PS5 is undoubtedly one of the best gaming consoles used around the world by millions of users. However, minor issues are known to occur with the use of PS5, including the disc drive. Your PS5 will not be able to read the disc you have inserted if your PS5 disc drive is not working properly. The issues will mostly occur due to the wear and tear of the disc as it is the most used hardware.
If you are facing the same issue and looking for a way to resolve it, you are at the right place. Before you take it up with a professional or spend your money on it, it is always better to try some harmless troubleshooting methods. Follow our lead and fix your PS5 disc drive within minutes.
Why is the PS5 Disc Drive Not Working
Before we get into a solution, we must first identify the root cause of the problem. Here is a list of potential causes behind your PS5 disc drive not working. Have a look at them and get it fixed in no time.
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- Dust and dirt build-up
- Hardware related issues
- Software related issues
- Broken disc drive
No matter what is causing the issue, our tried and tested solutions will help you rectify it. Try our preliminary fixes first before you get into the other troubleshooting methods mentioned below.
Preliminary Fixes for PS5 Disc Drive Not Working
Sometimes, the PS5 disc drive stops working not because of a major technical error but because of a minor error from the user’s side. Our preliminary fixes will guide you through the basic fixes.
PS5 Console and Disc Alignment
The way you insert the disc into the disc drive should align with the position of your PS5 console. If your PS5 is set vertically, then the disc should also be inserted vertically. Moreover, the label on your disc must be on the lower left side, facing the PS logo as you insert it.
If the PS5 is set horizontally, then the disc must be inserted in the same way with the label side facing the PS logo. The label again should be on the left side.
Note: Alternatively, try changing the position of the console once to see if it works. That is, if your console is set vertically, then place it horizontally. There is a possibility of this to work.
Trying to Insert a Second Disc
If the position and alignment of the disc are not the problem, check if there is another disc inside the disc drive. You cannot possibly insert two discs at once. Remove the first disc from the slot to insert the second one.
To check whether or not there is a disc inside the drive, press the Eject button on your console.
Clean the Disc Drive
There is a possibility of dirt and debris settling inside the disc drive when not cleaned or checked constantly. They will affect the regular functions, and the drive will not be able to read or eject the disc.
Be careful with the cleaning process, especially if you have taken them apart. Use compressed air or a dust blower to clean the drive. Ensure you put them back together properly. If something is stuck inside the drive, remove it with utmost care using a tweezer.
Damaged Disc
Your disc must be clean and free from dust and prints when you insert it. You can clean it using a soft cloth, preferably a microfiber cloth. This is because the laser inside the drive cannot and will not read a dirty or damaged disc.
If your disc is clean and the drive is still not working, insert a different disc. By chance, if the drive starts working, then the problem is with your old disc. If the drive did not work with the other disc, you must get the disc checked and fixed.
Check if Your Disc is Compatible
The PS5 console will work with discs specifically made for PS5 games and even extends support to PS4 discs. But if you are trying to insert a PS2 or PS3 disc, then it will not work. Ensure you are using a compatible disc on your PS5.
At the same time, check if the game you are trying to play has PS5 support. If it doesn’t have PS5 support, you cannot open it on your PS5. That is not the disc drive’s fault.
Troubleshooting the PS5 Disc Drive That is Not Working
If you did the preliminary fixes and the problem still exists, then there is some technical troubleshooting you can do. Use the fixes listed below as your troubleshooting checklist and try them one after the other until your PS5 disc drive starts working normally.
Disc Stuck Inside the Drive
There is a possibility of the drive malfunctioning when it gets stuck. That could be why it is unable to accept or eject discs properly. Before we get into fixing this, ensure your PS5 console is turned off completely. Remove all plugs, cables, and stands connected to it.
1. Place the console face down on a flat surface and remove the cover. Remove it with a mild force, and you should hear a click when it comes out.
2. You will find a black plastic circle on the drive. Insert a screwdriver that suits the size, preferably the Phillips screwdriver, into the black circle.
3. Rotate it in a clockwise direction, and the disc will come out of the drive.
4. Remove the disc gently without using any force.
5. Put the cover back on. You might hear a clicking sound when you do that.
6. Turn on your PS5 after connecting all the necessary cables and plugs.
This fix should have fixed your problem. You can continue using the PS5 as you normally would without any issues. In case it keeps happening again and again, you are advised to get a professional to fix it properly.
Note: Alternatively, there is another way in which you can eject the disc on PS5 without using the eject button on the console. Press the Options button on your PS5 controller and click on the Eject disc option. Your disc should come out of your console without any trouble.
Restart Your PS5
If the problem was a minor bug or a glitch, restarting the PS5 is a great option. Especially when an update is not available for your PS5, this should help resolve the PS5 disc drive not working issue.
1. Connect your PS5 controller to the console and press the PS button to bring up the Control Centre on the screen.
2. Tap on the Power icon and click on the Restart PS5 option.
Wait for your PS5 to restart and continue using it without any trouble. The issue, if caused by minor bugs or glitches, should have been resolved by now. If not, then move forward with the next set of troubleshooting methods.
Update Your PS5
If the problem is not a failed disc ejection or if the previous method did not resolve the issue, then try updating the PS5 to the latest software update available. It is essential to update your PS5 as and when an update comes out in order to avoid such unfortunate circumstances.
1. On your PS5, tap the Settings icon and select System.
2. Click on the System Software menu and choose System Software Update and Settings.
3. Tap on Update System Software if the option mentions an update is available next to it.
4. Choose Update Using Internet and press the Update button.
Once the update is over, your PS5 will restart automatically. Check if your problem has been fixed.
Clear Cache On your PS5
If the problem continues even after updating your PS5 system software, try clearing the cache and data on your PS5. If there is a corrupted cache file somewhere in the system, then it will bring down the performance of the PS5, including its disc drive. You can do this by placing the PS5 on Safe Mode.
1. On your controller connected to your PS5, press the PS button and select Turn Off PS5 under the Power icon.
2. Wait till your PS5 is powered off completely, and remove the controller as well. Press and hold the Power button of your PS5 console until you hear two beep sounds.
3. Connect your controller to the PS5 and press the PS5 button to use the PS5 on Safe Mode.
4. Tap on the Clear Cache and Rebuild Database option from the list displayed on the screen.
5. Press OK to delete all temporary files. Wait for your PS5 to restart automatically.
If the issue was caused by cache files, this should have resolved it. Check if your disc drive is working properly.
Reset Your PS5
If none of the above-mentioned troubleshooting fixes resolved your problem with the PS5 disc drive, or if there was no update available, reset your PS5 in Safe Mode.
1. Press and hold the Power button on your PS5 console to turn it off. Remove the controller from your PS5.
2. Once it has been powered off completely, repeat the same action. Press and hold the Power button until you hear two beep sounds, one after the other.
3. Connect your PS5 controller to the console and press the PS button to activate Safe Mode.
4. From the list of options, select Reset PS5 and wait for the console to reboot.
Note: You can choose the Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software) option as well while on Safe Mode, but that will erase all data on your console.
Contact Support Team
There is a limit to the troubleshooting you can do on your own, and if none of our fixes worked for you, then that means you have reached that limit. Step away from your console and contact the Sony PlayStation Support team for help and further guidance. In case your PS5 is still under a limited warranty, you shall get it replaced.
FAQ
Insert a different disc and check if it is working. When the inserted disc fails to work, it means the disc drive is broken.
You should update the PS5 firmware with the latest version to fix this issue.
The repair cost may range anywhere between $150 and $250.
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