SuperDrive won't read audio CDs & movie DVDs anymore

Very informative post! I am having the same issue, late 2009 model iMac, that is not reading any commercially produced CD/DVD. Interestingly I am able to successfully insert a blank CD-R and burn from iTunes. While I am fine buying an external drive, if the drive is still successfully burning cds....What is going on?

I am currently running El Capitan V. 10.11.6

I wonder if an upgrade to Sierra would make a difference?? Any insight?

If you can still burn a disc, have you tried to see of your Mac can read that burned disc after writing?

Have you tried cleaning the internal drive as per my first post reply?

Or purchasing a dry brush CD/DVD lens cleaning disc?

Upgrading/updating an OS dosen't cure a problematic or failing internal optical drive.

The optical drives in older aluminum iMacs is, usually, the first hardware component to fail.

Due, basically, to its orientation in the iMac as well as being exposed to excessive internal heat.

You could try cleaning out the drive, by powering down your iMac, unplugging it from wall power, take a credit card wrapped in a microfiber cloth to see if you can get any of the dust and dirt out by pushing the cloth in and out one movement at a time (cleaning the cloth off each time you pull it out of the slot) until no more dirt comes off on the cloth. Plug your iMac back in, boot up your iMac and try the drive, again.

If it has failed, plan B is to purchase an external optical drive.

The Apple made external optical drive only works with newer Macs that no longer have a bulit-in Super Drive.

If you need an optical drive that works with your year and model Mac, look at these.

Not all optical drives are Mac compatible.
Most Mac compatible drives you will only find to be purchased online.
Here are two on Amazon.com that are cheap and Mac compatible
http://www.amazon.com/LG-GP10NB20-Portable-External-Drive/dp/B004K2Z4MS/ref=sr_1 _3?ie=UTF8&qid=1398883289&sr=8-3&keywords=Mac+compatible+external+LG+optical+dr i ve
http://www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics-Portable-External-GP40NB40/dp/B009DS6OFU/re f=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1398883289&sr=8-7&keywords=Mac+compatible+external+LG+opti c al+drive
Here's another source for Mac compatible optical drives. These are better quality optical drives.
These are also tray loading drives.
Tray loading optical drives are more reliable, plus they are capable of playing those smaller mini sized discs.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/VLU2SD24XS/
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MR3F82SD24S/
Good Luck!

That link is for replacing the drive and not necessarily trying to "clean" it to attempt to revive it, first.

Also, not really a solution.

Especially if you have no experience with DIYing computer hardware upgrades and no real experiences with doing hardware upgrades on Macs.

iMacs have lots of small fasteners and very small, thin, finicky cables/wires that can either get lost or damaged easily if you are not careful with teardown/assembly of your iMac.

Just an FYI,

if you crack your iMac open in an attempt to replace this drive yourself or do any other work inside this iMac, you forfeit any future repairs from an Apple Store, Apple directly and, possibly, not getting and help or repair/service assistance from an Apple Authorised reseller/repair center.

iMacs have no user serviceable parts inside (except for RAM replacement in certain older and new model Macs) and any DIY work on your own will end any support from Apple should ANYTHING go wrong (like finicky tiny wires or cables getting broken or damage where they will no longer function).

Something to think about before you start deciding to crack open your Mac.

If ANYTHING goes wrong with the DIY, your outta luck getting Apple to help you.

Much safer AND SO MUCH EASIER just to add out an external optical drive. Especially when they are still a available.

This is what most users do when faced with a failing or fail optical drive.

Your choice.