I'm using a Windows 11 PC with an internal SATA-connected optical drive. It worked normally until I removed a disc while it was still transferring files. Since then, it can read audio CDs and DVDs I burned myself, but some commercially pressed DVDs either show their files without playing the movie in VLC or MakeMKV, while others aren't recognized at all and produce an "Please insert disc" message. I've already reset Windows, tried another internal drive from a working computer, reinstalled the drivers, and replaced the SATA data cable. I don't have an external optical drive, so I'm not sure what else to test.
2 Answers
If the drive was physically damaged, older or marginal hardware can sometimes read burned discs but struggle with commercially pressed media. Pressed DVDs can require more precise focus and tracking, especially when the data layers are harder for the laser to read.
Since two different drives show the same symptoms, the original drive may not be the problem. That points more toward the particular commercial discs, playback software, DVD-region or encryption handling, or how Windows is exposing the disc. Check whether the affected DVDs work in a standalone DVD player or another computer, and test several known-good pressed discs to separate a media issue from a system issue.
The drives can sometimes display the files, but VLC and MakeMKV still fail to play or open the movie, while other discs are not detected at all.
That seemed possible at first, but I got the same behavior with another drive that was working properly in a different computer.