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DVD player not working

Recently I haven't been able to play DVDs on my Mac. When I insert a DVD I hear it spinning around but then it ejects. Any ideas why?

Posted on May 7, 2012 1:12 PM

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20 replies

Nov 14, 2017 8:39 AM in response to DJohnny

Could be a dirty lens.


Had the same problem in mid 2011 iMac 27" with HL-DT-ST DVDRW GA34N (KE06 Firmware rev) Superdrive running OS X El Capitan 10.11.6.


Insert DVD, it would spin and spin until finally ejecting every DVD tried.


Finally spent $10 at Walmart for a Memorex Lens Cleaner disc, inserted it and let it do its lens cleaning bit.


Problem solved. Every DVD inserted plays perfectly and once again burns to blanks without failure.

May 10, 2012 6:32 AM in response to DJohnny

You didn't answer these questions:

What OS?

What type of DVD - commercial or burned?


Did you examine the DVD under a light to see if it has any scratches?


Your CD/DVD player uses a laser beam that is focused on the disc by a lens. If this lens accumulates dust the beam will be diffused or incorrectly focused, and the player won't function correctly.


At your local computer store or an office supply store, you can buy a cleaning disc that incorporates a number of minute brushes. Load this disc into your player and follow the instructions for cleaning. The process will take only a minute or so.


 Cheers, Tom 😉

May 18, 2012 7:44 PM in response to Texas Mac Man

I'm experiencing this problem.


My Mac:

mac os x 10.7.4 macbook pro 8,2


The DVD:

Commercial (legit) copy of Frasier Season 5 disk #1.


I've tried two other new disks one for a 2007 movie and another for a 2010 movie. All were rejected. Before I updated to 10.7.4 (from 10.7.3) the 2007 movied played just fine.


Also, I recently install a DVD ripper (4Media DVD Ripper Ultimate SE 7.0.0)


I've tried SMC-resetting my computer. I've deleted the *DVD*plist and *DVD*locked files.


Still rejects every movie. Audio CD's work, so the mechaincs of the SuperDrive likely aren't at fault, I reckon.


Thank you for your help.

Jun 15, 2012 12:56 AM in response to DJohnny

Same here.


I've just got new StarTrack movie DVD which is not recognized at all, however an older DVD movies do play just fine. Both DVDs are legit originals and both are for region 2 (Europe) and both are >4.5GB.


Last night googling for the problem have found note about some "new" encryption scheme, but 'm unsure. Connecting an external cheap Lite-On DVD over USB solved my problem, however would like to see Apple to reply or comment on this issue.


Unfortunately I don't have option to downgrade OS back 10.7.3 to try with pre versions.

Sep 28, 2012 5:46 PM in response to sthrana

Reinstalling the OS, are you serious!?


My DVD Player stopped working too. I burned a bunch of photos to a disc just a couple of weeks ago, but now it will not play a DVD. I've tried two different discs, both brand new. My Mac is a two month old 2012 Macbook Pro Retina 2.7 GHz, 16 GB, with a USB SuperDrive. I guess I will have to schlepp into the Genius Bar - what a hassle.

Nov 24, 2012 9:05 AM in response to Augsburg57

I have a MBP 3 yrs old which has had extremely light use in that time - at home. I never have tried to play a DVD until now and guess what? NO DVD's at all will play - whether commercial (Region 2) or home-burnt. All I get is the alert message : "The disk you inserted is not reradible by this computer".


What a joke - another Apple fail. Why is it that absolutely every PC I have ever owned with a DVD drive has played all DVD's and this Apple cannot handle it? I don't get why after spending £1800 this is the pathetic result.


I want it to play my DVDs so please what is the answer?

DVD player not working

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