Dvd Player Drawer Will Not Open

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HP Notebook PCs - Opening a Stuck CD or DVD Drive Tray (Windows 8)

This document pertains to HP and Compaq notebook computers with Windows 8.

note:
If you are not using the latest version of Windows 8, some graphics and information in this document may vary. You can get the latest version from the Microsoft Store.

This document explains alternative methods of opening a CD or DVD drive tray that does not operate normally. The tray needs to be manually ejected when the drive loses power, a disc is inserted improperly, a damaged or scratched disc is used, the drive fails, or the playback software application refuses to release control of the eject command.

Normally the drive can be opened and the disc removed while the computer is in operation by either pressing the eject button on the outside of the drive, or by selecting the eject function in the control panel of the playback app. Some drives do not have an external eject button and can only be opened by using File Explorer to eject the disc.

Ejecting a disc using File Explorer

If using the eject function in the software application does not open the CD or DVD drive, there may be an electronic or control problem to the drive. To resolve this problem with File Explorer, use the steps below.

Press the Windows + I key.
Click Power, and select Restart.

Figure : Restart

Wait for the computer to restart into Windows.
At the Start screen, type file explorer to open the Search charm. Select File Explorer in the Search results.

Figure : File Explorer
In the Computer window, select the icon for the disc drive that is stuck, right-click the icon, and then click Eject. The door on the tray-load drive should open, or the disc in the slot-load drive should be ejected.

note:
A slot-load drive with no external eject button will only eject from Windows.

Figure : Slot-load drive with no external eject button

If the door does not open or the disc does not eject, continue to the next sections to manually open the tray-load or slot-load drive.

Manually opening a tray-load drive to retrieve a disc

Almost all tray-load disc drives have an external release button and a small hole in the door to access the manual lock release. To open a tray-load drive, do the following:

Press the Windows + I key.
Click Power, press and hold the Shift key and select Shut down.

Figure : Shut down

The computer fully shuts down.
Look for the small hole on the faceplate of the disc drive. This is the manual release hole. The location of the manual release hole will vary.

note:
On some models, the release hole and the drive activity LED look similar and are approximately the same size. Do not force the paper clip into the hole if it does not go in. Make sure that the hole is not actually the LED.
Straighten a paper clip to use in this step.
1. Press in gently on the paper clip until the tray is released.
2. Releasing the lock will allow the tray to open a small distance.
3. Remove the paper clip and gently pull out the drawer until the disc is accessible.
4. Remove the disc from the tray.

Examine the disc, the tray guide rails, and the spindle for signs of physical damage.

Opening a slot-load drive to retrieve a disc

Only a few slot-load disc drives have an external eject button. Unlike the tray-load drives, very few have any type of manual lock release.

To remove a disc from a slot-load drive that has an external eject button, do the following steps.

Press the Windows + I key.
Click Power, and select Restart.

Figure : Restart

Wait for the computer to restart and boot into Windows.
Press the external eject button.

Figure : Slot-load drive with external eject button
If the disc is not ejected manually, open File Explorer and attempt to use the eject function for the disc.

There are no other recommended actions. Contact HP and arrange for repair services.

warning:
Shaking or banging the computer in an attempt to jar the disc loose can loosen or damage other components or cause the computer to stop working. Attempting to insert objects into the slot to dislodge the disc may scratch or damage the disc and internal surfaces of the drive.