Why is my PS4 DVD drive not working?

Why is my PS4 DVD drive not working?
I’ve been trying to get my PS4 to play DVDs, but it simply won’t read any discs I insert. Every time I try to insert a DVD, the drive makes some noise, attempts to spin, then stops without reading it. It’s really frustrating because it used to work just fine, and now I can’t enjoy my collection of movies and games. I’ve cleaned the discs and tried multiple ones to ensure it’s not a disc issue, but nothing seems to help. I even restarted the console and checked for any system updates, yet the problem persists. The console doesn’t even show a loading icon or any indication that it’s trying to read the disc. I’m left wondering if there’s something wrong with the hardware or if there’s a software glitch. This issue is really bothering me, and I’m unsure how to proceed to get my DVD drive working again.
9 Answers

One of the reasons your PS4 DVD drive may not be functioning could be related to the system software. Sometimes a reinstall of the system software can fix these issues. You can do this by going to the PS4 Settings > System Software Update and checking for any available updates. If no updates are available, reinstall the current software to see if it resolves the issue.

It could be a more intrinsic issue like a faulty laser within the drive itself. If the above steps do not help, it might be time to consider that the laser mechanism which reads the discs could be failing or misaligned. In this case, a replacement by Sony’s customer service or a professional repair shop might be the best course of action.

Inspect the physical condition of the PS4 discs. If multiple discs aren’t being read, it might be worth trying a lens cleaning disc which you can buy online or from an electronics store. Insert the lens cleaning disc into the drive and let it run as per the instructions, which could help in cleaning the laser lens inside the DVD drive.

There have been known cases where the ribbon cable connecting the drive to the console loosens over time. This could happen due to frequent movements of the console. Make sure you consult a professional technician to open up your PS4 and check the internal connections. This can be delicate work, so I’d recommend against trying it by yourself unless you’re very comfortable with electronics repair.

If you feel comfortable doing so, you might try a full system initialization. This last resort will wipe everything from your console, returning it to factory settings. To do this, go to Settings > Initialization > Initialize PS4 and follow the prompts. Be sure to back up any important data before doing this.

Ensure that there isn’t a software bug causing the problem. Occasianlly, bugs can interfere with system functioning. Boot into Safe Mode by turning off your console and then holding the power button until you hear a second beep. From the menu, select ‘Rebuild Database.’ This won’t delete any data but will instead optimize the console’s internal storage, potentially solving the issue.