How To Fix a PS2 Game That Gets Stuck On Loading Screen

If most of the different games you try to play on PS2 are getting stuck on the loading screen, its most likely the laser lens inside the console has become weak. Inside the disc drive mechanism there is a laser which reads data from the blue or silver game discs. If you have had your console for a while, chances are that there is dust or dirt trapped onto the lens of the laser. This causing the game to freeze on the start up loading screen every time you try to load it. To overcome this you will need to clean the laser lens inside your PS2. The type of PlayStation2 console you have will depend on which method you will need to used.

Before you perform the internal clean, please ensure that the game disc is clean.

For the PlayStation 2 Fat / Bulky old style model

1) Flip the console upside down and remove all the plastic and rubber feet tabs.

2) Get a medium sized Philips head screwdriver and unscrew them all.

3) Turn the console around and carefully remove the plastic top. Please ensure you remove it carefully and place it to one side, as there is a silver power ribbon cable that can easily come off from the main circuit board.

4) The disc drive system has a top plastic part that you will need to remove found on the right hand side opposite the cooling fan and metal heat sink on the left. So get a small sized Philips head screwdriver and remove all four small screws in each corner.

5) Remove the top cover from the disc mechanism. If you see any game disc in the tray you can remove it at this stage without ejecting it out.

For the PS2 Slimline / Thin model

1) Press the 'Eject' button on the front of the console to pop open the flap.

2) Remove the game disc.

Instructions Apply for both types of Sony consoles:

You will see the laser lens. Its a blue color glass eye you can't miss it at all. You will need to obtain a soft cotton bud and some cleaning alcohol solution from a local hardware DIY store.

Place one drop of cleaning solution directly onto the lens and rub it in upwards and downwards with the cotton bud. Wait for about 2 minutes for the renaming solution to evaporate off. Then follow the steps in reverse order to reassemble the console back together if you are cleaning the first generation fat model.