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Your Blu-ray Player Is Not Recognizing Discs – Now What?

Ever since discless laptops became a thing, Windows support for Blu-ray players became everything but adequate. We’re living in sad times where anything and everything disc-related has been on the decline—but don’t let that stop you from using your Blu-ray. If your Blu-ray player won’t read discs, and you’re on Windows, this guide is meant for you.

The following instruction may be used to troubleshoot DVD drives as well.

Check Your Blu-ray Player First

Fine-tuned components might struggle to read your disc if the disc is damaged, the hardware is damaged, or incorrectly connected.

Check if It’s a Hardware Problem

It’s important to check your Blu-ray tray and player cables. Some simple tweaking might get your player reading discs again. Common hardware problems include:

  • The Blu-ray disc tray may be damaged – If you have an ejectable disc tray, eject your disc and take care to observe any slow opening, wobbles, or misalignment. Try reseating the disc.
  • Blu-ray cables may be loose – A loose connection or incorrect connection will prevent the video from being displayed. Look for damaged cables and replace any questionable connections if possible.

Is It a Disc Problem?

Blu-ray discs can be easily scratched or even bent. It’s important to check the quality of your discs some might not even play. Things to keep in mind:

  • Try a different disc – Blu-ray players work by reading fine bumps from Blu-ray discs. Scratches and warped Blu-ray discs might not be read all together.
  • Try cleaning your discs – Specialized cleaning solutions and cloths can be used to clean any dust particles that might prevent your discs from being read correctly. These can be purchased at your nearest electronic goods store.
  • Make sure the disc is compatible – Blu-ray players are normally sold with the ability to process other media types. If it’s not a Blu-ray disc you’re reading, check your Blu-ray documentation to verify that it can play it. The readable media types are normally printed on the front of the player.

Is It a Lens Problem?

Disc readers use red lasers (for DVDs) or blue lasers (for Blu-ray) to read and write data. A dirty lens may obstruct your data and prevent your Blu-ray player from reading discs altogether. Try cleaning the lens to get your Blu-ray working. It’s simple:

  1. Try a store-bought lens cleaning CD – a popular choice, lens cleaning CDs typically use tiny bristles to clean the Blu-ray lens. Disc cleaning CDs insert like a normal Blu-ray and cleans the player lens to help it recognize discs, prevent distortion, and stop skipping and freezing.
  2. Try compressed air– this method may work to clean the lens but may not be as thorough. Use compressed to aim air inside your disc tray. It will enable you to remove dust that has accumulated in your Blu-ray tray and lens.

Is It a Software Issue?

Multiple software programs are required to get your Blu-ray driver successfully reading discs. Incompatible system updates, bad drivers and bad firmware all play a part in preventing your Blu-ray player from functioning correctly.

First Update Your Firmware

Manufacturer specific firmware might be corrupted or out of date. Firmware is stored internally in your Blu-ray ROM and serves as an instructions communicator with the computer. Try updating your Blu-ray firmware by visiting its manufacturer’s website and follow their instructions. Firmware updates will normally be located on the Support or Download section. Certain players come with specialized interfaces to help make updating the firmware simpler.

Try a Third-Party Media Player

Microsoft no longer supports Blu-ray and DVDs, in favor of streaming services. Your Windows media player might just not cut it any longer when it’s time to get your Blu-ray running. A wide range of media players exist within the industry space and might be able to help play your media.

If your computer came pre-installed with a Blu-ray player, manufacturers tend to preinstall capable software that can play your movies. Try your manufacturer’s recommendations for media players. If your device still does not play, continue reading on.

Tip: Try removing any virtual drive software that may be installed. Disc images (ISOs) can occasionally prevent you from running your Blu-ray drive correctly.

Check Your Blu-Ray and Motherboard Drivers

Opposite of firmware, hardware drivers lets Windows communicate with your hardware, in this case, the Blu-ray player. Outdated Blu-ray drivers can cause issues with your device to include disc reading errors and general incompatibility.

Your Motherboard IDE and ATA drivers might need to be updated as well. The IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) and the ATA (Advanced Technology Attachments) are the drivers used by the motherboard to communicate to its peripherals. In this fast-paced digital world, automatic driver updates are always recommended but you may continue reading on for the manual steps.

Update Your Blu-ray Drivers

As Windows drifts away from DVD and CD support, it’s possible that you’re running outdated drivers. Both Blu-ray and motherboard drivers should be updated.  Here’s how:

  1. Go to the Start menu and search for Device Manager
  2. Expand the DVD/CD-ROM drivers tab as well as the IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers tab
  3. Right-click your Blu-ray player from DVD/CD-ROM and select Properties
  4. Select the Driver tab and click Update Driver
  5. Go back and repeat the same steps for the IDE ATA/ATAPI drivers

Tip: There might be multiple drivers listed under the IDE ATA/ATAPI Controller. It is best to update all of them.

Reinstall Your Blu-ray drivers

If updated drivers are not doing the trick, try reinstalling your drivers. A fresh driver install could help repair corrupted Blu-ray drivers. Here’s how:

  1. Go to the Start menu and Search for Device Manager
  2. Expand the DVD/CD-ROM drivers tab
  3. Right-click your Blu-ray and select Uninstall Once you restart, Windows should install the driver automatically.

Your Blu-ray Fails to Read After an Update

If your Blu-ray drivers still can’t read discs, but was working prior to an update, it might make sense to roll back your drivers. Recent updates may create compatibility issues between the update and hardware. Try a System Restore or try rolling back your Blu-ray drivers.

How Do You Roll Back a Blu-ray Driver?

Windows provides a quick tool that allows you to roll back drivers. Drivers can be rolled back individually to include your Blu-ray player. Here’s how:

  1. Navigate to the Start menu search and search for Device Manager
  2. Expand the DVD/CD-ROM driver results as well as the IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers results
  3. Right-click your Blu-ray and select Properties
  4. Select the driver tab and click Roll Back Driver. Repeat with all of the IDE ATA/ATAPI The IDE ATA/ATAPI controls your motherboard and might need to be replaced as well.

Use a System Restore Point

Restore points are generated by Windows to restore help restore systems to previously working states. Drivers or apps that were installed after the restore point will be removed as well. Personal files will not be deleted. Restoring Windows is simple. Here’s how:

  1. Navigate to the Start menu search for Control Panel
  2. Select System and Security
  3. Select Security and Maintenance
  4. Select Recovery
  5. Select Open System Restore
  6. Click Next
  7. Select a System Restore point and then Scan for affected programs. You can see the list of changes, select Next and

Let’s Keep Your Blu-Ray Running

Hardware and software issues can prevent your Blu-ray discs from being read correctly. It’s always wise to check your Blu-ray player and discs for serviceability as well as your checking system for related software faults. Windows does not support disc drives, as well as it did in the past, but you don’t need to let that stop you from playing a Blu-ray.

Your Blu-ray manufacturer will often provide the software and tools you need to resolve Blu-ray errors. Take care to keep your drivers updated and your firmware updated. It’s easy to overlook but doing so is necessary for your PC’s proper functioning.

Driver Support will keep your Blu-ray updated. Driver updates can be often overlooked and can prevent your Blu-ray from working altogether. Let Driver Support take care of your hardware with automatic driver updates to keep your hardware running smooth. Don’t let hardware technicalities ruin a good Blu-ray day, keep your system running smoothly and Give DriverSupport | ONE a try today! today.