Reliable Methods To Eliminate The Dell Laptop DVD Drive Not Working Issue

Dell laptop DVD drive not working is a general problem which you might confront while running a CD or DVD on your laptop. This issue may occur with pre-recorded discs and with recordable or rewritable discs. If you face this issue, then the LED of the DVD writer will blink but won’t be able to run the disk. You might see an error message or blank screen when you try to access the contents of the disc. You can face this issue due to some corrupted entries on your Dell laptop. If you are facing this issue, then don’t panic. Since it is a common problem, anyone can fix it without any technical assistance. Thus, in this article, we are going to discuss some easy fixes to resolve the Dell laptop CD drive not working issue without any difficulty.

Reasons Behind Dell laptop DVD drive not working Error

If the registry entries get corrupted due to prolonged usage, then you might face this issue. But, there are some other reasons too due to which you can face this issue. So, let’s take a glance at the prominent cause of this Dell laptop CD drive not opening issue:

1. If there is any problem with the DVD driver, then you can face this issue.
2. Use of an outdated device driver can lead to this issue.
3. If the IDE/ATAPI drivers got corrupted, then you will face this issue.
4. When the optical disk drive is not recognized, then you might confront this issue.
5. Incorrect AutoPlay settings can be the cause behind this Dell laptop DVD drive not working Windows 10 error.
6. This error strikes due to an outdated BIOS version of your Dell laptop.
7. An outdated DVD driver might be the main culprit of this issue.
8. You can encounter this error due to the corrupted registry entries.
9. When the AutoPlay is disabled, then the DVD drive will not work.

Smart Hacks to Rectify Dell laptop DVD drive not working Issue

Any error can be the reason for your headache, hence it requires proper attention to remove with utmost care. Delaying might result in further damages as well. However, it is not always possible to remove the Dell laptop not recognizing DVD drive error on your own if you’re not a tech-savvy. Therefore, try the effective hacks that are given below to get fruitful results.

Solution 1: Verify the Optical Disk Drive is Recognized in Device Manager

The first thing you have to do before performing any troubleshooting step, just check that the optical disk drive is listed in Device Manager or not. So, to check this optical disk drive perform the instructions cited below:

1. At first, press the Windows key and R key at the same time to invoke the Run box.
2. In the Run box, type ‘devmgmt.msc’, and then press the Enter key on the keyboard. It will help to invoke the Device Manager.  
3. In the Device Manager, by expanding the DVD/CD-ROM drives, you can see a list. Just verify that the optical disk drive is listed or not.

Solution 2: Troubleshoot the Hardware and Devices

The simple way to fix this issue is to troubleshoot the hardware and devices. Hence, you need to follow the below steps one by one:

1. First of all, press the Windows key and the R key at the same time on the keyboard.
2. Then, type ‘control’ in the Run dialogue box and press the Enter key. The Control Panel will be invoked automatically.
3. After that, type ‘troubleshooter’ on the Search field of the Control Panel window and click on the Troubleshooter option.
4. Now, click on the ‘Configure a Device’ option which is present under the ‘Hardware and Sound’ section.
5. At last, you will need to confirm by selecting the OK button.

Now, it’s time to check whether the issue is resolved or not on your laptop. If the issue still bothers you, then follow the next method.

Solution 3: Set the AutoPlay Settings in Windows to Defaults

If the AutoPlay feature of Microsoft Windows is disabled, then the DVD drive will not work when a disc is inserted. Then, you have to set the settings of this AutoPlay feature to defaults. To do so, just perform the below-mentioned guidelines:

For Windows 10, Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 Users:

1. At first, open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows key and R key combination from the keyboard.
2. In the Run box, type ‘control’, and then press the Enter key on the keyboard.
3. Now, double-click on the AutoPlay icon.
4. Make sure that you check the ‘Use AutoPlay’ for all media and devices check box.
5. Now, select every drop-down menu and choose the ‘Ask me every time’ option in every DVD, Blu-ray, and CD item, and then press the Save button.

For Windows 7 and Windows Vista:

1. First of all, press the Windows key and R key combination on the keyboard to open the Run box.
2. In the Run dialog box, type ‘control’, and then press the Enter key.
3. Now, click on the ‘Hardware and sound’ icon, and then select the AutoPlay option.
4. Now, go to the Media and select ‘Ask me every time’ in each drop-down menu.
5. Then, press the Save button.

For Windows XP:

1. At first, locate the ‘My Computer’ icon on the screen.
2. Now, select the ‘CD or DVD Drive’ icon, and then choose the ‘Properties’ option.
3. In the Properties window, navigate to the AutoPlay tab.
4. Choose the ‘Restore Defaults’ option.
5. Now, restart your Dell Laptop and check whether the issue still bothers you or not.
6. If the button is greyed out, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.

Solution 4: Disable the DMA Mode of the Disk Drive

To disable the DMA mode on the disk drive, you need to follow these instructions mentioned below:

1. Invoke the Run box by pressing the Windows key and R key combination.
2. In the Run dialog box, type ‘devmgmt.msc’, and then press the Enter key.
3. Now, expand the ‘DVD or CD-ROM drives’ option to locate the disk drive. Click on the Disk drive.
4. Then, choose the Properties option.
5. After that, go to the ‘Advanced Settings’ tab.
6. Navigate to ‘Device Properties’, and then uncheck the ‘Enable DMA’ checkbox.
7. Now, restart your laptop and check if you still encounter Dell laptop DVD drive not working issue or not. If yes, then don’t panic. Just go through all the other methods provided in this article.  

Solution 5: Fix the Corrupted Registry Entries

If there are any corrupted registries entries on your laptop, then you might face this issue. Thus, to resolve the issue you have to fix the corrupted entries. Follow the steps to fix the corrupted entries only. If you make any unnecessary changes, then it might lead to some other problems. So, be careful while performing these steps instructed below:

1. First of all, press the Windows key and the R key together to open the Run dialog box.
2. Then, type ‘regedit’ in the search field and press the Enter key on the keyboard.
3. After that, in the Registry Editor window, navigate to the registry subkey ‘HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE1031}’.
4. Then, choose the ‘Upperfilters’ option from the right column.
5. Now, navigate to the Edit tab and select the Delete option.
6. Click on YES to confirm.
7. Thereafter, choose the ‘Lower Filters’ option which you will find in the right column.
8. Then, select Delete in the Edit tab.
9. Finally, close the Registry Editor and reboot your laptop.

Create a Registry Subkey

After fixing the corrupted registry key, you need to create a new registry subkey. To perform these steps, you must log in to your laptop as an administrator. Hence, go through the steps to create a registry subkey:

1. At first, press the Windows key and R key combination to invoke the Run dialogue box.
2. Then, type ‘regedit’ in the search box and press the Enter key.
3. After that, in the Registry Editor window navigate to the registry subkey ‘HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE1031}’.
4. After that, right-click on the new tab and choose the New option.
5. Now, choose the Key option and type ‘Controller0’, and then press the Enter key.
6. Thereafter, right-click on Controller0 and choose the New option.
7. Then, choose the ‘DWORD(32-Bit) Value’ option and type ‘EnumDevice1’.
8. After that, choose the Modify option and type 1 in the ‘Value data’ window.
9. Next, click on the OK button to save the changes.
10. Finally, close the Registry Editor and reboot your laptop.

Solution 6: Update the DVD Driver

If you are using a backdated DVD driver on your Dell laptop, then this Dell laptop DVD drive not working issue can occur. Thus, go through the below steps to update the DVD driver:

Automatically update the DVD Driver

1. At first, press the Windows key and the R key simultaneously from the keyboard.
2. After that, in the Run dialogue box, type ‘devmgmt.msc’ and press the Enter key which will help to open the Device Manager.
3. After that, click on the OK button for confirmation.
4. Then, in the Device Manager window, click on ‘DVD drives’ and right-click on the ‘DVD device’ option.
5. After that, click on the ‘Update Driver’ option to complete the process.
6. Now, follow all the instructions which will appear on the screen.
7. At last, restart your device and check whether the issue is resolved or not.

Manually update the DVD Driver

In case, you are not able to update the driver automatically, then do it from the manufacturer’s website. Open the official site and then, look for available driver updates. If you find an available update, then download and install it on your device with the help of the on-screen guide. After updating the driver, check whether the issue is resolved or not. If not, then follow the next method.

Solution 7: Install the Latest Version of BIOS

BIOS is the Basic Input Output System. BIOS helps to identify and mitigate all the hardware issue of your Dell laptop. If the BIOS is not updated to its latest version, then it might be the main culprit for this Dell laptop DVD drive not working issue. To eradicate this error, you have to update or change the settings of the BIOS. It is a very easy task but you have to be careful when you are going to update this. Because if you commit a mistake or an error occurs during the process, you may lose the data. So, we have a suggestion, that you need to backup your data first, then update it. Then, there will be no fear to lose your data.

To update the BIOS, you have to perform these simple steps one by one:

1. First of all, go to the official website, and then search for the device name which you use.
2. Then, go to the ‘Drivers and Softwares’ option and by expanding this you will find the BIOS/UEFI option.
3. Now, click on the eyes shaped button to see the latest update of the BIOS for the system.
4. Download the latest version of it.
5. Now, open the .exe file and follow the instructions one by one to update the BIOS.
6. At last, restart your Laptop and check that the issue still persists or not. If the problem is still annoying you, just go through the next method.

Solution 8: Reinstall the DVD Driver

Sometimes, reinstalling the DVD driver can resolve this Dell laptop CD drive not working issue. To reinstall the DVD driver, you need to follow the below guidelines attentively:

1. At first, press the Windows key and the R key simultaneously to invoke the Run command box.
2. Next, in the search field, type ‘devmgmt.msc’ and press the Enter key to open the Device Manager.
3. After that, click on OK for confirmation.
4. Then, in the Device Manager window, click on DVD drives and right-click on your DVD device.
5. After that, click on Uninstall Device to remove it from the system.
6. Now, restart your device.
7. After restarting your laptop, the software will be installed automatically on your Dell laptop.
8. Now, it’s time to check if the issue still annoys you or not.

Solution 9: Uninstall and Reinstall the Dell Provided Playback Software

Dell systems that have an optical disk drive come with a factory installed DVD or Blu-ray playback software. For DVD or Blu-ray movie playback, specific playback software and codecs are required to be installed on your laptop. The Dell provided applications will enable your computer with necessary codecs for such playback DVD or Blu-ray discs.

If you are having trouble with the Disk drive, then try to uninstall and reinstall the Dell provided playback software.

• To do this method, You can use the software installation disc that may have come with your Dell laptop.
• If there is no disc that comes with your Dell laptop, then you can download the software from the official site.

Solution 10: Perform a Windows System Restore

System Restore is a built-in Windows tool designed to protect and repair the Operating System. When something goes wrong with your laptop, System Restore should be used prior to restoring to factory condition. So, it’s worth trying.

To perform a System Restore, follow these below-mentioned steps :

1. First of all, click on the ‘Search the web and Windows’ box and type ‘Control Panel’.
2. Now, locate the Recovery option in the Control Panel.
3. Now, choose the ‘Open System Restore’ option.
4. Click on the Next button.
5. Now, you can see a list with all the restore points.
6. Choose the restore point related to the problematic app, driver, or update, and then click on the Next button.
7. Now, press the Finish button to save the changes.
8. Check if you still confront this error or not.

We believe that by going through this article thoroughly, you will get a complete idea about the solutions of this Dell laptop CD drive not working error. Moreover, the above steps are sufficient enough to eradicate this troublesome error from your Dell laptop. At last, we suggest if you are unable to proceed with these above-mentioned methods, then you can seek technical guidance.