External DVD drive not working on MacBook Pro

1 - For your 13″ MacBook Pro running macOS 26.5, you generally do not need to download a special driver or additional software for an external DVD drive. macOS should recognise compatible USB optical drives automatically, and Apple's built-in DVD functionality supports external optical drives.

2- - However, if your MacBook Pro has an Apple silicon chip (such as M1 or M2), you should check System Settings >> Privacy & Security >> Accessories >> Allow accessories to connect.

3 - Apple explains that new or unknown USB accessories may need to be approved before the Mac will recognize them. 

4 - Setting this to “Automatically allow when unlocked” is a good option.

Apple Support: Allow USB and other accessories to connect to your Mac

A - Unlock your MacBook Pro.

B - Disconnect the DVD drive

C - Set Allow accessories to connect >> Automatically allow when unlocked.

D - Reconnect the DVD drive directly to the Mac.

E - Insert a DVD and see whether it appears in Finder or opens in the appropriate DVD application.

5 - It is also best to connect the DVD drive directly to the MacBook Pro rather than through a USB hub or dock. 

Apple specifically recommends this for the USB SuperDrive if it doesn't respond through a hub.)

Apple Support: How to connect the Apple USB SuperDrive

6 - If you're using an Apple USB SuperDrive, Apple confirms that it is compatible with Macs without built-in optical drives and explains the required USB-C adapters for newer MacBook Pro models.

7 - So, I would try the “Allow accessories” setting and a direct connection before downloading any software. 

8 - If the drive is still not recognized, the next thing we should establish is the make and model of your external DVD drive. 

Important >> That will tell us whether any manufacturer-specific software is actually needed.

DrenaH wrote:

I have an external drive for DVDs but it doesn't work on my current MacBook Pro.

Define "doesn't work"

I understand that additional software is needed and I'm keen to download the correct one.

This is incorrect. You do not need additional software or drivers to access an external drive to play DVDs or access CDs.

What kind of disc do you have in the drive exactly?

You need to have a disc already inserted before the drive will appear in Finder. The drive on its own will not appear anywhere.

Data discs should be accessible directly in Finder, Music CDs can be played in the Music App, while movie DVDs can be played using the included DVD Player.app.

Other types of discs such as Blu-Ray disks would not be supported or readable on a regular DVD drive and would in fact require blu-ray drives and other software to playback in the case of Movie blu-rays. Burned Data Blu-rays should still be accessible through Finder though when accessed on a blu-ray drive.

If the drive is powered by the MacBook through USB, it may be trying to draw too much power from the bus and shutting it down. CD/DVD drives tend to require more power than an HDD or SSD.

One external CD/DVD drive I bought came with a USB Y-cable to get power from two USB ports.