PS5 not reading discs: causes and fixes

Your PS5 is not reading discs: you put in a game or film, the drive spins briefly, and then you get a message that the disc is not recognised. Or nothing happens at all. At Blue Apple in Amsterdam, PS5s that no longer read discs come in regularly. Sometimes the disc or the software is the problem, sometimes the drive itself. This article helps you work it out step by step.

Blue Apple repairs PlayStation consoles in Amsterdam. If a disc is stuck and will not come out, read that section further down too.

First: which discs can a PS5 read?

A PS5 with a disc drive reads PS5 and PS4 games, Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and DVD. It does not play music CDs, and PS3, PS2 and PS1 discs do not work either. A PS5 Digital Edition has no drive. On the PS5 Slim you can attach a separate disc drive.

Step 1: the disc

1. Try another disc. If the PS5 reads that one, the first disc is the problem.
2. Check for scratches, fingerprints or smudges. Clean the underside with a soft, dry cloth, straight from the centre outwards.
3. Insert the disc the right way round: label up on a PS5 lying flat, to the left or right on an upright one depending on your model.

Step 2: software

1. Update the system software under Settings, System.
2. Switch the PS5 off completely (not rest mode) and on again.
3. Start safe mode and choose the option to clear the cache and rebuild the database. That fixes many reading problems. How it works is in PS5 safe mode.

The PS5 Slim with a separate drive

On the PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro you slide the disc drive onto the console. The first time, the console must be online to pair the drive. If it reads nothing, take the drive off, check the connector is clean and attach it again. Without pairing the drive does not work.

Drive noises

• A short whirr at start-up: normal; the drive tests itself.
• Clicking or rattling while reading: the laser cannot find the disc properly or the mechanism is sticking.
• Repeatedly loading and ejecting: often a problem with the mechanism or a sensor.
• Completely silent: the drive gets no power or signal, or is not connected properly.

A disc is stuck

If a disc will not come out, try the eject button first, then ejecting from the game's menu. If that fails, switch the PS5 off. There is a manual way to get the disc out under the side panel, but you have to partly open the console and turn a screw. Better not to do that yourself if you are unsure: you can damage the drive or the disc.

Causes of a broken drive

• A dirty or worn laser lens, for example from dust or smoke.
• A broken mechanism, often after a fall or when the PS5 was moved with a disc inside.
• A loose or damaged cable to the drive.
• Sometimes the motherboard, if other things act strangely too.

If someone smokes in the room or the PS5 stands on the floor, more dust and residue gets into the drive. Also read cleaning your PS5.

What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam

We test your PS5 with different games and films, look at the laser, the mechanism and the connection, and tell you what is needed. Sometimes cleaning is enough, sometimes the drive needs replacing. You decide beforehand. See PS5 disc drive repair, PS5 Slim disc drive or PlayStation repair in Amsterdam.

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep using a PS5 with a broken drive digitally?

Yes. Games you buy online work as normal. Only discs stop working.

Does a drive from another PS5 work?

On the original model the drive is paired to the motherboard. Another drive does not simply work.

Will I lose my games?

No, your storage and saved games stay.