How To Fix DVD Drive Errors

This isn't particularly normal if the brand is good and you've been treating it right. However there are plenty of causes to this problem that may include hardware, software, or both. Out of the many components of your computer system, the DVD drive is often the first component that starts acting up and may even stop working after as little as a few months worth of usage.

Following each step to fix DVD drive errors will cover all the different causes before you come to the conclusion of replacing it.

1. BIOS Check

The BIOS can normally be accessed by pressing the "delete" key before the system boots. Check there and see if it is detected. This early step will determine whether the problem lies in the hardware or in Windows. Proceed to the next step if it doesn't detect in the BIOS or go to the 3rd step if it detects.

2. Connection Check

Internal DVD drives have 2 sockets where the power and the data cable go respectively. Check if those connections are secure. If you turn on your computer and notice the DVD lights blinking, then the power is fine and the data cable is not. Before replacing the data cable, try plugging a hard disk there and see if it reads.

If it does, either the DVD drive is faulty or the jumpers aren't properly set. Properly connected DVD drives should detect on BIOS regardless of the software problems in Windows.

3. Driver Check

Most of the newest DVD drives have drivers built-in, but if the drive still fails to show up, the problem may lie on the registry because the registry contains the database of drivers installed and in use. Therefore, registry cleaning programs can fix DVD drive errors if the problem really lies there.

To make sure, head to the a free registry scan page and choose the link that fits your operating system.

Install and run the registry program to check if there are any problems.

If so, sift through the results and look in the hardware categories and see if you can see something that may be responsible in preventing detection.

If there are too many registry errors detected, you should consider buying a registry solution anyway as it can fix various performance and stability issues including drivers.

4. Lens Check

The drive itself may be fine after step 3, but the lens could be damaged and may have still trouble reading the discs.

Use a cleaning kit to take care of that and make it a habit to use clean discs to avoid further damage. Try other discs to see if the lens is really the problem.

If you don't have any hardware background, you can always do step 3 by yourself and see if the registry scanner can solve your problem.

Registry scanners are free and determine whether or not you should by a registry cleaner to fix DVD drive errors.

If you are convinced that it's a hardware problem, try out a spare DVD drive and see if it works. You can also hire a technician in doing the steps for you to make the task a bit easier.