dvd won't play

Troubleshoot DVD Playing Issues

You have a new DVD and you are eager to watch a movie, play a game, or install a program, but all these cannot be accomplished because your computer can't play DVD. Sometimes it can be frustrating, especially when you have a deadline to complete a project. In most cases, many people tend to blame the most expensive component in a DVD drive or DVDROM drive (the laser) for every DVD problem that they experience which is usually unnecessary. Such problems can be as a result of two things namely software and hardware problems. The two areas are the greatest contributors of the most common types of problems you are likely to encounter when using your DVD Drive (Hardware like Sony DVD Drive, Windows computer, Mac, MacBook Pro) and DVD Drive Software like Windows Media Drive, iTunes, QuickTime and VLC.

Of course, when you encounter trouble with a DVD drive, the first thing that comes into your mind is to change the DVD. The process of changing the DVD is considered as the basic common diagnosis of the troubles that your DVD may cause you to experience. When the same problem occurs, again consider the following two problems.

Classification of DVD drive problems

Mechanical problems - Though not that common with DVD drives, but it is worth not ruling it out. Dirt, dried up lubrication, damaged parts are the main cause of mechanical problems that is associated with DVDs. When such problems occur you are likely to witness erratic problems or total failure. Dirty lens is the most common problem that might be behind your DVD problems, especially if your home or office is dusty or you have heavy smokers around. In such cases, cleaning the lens can work the magic for

dvd won't play

you. When such problems occur, it is important to check by yourself if you have the knowledge concerning the problem. But if you are not familiar with such problems it is advisable to seek an expert since you might end up worsening the problem if you are not familiar with the repair. However, it won’t hurt if you can save the situation and there continue with your activity.

Software problems - Software problems are much common with DVD drives or DVDROM drives. They are much easier to notice, especially if you realize that your DVD skips, continuous or repetitive audio noise, search or track seek problems, random behavior. Such problems are sometimes difficult to diagnosis and most people tend to use the wrong solution to solve these problems.

The causes of both problems (software and Mechanical) that make you wonder why DVD won’t play are often very simple, easy to establish, as well as quick and economical when it comes to repairs.

Most common DVD playing problems and likely causes

A. Intermittent or erratic operation

Sometimes you might find out that your DVD drive has mode problem. Sometimes it might play fine and sometimes skip or even abort. Such problems are common with both operating systems (Windows and Mac). Such problems can be attributed to:

  • Dirty, scratched, or defective disc
  • There is a possibility of dirty lens
  • Extended length discs that the drive cannot reach
  • Inability of loading (mechanical) unfailingly
  • Poor connections, including missing or inconsistent optical deck shield
  • Cracks in ribbon cable to optical pickup
  • Unclean drawer or limit switches
  • Power supply or logic problems
  • External interference
  • Internal damage in optical pickup

B. Does not recognize the DVD Drive displaying 'disc', 'error', etc

It is common to see a scenario where you insert your DVD into the drive and it does not seem to read or load. Then you are wondering what might be the problem. The causes of the problem might be one of the many that are listed below.

  • Disc loaded upside-down
  • Dirty, scratched, or defective disc
  • Tainted or defective objective lens
  • Damaged lens suspension or damaged lens cover which is putting a stop to free movement
  • Dusty, gummed up lubrication, or spoiled in sled drive apparatus
  • Defective spindle motor
  • Improperly placed spindle table height
  • Poor constituents in optical pickup
  • Cracks in ribbon cable to optical pickup
  • Broken down power supply, electronics, or control logic
  • Poor connections as well as missing or an inconsistent optical deck shield
  • External interference

Basic troubleshooting DVD Player techniques

1. Click Start -> Run and after that type EVENTVWR in the window. Click OK. After which go to the event viewer, and then click Application log.

2. After getting the Application Error sources list, search for an event with an ID of 1005, after that Double click the event.

3. Note down the file name that will be listed in the description box. Take note of the file name after that close the Event properties

4. Open the file for a second time by double-clicking it. If not all of the files on the CD or DVD open, or your computer can't play DVD , then the CD or DVDs, the drives or drivers are faulty.

5. Now you can do with adjusting servo (or, less likely, optical) configuration.

C. DVD Drive Does not Play the DVD

In some instances, it is common to insert your DVD into your drive and nothing happens. Generally, DVD drives have proven to be very reliable, meaning such outright failures are not a common occurrence. Such problems are likely to be caused by

  • Dirty contacts on RCA jacks on DVD drive or amp
  • Bad connections to RCA jacks
  • Dirty or defective muting relay contacts
  • Defective components in the analog circuitry (final filter, muting, amp)
  • Faulty power supply (for audio circuits if used)
  • Dirty controls (probably on amp unless problem is with the headphones)

Basic troubleshooting DVD Player techniques

1. Check your computer (this problem is mainly seen on XP computers).

2. Attempt to clean the disk drive with a disk cleaning CD or DVD.

3. Verify that the version of this program is the latest because of the recent improvement in the program.

D. DVD keeps freezing or skipping

Dividing freezing and skipping is a common problem. Since DVD is coded in a spiral wave that initiates at the center of the disc and moves out to the outer edge, skipping and freezing is as a result of changes in the path of the DVD drive’s laser. Such changes are usually caused by:

  • You might be having a defective disc that is either dirty or scratched
  • Tainted or damaged objective lens
  • Damaged lens suspension or damaged lens cover preventing free movement
  • Dirt, gummed up lubrication, or damage in sled drive mechanism

Basic troubleshooting DVD Player techniques

1. Gently wipe the disc with a damp cloth. Preferably, you can use a lint-free optical cloth similar to the one used for cleaning glasses.

2. It is important to clean the disk using the correct procedure, which is to rub lightly from the center of the disc to the edge in straight.

3. If the cleaning is not effective and most of your DVDs are behaving in a similar way, know that the problem is in your DVD drive’s lens.

4. Clean your lens using a DVD lens cleaner.

When such problems occur, sometimes it is advisable to check if your DVD has been burned correctly. On the other hand, compatibility issues, which are more common, can cause the problem and many people never realize it. Then again, it is advisable to ascertain if the disc is encoded for your geographical region since a DVD meant for another region will never play on another drive that is meant for a different player.

Then you might be wondering why my burned DVD won t play. There is no need to worry since Aimersoft DVD Creator can work as a solution to such problems. The program creates DVD discs for better performance. It is defiantly the best solution to incompatible DVD discs since the burner can convert virtually any file format to DVD with a 100% success rate. What is amazing with Aimersoft DVD Creator it offers more customizable options than most of other DVD creator in the market. It is user friendly, meaning that it can be used with even by less experienced users.

     
eaglephoenix
I bought the software by wondershare called DVD Creator. It creates, it burns successfully and guess what it doesn''t play anywhere.
Greg
I have a Sony DVD Recorder / Player RDR-HXD990 that will not play a DVD burnt with the Aimersoft DVD Creator. It comes up with the title screen but has no position or highlighted spot on play or scene to allow the dvd to be played.
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