We have written several posts in the past on how to burn DVD, how to burn Windows 7/8/10 discs and even some material to Blu-ray discs However, we haven’t posted one of the simplest things yet.
What if a CD or DVD is stuck in the optical drive of your computer and cannot be ejected? There are several steps you can take to clear a DVD or CD jam.
Computers are complex as they are. This means that a stuck DVD could be one of several possible causes. Sometimes this is easy to fix. Sometimes it’s not that simple. The best thing to do is fix the problem.
Here’s what not to do :
Insert a screwdriver, pocket knife, credit card, or any other object into the DVD drive and try to open it or pull out the disc tray. When things don’t work, I feel like throwing the computer across the room just like the other guy. But just don’t do it. Please troubleshoot first.
– /
Method 1 – Try ejecting from within Windows
Go to Start Computer. Right-click the CD / DVD drive and select Eject from the drop-down menu. Sometimes, you can eject a stuck disk using Windows commands.
The second method – programs and drivers
The CD / DVD drive worked a week ago, right? But suddenly it just stops. Chances are good that you have installed a program, application, update, driver, etc. that messed up your CD / DVD drive driver.
To fix this problem, try performing a system restore. System Restore will delete several files and changes on your computer that have been made over a period of time. If you’ve recently updated your operating system, this can often cause device driver incompatibility.
You can also try uninstalling the driver for your CD / DVD drive and reinstalling it. To do this, you will need to make sure you have a backup of your driver. You can download it from the CD / DVD drive manufacturer’s website.
The third method – force output
Then you can try to force eject the CD / DVD tray. Not all drives and recorders have this feature. To check if you have one, look at the front of the CD / DVD drive and you will see a small hole.
Use a toothpick, bent paperclip, or needle to push the button. It may or may not open the disc. Many people report that this does not work. But some reported that it was. May the power of the ejection be with you.
Fourth method – some strange things that work
Close all applications and make sure you save whatever you need to save. Reboot your computer. Once the backup starts downloading, even before you see the Windows boot screen, press the eject button on the disk.
If you are using a bootable disc with a slot (MacBook), this will be the eject button on your keyboard. Do not hold down the button. Press it several times and quickly, as if it were the A button and you are in level 10 of Mario Bros trying to defeat Bowser. Believe it or not, it works most of the time. If Windows boots to the logon screen and the tray does not open, stop pressing.
– Turn off your computer, unplug the power cord and wait a couple of minutes. Plug it back in, run it and try the above step. To learn more about this, see the article on USB connection problems
– Let him knock a little. Don’t use a lot of energy, just a light touch. Sometimes, especially in slot-loading drives, the disc may pop out of place.
What you can do now
Internal CD / DVD drives are fairly easy to replace on desktop computers. You can find tutorials all over the internet. However, with notebook drives, things are not so simple. If you’re uncomfortable trying to replace the internal CD / DVD drive, you can always get an external drive. They are pretty decent at under $ 100.
If you manage to remove a disc from the drive, the first thing you should do before inserting another disc is to clean the inside of it. I recommend purchasing a can of compressed air and shooting it inside the actuator while the tray is not installed. When doing this, be careful not to freeze or touch the read / write head on the drive.
If something physical is broken, like the eject button itself, you’re probably better off taking it to a hardware repair shop or simply replacing the drive with a new one. Personally, a cheap external CD / DVD drive is even the best option. Enjoy!
–