What If Your CD Drive Can't Read a CD?

Before You Begin

Eject the compact disc and remove it from the tray; see "How to Eject a Compact Disc With Software Commands".

If the drive cannot read a disc, you may have a dusty or dirty disc.

What to Do

1. Clean the disc with compressed air.

   Compressed air can remove most accumulations of dust and large dirt particles.

2. If spraying with compressed air fails to remove the dirt on a disc, wipe the disc using a soft, clean, lint-free, dry cloth.

   • Wipe the non-labeled side of the disc radially from the center to the outside.

   • Do not wipe in a circular motion.

   • Wipe only the affected areas of the disc.

The figure below shows the correct and incorrect ways to clean a compact disc.

Figure 11-10  

What Next

To insert the compact disc into the drive, see:

• "How to Insert a Compact Disc Into the Drive".