How to Fix a DVD Drive Not Reading Discs in Windows 10

One of the most common causes of a DVD drive not reading discs is an outdated or corrupted driver. To reinstall the driver, follow these steps:

Reinstall the DVD Drive Driver

Press the Windows logo key R to open the Run dialog box.
Type devmgmt.msc in the Run dialog box, then press Enter.
In Device Manager, expand DVD/CD-ROM drives.
Right-click the CD and DVD devices, and then select Uninstall.
When prompted to confirm that you want to remove the device, select OK.
Restart the computer.
After the computer restarts, the drivers will be automatically installed. If the issue persists, try the following additional steps.

Update the DVD Drive Driver

Press the Windows logo key R to open the Run dialog box.
Type devmgmt.msc in the Run dialog box, then press Enter.
In Device Manager, expand DVD/CD-ROM drives.
Right-click the CD and DVD devices, and select Update driver.
Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software” and follow the on-screen instructions.
If an updated driver is available, Windows will download and install it automatically.

Check for Hardware Issues

If the above steps don’t resolve the issue, there may be a hardware problem with your DVD drive. Try the following:
Check the cables connecting the DVD drive to the motherboard and power supply to ensure they are securely connected.
If you have another DVD drive available, try swapping it with the faulty drive to see if the issue persists.
If the issue is specific to certain discs, try cleaning the discs or using different media to rule out compatibility problems.

Use the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Windows 10 includes a built-in troubleshooter that can help identify and fix issues with hardware devices, including DVD drives. To use the troubleshooter:
Press the Windows logo key I to open the Settings app.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Troubleshoot from the left-hand menu.
Scroll down and select “Hardware and Devices,” then click “Run the troubleshooter.”
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.
If the troubleshooter identifies any issues, it will provide recommendations to resolve them.

Perform a System Restore

If the issue occurred after a recent change to your system, such as installing a new program or driver, you can try restoring your system to a previous state using System Restore. This will revert any changes made to your system without affecting your personal files.
Press the Windows logo key R to open the Run dialog box.
Type rstrui.exe and press Enter to open the System Restore utility.
Follow the on-screen instructions to select a restore point and complete the process.
Keep in mind that System Restore will only work if you have previously created a restore point on your system.

Reset the DVD Drive in BIOS

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, you can try resetting the DVD drive settings in your computer’s BIOS. The process may vary depending on your motherboard manufacturer, but generally, you can access the BIOS by pressing a specific key during boot (usually F2, F12, or Del).
Restart your computer and enter the BIOS setup menu.
Navigate to the section related to optical drives or storage devices.
Reset the DVD drive settings to their default values.
Save the changes and exit the BIOS.
After resetting the DVD drive settings, your computer should boot normally, and you can try using the DVD drive again.
If none of the above steps resolve the issue, and you have ruled out hardware problems, it’s possible that your DVD drive is no longer supported by Windows 10. In this case, you may need to replace the drive with a newer model that is compatible with your operating system.