HP Desktop PCs - Opening a Stuck CD or DVD Drive Tray (Windows 10, 8)

• The drive tray is stuck open.
• The drive is stuck closed because of loss of power.
• A disc is inserted improperly.
• The disc is damaged or scratched.
• The drive fails.

note:

Depending on your version of Windows, some graphics and information in this document might vary slightly.

  caution:

After opening the door, if you find that a disc has broken and has left fragments inside the drive, try to find and match all pieces of the disc. If all pieces cannot be found, the drive should be replaced as the damaged pieces can cause further damage to the computer and to other discs.

1. In Windows, click the power button, and then click Restart.
2. If the keyboard has a disc eject key, press it. The Eject key is usually located near the volume controls and is marked by a triangle pointing up with a line underneath.
3. In Windows, search for and open File Explorer.
4. In the Computer window, select the icon for the disc drive that is stuck, right-click the icon, and then click Eject.
   Figure : Eject disc

   
   The disc tray should open. If it does not, continue following these steps.
5. If the drive door button is a long clear plastic bar on the front of the computer, press firmly on the right side of the bar. Some models have a button on the front panel of the computer to the right of the hinged door. Press the button to eject the drive.
6. If the drive door button is part of the computer case and is covering the actual drive door, open the door that is part of the computer case and press the Eject button on the faceplate of the drive.
7. Restart the computer, and press the Eject button on the front of the drive when the first screen appears (before Windows launches). If the drive door opens this way, but does not open in Windows, another software application is taking control of the disc driver. Try shutting down or configuring any apps that create discs or monitor the disc drive.
8. If the door still does not open, insert the end of a straightened paper clip into the manual eject hole on the front of the drive, using the following steps:
   1. In Windows, click the power button, and then click Shutdown.
   2. Unplug all power cords from the back of the computer.
   3. Look for the small hole on the faceplate of the disc drive. This is the manual release hole. The location of the manual release hole will vary.

      note:

      On some models, it is necessary to remove the front panel to expose the manual release hole. Check the documentation that came with your computer for information about removing the front panel.

      Figure : Removing the front panel

      

      note:

      On some models, the release hole and the drive activity LED look similar and are about the same size. Do not force the paper clip into the hole if it does not go in. Make sure that the hole is not actually the LED.

      Figure : Possible location of manual release hole

      
      Figure : Possible location of manual release hole

      
      Figure : Possible location of manual release hole

      
   4. Straighten the paper clip and insert it into the manual release hole until resistance is felt.
   5. Press in gently on the paper clip until the tray is released.
      Releasing the lock will allow the tray to open a small distance.
   6. Remove the paper clip and gently pull out the drawer until the disc is accessible.
   7. Remove the disc from the tray and turn on the computer.
9. If the tray still does not open, use the following steps to open the case and check that the power cable for the drive is connected.

     warning:

   The edges of metal panels can cut skin. Be careful not to slide skin along any edge of the computer's interior metal.

     caution:

   This product contains components that are easily damaged by ElectroStatic Discharge (ESD). To reduce the chance of ESD damage, work over a non-carpeted floor, use a static dissipative work surface (like a conductive foam pad), and wear an ESD wrist strap that is connected to a grounded surface (like the metal frame of the computer).

   1. In Windows, click the power button, and then click Shutdown.
   2. Unplug all power cords from the back of the computer.
   3. Press and release the Power button on the front of the computer.
   4. Remove the side panel.
      Figure : Removing the side panel

      
   5. Locate the power cable that connects to the back of the disc drive tray that is having the problem.
      Figure : Locating the power cable

      
   6. Unplug the power cable and wait five seconds.
   7. Find a different power cable that is not being used, and plug the different power cable into the back of the drive, making sure that it fits firmly into the socket. If a different power cable is not available, reconnect the original power cable into the back of the drive, making sure that it fits firmly into the socket.
   8. Replace the side panel and plug in the power cord.
      Figure : Replacing the side panel

      
   9. Turn on the computer and press the eject button on the front of the drive.
   If the CD or DVD drive does not have the manual eject feature and the tray will not open by using the steps in this document, or if a disc has shattered inside the drive, the drive needs to be replaced.

• If the drive door closes and operates normally, restarting the computer fixed the problem and no further action is needed.
• If the drive door closes fully and then opens automatically when Windows opens, see the section Check for software issues causing the drive tray to stay open.
• If the drive door remains open, see the section Check for foreign objects or hardware issues causing the drive tray to stay open.