Open a Stuck CD or DVD Drive

Posted: August 25, 2015

[caption id="attachment_12427" align="alignright" width="300"] Image from pcworld.com[/caption] Believe it or not, CDs and DVDs are still relevant today, for file sharing, program installation, or to access older information. When working with a disk and the drive won't open, it can be frustrating. With these helpful tips, users can easily fix a stuck optical drive. Lincoln Spector, writer for CP World, shares how to safely remove a CD or DVD that is stuck in a computer.

When a CD or DVD is stuck or the drive won't open

Sometimes an important CD or DVD gets stuck inside the drive, and the tray just won’t open. That’s when you wonder why you still mess with an optical drive—even though I for one still find them useful. When the drive gets stuck, you have to try to save the drive, save the disc, and save your reputation as a level-headed person who doesn’t go hoarse screaming at non-sentient machines. So what do you do when you push the button on the front of the drive plate and the tray doesn’t eject? Maybe the problem is with the button. Try telling Windows to eject the tray. In Windows 7’s Windows Explorer, go to Computer. In Windows 8 or 10, go to File Explorer’s This PC. Right-click the optical drive and select Eject. If that doesn’t work, there may be a program holding onto what’s on the disc. Try closing a few obvious culprits. If that doesn’t do it, try closing everything. Read the entire article When a CD or DVD is Stuck or the Drive Won't Open on PC World.