A range of software and hardware issues can make it difficult or impossible for your CD drive to read a disc properly. The following guide works best for Windows 10 users, but most steps can easily be adapted to Windows 8, and 7 users. Show
Check Your CD Drive FirstWhen a CD drive or DVD drive won’t work, you might try checking the hardware and disc first. CD Drive components are fine-tuned and may read your disc incorrectly if the hardware, lens, or CD is damaged. Check the CD Drive HardwareThe CD Drive Hardware may be malfunctioning. A quick inspection should rule out any drive issues. Things to note:
Check the DiscA bad disc can’t be played, no matter how hard you try.
Is the Drive Lens a Problem?Disc drives use lasers to read disc data as 1s and 0s based on the amount light that’s reflected back to the optical system. A dirty lens won’t read anything, so it’s important to make sure that no dust has accumulated. You can try one of two methods:
CD Drive Software Might Cause IssuesMultiple programs are used by your CD drive to run and read discs correctly and may require updating. System updates may cause compatibility issues with your pre-installed drivers, firmware, and BIOS settings. Update CD Drive FirmwareFirmware is device-specific software that’s stored internally in your CD drive. Outdated firmware can cause communication issues between computer and driver, which can also impact the drive’s ability to read discs. Try visiting your computer manufacturer’s website for any applicable firmware updates. Your CD drive might come with a free utility that lets it do firmware updates automatically. Update Your BIOSThe BIOS is the computer’s Binary Input and Output System and handles communication between your CPU, motherboard and CD drive. BIOS updates can fix many issues but should be done carefully. Incorrectly changing BIOS setting may cause permanent damage to your computer. Your PC manufacturer will normally provide utilities to help perform BIOS updates automatically. Set Up AutoPlayAutoPlay is used to automatically play content that’s loaded onto your system. If your CD drive isn’t doing anything, your AutoPlay settings may be set incorrectly. Here is how to change them:
Update Your CD DriversIf your CD player still won’t play, you might try updating your drivers. Drivers are software packages used by Windows to interact with your hardware, and outdated CD drivers can cause compatibility issues between your disc drive and Windows. Drivers can be updated automatically or it can be done manually with the following steps:
Reinstall Your CD driversIf a driver update fails to get your CD drive reading, you might try doing a fresh install of the CD driver. The Windows operating system includes basic drivers and will attempt to reinstall the driver after you reboot the system. Here’s how:
After an Update, Your CD Drive Still Fails To ReadIf nothing seems to work, try rolling back your driver to a time they were reading discs ok. Windows lets you roll back drivers individually. The process is simple:
Get Your CD Drive Working With a System RestoreSometimes driver updates just don’t do the trick. An unknown update or change may cause your CD driver issues. In this case, a system restore works better. The Windows system restore tool can be used to revert computer settings to an earlier date while keeping your personal files intact. Performing a system restore is easy:
Last Resort: Restore Your PC to Factory DefaultsAs a last resort, you might try resetting your PC to its original factory settings. Most PCs come standard with reserved hard disk space set aside for re-installing the operating system. Data will be wiped from the system so it would be wise to create a backup copy of anything important. You can reset your PC with these steps:
Let’s Keep Your CD Drive RunningCD drive errors can be created by hardware and software issues. It’s always best to check your disc and hardware for serviceability as well as checking your software for any updates or changes that can affect your CD drive’s performance. Your CD drive or computer manufacturer will usually provide tools you need to resolve firmware updates and play your media correctly. As for Windows, you must be sure to keep your drivers updated, which can be done manually or automatically with special software. Driver Support will keep your CD running and your drivers updated. It’s important to capture the most recent driver updates, which Windows doesn’t always do. Let us take the manual work of finding driver updates off your hands so you can keep your discs running, instead of driver updates running you. |