrects itself and plays fine.
Assuming the lens thing was dusty, I bought one of these cleaning CD's with a tiny brush glued to the playing surface and that worked after one or two plays. Then, the one or two became three or four, then seven or eight etc, but always next day...the same problem!
I got bored with the cleaner and encouraged by others' brave efforts at accessing the lens & cleaning manually with alcohol, I plucked up the courage to get at the insides. I had no idea what I was looking for, got scared, and put it back in the case.....BUT....then had an idea......If I couldn't locate the lens for cleaning....maybe I could deliver the alcohol to the lens VIA THE LITTLE BRUSH ON THE CLEANING CD! I did this using fine small water colour sable brush dipped in vodka, and the first play was disappointingly the same as before....stuttering again. Give up. Then a miracle! I tried it NEXT DAY: PERFECT! Again & again! Three days later is still perfect. I can only guess that the first trial after the vodka treatment failed because the alcohol on the lens thing was still wet which confused the signal. When the spirit evaporated the lens had been washed and is now A OK
Worth a try?

Ian A Paton
November 2017

Thanks for all the tips and tricks! Besides the alcohol I had to push the reader all the way to the right like one of the commenters. I had to do this twice. Also the top that presses the cd down seemed to be jammed and off center. It was frightening to unjam it but what is there to lose? They don't even service this anymore! Yea us!

Linda LeGendre
June 2017

Tried a cotton bud with some lens cleaner on the lens of my older make of Bose wave radio CD player after I blasted it with cool air from my hairdryer then put in a disk cleaner and after it sitting for a year or two in my spare room it now works thank you so much. Its great to be able to play my CDs again.

Max
June 2017

Tried the Q- tip with some lens cleaner and the DVD/CD lens cleaning disk and after a few attempts my Bose wave radio CD player now works, thank you so very much, maxine

Maxy Fox
June 2017

Q-tip and alcohol ... back in business! Thanks for the quick fix! Works!

K Dog
May 2017

Oh my gosh. Read everyone's post about cleaning laser head with alcohol. Bam--back in business. Thank you!

Jayne Waldridge
May 2017

Swabbing with a Q-tip soaked in alcohol didn't seem to do it, but manhandling the little laser unit made it work--once, then it failed when I removed the CD and tried it again. However, emboldened by the success, I pushed the laser unit back over the right again, jiggled the various parts, and it's working again--yay! Thanks, everyone, for the encouragement and suggestions.

KBC
April 2017

Gin swab on the laser and back working!!

juju
April 2017

I had the same issue. Every CD I put in came back as unplayable. The CD wouldn't even spin. NONE of these answers helped. Out of frustration and as a last ditch attempt - I unplugged the system and with my fingernail slid the laser thing all the way to the right. Note*-It made a slight ratchet sound as I slid it over. Plugged the system back in and it works great! As I said, I tried cleaning the laser, canned air, rebooting, etc before I did this. The unit was new and only a year old, purchased in March 2016.

wku812
April 2017

OMG. Alcohol swab worked like a champ!!! Been dealing with this for years !!!

Mike P
April 2017

Alcohol swab worked liek a charm!

Jo Bo
March 2017

*TechDiff -
I just replaced the laser on my Bose Wave Radio model AWRC-1A. I did remove the blob of solder that protects the laser during shipping. Will I need to adjust the intensity of the laser via the "trim pot"?
If so, how much should I expect to turn it?
I reassembled the unit, but the CD is still not working.
I have already tried 2 adjustments of about 45 degrees each (CW turns) with no success yet. I don't want to over-do it; how far should I need to turn the adjustment pot?
Thanks,
-Tim

Tim
February 2017

When you order a new LENS and install the lens (Which isn't as easy as I thought) you DO have to remove the SOLDER bridge. Make sure you have a soldering iron and solder wick or solder extractor because you will need it. Compare the old and the new and you'll see where the "Glob" is at. Under the glob are two surface mount solder points.
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TechDiff
February 2017

Thanks so much! I have had an AWRC-1P player for many years and my CDs spin but don't play most of the time - very frustrating. I was going to order a new player but it's much bigger and won't fit on the shelf. Your alcohol and swab method worked!

Nancy
February 2017

I was cleaning up my Bose WaveRadio CD player to sell it. I was bummed that the CD player didn't work. Swab of alcohol on the laser eye worked!

CC
January 2017

just tried it with my 40 dollar boze radio cd player.....thanks so much the alcohol worked

john schwartz
December 2016

Awesome!!!! It worked!!!Just a little alcohol on a Q-tip and swiped it over the CD connection/reader parts inside. Thank you, I am listening to my favorite Christmas CDs now!
I'm like so many others listed here. Couldn't get the CD to work. This is so great. Thanks again.

Helen A
December 2016

Rubbing alcohol and a q-tip to the rescue!
Looking on the internet for a radio repair shop in my area and found this page. I am now enjoying my favorite CD's on my mother's old trusty Bose radio/cd player. What a delight on a rainy day!

justdeb
November 2016

Danged if it didn't work- That is the Q-TIP and rubbing alcohol. May have saved my marriage as it was on the bookcase headboard and i was fussing with it late at night and my honey was fussing about "junk that dang thing.

Bob
November 2016

My Bose is 20 years old and the C D's would not play. After the q-tip and alcohol treatment, it worked. Amazing!!!!

Wanda Z
October 2016

OMG! The alcohol cleaning tip did the trick! Thank you!!

Lynda
September 2016

I can't believe this worked. I have an old Bose Wave radio CD player from 2001 that no longer played my CDs for at least fix years. I was about to chuck it as it would've cost 2 bills to repair. Swabbed it twice as the first time it didn't take, now it is as good as new. Thank YOU!
Roxanne C

Roxanne C
September 2016

I was about to chuck the Bose due to the CD failure to play. Did the alcohol and cotton swab trick and the CD has returned to life. Simple and effective. New life for an old friend. Thanks very much!!

W Wonka
August 2016

Thank you for this 5 second fix: cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol to clean the lens.

My Bose Wave CD player had been sitting broken and unused for a couple of years, and we were just about to sell it cheap! Now it works wonderfully.

Rick
July 2016

Wow! Such a simple solution and my Bose CD player is working again after being "dead" for a year - thank you!

Trixie
June 2016

yep!!!! oh my gosh ~ i have had this bose for 5 years or more and just tired the alcohol with q-tip and worked perfectly ~ ~ i have been trying to figure out for that long just how it could be fixed !!! wonderful ~ thank you everyone !!!

Rhonda
April 2016

omg.. for at LEAST 5 yrs, I haven't been able to play CDs on my model AWRC-1G...a few swipes with an alcohol wipe and voila! Bach lives again! whoo hooo! (and thanks!)

Kathy
March 2016

Is there a way to clean the front loading 4 cd bose wave? Mine stopped playing about 5 months ago...

Sheryl C.
February 2016

Fixed my wife's Bose radio CD player for Valentine's Day using a q-tip and rubbing alcohol. Everybody's happy.

beaucoupjack
February 2016

Alcohol wipe did the trick. My cd player has not worked for years. Thanks so much!

Cat
January 2016

I used a pc touch screen wipe to clean the inside
of the player,worked a treat!!
thx to all you guys above for pointing me in the right directio.

les melrose
January 2016

I dipped a q-tip in alcohol and swabbed around where cd fits on player as well as what looks like part on base on inside (for lack of a better term). OMG, my Bose wave works perfectly!!!!!! It has been years since it played CDs! My friend wanted to charge me $100 to fix my Bose. Some friend lol. Thank you, thank you very much,

Christine
October 2015

Many thanks for the advice - a Q-tip, some Windolene (UK) and approximately 1 minute of my time has our 13 year-old Bose wave playing CDs perfectly again after a 2-year absence. Brilliant.

Simon Brown
October 2015

Ian Johnson
September 2015

Further to my previous post. I bought a CD lens cleaner but when I put that in it said 'not playable'
Any thoughts?

Ian Johnson
September 2015

Hi folks
How do you access the lens on front loading Bose Wave? Mine is not working and I want to clean the lens.
Hope someone can help

Ian Johnson
September 2015

Thank you so much. I used a q tip dipped in rubbing alcohol. My 16 year old Bose Acoustic Wave is working perfectly again. I spoke to Bose on the phone prior to looking to your post. They told me there was nothing that could be done to repair the problem, and I should trade it in for a new one.

Bob Lilly
August 2015

Thank you so much for this thread. My Bose Wavae radio/cd has not been reliable at playing cds for ages but i couldn't find what was wrong or someone who could repair it. And now, thanks to a) your collective experience and advice, b) a cotton bud and c) some gin it works again. Wonderful! (I used gin rather than whisky as i thought it might be purer...)

Lis
April 2015

I would not have believed that this would work, better still I found a use for a bottle of Kirschwasser.
Thank you for the tip!

Graham
November 2014

Thank you for your cleaning tips. I used a cotton bud dipped in whiskey & I have CD music again in my kitchen after a year long break!

Chris French
November 2014

Just finished reading answers about CD's not working in Bose Wave radio. I cleaned the laser 'thingy' with a q-tip and windex and it started working right away. I did clean all the moving parts since I did not really know what the laser thing was. That said, it works! Thanks to all of you.

de highlander
November 2014

Head cleaning tip perfect! The mother-in-law asked me to have a look at hers. It didn't seem to detect or spin the CD. Cleaned the lens with a cotton bud and sure enough, CD working perfectly. Many thanks.

Jon Lus
October 2014

Blob of solder?????? Where

Laser????????where

Cleaned these but don't know where exactly

Rex
October 2014

Where is the soldering Blob? Cannot see any solder that does not belong!

Ken Walsh
May 2014

How much would it cost to replace the laser assembly on my Bose CD player.

This is my forty Bose that last 2 yrs.
March 2014

i also tried the q-tips and Windex and my CD player is working again. Thanks for the tip

ellen
January 2014

I just tried cleaning it with some compound for computer and tablet screens and for the first time in many years my bose wave radio/cd is working perfectly. It even is playing my homemade cds, something it seldom did before.

Thanks everyrone for the tips.

jayo
October 2013

My much loved and used CD player wave radio of 10 years was giving me the "no disc" error. This had progressed from intermittently not being able to read certain CDs, to now not reading anything at all. In doing my yahoo searching, I too came across the $199 repair cost plus the inconvenience of shipping to the lower 48. So I tried the windex on a q- tip and rubbed over the laser several times, and VOILA it works!! Amazing and thank you!

Debbie in Alaska
September 2013

I have a Bose cd player in my vehicle it reads no disk and when i try to put a cd disc in it won't go in !! i looked inside the slot and it look like a closed strip ?? i tried several times and same problem ??? why would the slot where the disc goes in be closed ??? i also press eject put nothing happens ???

tudor
July 2013

Excellent!

While working on a AWRC1P Bose Wave Radio / CD unit I ordered a replacement head and changed out some swelling caps.

Discrepancy: CD not working

Error: dISC was on display with flashing "CD"

Solution: remove and replace defective head

Horror: That didn't fix it.

Rejoicing: After closely reading what is here I examined the old CD laser pickup and noticed there was no blob of solder. The NEW head had solder on it as these helpful gentlemen pointed out above. After removing the blob I placed a CD in and was rewarded with the expected sound coming from the repaired unit.

Thank you very much for your help and bless you all for the insight!

That blob thing is new to me, bless you for mentioning it!

AskFault
June 2013

THANKS SO MUCH SUSIE! I have been struggling with my Bose (AWRC-1G) for a real long time - the cd spinning and only playing intermittently. The last few months it had gotten really bad - so that I was spending more time tinkering with it trying to get it to play than listening. I just tried the windex on the Q-tip cleaning the laser head and now I am listening to music and dancing around! You just saved me $$ and aggravation!

Marguerite
June 2013

I bought the newest Bose sound wave system 111. I have an old 3-CD changer. I tried updating with the update cd it works fine but connected the 3-cd changer to my new Bose wave system 111 but it would play but supports the main Bose system playing. Please I need help to be able get the new Bose accept & work with my old 3-fach changer please

Chidi
April 2013

the bose cd compartment does nothing blank

james lowe
March 2013

Susie - Awesome. did the the exact same thing with exact same result. Works like a charm and mine is about 20 years old!

Diane
March 2013

Thanks for the tips about fixing the CD player by cleaning it. I cleaned mine with with 91% isopropyl alcohol and a chamois swab, just because I have those already, and that worked great for me. CD wouldn't even play before (like the Bose wasn't detecting it), and now it's as good as new. Thanks.

irv
March 2013

My cd recorder will not work. I need someone to repair it.

susie cartere
November 2012

My Bose CD player quit working, just said disk? I called Bose and they quit making parts for my model but I could upgrade for 199.00. Doing more research on the web. I saw that someone had used a Q-tip with a little windex and rubbed it on the laser disk. Save yourself 199.00 or repairs costs and try the Q-tip with Windex first. My CD player is working now.

L Orban
September 2011

I decided to try the cotton swap/Windex method, but used a Q-tip and alcohol. Didn't work. Took out the trusty steak knife and moved the laser unit around a bit. Guess what? Working like a charm. Nothing to lose, everything to gain.

Little Old White Headed Lady
December 2010

I took a cotton swab, sprayed a small amount of windex on it; very small amount, and cleaned the laser with. It worked with the very next try. I have had this bose wave radio for 7plus years. I would not have tried it if it were new. So be careful.

Now lets see if it will play again, because I tried it just now to learn a Beatles Cover for the Cat Club on Saturday.

Raven
of Raven Parade Music
p.s. yep it worked again

good luck bose owners

Toni Curtis
September 2010

Hi, I have just purchased a 8 year old Bose lifestyle 25 on ebay.
The Cd player takes the discs from the casette but cannot read them, eventually the disc no flashes and "DISC" is displayed.I guess it is a laser problem. Is this laser the same type as above and can I get them in the UK?
Any assistance with fitting would be great, I have repaired my other bose system (the cd transport gear spins on its shaft) so I am happy with stripping down and reassembly but not with pcbs etc.
Regards
Steve

steve-thomson@ntlworld.com
January 2009

I mean - as below.

dave
November 2008

hi guys. have same problems as outlined above and very grateful for the advice on replacing laser unit. but did it work ?

and which of the 2 units is the correct one ? Many thanks. Dave

dave scroggins
November 2008

Hi, I have exactly the same problem and after a look up for the Sanyo laser unit SFP100s I have found a site that lists it but is says there are 2 types of unit
http://www.signalsuk.com/signalsuk.nsf/Products/995FF2C224C56746802574560049A023?OpenDocument

Any idea how to identify which one is needed?
Many thanks,
Phil

Philp
August 2008

Hi Bob. Sorry for the slow reply, I haven't checked this forum for a while.
The head must float as it magnetically 'suspended' and must move up,down and side to side. It's in a feedback loop and aims for max signal from the CD. As for lubrication, none will be needed. There is a tiny amount of grease on the pick up rails; I've never added to it.
To be honest, the CD pickups are difficult to get in the UK (are you in the UK?) I've never bought a complete deck, never found one to buy(!) but I wouldn't be worried about swapping the pickup; if you are inside you are well on your way. After the CD ribbon and plug are disconnected at the deck end, undo the single screw on the silver rail and slide the rail out, you can then get the pickup out. You need to swap over the plastic geared 'rack' as the pickups come without it. It's just 2 tiny screws. Getting the right pickup is the most difficult thing (send the supplier a photo of the one you have). There are at least 3 with very similar numbers and even the suppliers can't agree on what they are called! Search the net; I've bought from Germany, Ireland and from Dalbani in the UK. The ones from Germany happened to be the best quality being original Sanyo. Again, don't forget to desolder the A/S 'blob' on the new pick up. There are 3 'blobs' but use your old pickup to decide which to desolder. Good luck! Email me at steve@odonn21.fsnet.co.uk if you wish.

Steve
April 2008

Hi Bob. Sorry for the slow reply, I haven't checked this forum for a while.
The head must float as it magnetically 'suspended' and must move up,down and side to side. It's in a feedback loop and aims for max signal from the CD. As for lubrication, none will be needed. There is a tiny amount of grease on the pick up rails; I've never added to it.
To be honest, the CD pickups are difficult to get in the UK (are you in the UK?) I've never bought a complete deck, never found one to buy(!) but I wouldn't be worried about swapping the pickup; if you are inside you are well on your way. After the CD ribbon and plug are disconnected at the deck end, undo the single screw on the silver rail and slide the rail out, you can then get the pickup out. You need to swap over the plastic geared 'rack' as the pickups come without it. It's just 2 tiny screws. Getting the right pickup is the most difficult thing (send the supplier a photo of the one you have). There are at least 3 with very similar numbers and even the suppliers can't agree on what they are called! Search the net; I've bought from Germany, Ireland and from Dalbani in the UK. The ones from Germany happened to be the best quality being original Sanyo. Again, don't forget to desolder the A/S 'blob' on the new pick up. There are 3 'blobs' but use your old pickup to decide which to desolder. Good luck! Email me at steve@odonn21.fsnet.co.uk if you wish.

Steve
April 2008

Thanks for that Steve. I have worked out how to take the unit to bits OK and cleaned the lens and it seems better.-- maybe good enough for the time being but not perfect. I notice that the head appears to "float" in the carrier s this correct?? , I also think the drive that tracks the head may be sticky is it possible to get the whole mechanism motor and all?? I am a bit loath to put lubricant on a mechanism that must be kept clean.

bob richardson
April 2008

I've repaired about 10 type Bose AWRC3x (the radio/cd model with lift up lid and top controls). If the cd won't play or skips, try cleaning the lens VERY carefully with a cotton bud with some isopropyl alcohol. Let it dry then try again. This will help in about 1/3 of cases.

After that, a new laser unit is needed. They cost around 15 pounds,30 dollars, (Type SFP100s with 13 pin connector made by Sanyo). You need to have some electronics experience to take the case to bits to get the laser deck out, change the cd laser and reassemble. Basically, DISCONNECT THE POWER! Remove the 3 screws on top, turn over and carefully prise the front of the base away from the top cover with a table knife or similar. Lift off the top cover - be careful with the lid ribbon! The deck can be disconnected from its ribbon cable and wired connector very carefully. Take the deck to bits and fit the new laser head (take photos if you think it will help). Remember to unsolder the shorting 'blob' of solder which protects the new laser from static till its fitted.

On the bright side, there is no tracking etc to set up, that's all automatic so usually they work like new with a new laser fitted. I have to say this is the weakest feature on the Bose CD radio, the actual electronics rarely gives trouble.

Hope this helps Steve O'Donnell

Steve ODonnell
March 2008