Disc rot - Revision history

Katsu sanya: Listed examples of disc rot in game consoles other than wii U

2026-02-27T13:17:37Z

Listed examples of disc rot in game consoles other than wii U

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:17, 27 February 2026
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	==Why it is a problem==		==Why it is a problem==
	'''Preservation:''' Optical media is currently the most common medium that media is physically distributed on. When the media it is for goes out of print and additionally is no-longer digitally distributed, these discs are the only way for the public to access this media. Physical discs are also how most digital media is accessed by public libraries, which many consumers continue to rely upon.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=16 Apr 2010 \|title=An important note to Video Game Sellers and Buyers \|url=https://www.rfgeneration.com/news/Disc-Rot/An-important-note-to-Video-Game-Sellers-and-Buyers-1337.php \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=RF Generation \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251231134235/https://www.rfgeneration.com/news/Disc-Rot/An-important-note-to-Video-Game-Sellers-and-Buyers-1337.php \|archive-date=31 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref name=":0" />		'''Preservation:''' Optical media is currently the most common medium that media is physically distributed on. When the media it is for goes out of print and additionally is no-longer digitally distributed, these discs are the only way for the public to access this media. Physical discs are also how most digital media is accessed by public libraries, which many consumers continue to rely upon.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web \|date=16 Apr 2010 \|title=An important note to Video Game Sellers and Buyers \|url=https://www.rfgeneration.com/news/Disc-Rot/An-important-note-to-Video-Game-Sellers-and-Buyers-1337.php \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=RF Generation \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251231134235/https://www.rfgeneration.com/news/Disc-Rot/An-important-note-to-Video-Game-Sellers-and-Buyers-1337.php \|archive-date=31 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

	'''Accessibility:''' Many consumers purchase physical media with the intent that they can have prolonged access to the content that they paid for. If the disc they buy happens to have been poorly-manufactured, consumers may have a limited and ambiguous time before they cannot consume the media they purchased anymore.		'''Accessibility:''' Many consumers purchase physical media with the intent that they can have prolonged access to the content that they paid for. If the disc they buy happens to have been poorly-manufactured, consumers may have a limited and ambiguous time before they cannot consume the media they purchased anymore.
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	It has been reported that DVDs manufactured from 2006-08 have been rotting away,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Bumbray \|first=Chris \|date=8 Mar 2025 \|title=Hundreds of your Warner Bros DVDs probably don’t work anymore; UPDATED with response from WB \|url=https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=JoBlo \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251230165506/https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/ \|archive-date=30 Dec 2025}}</ref> especially ones stored in their own cases.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Harding \|first=Sharon \|date=7 Mar 2025 \|title=“They curdle like milk”: WB DVDs from 2006–2008 are rotting away in their cases \|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=ArsTechnica \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260109124950/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/ \|archive-date=9 Jan 2026}}</ref> Unlike most distributors, Warner has been offering replacements for these degraded discs for consumers.<ref>https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251216220601/https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd Archived])</ref> Toshiba HD DVDs made by Warner were also reported as having disc rot.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/hd-dvds-any-help-please.379100/\|title=HD DVD's Any help please!\|work=Home Theater Forum\|date=2023-04-11\|access-date=2025-03-12\|author=Sega \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007084425/https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/hd-dvds-any-help-please.379100/ \|archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/HDDVD/comments/sm7bom/my_experience_with_disc_rot/\|title=My experience with disc rot : r/HDDVD\|author=u/TheFiZi\|date=2022-02-06\|work=Reddit\|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220206205823/https://old.reddit.com/r/HDDVD/comments/sm7bom/my_experience_with_disc_rot/\|archive-date=6 Feb 2022\|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- I wonder if they would replace UMDs... -->		It has been reported that DVDs manufactured from 2006-08 have been rotting away,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Bumbray \|first=Chris \|date=8 Mar 2025 \|title=Hundreds of your Warner Bros DVDs probably don’t work anymore; UPDATED with response from WB \|url=https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=JoBlo \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251230165506/https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/ \|archive-date=30 Dec 2025}}</ref> especially ones stored in their own cases.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Harding \|first=Sharon \|date=7 Mar 2025 \|title=“They curdle like milk”: WB DVDs from 2006–2008 are rotting away in their cases \|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=ArsTechnica \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260109124950/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/ \|archive-date=9 Jan 2026}}</ref> Unlike most distributors, Warner has been offering replacements for these degraded discs for consumers.<ref>https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251216220601/https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd Archived])</ref> Toshiba HD DVDs made by Warner were also reported as having disc rot.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/hd-dvds-any-help-please.379100/\|title=HD DVD's Any help please!\|work=Home Theater Forum\|date=2023-04-11\|access-date=2025-03-12\|author=Sega \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007084425/https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/hd-dvds-any-help-please.379100/ \|archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/HDDVD/comments/sm7bom/my_experience_with_disc_rot/\|title=My experience with disc rot : r/HDDVD\|author=u/TheFiZi\|date=2022-02-06\|work=Reddit\|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220206205823/https://old.reddit.com/r/HDDVD/comments/sm7bom/my_experience_with_disc_rot/\|archive-date=6 Feb 2022\|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- I wonder if they would replace UMDs... -->

	===~~Sega~~ consoles===		===Other game consoles===
	~~To be written~~, ~~primary source: [https://www~~.~~rfgeneration.com/news/Disc-Rot/An-important-note-~~to-~~Video-Game-Sellers-~~and~~-Buyers-1337~~.~~php <nowiki>[1]~~</~~nowiki>]<!-- Intentionally not a reference since nothing is written yet! --~~>		Consumers have reported disc rot in games of other various disc-based game consoles, such as Sega CD, PC Engine CD, Turbo CD, CDi, 3DO, Sega Saturn, and Dreamcast. This appears to be much less common in Sony-based consoles like the Playstation, but among Sega and NEC, it is common. <ref name=":2" />

	==Further Reading==		==Further Reading==

Bananabot: Re-archived 1 citation(s) from archive.today to web.archive.org using CRWCitationBot

2026-02-22T21:57:02Z

Re-archived 1 citation(s) from archive.today to web.archive.org using CRWCitationBot

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:57, 22 February 2026
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	===Warner DVDs===		===Warner DVDs===
	It has been reported that DVDs manufactured from 2006-08 have been rotting away,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Bumbray \|first=Chris \|date=8 Mar 2025 \|title=Hundreds of your Warner Bros DVDs probably don’t work anymore; UPDATED with response from WB \|url=https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=JoBlo \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251230165506/https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/ \|archive-date=30 Dec 2025}}</ref> especially ones stored in their own cases.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Harding \|first=Sharon \|date=7 Mar 2025 \|title=“They curdle like milk”: WB DVDs from 2006–2008 are rotting away in their cases \|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=ArsTechnica \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260109124950/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/ \|archive-date=9 Jan 2026}}</ref> Unlike most distributors, Warner has been offering replacements for these degraded discs for consumers.<ref>https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251216220601/https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd Archived])</ref> Toshiba HD DVDs made by Warner were also reported as having disc rot.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/hd-dvds-any-help-please.379100/\|title=HD DVD's Any help please!\|work=Home Theater Forum\|date=2023-04-11\|access-date=2025-03-12\|author=Sega \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007084425/https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/hd-dvds-any-help-please.379100/ \|archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/HDDVD/comments/sm7bom/my_experience_with_disc_rot/\|title=My experience with disc rot : r/HDDVD\|author=u/TheFiZi\|date=2022-02-06\|work=Reddit\|archive-url=https://~~archive~~.ph/~~YRvwA~~\|archive-date=~~2025-03-12~~\|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- I wonder if they would replace UMDs... -->		It has been reported that DVDs manufactured from 2006-08 have been rotting away,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Bumbray \|first=Chris \|date=8 Mar 2025 \|title=Hundreds of your Warner Bros DVDs probably don’t work anymore; UPDATED with response from WB \|url=https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=JoBlo \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251230165506/https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/ \|archive-date=30 Dec 2025}}</ref> especially ones stored in their own cases.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Harding \|first=Sharon \|date=7 Mar 2025 \|title=“They curdle like milk”: WB DVDs from 2006–2008 are rotting away in their cases \|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=ArsTechnica \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260109124950/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/ \|archive-date=9 Jan 2026}}</ref> Unlike most distributors, Warner has been offering replacements for these degraded discs for consumers.<ref>https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251216220601/https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd Archived])</ref> Toshiba HD DVDs made by Warner were also reported as having disc rot.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/hd-dvds-any-help-please.379100/\|title=HD DVD's Any help please!\|work=Home Theater Forum\|date=2023-04-11\|access-date=2025-03-12\|author=Sega \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007084425/https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/hd-dvds-any-help-please.379100/ \|archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/HDDVD/comments/sm7bom/my_experience_with_disc_rot/\|title=My experience with disc rot : r/HDDVD\|author=u/TheFiZi\|date=2022-02-06\|work=Reddit\|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220206205823/https://old.reddit.com/r/HDDVD/comments/sm7bom/my_experience_with_disc_rot/\|archive-date=6 Feb 2022\|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- I wonder if they would replace UMDs... -->

	===Sega consoles===		===Sega consoles===

Banana: Removed 10 duplicate url-status parameter(s) from 10 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

2026-02-16T06:23:02Z

Removed 10 duplicate url-status parameter(s) from 10 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:23, 16 February 2026
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	[[wikipedia:Disc_rot\|Disc rot]] is an event which happens when the materials that compose a compact disc (CD) or equivalent optical storage medium degrade. Often, disc rot occurs whenever companies are neglectful with how their discs are manufactured. Disc rot's existence has been aware of by manufacturers as early as 1988<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Takiff \|first=Jonathan \|title=Compact Discs Still Being Perfected \|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-cd-corrosion/8722352/ \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Newspapers.com \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007083915/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-cd-corrosion/8722352/ \|archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref> and continues to prevail to this day.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Smith \|first=Ernie \|date=6 Feb 2017 \|title=The Hidden Phenomenon That Could Ruin Your Old Discs \|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-hidden-phenomenon-that-could-ruin-your-old-discs/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Vice ~~\|url-status=live~~ \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260113195153/https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-hidden-phenomenon-that-could-ruin-your-old-discs/ \|archive-date=13 Jan 2026}}</ref>		[[wikipedia:Disc_rot\|Disc rot]] is an event which happens when the materials that compose a compact disc (CD) or equivalent optical storage medium degrade. Often, disc rot occurs whenever companies are neglectful with how their discs are manufactured. Disc rot's existence has been aware of by manufacturers as early as 1988<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Takiff \|first=Jonathan \|title=Compact Discs Still Being Perfected \|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-cd-corrosion/8722352/ \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Newspapers.com \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007083915/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-cd-corrosion/8722352/ \|archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref> and continues to prevail to this day.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Smith \|first=Ernie \|date=6 Feb 2017 \|title=The Hidden Phenomenon That Could Ruin Your Old Discs \|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-hidden-phenomenon-that-could-ruin-your-old-discs/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Vice \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260113195153/https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-hidden-phenomenon-that-could-ruin-your-old-discs/ \|archive-date=13 Jan 2026}}</ref>

	Disc rot is not directly intentional from manufacturers, and is considered a case of neglect from manufacturers by most communities. Despite this, there are some formats, such as DVD-D, which are intentionally manufactured for the [[Planned obsolescence\|purpose of degradation]], which exhibit traits that can be related to disc rot.		Disc rot is not directly intentional from manufacturers, and is considered a case of neglect from manufacturers by most communities. Despite this, there are some formats, such as DVD-D, which are intentionally manufactured for the [[Planned obsolescence\|purpose of degradation]], which exhibit traits that can be related to disc rot.
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	====Oxidation====		====Oxidation====
	Often seen on aluminum-based discs, if they are exposed to the atmosphere for a prolonged period of time, the disc can begin to rot. This can additionally happen despite the media being factory-sealed.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|last=Lampson \|first=L. David \|date=Sep 1995 \|title=CD Bronzing \|url=http://www.classical.net/music/guide/society/krs/excerpt3.php \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Classical.net ~~\|url-status=live~~ \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114025837/http://www.classical.net/music/guide/society/krs/excerpt3.php \|archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref> Lacquer or plastic layers are often used to block oxidation, but other factors some of which are listed here can damage this protective layer.		Often seen on aluminum-based discs, if they are exposed to the atmosphere for a prolonged period of time, the disc can begin to rot. This can additionally happen despite the media being factory-sealed.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|last=Lampson \|first=L. David \|date=Sep 1995 \|title=CD Bronzing \|url=http://www.classical.net/music/guide/society/krs/excerpt3.php \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Classical.net \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114025837/http://www.classical.net/music/guide/society/krs/excerpt3.php \|archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref> Lacquer or plastic layers are often used to block oxidation, but other factors some of which are listed here can damage this protective layer.

	====Humidity====		====Humidity====
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	===Pinholes===		===Pinholes===
	Small holes on the disc that can sacrifice the integrity of the data on the disc,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Bishop \|first=Tom \|date=27 Aug 2004 \|title=Is music safe on compact disc? \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3940669.stm \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=BBC ~~\|url-status=live~~ \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250709143620/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3940669.stm \|archive-date=9 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Smith \|first=Ernie \|date=2 Feb 2017 \|title=When Discs Die \|url=https://tedium.co/2017/02/02/disc-rot-phenomenon/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Tedium. ~~\|url-status=live~~ \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114193359/https://tedium.co/2017/02/02/disc-rot-phenomenon/ \|archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref> these can be made more visible if you shine a strong light on your disc.		Small holes on the disc that can sacrifice the integrity of the data on the disc,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Bishop \|first=Tom \|date=27 Aug 2004 \|title=Is music safe on compact disc? \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3940669.stm \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=BBC \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250709143620/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3940669.stm \|archive-date=9 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Smith \|first=Ernie \|date=2 Feb 2017 \|title=When Discs Die \|url=https://tedium.co/2017/02/02/disc-rot-phenomenon/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Tedium. \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114193359/https://tedium.co/2017/02/02/disc-rot-phenomenon/ \|archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref> these can be made more visible if you shine a strong light on your disc.

	===Bronzing===		===Bronzing===
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	==Why it is a problem==		==Why it is a problem==
	'''Preservation:''' Optical media is currently the most common medium that media is physically distributed on. When the media it is for goes out of print and additionally is no-longer digitally distributed, these discs are the only way for the public to access this media. Physical discs are also how most digital media is accessed by public libraries, which many consumers continue to rely upon.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=16 Apr 2010 \|title=An important note to Video Game Sellers and Buyers \|url=https://www.rfgeneration.com/news/Disc-Rot/An-important-note-to-Video-Game-Sellers-and-Buyers-1337.php \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=RF Generation ~~\|url-status=live~~ \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251231134235/https://www.rfgeneration.com/news/Disc-Rot/An-important-note-to-Video-Game-Sellers-and-Buyers-1337.php \|archive-date=31 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref name=":0" />		'''Preservation:''' Optical media is currently the most common medium that media is physically distributed on. When the media it is for goes out of print and additionally is no-longer digitally distributed, these discs are the only way for the public to access this media. Physical discs are also how most digital media is accessed by public libraries, which many consumers continue to rely upon.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=16 Apr 2010 \|title=An important note to Video Game Sellers and Buyers \|url=https://www.rfgeneration.com/news/Disc-Rot/An-important-note-to-Video-Game-Sellers-and-Buyers-1337.php \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=RF Generation \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251231134235/https://www.rfgeneration.com/news/Disc-Rot/An-important-note-to-Video-Game-Sellers-and-Buyers-1337.php \|archive-date=31 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

	'''Accessibility:''' Many consumers purchase physical media with the intent that they can have prolonged access to the content that they paid for. If the disc they buy happens to have been poorly-manufactured, consumers may have a limited and ambiguous time before they cannot consume the media they purchased anymore.		'''Accessibility:''' Many consumers purchase physical media with the intent that they can have prolonged access to the content that they paid for. If the disc they buy happens to have been poorly-manufactured, consumers may have a limited and ambiguous time before they cannot consume the media they purchased anymore.
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	===Nintendo Wii U===		===Nintendo Wii U===
	Consumers have reported that the discs that they purchased for their Wii U consoles are experiencing rot,<ref>{{Cite web \|date=7 May 2020 \|title=Are all Wii U physical discs doomed? \|url=https://forums.atariage.com/topic/306522-are-all-wii-u-physical-discs-doomed/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=AtariAge ~~\|url-status=live~~ \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007083956/https://forums.atariage.com/topic/306522-are-all-wii-u-physical-discs-doomed/ \|archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=@Camgames \|date=26 Jan 2025 \|title=The Wii U Has a Massive Problem \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlVrhF7DYbg \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=[[YouTube]] ~~\|url-status=live~~ \|archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=MlVrhF7DYbg \|archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref> and in some scenarios, degrading on a large scale in individual collections.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=All these games in my collection are dead from disc rot \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/wiiu/comments/15t0i84/all_these_games_in_my_collection_are_dead_from/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|date=14 Mar 2023 \|title=Wii U discs have a high failure rate? \|url=https://gbatemp.net/threads/wii-u-discs-have-a-high-failure-rate.628470/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=GBATEMP ~~\|url-status=live~~ \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250323030443/https://gbatemp.net/threads/wii-u-discs-have-a-high-failure-rate.628470/ \|archive-date=23 Mar 2025}}</ref> Often, the degradation is described as pinholes scattered across the disc. [Example picture to be added]<!-- Read this post, and decide which pic is best to use as an example in this section!		Consumers have reported that the discs that they purchased for their Wii U consoles are experiencing rot,<ref>{{Cite web \|date=7 May 2020 \|title=Are all Wii U physical discs doomed? \|url=https://forums.atariage.com/topic/306522-are-all-wii-u-physical-discs-doomed/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=AtariAge \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007083956/https://forums.atariage.com/topic/306522-are-all-wii-u-physical-discs-doomed/ \|archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=@Camgames \|date=26 Jan 2025 \|title=The Wii U Has a Massive Problem \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlVrhF7DYbg \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=[[YouTube]] \|archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=MlVrhF7DYbg \|archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref> and in some scenarios, degrading on a large scale in individual collections.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=All these games in my collection are dead from disc rot \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/wiiu/comments/15t0i84/all_these_games_in_my_collection_are_dead_from/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|date=14 Mar 2023 \|title=Wii U discs have a high failure rate? \|url=https://gbatemp.net/threads/wii-u-discs-have-a-high-failure-rate.628470/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=GBATEMP \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250323030443/https://gbatemp.net/threads/wii-u-discs-have-a-high-failure-rate.628470/ \|archive-date=23 Mar 2025}}</ref> Often, the degradation is described as pinholes scattered across the disc. [Example picture to be added]<!-- Read this post, and decide which pic is best to use as an example in this section!

	https://www.reddit.com/r/wiiu/comments/15tha7u/disc_rotspots_is_real/ -->		https://www.reddit.com/r/wiiu/comments/15tha7u/disc_rotspots_is_real/ -->

	===Warner DVDs===		===Warner DVDs===
	It has been reported that DVDs manufactured from 2006-08 have been rotting away,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Bumbray \|first=Chris \|date=8 Mar 2025 \|title=Hundreds of your Warner Bros DVDs probably don’t work anymore; UPDATED with response from WB \|url=https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=JoBlo ~~\|url-status=live~~ \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251230165506/https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/ \|archive-date=30 Dec 2025}}</ref> especially ones stored in their own cases.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Harding \|first=Sharon \|date=7 Mar 2025 \|title=“They curdle like milk”: WB DVDs from 2006–2008 are rotting away in their cases \|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=ArsTechnica ~~\|url-status=live~~ \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260109124950/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/ \|archive-date=9 Jan 2026}}</ref> Unlike most distributors, Warner has been offering replacements for these degraded discs for consumers.<ref>https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251216220601/https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd Archived])</ref> Toshiba HD DVDs made by Warner were also reported as having disc rot.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/hd-dvds-any-help-please.379100/\|title=HD DVD's Any help please!\|work=Home Theater Forum\|date=2023-04-11\|access-date=2025-03-12\|author=Sega \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007084425/https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/hd-dvds-any-help-please.379100/ \|archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/HDDVD/comments/sm7bom/my_experience_with_disc_rot/\|title=My experience with disc rot : r/HDDVD\|author=u/TheFiZi\|date=2022-02-06\|work=Reddit\|archive-url=https://archive.ph/YRvwA\|archive-date=2025-03-12\|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- I wonder if they would replace UMDs... -->		It has been reported that DVDs manufactured from 2006-08 have been rotting away,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Bumbray \|first=Chris \|date=8 Mar 2025 \|title=Hundreds of your Warner Bros DVDs probably don’t work anymore; UPDATED with response from WB \|url=https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=JoBlo \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251230165506/https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/ \|archive-date=30 Dec 2025}}</ref> especially ones stored in their own cases.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Harding \|first=Sharon \|date=7 Mar 2025 \|title=“They curdle like milk”: WB DVDs from 2006–2008 are rotting away in their cases \|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=ArsTechnica \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260109124950/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/ \|archive-date=9 Jan 2026}}</ref> Unlike most distributors, Warner has been offering replacements for these degraded discs for consumers.<ref>https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251216220601/https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd Archived])</ref> Toshiba HD DVDs made by Warner were also reported as having disc rot.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/hd-dvds-any-help-please.379100/\|title=HD DVD's Any help please!\|work=Home Theater Forum\|date=2023-04-11\|access-date=2025-03-12\|author=Sega \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007084425/https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/hd-dvds-any-help-please.379100/ \|archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/HDDVD/comments/sm7bom/my_experience_with_disc_rot/\|title=My experience with disc rot : r/HDDVD\|author=u/TheFiZi\|date=2022-02-06\|work=Reddit\|archive-url=https://archive.ph/YRvwA\|archive-date=2025-03-12\|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- I wonder if they would replace UMDs... -->

	===Sega consoles===		===Sega consoles===

Banana: Added archive URLs for 14 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

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Added archive URLs for 14 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:56, 16 February 2026
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	[[wikipedia:Disc_rot\|Disc rot]] is an event which happens when the materials that compose a compact disc (CD) or equivalent optical storage medium degrade. Often, disc rot occurs whenever companies are neglectful with how their discs are manufactured. Disc rot's existence has been aware of by manufacturers as early as 1988<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Takiff \|first=Jonathan \|title=Compact Discs Still Being Perfected \|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-cd-corrosion/8722352/ \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and continues to prevail to this day.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Smith \|first=Ernie \|date=6 Feb 2017 \|title=The Hidden Phenomenon That Could Ruin Your Old Discs \|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-hidden-phenomenon-that-could-ruin-your-old-discs/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Vice}}</ref>		[[wikipedia:Disc_rot\|Disc rot]] is an event which happens when the materials that compose a compact disc (CD) or equivalent optical storage medium degrade. Often, disc rot occurs whenever companies are neglectful with how their discs are manufactured. Disc rot's existence has been aware of by manufacturers as early as 1988<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Takiff \|first=Jonathan \|title=Compact Discs Still Being Perfected \|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-cd-corrosion/8722352/ \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Newspapers.com \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007083915/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-cd-corrosion/8722352/ \|archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref> and continues to prevail to this day.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Smith \|first=Ernie \|date=6 Feb 2017 \|title=The Hidden Phenomenon That Could Ruin Your Old Discs \|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-hidden-phenomenon-that-could-ruin-your-old-discs/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Vice \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260113195153/https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-hidden-phenomenon-that-could-ruin-your-old-discs/ \|archive-date=13 Jan 2026}}</ref>

	Disc rot is not directly intentional from manufacturers, and is considered a case of neglect from manufacturers by most communities. Despite this, there are some formats, such as DVD-D, which are intentionally manufactured for the [[Planned obsolescence\|purpose of degradation]], which exhibit traits that can be related to disc rot.		Disc rot is not directly intentional from manufacturers, and is considered a case of neglect from manufacturers by most communities. Despite this, there are some formats, such as DVD-D, which are intentionally manufactured for the [[Planned obsolescence\|purpose of degradation]], which exhibit traits that can be related to disc rot.
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	====Oxidation====		====Oxidation====
	Often seen on aluminum-based discs, if they are exposed to the atmosphere for a prolonged period of time, the disc can begin to rot. This can additionally happen despite the media being factory-sealed.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|last=Lampson \|first=L. David \|date=Sep 1995 \|title=CD Bronzing \|url=http://www.classical.net/music/guide/society/krs/excerpt3.php \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Classical.net}}</ref> Lacquer or plastic layers are often used to block oxidation, but other factors some of which are listed here can damage this protective layer.		Often seen on aluminum-based discs, if they are exposed to the atmosphere for a prolonged period of time, the disc can begin to rot. This can additionally happen despite the media being factory-sealed.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|last=Lampson \|first=L. David \|date=Sep 1995 \|title=CD Bronzing \|url=http://www.classical.net/music/guide/society/krs/excerpt3.php \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Classical.net \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114025837/http://www.classical.net/music/guide/society/krs/excerpt3.php \|archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref> Lacquer or plastic layers are often used to block oxidation, but other factors some of which are listed here can damage this protective layer.

	====Humidity====		====Humidity====
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	===Pinholes===		===Pinholes===
	Small holes on the disc that can sacrifice the integrity of the data on the disc,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Bishop \|first=Tom \|date=27 Aug 2004 \|title=Is music safe on compact disc? \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3940669.stm \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Smith \|first=Ernie \|date=2 Feb 2017 \|title=When Discs Die \|url=https://tedium.co/2017/02/02/disc-rot-phenomenon/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Tedium.}}</ref> these can be made more visible if you shine a strong light on your disc.		Small holes on the disc that can sacrifice the integrity of the data on the disc,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Bishop \|first=Tom \|date=27 Aug 2004 \|title=Is music safe on compact disc? \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3940669.stm \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=BBC \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250709143620/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3940669.stm \|archive-date=9 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Smith \|first=Ernie \|date=2 Feb 2017 \|title=When Discs Die \|url=https://tedium.co/2017/02/02/disc-rot-phenomenon/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Tedium. \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114193359/https://tedium.co/2017/02/02/disc-rot-phenomenon/ \|archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref> these can be made more visible if you shine a strong light on your disc.

	===Bronzing===		===Bronzing===
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	==Why it is a problem==		==Why it is a problem==
	'''Preservation:''' Optical media is currently the most common medium that media is physically distributed on. When the media it is for goes out of print and additionally is no-longer digitally distributed, these discs are the only way for the public to access this media. Physical discs are also how most digital media is accessed by public libraries, which many consumers continue to rely upon.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=16 Apr 2010 \|title=An important note to Video Game Sellers and Buyers \|url=https://www.rfgeneration.com/news/Disc-Rot/An-important-note-to-Video-Game-Sellers-and-Buyers-1337.php \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=RF Generation}}</ref><ref name=":0" />		'''Preservation:''' Optical media is currently the most common medium that media is physically distributed on. When the media it is for goes out of print and additionally is no-longer digitally distributed, these discs are the only way for the public to access this media. Physical discs are also how most digital media is accessed by public libraries, which many consumers continue to rely upon.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=16 Apr 2010 \|title=An important note to Video Game Sellers and Buyers \|url=https://www.rfgeneration.com/news/Disc-Rot/An-important-note-to-Video-Game-Sellers-and-Buyers-1337.php \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=RF Generation \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251231134235/https://www.rfgeneration.com/news/Disc-Rot/An-important-note-to-Video-Game-Sellers-and-Buyers-1337.php \|archive-date=31 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

	'''Accessibility:''' Many consumers purchase physical media with the intent that they can have prolonged access to the content that they paid for. If the disc they buy happens to have been poorly-manufactured, consumers may have a limited and ambiguous time before they cannot consume the media they purchased anymore.		'''Accessibility:''' Many consumers purchase physical media with the intent that they can have prolonged access to the content that they paid for. If the disc they buy happens to have been poorly-manufactured, consumers may have a limited and ambiguous time before they cannot consume the media they purchased anymore.
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	===Nintendo Wii U===		===Nintendo Wii U===
	Consumers have reported that the discs that they purchased for their Wii U consoles are experiencing rot,<ref>{{Cite web \|date=7 May 2020 \|title=Are all Wii U physical discs doomed? \|url=https://forums.atariage.com/topic/306522-are-all-wii-u-physical-discs-doomed/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=AtariAge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=@Camgames \|date=26 Jan 2025 \|title=The Wii U Has a Massive Problem \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlVrhF7DYbg \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> and in some scenarios, degrading on a large scale in individual collections.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=All these games in my collection are dead from disc rot \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/wiiu/comments/15t0i84/all_these_games_in_my_collection_are_dead_from/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|date=14 Mar 2023 \|title=Wii U discs have a high failure rate? \|url=https://gbatemp.net/threads/wii-u-discs-have-a-high-failure-rate.628470/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=GBATEMP}}</ref> Often, the degradation is described as pinholes scattered across the disc. [Example picture to be added]<!-- Read this post, and decide which pic is best to use as an example in this section!		Consumers have reported that the discs that they purchased for their Wii U consoles are experiencing rot,<ref>{{Cite web \|date=7 May 2020 \|title=Are all Wii U physical discs doomed? \|url=https://forums.atariage.com/topic/306522-are-all-wii-u-physical-discs-doomed/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=AtariAge \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007083956/https://forums.atariage.com/topic/306522-are-all-wii-u-physical-discs-doomed/ \|archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=@Camgames \|date=26 Jan 2025 \|title=The Wii U Has a Massive Problem \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlVrhF7DYbg \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=[[YouTube]] \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=MlVrhF7DYbg \|archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref> and in some scenarios, degrading on a large scale in individual collections.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=All these games in my collection are dead from disc rot \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/wiiu/comments/15t0i84/all_these_games_in_my_collection_are_dead_from/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|date=14 Mar 2023 \|title=Wii U discs have a high failure rate? \|url=https://gbatemp.net/threads/wii-u-discs-have-a-high-failure-rate.628470/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=GBATEMP \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250323030443/https://gbatemp.net/threads/wii-u-discs-have-a-high-failure-rate.628470/ \|archive-date=23 Mar 2025}}</ref> Often, the degradation is described as pinholes scattered across the disc. [Example picture to be added]<!-- Read this post, and decide which pic is best to use as an example in this section!

	https://www.reddit.com/r/wiiu/comments/15tha7u/disc_rotspots_is_real/ -->		https://www.reddit.com/r/wiiu/comments/15tha7u/disc_rotspots_is_real/ -->

	===Warner DVDs===		===Warner DVDs===
	It has been reported that DVDs manufactured from 2006-08 have been rotting away,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Bumbray \|first=Chris \|date=8 Mar 2025 \|title=Hundreds of your Warner Bros DVDs probably don’t work anymore; UPDATED with response from WB \|url=https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=JoBlo}}</ref> especially ones stored in their own cases.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Harding \|first=Sharon \|date=7 Mar 2025 \|title=“They curdle like milk”: WB DVDs from 2006–2008 are rotting away in their cases \|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=ArsTechnica}}</ref> Unlike most distributors, Warner has been offering replacements for these degraded discs for consumers.<ref>https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd</ref> Toshiba HD DVDs made by Warner were also reported as having disc rot.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/hd-dvds-any-help-please.379100/\|title=HD DVD's Any help please!\|work=Home Theater Forum\|date=2023-04-11\|access-date=2025-03-12\|author=Sega}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/HDDVD/comments/sm7bom/my_experience_with_disc_rot/\|title=My experience with disc rot : r/HDDVD\|author=u/TheFiZi\|date=2022-02-06\|work=Reddit\|archive-url=https://archive.ph/YRvwA\|archive-date=2025-03-12\|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- I wonder if they would replace UMDs... -->		It has been reported that DVDs manufactured from 2006-08 have been rotting away,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Bumbray \|first=Chris \|date=8 Mar 2025 \|title=Hundreds of your Warner Bros DVDs probably don’t work anymore; UPDATED with response from WB \|url=https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=JoBlo \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251230165506/https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/ \|archive-date=30 Dec 2025}}</ref> especially ones stored in their own cases.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Harding \|first=Sharon \|date=7 Mar 2025 \|title=“They curdle like milk”: WB DVDs from 2006–2008 are rotting away in their cases \|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=ArsTechnica \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260109124950/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/ \|archive-date=9 Jan 2026}}</ref> Unlike most distributors, Warner has been offering replacements for these degraded discs for consumers.<ref>https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251216220601/https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd Archived])</ref> Toshiba HD DVDs made by Warner were also reported as having disc rot.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/hd-dvds-any-help-please.379100/\|title=HD DVD's Any help please!\|work=Home Theater Forum\|date=2023-04-11\|access-date=2025-03-12\|author=Sega \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007084425/https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/hd-dvds-any-help-please.379100/ \|archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/HDDVD/comments/sm7bom/my_experience_with_disc_rot/\|title=My experience with disc rot : r/HDDVD\|author=u/TheFiZi\|date=2022-02-06\|work=Reddit\|archive-url=https://archive.ph/YRvwA\|archive-date=2025-03-12\|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- I wonder if they would replace UMDs... -->

	===Sega consoles===		===Sega consoles===
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	==Further Reading==		==Further Reading==
	[[DVD-D]]<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD-D</ref>		[[DVD-D]]<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD-D ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251228121030/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD-D Archived])</ref>

	==References<!-- For anyone needing a date for when these sources were collected: Mar 11, 2025 -->==		==References<!-- For anyone needing a date for when these sources were collected: Mar 11, 2025 -->==

AnotherConsumerRightsPerson at 16:46, 13 September 2025

2025-09-13T16:46:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:46, 13 September 2025
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	[[wikipedia:Disc_rot\|Disc rot]] is an event which happens when the materials that compose a compact disc (CD) or equivalent optical storage medium degrade. Often, disc rot occurs whenever companies are neglectful with how their discs are manufactured. Disc rot's existence has been aware of by manufacturers as early as 1988<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Takiff \|first=Jonathan \|title=Compact Discs Still Being Perfected \|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-cd-corrosion/8722352/ \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and continues to prevail to this day.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Smith \|first=Ernie \|date=6 Feb 2017 \|title=The Hidden Phenomenon That Could Ruin Your Old Discs \|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-hidden-phenomenon-that-could-ruin-your-old-discs/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Vice}}</ref>		[[wikipedia:Disc_rot\|Disc rot]] is an event which happens when the materials that compose a compact disc (CD) or equivalent optical storage medium degrade. Often, disc rot occurs whenever companies are neglectful with how their discs are manufactured. Disc rot's existence has been aware of by manufacturers as early as 1988<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Takiff \|first=Jonathan \|title=Compact Discs Still Being Perfected \|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-cd-corrosion/8722352/ \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and continues to prevail to this day.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Smith \|first=Ernie \|date=6 Feb 2017 \|title=The Hidden Phenomenon That Could Ruin Your Old Discs \|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-hidden-phenomenon-that-could-ruin-your-old-discs/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Vice}}</ref>

	Disc rot is not directly intentional from manufacturers, and is considered a case of neglect from manufacturers by most communities. Despite this, there are some formats, such as [[DVD-D]], which are intentionally manufactured for the [[Planned obsolescence\|purpose of degradation]], which exhibit traits that can be related to disc rot.		Disc rot is not directly intentional from manufacturers, and is considered a case of neglect from manufacturers by most communities. Despite this, there are some formats, such as DVD-D, which are intentionally manufactured for the [[Planned obsolescence\|purpose of degradation]], which exhibit traits that can be related to disc rot.
	==How it occurs<!-- Need to read this before integration: https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2015/01/the-science-of-preservation/ -->==		==How it occurs<!-- Need to read this before integration: https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2015/01/the-science-of-preservation/ -->==
	Disc rot occurs in various formats, and has various causes depending on how it was manufactured and stored. This is not an exhaustive list of causes as new methods for the cause of disc rot continue to be found.<!-- I am working with limited sources here, this section REALLY needs more data to work with! -->		Disc rot occurs in various formats, and has various causes depending on how it was manufactured and stored. This is not an exhaustive list of causes as new methods for the cause of disc rot continue to be found.<!-- I am working with limited sources here, this section REALLY needs more data to work with! -->

AnotherConsumerRightsPerson at 14:34, 1 September 2025

2025-09-01T14:34:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:34, 1 September 2025
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	===Editor's Note!===		===Editor's Note!===
	It has come to the attention of the wiki from an expert researcher that Disc Rot is an inaccurate term for what is covered in this article. Unfortunately, due to ongoing research still occurring, a proper generalized term is not yet available, and updates to this article is recommended to be delayed until the researcher's paper releases. Contact JamesTDG via the ~~CAT discord~~ for details.		It has come to the attention of the wiki from an expert researcher that Disc Rot is an inaccurate term for what is covered in this article. Unfortunately, due to ongoing research still occurring, a proper generalized term is not yet available, and updates to this article is recommended to be delayed until the researcher's paper releases. Contact JamesTDG via the CRWdiscord for details.

Emanuele: fixed reference formatting

2025-03-23T14:23:57Z

fixed reference formatting

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:23, 23 March 2025
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	{{StubNotice}}		{{StubNotice}}

	=== Editor's Note! ===		===Editor's Note!===
	It has come to the attention of the wiki from an expert researcher that Disc Rot is an inaccurate term for what is covered in this article. Unfortunately, due to ongoing research still occurring, a proper generalized term is not yet available, and updates to this article is recommended to be delayed until the researcher's paper releases. Contact JamesTDG via the CAT discord for details.		It has come to the attention of the wiki from an expert researcher that Disc Rot is an inaccurate term for what is covered in this article. Unfortunately, due to ongoing research still occurring, a proper generalized term is not yet available, and updates to this article is recommended to be delayed until the researcher's paper releases. Contact JamesTDG via the CAT discord for details.


	[[wikipedia:Disc_rot\|Disc rot]] is an event which happens when the materials that compose a compact disc (CD) or equivalent optical storage medium degrade. Often, disc rot occurs whenever companies are neglectful with how their discs are manufactured. Disc rot's existence has been aware of by manufacturers as early as 1988<ref>https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-cd-corrosion/8722352/ <!-~~- I would appreciate it if someone could find a version that offers a text transcription! -->~~</ref> and continues to prevail to this day.<ref name=":0">https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-hidden-phenomenon-that-could-ruin-your-old-discs/</ref>		[[wikipedia:Disc_rot\|Disc rot]] is an event which happens when the materials that compose a compact disc (CD) or equivalent optical storage medium degrade. Often, disc rot occurs whenever companies are neglectful with how their discs are manufactured. Disc rot's existence has been aware of by manufacturers as early as 1988<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Takiff \|first=Jonathan \|title=Compact Discs Still Being Perfected \|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-cd-corrosion/8722352/ \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and continues to prevail to this day.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Smith \|first=Ernie \|date=6 Feb 2017 \|title=The Hidden Phenomenon That Could Ruin Your Old Discs \|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-hidden-phenomenon-that-could-ruin-your-old-discs/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Vice}}</ref>

	Disc rot is not directly intentional from manufacturers, and is considered a case of neglect from manufacturers by most communities. Despite this, there are some formats, such as [[DVD-D]], which are intentionally manufactured for the [[Planned obsolescence\|purpose of degradation]], which exhibit traits that can be related to disc rot.		Disc rot is not directly intentional from manufacturers, and is considered a case of neglect from manufacturers by most communities. Despite this, there are some formats, such as [[DVD-D]], which are intentionally manufactured for the [[Planned obsolescence\|purpose of degradation]], which exhibit traits that can be related to disc rot.
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	====Oxidation====		====Oxidation====
	Often seen on aluminum-based discs, if they are exposed to the atmosphere for a prolonged period of time, the disc can begin to rot. This can additionally happen despite the media being factory-sealed.<ref name=":1">http://www.classical.net/music/guide/society/krs/excerpt3.~~html~~</ref> Lacquer or plastic layers are often used to block oxidation, but other factors some of which are listed here can damage this protective layer.		Often seen on aluminum-based discs, if they are exposed to the atmosphere for a prolonged period of time, the disc can begin to rot. This can additionally happen despite the media being factory-sealed.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|last=Lampson \|first=L. David \|date=Sep 1995 \|title=CD Bronzing \|url=http://www.classical.net/music/guide/society/krs/excerpt3.php \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Classical.net}}</ref> Lacquer or plastic layers are often used to block oxidation, but other factors some of which are listed here can damage this protective layer.

	====Humidity====		====Humidity====
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	====Chemicals====		====Chemicals====
	Discs are made up of various chemicals meant to protect it, however, some chemicals can be affected by their environment and degrade the disc. An example of this was when discs manufactured by Phillip's were distributed in paper sleeves which had trace elements of sulfur,<!-- Is it sulfur or sulphur???? --> which reacted with the protective layer on the disc and caused bronzing to occur.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20160801032047/https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/pages/bronzed.asp</ref>		Discs are made up of various chemicals meant to protect it, however, some chemicals can be affected by their environment and degrade the disc. An example of this was when discs manufactured by Phillip's were distributed in paper sleeves which had trace elements of sulfur,<!-- Is it sulfur or sulphur???? --> which reacted with the protective layer on the disc and caused bronzing to occur.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Bronzing CD's \|url=https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/pages/bronzed.asp \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801032047/https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/pages/bronzed.asp \|archive-date=1 Aug 2016 \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Hyperion}}</ref>

	==Appearance<!-- There are some mentions of what is called "edge-rot" on discs, see the vice article for details, need a dedicated source speaking of it! -->==		==Appearance<!-- There are some mentions of what is called "edge-rot" on discs, see the vice article for details, need a dedicated source speaking of it! -->==
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	===Pinholes===		===Pinholes===
	Small holes on the disc that can sacrifice the integrity of the data on the disc,<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment~~/music~~/3940669.stm</ref><ref>https://tedium.co/2017/02/02/disc-rot-phenomenon/</ref> these can be made more visible if you shine a strong light on your disc.		Small holes on the disc that can sacrifice the integrity of the data on the disc,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Bishop \|first=Tom \|date=27 Aug 2004 \|title=Is music safe on compact disc? \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3940669.stm \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Smith \|first=Ernie \|date=2 Feb 2017 \|title=When Discs Die \|url=https://tedium.co/2017/02/02/disc-rot-phenomenon/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=Tedium.}}</ref> these can be made more visible if you shine a strong light on your disc.

	===Bronzing===		===Bronzing===
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	==Why it is a problem==		==Why it is a problem==
	'''Preservation:''' Optical media is currently the most common medium that media is physically distributed on. When the media it is for goes out of print and additionally is no-longer digitally distributed, these discs are the only way for the public to access this media. Physical discs are also how most digital media is accessed by public libraries, which many consumers continue to rely upon.<ref>https://www.rfgeneration.com/news/Disc-Rot/An-important-note-to-Video-Game-Sellers-and-Buyers-1337.php</ref><ref name=":0" />		'''Preservation:''' Optical media is currently the most common medium that media is physically distributed on. When the media it is for goes out of print and additionally is no-longer digitally distributed, these discs are the only way for the public to access this media. Physical discs are also how most digital media is accessed by public libraries, which many consumers continue to rely upon.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=16 Apr 2010 \|title=An important note to Video Game Sellers and Buyers \|url=https://www.rfgeneration.com/news/Disc-Rot/An-important-note-to-Video-Game-Sellers-and-Buyers-1337.php \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=RF Generation}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

	'''Accessibility:''' Many consumers purchase physical media with the intent that they can have prolonged access to the content that they paid for. If the disc they buy happens to have been poorly-manufactured, consumers may have a limited and ambiguous time before they cannot consume the media they purchased anymore.		'''Accessibility:''' Many consumers purchase physical media with the intent that they can have prolonged access to the content that they paid for. If the disc they buy happens to have been poorly-manufactured, consumers may have a limited and ambiguous time before they cannot consume the media they purchased anymore.
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	===Nintendo Wii U===		===Nintendo Wii U===
	Consumers have reported that the discs that they purchased for their Wii U consoles are experiencing rot,<ref>https://forums.atariage.com/topic/306522-are-all-wii-u-physical-discs-doomed/</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlVrhF7DYbg</ref> and in some scenarios, degrading on a large scale in individual collections.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/wiiu/comments/15t0i84/all_these_games_in_my_collection_are_dead_from/</ref><ref>https://gbatemp.net/threads/wii-u-discs-have-a-high-failure-rate.628470/</ref> Often, the degradation is described as pinholes scattered across the disc. [Example picture to be added]<!-- Read this post, and decide which pic is best to use as an example in this section!		Consumers have reported that the discs that they purchased for their Wii U consoles are experiencing rot,<ref>{{Cite web \|date=7 May 2020 \|title=Are all Wii U physical discs doomed? \|url=https://forums.atariage.com/topic/306522-are-all-wii-u-physical-discs-doomed/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=AtariAge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=@Camgames \|date=26 Jan 2025 \|title=The Wii U Has a Massive Problem \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlVrhF7DYbg \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> and in some scenarios, degrading on a large scale in individual collections.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=All these games in my collection are dead from disc rot \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/wiiu/comments/15t0i84/all_these_games_in_my_collection_are_dead_from/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|date=14 Mar 2023 \|title=Wii U discs have a high failure rate? \|url=https://gbatemp.net/threads/wii-u-discs-have-a-high-failure-rate.628470/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=GBATEMP}}</ref> Often, the degradation is described as pinholes scattered across the disc. [Example picture to be added]<!-- Read this post, and decide which pic is best to use as an example in this section!

	https://www.reddit.com/r/wiiu/comments/15tha7u/disc_rotspots_is_real/ -->		https://www.reddit.com/r/wiiu/comments/15tha7u/disc_rotspots_is_real/ -->

	===Warner DVDs===		===Warner DVDs===
	It has been reported that DVDs manufactured from 2006-08 have been rotting away,<ref>https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/</ref> especially ones stored in their own cases.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/</ref> Unlike most distributors, Warner has been offering replacements for these degraded discs for consumers.<ref>https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd</ref> Toshiba HD DVDs made by Warner were also reported as having disc rot.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/hd-dvds-any-help-please.379100/\|title=HD DVD's Any help please!\|work=Home Theater Forum\|date=2023-04-11\|access-date=2025-03-12\|author=Sega}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/HDDVD/comments/sm7bom/my_experience_with_disc_rot/\|title=My experience with disc rot : r/HDDVD\|author=u/TheFiZi\|date=2022-02-06\|work=Reddit\|archive-url=https://archive.ph/YRvwA\|archive-date=2025-03-12\|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- I wonder if they would replace UMDs... -->		It has been reported that DVDs manufactured from 2006-08 have been rotting away,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Bumbray \|first=Chris \|date=8 Mar 2025 \|title=Hundreds of your Warner Bros DVDs probably don’t work anymore; UPDATED with response from WB \|url=https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=JoBlo}}</ref> especially ones stored in their own cases.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Harding \|first=Sharon \|date=7 Mar 2025 \|title=“They curdle like milk”: WB DVDs from 2006–2008 are rotting away in their cases \|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=23 Mar 2025 \|website=ArsTechnica}}</ref> Unlike most distributors, Warner has been offering replacements for these degraded discs for consumers.<ref>https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd</ref> Toshiba HD DVDs made by Warner were also reported as having disc rot.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/hd-dvds-any-help-please.379100/\|title=HD DVD's Any help please!\|work=Home Theater Forum\|date=2023-04-11\|access-date=2025-03-12\|author=Sega}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/HDDVD/comments/sm7bom/my_experience_with_disc_rot/\|title=My experience with disc rot : r/HDDVD\|author=u/TheFiZi\|date=2022-02-06\|work=Reddit\|archive-url=https://archive.ph/YRvwA\|archive-date=2025-03-12\|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- I wonder if they would replace UMDs... -->

	===Sega consoles===		===Sega consoles===

Mr Pollo: /* Warner DVDs */

2025-03-12T04:14:42Z

Warner DVDs

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:14, 12 March 2025
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	===Warner DVDs===		===Warner DVDs===
	It has been reported that DVDs manufactured from 2006-08 have been rotting away,<ref>https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/</ref> especially ones stored in their own cases.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/</ref> Unlike most distributors, Warner has been offering replacements for these degraded discs for consumers.<ref>https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd</ref> ~~Reports for~~ Toshiba HD DVDs made by Warner were reported as having disc rot.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/hd-dvds-any-help-please.379100/\|title=HD DVD's Any help please!\|work=Home Theater Forum\|date=2023-04-11\|access-date=2025-03-12\|author=Sega}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/HDDVD/comments/sm7bom/my_experience_with_disc_rot/\|title=My experience with disc rot : r/HDDVD\|author=u/TheFiZi\|date=2022-02-06\|work=Reddit\|archive-url=https://archive.ph/YRvwA\|archive-date=2025-03-12\|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- I wonder if they would replace UMDs... -->		It has been reported that DVDs manufactured from 2006-08 have been rotting away,<ref>https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/</ref> especially ones stored in their own cases.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/</ref> Unlike most distributors, Warner has been offering replacements for these degraded discs for consumers.<ref>https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd</ref> Toshiba HD DVDs made by Warner were also reported as having disc rot.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/hd-dvds-any-help-please.379100/\|title=HD DVD's Any help please!\|work=Home Theater Forum\|date=2023-04-11\|access-date=2025-03-12\|author=Sega}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/HDDVD/comments/sm7bom/my_experience_with_disc_rot/\|title=My experience with disc rot : r/HDDVD\|author=u/TheFiZi\|date=2022-02-06\|work=Reddit\|archive-url=https://archive.ph/YRvwA\|archive-date=2025-03-12\|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- I wonder if they would replace UMDs... -->

	===Sega consoles===		===Sega consoles===

Mr Pollo: Couldn't get the first reference archived

2025-03-12T04:14:13Z

Couldn't get the first reference archived

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:14, 12 March 2025
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	===Warner DVDs===		===Warner DVDs===
	It has been reported that DVDs manufactured from 2006-08 have been rotting away,<ref>https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/</ref> especially ones stored in their own cases.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/</ref> Unlike most distributors, Warner has been offering replacements for these degraded discs for consumers.<ref>https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd</ref> <!-- I wonder if they would replace UMDs... -->		It has been reported that DVDs manufactured from 2006-08 have been rotting away,<ref>https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/</ref> especially ones stored in their own cases.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/</ref> Unlike most distributors, Warner has been offering replacements for these degraded discs for consumers.<ref>https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd</ref> Reports for Toshiba HD DVDs made by Warner were reported as having disc rot.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/hd-dvds-any-help-please.379100/\|title=HD DVD's Any help please!\|work=Home Theater Forum\|date=2023-04-11\|access-date=2025-03-12\|author=Sega}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/HDDVD/comments/sm7bom/my_experience_with_disc_rot/\|title=My experience with disc rot : r/HDDVD\|author=u/TheFiZi\|date=2022-02-06\|work=Reddit\|archive-url=https://archive.ph/YRvwA\|archive-date=2025-03-12\|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- I wonder if they would replace UMDs... -->

	===Sega consoles===		===Sega consoles===

JamesTDG: Added an additional warning when I showed this article to an expert who happens to be working on a detailed research paper on this exact subject

2025-03-12T03:20:55Z

Added an additional warning when I showed this article to an expert who happens to be working on a detailed research paper on this exact subject

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:20, 12 March 2025
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	{{StubNotice}}		{{StubNotice}}

			=== Editor's Note! ===
			It has come to the attention of the wiki from an expert researcher that Disc Rot is an inaccurate term for what is covered in this article. Unfortunately, due to ongoing research still occurring, a proper generalized term is not yet available, and updates to this article is recommended to be delayed until the researcher's paper releases. Contact JamesTDG via the CAT discord for details.


	[[wikipedia:Disc_rot\|Disc rot]] is an event which happens when the materials that compose a compact disc (CD) or equivalent optical storage medium degrade. Often, disc rot occurs whenever companies are neglectful with how their discs are manufactured. Disc rot's existence has been aware of by manufacturers as early as 1988<ref>https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-cd-corrosion/8722352/ <!-- I would appreciate it if someone could find a version that offers a text transcription! --></ref> and continues to prevail to this day.<ref name=":0">https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-hidden-phenomenon-that-could-ruin-your-old-discs/</ref>		[[wikipedia:Disc_rot\|Disc rot]] is an event which happens when the materials that compose a compact disc (CD) or equivalent optical storage medium degrade. Often, disc rot occurs whenever companies are neglectful with how their discs are manufactured. Disc rot's existence has been aware of by manufacturers as early as 1988<ref>https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-cd-corrosion/8722352/ <!-- I would appreciate it if someone could find a version that offers a text transcription! --></ref> and continues to prevail to this day.<ref name=":0">https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-hidden-phenomenon-that-could-ruin-your-old-discs/</ref>

	Disc rot is not directly intentional from manufacturers, and is considered a case of neglect from manufacturers by most communities. Despite this, there are some formats, such as [[DVD-D]], which are intentionally manufactured for the [[Planned obsolescence\|purpose of degradation]], which exhibit traits that can be related to disc rot.		Disc rot is not directly intentional from manufacturers, and is considered a case of neglect from manufacturers by most communities. Despite this, there are some formats, such as [[DVD-D]], which are intentionally manufactured for the [[Planned obsolescence\|purpose of degradation]], which exhibit traits that can be related to disc rot.
	==How it occurs <!-- Need to read this before integration: https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2015/01/the-science-of-preservation/ -->==		==How it occurs<!-- Need to read this before integration: https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2015/01/the-science-of-preservation/ -->==
	Disc rot occurs in various formats, and has various causes depending on how it was manufactured and stored. This is not an exhaustive list of causes as new methods for the cause of disc rot continue to be found.<!-- I am working with limited sources here, this section REALLY needs more data to work with! -->		Disc rot occurs in various formats, and has various causes depending on how it was manufactured and stored. This is not an exhaustive list of causes as new methods for the cause of disc rot continue to be found.<!-- I am working with limited sources here, this section REALLY needs more data to work with! -->

	=== Storage/transit-specific ===		===Storage/transit-specific===

	==== Oxidation ====		====Oxidation====
	Often seen on aluminum-based discs, if they are exposed to the atmosphere for a prolonged period of time, the disc can begin to rot. This can additionally happen despite the media being factory-sealed.<ref name=":1">http://www.classical.net/music/guide/society/krs/excerpt3.html</ref> Lacquer or plastic layers are often used to block oxidation, but other factors some of which are listed here can damage this protective layer.		Often seen on aluminum-based discs, if they are exposed to the atmosphere for a prolonged period of time, the disc can begin to rot. This can additionally happen despite the media being factory-sealed.<ref name=":1">http://www.classical.net/music/guide/society/krs/excerpt3.html</ref> Lacquer or plastic layers are often used to block oxidation, but other factors some of which are listed here can damage this protective layer.

	==== Humidity ====		====Humidity====
	Water is known to carry ions that can eat away at both protective layers and aluminum, and humid environments can foster disc rot,<ref name=":1" /> especially if the location a disc was manufactured at is humid, which can negate any consumer's attempts to slow down or halt any form of rot. Humid environments are also hotbeds for mold, which protective layers and even the reflective layer can act as a substrate for spores to grow into colonies.		Water is known to carry ions that can eat away at both protective layers and aluminum, and humid environments can foster disc rot,<ref name=":1" /> especially if the location a disc was manufactured at is humid, which can negate any consumer's attempts to slow down or halt any form of rot. Humid environments are also hotbeds for mold, which protective layers and even the reflective layer can act as a substrate for spores to grow into colonies.

	==== Heat ====		====Heat====
	Heat has the capability to distort protective plastic layers, or melt layers of lacquer on discs. Any damage to the protective layer risks exposure to the elements.		Heat has the capability to distort protective plastic layers, or melt layers of lacquer on discs. Any damage to the protective layer risks exposure to the elements.

	==== Light ====		====Light====
	More specifically ultraviolet (UV) light can both impart heat and also degrade the reflective layer on a disc.		More specifically ultraviolet (UV) light can both impart heat and also degrade the reflective layer on a disc.

	=== Manufacturer-specific <!-- I read mention of laser rot in some spots, especially to laser disc, should consider adding a section later. --> ===		===Manufacturer-specific<!-- I read mention of laser rot in some spots, especially to laser disc, should consider adding a section later. -->===

	==== Chemicals ====		====Chemicals====
	Discs are made up of various chemicals meant to protect it, however, some chemicals can be affected by their environment and degrade the disc. An example of this was when discs manufactured by Phillip's were distributed in paper sleeves which had trace elements of sulfur,<!-- Is it sulfur or sulphur???? --> which reacted with the protective layer on the disc and caused bronzing to occur.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20160801032047/https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/pages/bronzed.asp</ref>		Discs are made up of various chemicals meant to protect it, however, some chemicals can be affected by their environment and degrade the disc. An example of this was when discs manufactured by Phillip's were distributed in paper sleeves which had trace elements of sulfur,<!-- Is it sulfur or sulphur???? --> which reacted with the protective layer on the disc and caused bronzing to occur.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20160801032047/https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/pages/bronzed.asp</ref>

	== Appearance <!-- There are some mentions of what is called "edge-rot" on discs, see the vice article for details, need a dedicated source speaking of it! --> ==		==Appearance<!-- There are some mentions of what is called "edge-rot" on discs, see the vice article for details, need a dedicated source speaking of it! -->==
	The appearance of disc rot comes in different formats, such as:		The appearance of disc rot comes in different formats, such as:

	=== Pinholes ===		===Pinholes===
	Small holes on the disc that can sacrifice the integrity of the data on the disc,<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3940669.stm</ref><ref>https://tedium.co/2017/02/02/disc-rot-phenomenon/</ref> these can be made more visible if you shine a strong light on your disc.		Small holes on the disc that can sacrifice the integrity of the data on the disc,<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3940669.stm</ref><ref>https://tedium.co/2017/02/02/disc-rot-phenomenon/</ref> these can be made more visible if you shine a strong light on your disc.

	=== Bronzing ===		===Bronzing===
	Via [[wikipedia:Compact_disc_bronzing\|Wikipedia]]:<blockquote>Affected discs show an uneven brownish discoloring that usually starts at the edge of the disc and slowly works its way toward the center. The top or label layer is affected before the bottom layer. The disc becomes progressively darker over time; tracks at the end of the disc (near the outer edge) show an increasing number of disc-read errors before becoming unplayable.</blockquote>		Via [[wikipedia:Compact_disc_bronzing\|Wikipedia]]:<blockquote>Affected discs show an uneven brownish discoloring that usually starts at the edge of the disc and slowly works its way toward the center. The top or label layer is affected before the bottom layer. The disc becomes progressively darker over time; tracks at the end of the disc (near the outer edge) show an increasing number of disc-read errors before becoming unplayable.</blockquote>

	=== Distorted audio ===		===Distorted audio===
	Warped or other forms of distortion can be used as a method to track disc rot, however this can only be tracked within discs intended for playing audio, such as audiobooks or music discs.		Warped or other forms of distortion can be used as a method to track disc rot, however this can only be tracked within discs intended for playing audio, such as audiobooks or music discs.

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	==Major incidents==		==Major incidents==

	=== Nintendo Wii U ===		===Nintendo Wii U===
	Consumers have reported that the discs that they purchased for their Wii U consoles are experiencing rot,<ref>https://forums.atariage.com/topic/306522-are-all-wii-u-physical-discs-doomed/</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlVrhF7DYbg</ref> and in some scenarios, degrading on a large scale in individual collections.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/wiiu/comments/15t0i84/all_these_games_in_my_collection_are_dead_from/</ref><ref>https://gbatemp.net/threads/wii-u-discs-have-a-high-failure-rate.628470/</ref> Often, the degradation is described as pinholes scattered across the disc. [Example picture to be added]<!-- Read this post, and decide which pic is best to use as an example in this section!		Consumers have reported that the discs that they purchased for their Wii U consoles are experiencing rot,<ref>https://forums.atariage.com/topic/306522-are-all-wii-u-physical-discs-doomed/</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlVrhF7DYbg</ref> and in some scenarios, degrading on a large scale in individual collections.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/wiiu/comments/15t0i84/all_these_games_in_my_collection_are_dead_from/</ref><ref>https://gbatemp.net/threads/wii-u-discs-have-a-high-failure-rate.628470/</ref> Often, the degradation is described as pinholes scattered across the disc. [Example picture to be added]<!-- Read this post, and decide which pic is best to use as an example in this section!

	https://www.reddit.com/r/wiiu/comments/15tha7u/disc_rotspots_is_real/ -->		https://www.reddit.com/r/wiiu/comments/15tha7u/disc_rotspots_is_real/ -->

	=== Warner DVDs ===		===Warner DVDs===
	It has been reported that DVDs manufactured from 2006-08 have been rotting away,<ref>https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/</ref> especially ones stored in their own cases.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/</ref> Unlike most distributors, Warner has been offering replacements for these degraded discs for consumers.<ref>https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd</ref> <!-- I wonder if they would replace UMDs... -->		It has been reported that DVDs manufactured from 2006-08 have been rotting away,<ref>https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/</ref> especially ones stored in their own cases.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/they-curdle-like-milk-wb-dvds-from-2006-2008-are-rotting-away-in-their-cases/</ref> Unlike most distributors, Warner has been offering replacements for these degraded discs for consumers.<ref>https://www.avclub.com/warner-bros-replacing-disc-rot-dvd</ref> <!-- I wonder if they would replace UMDs... -->

	=== Sega consoles ===		===Sega consoles===
	To be written, primary source: [https://www.rfgeneration.com/news/Disc-Rot/An-important-note-to-Video-Game-Sellers-and-Buyers-1337.php <nowiki>[1]</nowiki>]<!-- Intentionally not a reference since nothing is written yet! -->		To be written, primary source: [https://www.rfgeneration.com/news/Disc-Rot/An-important-note-to-Video-Game-Sellers-and-Buyers-1337.php <nowiki>[1]</nowiki>]<!-- Intentionally not a reference since nothing is written yet! -->

	== Further Reading ==		==Further Reading==
	[[DVD-D]]<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD-D</ref>		[[DVD-D]]<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD-D</ref>

	==References <!-- For anyone needing a date for when these sources were collected: Mar 11, 2025 -->==		==References<!-- For anyone needing a date for when these sources were collected: Mar 11, 2025 -->==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}

	[[Category:Common terms]]		[[Category:Common terms]]