Cracked DVD Cases and Broken Hubs: Fixes That Actually Work

The disc is fine; the case is in pieces. It is the most common condition problem in any DVD collection, and it is almost always fixable for very little money. A broken hub or a cracked hinge does not mean the film is lost, but it does need attention before the disc starts sliding around unprotected.

First, check the disc

Before repairing anything, take the disc out and inspect it. A case that cracked while being dropped may have transferred the impact to the disc edge. Hold it under a lamp and look for cracks radiating from the centre hole. A cracked hub area on the disc itself is a failure point, and the disc should be copied or replaced rather than played repeatedly.

Clean any dust or plastic fragments off the disc with a soft cloth before putting it into a new case. Our guide to cleaning a DVD without damaging it covers the safe method.

Understand the three common failures

1. Snapped centre hub

The plastic teeth that grip the disc break off, usually because the disc was removed by bending it instead of pressing the hub. A disc in a broken hub slides around and picks up scratches on every journey.

2. Cracked hinge or spine

The living hinge along the spine splits after repeated opening. The case still closes but no longer holds its shape, and the booklet starts to fall out.

3. Broken corner or latch

The case no longer clicks shut, so it opens in a bag. This is the least serious problem and the easiest to work around.

Repair options, ranked

1. Replace the case. Standard black DVD cases are inexpensive and widely sold. This is the cleanest fix and usually the right one.
2. Swap the hub only. If the case is a special edition with printed inner artwork, you can sometimes transfer the tray into a new shell.
3. Reinforce the hinge. A strip of clear tape along the inside spine can extend the life of a cracked hinge, though it will not look elegant.
4. Use a sleeve. For a disc you rarely watch, a soft sleeve inside the original box prevents further damage while keeping the artwork.

Glue is rarely worth it. Most cases are made from polypropylene, which resists household adhesives, and a glued hub usually snaps again the first time a disc is removed.

How to remove a disc correctly

Press the centre hub down with one finger while lifting the disc edge with another. Never bend the disc like a taco, and never pull it straight up. This one habit prevents most broken hubs and most cracked discs.

The same rule applies when a disc is stuck. Our notes on removing a stuck disc safely follow the same principle: release the mechanism before applying force.

Replacements: what to buy

• Standard black cases: cheapest, widely available, fine for most titles.
• Clear cases: needed for some TV seasons and double-disc sets.
• Multi-disc cases: check the hub type, since flip trays vary between brands.
• Eco cases: lighter and often more fragile; avoid for discs you handle often.

When moving artwork, warm the plastic slightly with your hands and peel slowly from a corner. Ripping the paper is far more annoying than the original crack.

Prevent the next break

Store cases vertically and do not overfill shelves, where cases get compressed and hinges take the load. Keep heavy box sets on a lower shelf, and avoid stacking loose cases on top of each other. If a case is already cracked, fix it before returning the disc, because a broken case is how discs get scratched.

Five minutes, one case

Buy a pack of spare cases, keep them with your collection, and replace damaged ones as you notice them. It is the least glamorous part of collecting and the one that keeps a library usable for decades.

Check your shelf this week, replace the worst case, and put the disc back where it belongs.