Optical discs were considered a revolution in mobile hard data storage technologies and Blue-Ray DVDs were among the types of discs that concluded the trail. Soon cloud-based data transfer became more popular due to the inherent issues with discs. Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation still launch their respective flagship consoles with disc drive versions. However, the classic disc-related issues remain in almost every new release. The same was the case with the Xbox One console which was the third among the four desktop console generations yet launched by Microsoft. For the problem of the disc not working properly, Microsoft first suggested trying a ludicrous check of whether the disc was inserted upside down. However, when this check yields no special findings, there is another method of going through a power cycle which is one of Microsoft’s oldest tricks in their books.
For this specific problem, users were also suggested to check if only specific discs are having the issue or if all the discs are not working. Since Xbox One S was initially having issues with limited 4K HD Blu-Ray DVDs, this issue was required to be figured out. Since then, there were a series of checks suggested by Microsoft that shall be detailed hereafter. If all the tests fail, Microsoft suggests the disc be replaced.
Checks for issue resolution
Check if the disc is clean or defective. Cleaning is possible but a defective disc must be replaced since it can also break if exposed to high-speed rotation in the disc drive of the consoleAttempt to play the same disc on another Xbox One to see if there is a problem with the console or its softwareMake sure that the right app is installed for playing the discsThe discs are labeled for compatibility with consoles from the respective regions. In case a disc labeled for a different region is played in a console of another region, the disc may not workReplace the disc if it is not working on other consoles. Otherwise, check if the Blu-ray disc app is installed and the console software is updated. If all the things are intact, request Microsoft for repair
Some other workarounds frequently reported by gamers to yield success are console resetting, power cycle, and running the game with a different disc. Running the game with another disc can ensure that the problem is not with the disc or the console. Resetting the console can resolve minor bugs and faults in the software. A more powerful console resetting is a power cycle in which the power button must be pressed for at least 10 seconds shutting down all background apps and operations, and then power on the console.
Sometimes a broken or dirty disc drive sensor can also cause the problem. This problem is not easily identified by replacing the disc as some discs can be read and others cannot. However, it is not a good idea to dismantle a complicated assembly like a computer system or video game console. This is especially valid for the Xbox system in which Microsoft fits fail-safe systems to avoid retrofitting and modifications.
Conclusion
The Xbox One console is no different than the previous Xbox series consoles in terms of malfunctions and game launching issues. One of such problems is disc-related non-performance. This problem can either be due to the disc itself, the console, or the software in the console. There are methods to identify these issues like checking the disc insertion orientation, checking the disc condition, playing the disc on another console, playing another disc on the same console, resetting the console, performing the power cycle, and checking the device software. If the problem is not resolved, Microsoft can be contacted for servicing and repair.
Q1: What if the disc drive is damaged and requires replacement?
Answer: Disc drives can sometimes be repaired. However, sometimes the damage is beyond repairs and the drive requires replacement.
Q2: What can be done if a disc is intact but dirty?
Answer: Discs can be cleaned. A dry and soft cloth should be used for disc cleaning purposes so that the plastic on the surface doesn’t get aberrated and lose its clarity and shine. It is to avoid further scratching of the readable side. Cleaning solutions and professional buffing on machines can be employed to clean the game discs.
