Xbox not reading discs: One, One S, One X and Series X

Your Xbox is not reading discs: you put in a game or film and the console says it does not recognise it, asks for a disc that is already inside or just makes noise. On older consoles such as the Xbox One and One S this happens more often, because the laser and mechanism wear. At Blue Apple in Amsterdam we examine such drives regularly. This article explains what you can test yourself and when the drive is broken.

Blue Apple repairs Xbox consoles in Amsterdam. Note: the Series S and the One S All-Digital Edition have no disc drive.

Which discs work?

An Xbox with a drive reads games for that console, many older Xbox 360 and original Xbox games on the backward compatibility list, Blu-ray and DVD. The Series X, One X and One S also read 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. If only one particular older game fails, check whether it is on the list.

Step 1: the disc

1. Try another disc. If that works, the first one is the problem.
2. Clean the underside with a soft, dry cloth, from the centre outwards.
3. Check for deep scratches or a crack.

Step 2: restart and persistent storage

1. Switch the Xbox off fully by holding the Xbox button for ten seconds. Unplug it and wait a minute.
2. Clear persistent storage under Settings, Devices & connections, Blu-ray. Do it a few times in a row.
3. Update the console.

Step 3: flat or upright

If your Xbox stands upright, lay it flat on a level surface and try again. A worn drive sometimes still reads in one position and not in the other. That is not a fix, but it is a sign the drive is wearing.

Drive noises

• Clicking or rattling: the laser is searching and cannot find the disc properly.
• Grinding: the disc is touching something inside. Take it out straight away to avoid scratches.
• Nothing: the drive gets no power or signal.

A disc is stuck

If a disc will not come out, press the eject button first. If that fails, switch the console off fully and try again. Some models have a small hole to eject the disc by hand; Microsoft explains per model where it is. If that fails, do not force anything: you can damage the mechanism or the disc.

Causes of a broken drive

• A dirty or worn laser, often from dust or smoke.
• A worn mechanism or a broken belt.
• A fall or being moved with a disc inside.
• A loose cable between the drive and the motherboard.

The drive is paired to the console

On Xbox consoles the drive's circuit board is paired to the motherboard. A drive from another Xbox therefore does not simply work. In a repair the drive's own board is transferred or the mechanism is replaced.

What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam

We test the drive with games and films, look at the laser, the mechanism and the cables, and tell you what is needed. Sometimes cleaning is enough, sometimes the laser or mechanism needs replacing. You decide beforehand. See Xbox One disc drive, Xbox One S disc drive, Xbox Series X diagnosis or Xbox repair in Amsterdam. Unsure whether a repair still pays off? Read when an Xbox is still worth repairing.

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep playing digitally with a broken drive?

Yes, digital games work as normal. Only discs do not.

Does a music CD work on an Xbox?

On the Xbox One family it does with an app. On the Series X it does not.

Why does the Xbox ask for the disc when it is inside?

Then the drive is not reading it properly. Follow the steps above.