Q: disk will not eject

Five ways to eject a stuck CD or DVD from the optical drive

Ejecting the stuck disc can usually be done in one of the following ways:

  1. Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the

      left mouse button until the disc ejects.

  2. Press the Eject button on your keyboard.

  3. Click on the Eject button in the menubar.

  4. Press COMMAND-E.

  5. If none of the above work try this: Open the Terminal application in

      your Utilities folder. At the prompt enter or paste the following:

        /usr/bin/drutil eject

If this fails then try this:

Boot the computer into Single-user Mode. At the prompt enter the same command as used above. To restart the computer enter "reboot" at the prompt without quotes.

If all eles fails go to system preferences, "hardware", cd/dvd, put all items on "ignore" the cd will eject by itself.

If the usual sequences of pressing buttons doesn't work for you, try aiming the macbook slot towards the ground and give it a firm shake while it's trying to eject the disk. I was just getting so frustrated that the DVD wouldn't come out that I just gave it a quick shake with the cover closed during the ejecting process, and it slid right out.

Try also CMD+F5

Can you confirm your Mac computer type. iMovie 11 will not run on the pre-2006 desktop models this forum covers, not will it run on a computer with OS 10.0.

Thank you KAPPY! The Terminal app worked!!!!

Thanks Kappy. #5 works!

A modification of this technique worked for me.  I was able to command the Macbook to eject by using the eject button but the disc would not slide out (it seemed like it was slightly out of alignment or something).  I took advice Rogers advice and pressed the eject button and turned the laptop so the slot faced the floor.  Newton's law of gravity took over and out came the disc.  I was not at the frustration point yet so no shaking took place.  Hope this helps someone.   

Thanks Roger Doger! The slight shake while aiming to the floor worked!!!!

Brilliant Advice. Tried all of the instuctions and none of them worked. However when opening up Terminal and typing in the command as advised it seemed to do something as it made the noise. I fund that there was no disk in there but it was now allowing for a disk to be inserted.

Nothing else worked.  Thanks, Kappy.  It got me out of a real bind.

The first worked for me. So grateful to the clever people out there!

Thank you!!! So grateful to Kappy! We all love Kappy! Three cheers to Kappy! But really- saved me. Thanks

This really helped me.. MAC was trying to eject the disk, i could hear the noises of a disk being ejected but no disk came out until i tilted the mac with the slot facing the ground and gave it a shake. Thanks a tonne for the suggestion!