DVD drive failing to read DVD-RW's but reads other disks

As weird as this will sound, sometimes an update of a security [anti-virus/anti-malware] program will reactivate a default of something to the effect of disabling auto-play, guard my cd-dvd, etc. You might want to check AV-AM to rule in or to rule out any such fiddling. When such fiddling is turned on my computer, I do lose some functionality until I DEactivate such fiddling.

What model optical drive is it? Sounds like its firmware has gone screwy or the laser might need cleaned.

radostin04 said:

It is some LG drive. I have updated the firmware to the latest version. I really dont want to tear it apart just to clean the laser. But if the laser is dirty, wont it have problems reading any DVD, not just RWs

DVD R vs DVD RW - Difference and Comparison | Diffen
Write once formats use a single write laser to change a dye layer affecting the opacity of the dye. The laser darkens spots on the recording layer (dye layer) to record information. Rewritable media use a phase change recording layer where the write laser changes the polarization of the recording layer (usually a metallic material) by crystallizing it. In order to erase this layer so new data can be added, an erase laser (usually the recording laser refocused to be wider then that needed to record data) is used. This erasing function heats the layer causing it to become amorphous again as it was in the blank state.


Perhaps it can not refocus anymore, I do agree that that would not cause it to fail to read it however. Since it works occasionally it does seem it is a dying part that is mechanical. Also what do you mean by it is the same when booting from USB, it is causing your USB not to load?

The drive could very well be defective. I once had an NEC optical drive that would read or burn any DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, or CD-R... but would not see, recognize or write to CD-RW. Just six months old, too. Replacing the drive cured the problem.