If you’re still hanging on to your physical DVD collection, you could be in for a nasty surprise.
Many DVDs manufactured by Warner Bros. between 2006 and 2008 have been hit by an issue known as “laser rot,” where DVDs simply stop working due to a rotting of the layers, an investigation by movie review site JoBlo reveals. So far, it doesn’t seem like Blu-ray discs or HD-DVD are affected.
JoBlo highlights some of Warner Bros.’ portfolio, including its Looney Tunes Collections or its portfolio of 30s, 40s, and 50s Hollywood classics, which were never transferred to newer formats like Blu-ray, meaning they could run the risk of disappearing without a trace.
Though collectors have noted the problem in recent years, Warner Bros. recently acknowledged the issue following JoBlo’s report and has offered to replace the impacted DVDs—but only under certain conditions.
“Where possible, the defective discs have been replaced with the same title,” read the official statement. “However, as some of the affected titles are no longer in print or the rights have expired, consumers have been offered an exchange for a title of like-value.”
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Warner Bros. encouraged consumers hit by the defect to contact its customer support at: [email protected]. If you’d prefer to avoid the potential trauma of malfunctioning DVDs altogether, check out PCMag’s guide to converting your old discs to digital formats.
The era of malfunctioning discs may well be nearing an end anyway. Many of the largest home entertainment chains in the US have already decided to cut or severely limit the number of DVDs they stock. Best Buy made the leap to stop stocking DVDs altogether in 2024, while Netflix shuttered its DVD business in 2023 after almost 30 years.
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About Will McCurdy
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