I'm using a Windows 11 PC with an internal SATA DVD drive. It worked normally until I ejected a disc while it was still transferring files, thinking the operation had finished. Since then, it still reads audio CDs and DVDs I burned myself. Some commercially pressed DVDs show their files but won't play in VLC or MakeMKV, while others aren't recognized at all and produce a "Please insert a disc" message.
I've already tried resetting Windows, swapping in another internal drive from a working PC, uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers, and replacing the SATA data cable. I don't have an external optical drive. What else should I check, and could ejecting the disc during a transfer have caused this?
3 Answers
Pressed movie DVDs can be more demanding than burned discs because they use different reflectivity and tighter mastering. A weak or dirty laser can sometimes read CDs and recordable media while struggling with certain pressed DVDs. Since you tried another drive, also inspect the discs for scratches, test them in a standalone player or another computer, and clean the drive carefully if possible.
If the disc’s files are visible but playback fails, the issue may be DVD encryption or missing playback support rather than the SATA connection. VLC and MakeMKV need the appropriate DVD decryption support, and some commercial discs use region or copy-protection features. However, discs that are completely reported as blank or missing point more toward damaged media, a dirty or failing laser, or a drive-region issue. Check the drive’s region setting and test with a simple, known-good movie DVD.
Ejecting a disc during a file transfer usually shouldn’t damage the drive itself, especially if you used the normal eject function. The fact that a second drive behaves the same way makes a failed optical mechanism less likely. Test several known-good commercial DVDs and check whether Windows identifies the drive and the disc correctly in Device Manager and File Explorer.
That was my thought too, since the replacement drive shows the same behavior. CDs and burned DVDs still work, but commercial movie discs are inconsistent.