Why Is DVD Not Working on Xbox One? Complete Fix Guide

Are you interested to know why your DVD not working on Xbox One? We have the solutions your need right here in this guide!

You insert the latest game you just bought into your Xbox’s DVD tray, and it will not start. It could be a problem with your disc, the drive, or both.

You want to know which one is causing the issue so you can fix it and enjoy playing your favorite game.

To fix your Xbox One’s DVD issues, you want to ensure that the disc you’re inserting is clean. Check for signs of damage like scratches as those can cause this particular problem. If it’s not those, you will need to reinstall the Blu-ray player app on your console so it can properly ready your disc.

Let’s look at the source of the issue so you can take the necessary steps to fix it with the help of our troubleshooting guide.

Why DVD Drive Not Working on Xbox One

When you experience the DVD drive on your Xbox not working, it usually boils down to an issue with the disc or the drive.

You want to check the disc for signs of dust and dirt. A thick layer of it will prevent it from being read properly.

Here are all the issues that you are likely going to encounter if your Xbox’s DVD stops working:

1. Dirty Or Damaged Disc

Scratches and nicks on the disc can ruin the data saved on it. DVD players use an optical system, and if the disc’s surface is not smooth, your console will have a hard time reading it.

2. Wrong Configuration

Certain settings can cause your DVD on your Xbox console to stop working. If these are incorrectly configured, it’s unlikely your disc will be read properly.

3. Not Matching Regions

Xbox and game discs are still region-locked. If these don’t check out, your console will not be able to read it, causing it to stop working.

4. Faulty Hardware

DVD players are not perfect, and with lots of moving parts, faults can occur and cause your console not to read any discs you insert.

These are the main issues that can occur with your Xbox One.

Now that you have a better understanding, we can move to fixing it so you can enjoy using your console once again!

How to Fix DVD Not Working on Xbox One

The first thing you need to do if the DVD drive on your Xbox one is not working is restarting your console.

It could be a temporary glitch causing the issue, and you want to eliminate that possibility as early as possible. Setting your console horizontally can also help, so it’s certainly worth trying out.

In case these simple steps don’t work out for you, here are the other troubleshooting procedures you need to try:

Solution #1: Make Sure the Disc is Clean and Not Damaged

The disc you’re inserting may be the problem. Take a look at the underside of the disc and make sure it’s clean.

You also want to check for signs of damage since deep scratches can cause your Xbox not to read it.

Here are the steps you can take to ensure that your disc is clean and not damaged:

1. Wipe down both sides of the disc with a microfiber cloth.
2. Wipe down around the disc drive using a microfiber cloth.
3. Use a small amount of rubbing alcohol for nasty stains.
4. Use a can of compressed air to clean the inside of the disc drive.
5. Dry the disc completely before using it.

Tip: Use at least a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution to clean residues and stains. It also dries a lot faster than using water.

Solution #2: Turn Off Your Xbox One Parental Controls

One of the reasons the DVD on your Xbox One is not working is that the parental controls are turned on.

You may have switched it on by mistake, and it’s now blocking the games you want to play or the movies you want to watch.

Here’s how to turn off parental controls on your Xbox One:

1. Go to your Xbox One’s Settings app.
2. Select Privacy & online safety.
3. Choose Adult defaults to turn it OFF.
4. Restart your console.

Note: After restarting, you can check by playing using the disc.

Solution #3: Ensure the Regions of Your Console and DVD Match

Xbox consoles do come with some form of region-locking. You will not have an issue with games, but it does affect DVDs and Blu-rays.

If your account is set to a particular region and wants to play content from another, you must change it.

Here’s how to change the region on your Xbox One:

1. Sign in to your console.
2. Press the Xbox button.
3. Go to Profile & system, then Settings.
4. Select System, then Language & location.
5. Choose your new country, then click on Restart now.

Tip: You will also need to change your region on your Microsoft account by editing your profile and updating your information.

Solution #4: Install the Player App Properly

Watching Blu-ray or DVD content on your Xbox, you will need to download the proper app.

If you’re wondering why your DVD player is not working, this is one reason. It’s also possible that a bug or glitch prevents the app from working properly.

Here’s how to download the player app on your Xbox:

1. Press the Xbox button on your controller.
2. Go to Home, then select Store.
3. Select Search.
4. Type in Blu-ray and choose the Blu-ray Player app.
5. Click on Install.

Note: If you already have this app, you can also reinstall it to iron out the glitches and bugs so you can start using your console’s DVD player.

Solution #5: Change Your Console’s Power Mode

Certain settings will affect your Xbox One’s disc drive. One of them is the power mode, where if you set it wrong, it will not detect that your disc is already loaded to the drive.

You will need to change it so your DVD will start working again.

Here’s how to change your Xbox’s power mode:

1. Press the Xbox button on your controller.
2. Go to Profile & system, then Settings.
3. Select General.
4. Go to Power mode & start-up.
5. Select Energy-saving mode and try using the DVD drive.

Tip: You can switch to different power modes to see which one will activate your DVD drive.

Solution #6: Update Your Xbox One’s Software

One cause why the DVD on your Xbox stops working is software errors. You can throw in outdated software as well in the same category.

If you are having problems with your console, it likely needs an update.

Here’s how to update your Xbox:

1. Press the Xbox button on your controller.
2. Go to Profile & system.
3. Open Settings, then System.
4. Select Updates & downloads.
5. Click on the Update console button.

Pro Tip: Your Xbox needs to be connected to the internet to complete the update process.

If you’re not going to watch movies using a physical disc, you can forget about it by playing games using its digital download version.

However, if you can’t help it and want to use your disc drive, we recommend contacting Microsoft support for added assistance.

Read Next: How to Fix Xbox One Headset Crackling Noise?

Bottom Line

Now that you know the reasons why is the DVD not working on Xbox One and the process to fix it, all you need to do is follow these easy steps.

They’re not complicated, and you’ll be able to resolve this issue even if you have no technical expertise or experience.