Can't import CDs in iTunes all of a sudden.

Using the newest version of iTunes (12.9.5.5) with an Apple Super Drive on my 2017 iMac, i can no longer import music CDs for no apparent reason.

When I insert the CD the drive keeps spinning and searching, which causes the CD icon in iTunes to appear and disappear like crazy, as does the one on my desktop, just not as fast. It's impossible to click on the one in iTunes, but if I click the Audio CD icon on my desktop I can see the files and play them.

If I remove the CD, iTunes will immediately ask me if I want to import, but then it's obviously too late.

Having used iTunes to import hundreds of music albums over the years, so I'm fairly familiar with how this is supposed to work.

Both CDs I tried are brand new, and none of them works. They don't have scratches of any kind.

I initially assumed that it was my phone or iPad automatic sync that caused this issue, but turning them off didn't help. Restarting the computer and rebooting iTunes didn't help either.

For what it's worth, I have my user folder (with iTunes library) located on a separate SSD connected via USB3. But this has never caused any issues with iTunes.