How to Resolve Disc Reading Issues on Your Xbox Series X Console

Just like any other console, the Xbox Series X might occasionally fail to read a disc or multiple discs. Unfortunately, no official guidelines exist to address the issue, which can be quite frustrating. In some instances, only specific discs are problematic, but in rare situations, the console may cease to recognize any discs at all.

At times, this issue is limited to game discs or a particular game disc. Often, an update to the Xbox firmware is identified as the trigger for the problem. There have also been reports of new consoles experiencing this issue straight out of the box. On some occasions, the drive might operate silently, while in other cases, it may emit a grinding or spinning noise.

Before troubleshooting, ensure that the discs are compatible with the Xbox Series X and Inspect your Xbox Series X for any signs of physical damage. Sometimes, drops or impacts can cause internal components to shift or become damaged, which can affect the disc drive’s ability to function properly. If you find physical damage and your console is still under warranty, contact Microsoft Support to discuss repair options.

1. Use Different Insertion Techniques for the Disc

The Xbox Series X will fail to read a disc if it isn’t properly engaged within the drive for the laser to read it. Trying different disc insertion techniques can resolve the issue.

Reinsert the Disc

1. Eject the disc from the Xbox and wait for a minute.
2. Hold the disc with the sticker side facing upwards and insert it into the console. Check to see if the disc is now readable.

   

Reinsert the Disc while Holding onto the Tray

1. Eject the disc from the Xbox, ensuring it is correctly oriented.
2. Begin inserting the disc, but hold onto it for half a second as the console starts to pull it in. This added resistance encourages the console to draw the disc in with greater force.

   

3. Release the disc and check if the issue has been resolved.

Reinsert the Disc after Putting the Console Sideways

1. Place the console on its side and eject the disc.

   

2. Reinsert the disc and verify if the console detects it.

2. Try Different Restart Methods

The Xbox Series X may fail to read discs if an essential OS module hasn’t loaded correctly or is caught in an error loop. To address this, try different console restart methods.

Restart Through the Guide

1. Navigate to Xbox Settings > Power & Startup > Turn off or Restart.
2. Select Restart Now. Afterward, check if the console can read discs.

   

Perform a Hard Reboot

1. Press and hold the console’s power button until the Xbox turns off, which typically takes about 10 seconds.

   

2. Wait for a moment before powering the console back on, and then check if it reads discs.

Perform a Cold Restart

1. Turn off the Xbox Series X and unplug its power cable.
2. Hold the power button down for 10 seconds, then wait for an additional 5 minutes.

   

3. Reconnect the power cable, ensuring it is directly plugged into the mains rather than using an extension cable or a surge protector.
4. Switch the Xbox back on and check if the problem with reading discs persists.

3. Check Free Storage on the Xbox

If your console is low on storage, some essential functions, including disc reading, may be hindered. Freeing up storage space on the Xbox should remedy the issue.

1. Open the Xbox Guide and proceed to Profile & System > Settings > System > Storage.
2. Verify that the utilized storage space does not exceed 80%. If necessary, delete unnecessary data from the console or uninstall games.

   

3. Following the reduction of used space to a maximum of 80%, restart the console and test its disc-reading ability.

4. Update the Xbox to the Latest Build

Outdated firmware can result in compatibility issues with certain discs on the Xbox, particularly those using the most recent standards. Moreover, bugs could also be responsible for the problem at hand.

Updating the Xbox to the newest firmware should fix the issue.

1. Access the Xbox Guide and navigate to Profile & System > Settings > System > Updates.

   

2. Look for any available updates and, if present, install them.
3. Reboot the console and confirm whether the problem has been resolved.

5. Remove External Peripherals from the Xbox

External peripherals, such as storage drives, can sometimes draw excessive current from the console, which can prevent the Xbox from supplying the necessary current to the disc drive. Removing these peripherals may address the disc-reading problem.

1. Disconnect all non-essential peripherals (for example, an external hard drive) from the Xbox and restart the console.

   

2. Insert a disc into the Xbox and check if it is now being read.

6. Clear Persistent Storage of the Xbox

The Xbox Series X maintains its cache within the Persistent Storage, which can become corrupt. Invalid cache entries relating to the disc drive may result in the console failing to read discs.

Clearing the persistent storage can solve the problem.

1. Open the Xbox Guide and go to System & Profile > Settings > System > Devices & Connections > Blu-ray > Persistent Storage.
2. Choose Clear Persistent Storage and then eject the disc from the console.

   

3. Shut down the console by holding the power button until it restarts, and then unplug the power cable.
4. Wait for a short duration, reconnect the power, turn on the Xbox, and insert the disc to see if the problem is solved.

7. Use the Blu-Ray App from the Xbox Store

The absence of necessary codecs to play disc content can lead the Xbox to malfunction, appearing as if it’s not reading discs. Installing the Blu-Ray App from the Xbox Store can correct this.

1. Press the Xbox button and head to Home > Store.
2. Look for Blu-Ray and select the Blu-ray Player App.

   

3. Install the application and launch it to determine whether it can access the disc’s contents.

8. Enable Instant-on or Energy Saving on the Xbox

The disc drive requires a specific current level for correct operation. If the power mode in use doesn’t provide adequate current, the drive may fail to read discs. Adjusting the power settings may help.

1. Access the Xbox Guide and move to Profile & System > Settings > General > Power Options.
2. Choose Shutdown (Energy Saving) and restart the console. Then, see if the issue has been resolved.

   

3. If the problem continues, opt for Instant-on in the Power Options and verify if the issue is resolved.

9. Clean the Disc and Disc Drive

Dirty discs or lenses can prevent proper reading by the Xbox. Cleaning these components may fix the problem.

Clean the Disc

1. Lay the data side of the disc face up on a steady surface and use a soft, clean cloth.

   

2. Lightly moisten the cloth with water (avoid any type of solvent) and gently wipe the disc from the center outward. Be careful not to touch the data side.
3. Once dry, reinsert the disc into the console and assess whether the Xbox can now read it.

Clean the Disc Drive

1. Turn off the console and detach its power cord.
2. Use a microfiber cloth to clean the disc drive’s exterior.
3. Employ a soft-bristled brush to clear any debris from the tray.
4. Utilize a compressed air can to dislodge dust within the drive.
5. Insert a drive cleaning disc to clean the lens.

   

6. After the cleaning, reboot the Xbox and try the problematic discs again to see if the reading issue is resolved.

10. Reinstall the Smallest Game Addon

Failure to properly recognize a game’s add-ons can lead to non-recognition of a game disc. If the game is installed, reinstalling the smallest game addon can be a solution.

1. Navigate to the game’s library on the Xbox and hover over the problematic game (like MW2) without selecting it.
2. Press the Menu button on your controller and select Manage Game and Addons.
3. Choose the troublesome game and deselect Co-op (the smallest pack).

   

4. Commence the pack’s reinstallation, then eject the disc during the process.
5. Reinsert the disc, access the Manage Game menu again, select See in Microsoft Store, and from the “Own This Game” section, launch the game to check if the disc read issue has been resolved.

11. Reset the Xbox Series X to Factory Defaults

The Xbox Series X may cease to read discs if firmware components that control the disc drive become corrupted. Resetting the console to factory settings can address this.

Reset While Keeping Apps and Games

1. Access the Xbox Guide and proceed to Profile & System > Settings > System > Console Info > Reset Console.
2. Choose Reset and Keep My Games and Apps.

   

3. Follow the prompts to complete the reset process and check if the disc reading issue has been resolved.

Factory Reset the Xbox

This action will delete all data on the Xbox, so be sure to back up any critical information.

1. Access the Reset Console option on the Xbox and choose Reset and Remove Everything.

   

2. Complete the reset process by following the on-screen instructions. With any luck, this will resolve the disc reading issue.

If the problem persists after trying these steps, consider whether the discs might be defective or if the drive itself is malfunctioning. You can verify this by trying different discs in the drive or testing the problematic discs in another Xbox.

Should you determine that the discs are faulty, start an RMA process with the disc vendor. On the other hand, if the drive is faulty and the console is still under warranty, reach out to Microsoft Support for assistance.