Over time, the drive of a computer or laptop simply refuses to read disks. Sometimes this applies only to individual disks or types of media (for example, the drive reads all disks except DVD-R or CD-RW), and sometimes absolutely all disks remain unread - the drive simply does not want to work with them. There may be several reasons for this “strike” of the drive. The most common problems are described below, why the drive does not read disks, and solutions to these problems are given.
First you need to decide whether the drive has stopped any particular drive or does not read everything that you offer it. If he stubbornly refuses to read only one of all the proposed disks, check it for scratches, abrasions and other mechanical damage - perhaps the reason lies in the disk itself, and not the drive.
If the drive has served you faithfully for several years and only after that has stopped working correctly, perhaps it just needs to clean the optical lens, which is responsible for reading information from the media. In order to clean it, you can use a cleaning disk, but it is advisable to contact a specialist who will not only clean the lens by disassembling the drive, but also save it from dust and other impurities that got into the device during its operation.
However, sometimes it happens that a new or practically new drive refuses to work. Why does the drive not read the disks in this case? Drive problems can occur for a variety of reasons. First you need to check if the cable connecting the drive to the motherboard is damaged. If it is damaged, this loop can be the main cause of malfunctions. If no visible damage is found, you can still try to connect the drive to the motherboard using another cable.
If the drive generally refuses to respond to user commands, you can try to remove the device from the system and reinstall it. To do this, go to "System Properties", select "Equipment" and, after finding the necessary device, delete it. After that, you need to restart the computer so that the system can again identify the drive and install all the necessary drivers on it. Most often, after this manipulation, the drive starts to work. But there are other answers to the question why the drive does not read disks.
Sometimes the reason for the failure to function normally for a drive is the appearance of so-called virtual drives in the system using programs that help the system read disk images stored on the computer. If the drive stopped working after one of these programs was installed (for example, Virtual CD or Alcohol 120%), you can try to completely remove it and see if it works after that.
Sometimes finding an answer to the question why the drive does not read the disks can lead to a sad result - it turns out that the drive board simply burned out. Therefore, even before purchasing this device, it is advisable to figure out for yourself which drive is the best of all on the market. To do this, you can consult with specialists or read specialized forums on the Internet.
In some cases, for further operation of a non-readable drive, it is enough to reflash it. A detailed description of this procedure, as well as the firmware itself, can also be found on the Internet. The main thing to remember is that after unsuccessful firmware the drive can simply be discarded, so you should approach this process with all seriousness.
These are just the main points why the drive does not read disks. If your problem does not fit into any of the above points, it is best to seek help from a specialist.