Q: Drive won't read any dvd-ejects it automatically after spinning some time

I literally just blew in the drive and then put the disc in again. It worked. Didnt want to go sticking things in my mac

Cleaning the drive using an special cleaning disk or using a cleaning cloth wrapped around a credit card, sometimes helps but generally, SuperDrive unit must be replaced under warranty or paid service.

Hello apple.center,

Once this "credit card cleaning cloth" trick fails, I'll replace my SuperDrive, but until then I prefer to save time and money, as I'm sure others do, with this alternate solution.

Regards,

Ira

The card and cleaning cloth trick worked for me!  Such a life saver, thank you!  I had to burn several DVDs with my MacBook Pro 2008 for school, and was panicked when my drive would eject DVD-Rs, or "pretend" to burn DVDs only to eject them at some point during the process...

Compressed air did the trick on this MBP. I suspect dirt and dust are the most common causes. I'm not too keen on pushing a credit card covered with tissue into the drive, but that's just my preference. Looks like a lot of users had good luck though. Either way it's better than handing over your expensive piece of equipment, for an expensive "repair" when all it needed was a little cleaning!

Blowing into the drive slot worked!!!! Thank you for suggesting this simple fix!

Any other ideas? ....cleaned with cleaning disc and credit card with cloth, blowing into drive slot, reset PRAM ....I have only used the drive maybe 10 times in 2 years - so frustrated!

I placed the compressed air nozzle against the slot opening, moving back and forth along the slot several times while releasing compressed air into the drive compartment. This is really a somewhat blind method. I felt there was nothing to lose since everything else I tried failed. Luckily, it worked and continues to work flawlessly. I imagine using compressed air in a can might work as well, if your problem is some small stubborn debris. I suggest one of the "moisture free" compressed air cans. I should add that a friend inserted a CD with an old paper lable and a small piece of the paper label caught on something inside his drive and the drive quit. After managing to eject the disk it was clear the piece of paper was stuck inside the drive. Compressed air didn't help his situation. The drive had to be removed, Once the drive was out it made more sense to put in a replacement. Good luck! 

I've tried the business card cleaning trick, I've tried resetting my PRAM, I've tried disk repair, I've tried compressed air, and I am so angry. Really, really angry. I have a $2,000 doorstop here. This computer is worthless.

I will NEVER recommend Apple again. That's it. And I will do my best to persuade my friends to NEVER purchase another Apple product. No wonder your stock ate it you idiots. Try make a product that works with out expensive repairs needed every 500 miles.

Wicked Magpie,

How old is your Mac?  Visit macsales.com to see if the optical drive can be replaced.  It would cost about $75 and an hour of your time.

I've removed countless puzzle pieces from my 2007 optical drive and the "credit card with cloth" trick worked for me.

Good luck,

Ira

I had this same problem on a 2008 macbook pro. I would insert a DVD and it would spin for 30 seconds or so, and then eject.

This is what fixed it for me: Radio Shack DVD Laser Lens Cleaner.

I cannot say if it will work for you, but it worked for me and hopefully this will be of some help to someone.

Ira & Plank, thank you for trying to help. I don't have the $75 to replace it right now unfortunately. Plank, I'll try the Radio Shack DVD cleaner. I'm just so upset because every penny I had went into this computer and I really need it for work. I am self employed and we are paying off my husband's medical debt. A ton of money. I can't afford to get it fixed and I work approximately 12 to 14 hours a day so it would really pinch to have to take it in. It's a desk top too, and the thought of lugging it down my stairs is unappealing! It's only a bit over 2 years old, and I have an expectation that it should work.

Oh well. Thanks though! I'll keep my fingers crossed that your suggestion will work Plank. I'll post whether it does or not.

I've been experiencing the same problem. Read a post on this thread by Coyote Moon, I tried it and it worked for. Simply wrap a fibercloth or similar cloth around a credit card, insert in the superdrive slot, it must clean the heads or some sensors.  I noticed that when I pulled the cloth wrapped card out of the slot, there was quite a bit of dust on it. Inmediately my superdrive started working again.

Tried it using an envelope and alcohol lens cloth. Worked like a charm

Can you specify what you mean here?  Did you dampen a lens cloth with a little alcohol and then use an envelope to push it around inside the drive?

I have taken a CD that didn't work, cleaned it with some rubbing alcohol, and then put it back in and have gotten the drive to work, but if my drive gets more buggy, I'm wondering if I should try what you did.  Just wanted to be sure I do it the same way.  Thanks.