Optical Disk Drive is Unable to Write or Burn Data to a Disc

The CD, DVD, or Blu-ray drive on your computer may not be able to write or record (also called burning) files to a recordable (R) or rewritable (RW) CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disk.

Use the troubleshooting instructions below if your CD, DVD, or Blu-ray drive is not able to write/burn files to a recordable (R) or rewritable (RW) disk. The instructions help you resolve the problem in some instances if the drive has not failed completely.

The instructions below can be used for both internal and external CD, DVD or Blu-ray drives but some of the fundamentals might be a little different.

The instructions below applies to the following Microsoft Windows operating systems:

• Microsoft Windows 10
• Microsoft Windows 8 or 8.1

• Using an incompatible recordable media that is not supported by the optical drive. For example, using a DVD-R disk on an optical drive that only supports CD-R or CD-RW disk.
• Corrupt Windows Registry entries related to the optical drive.
• Recordable disk does not support the faster write speed that is offered by the CD or DVD recording applications.
• Faulty optical drive.
• Corrupt operating system files.

Before you begin troubleshooting:

• Verify if the drive can read disks. If the drive is unable to read disks, see Dell Knowledge Base article Optical Drive is unable to read disks.
• If you are using a recordable (R) or rewritable (RW) disk that was written on another computer, ensure that the disk can play back on the computer that was used to burn/record it.
• Verify that the type of disk you are using is compatible with the drive that is installed on your computer. See the Dell Knowledge Base article Guide to optical disk Drives and Optical Discs.
• If you are using a recordable (R) or rewritable (RW) disk, verify that the disk burning/writing session was closed correctly. See the User Manual of the disk recording software that you are using.
• Try different brands of recordable (R) or rewritable (RW) disk.

Click on the troubleshooting steps below for more instructions. If the issue is not resolved, go to the next troubleshooting step.

1. Verify that the optical drive is recognized in Windows Device Manager
2. Try a different recordable disk
3. Remove the CD, DVD, or Blu-ray drive from Windows Device Manager
4. Run the Windows Hardware Troubleshooter
5. Install the latest BIOS update on your computer
6. Update or reinstall the Dell provided recording software
7. Write/Burn a disk using the Windows integrated burning engine
8. Perform a Windows System Restore
9. Restore your computer to factory defaults

Verify that the optical drive is recognized in Windows Device Manager

1. Press the Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. In the Run dialog box, type devmgmt.msc then press the Enter key.
3. In the Device Manager window, expand DVD/CD-ROM drives. Verify that the optical drive is listed.
4. If the disk drive is recognized, go to the next step.
5. If the disk drive is not listed, see Dell Knowledge Base article Optical Drive is not recognized in Windows.

Try a different blank disk

It is essential to check the disk that you are using to write or burn for storing your files. There are many different brands and types of recordable media, and some perform better than others. Try different brands of CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, BD-R, or BD-RW disks as they are supported by most recordable drives.

Some reasons why the disk you may be using is not working:

• You are trying to use the wrong type of disk that is not compatible with the optical drive on your computer.
• You are trying to use a disk that has already been closed (write-protected) in the previous write or burn process.
• Your disk drive can adjust various properties of the laser and disk rotation to match the properties of the disk, but it might not be able to find a match with some batches of recordable media.

Remove the CD, DVD, or Blu-ray drive from Windows Device Manager

If the optical drive cannot write or burn disks, try removing the CD, DVD, or Blu-ray drive.

1. Press the Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. In the Run dialog box, type devmgmt.msc and then press the Enter key.
3. In the Device Manager window, expand DVD/CD-ROM drives.
4. Right-click the optical drive name and click Uninstall.
5. In the confirmation window, click OK.
6. Restart the computer.

Run the Windows Hardware Troubleshooter

For Windows 10, go to the next step. In Windows 8 (8.1) or 7, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. In the Run dialog box, type control and then press the Enter key.
3. In the Search box in the Control Panel, type troubleshooter, and then click Troubleshooting.
4. Under the Hardware and Sound item, click Configure a device. If you are prompted to enter an administrator password or provide confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete an integrated automated troubleshooter.
6. Restart the computer if prompted.

Install the latest BIOS update on your computer

Dell Technologies recommends updating the BIOS as part of your scheduled update cycle. Like operating system and driver revisions, the BIOS update contains feature enhancements or changes that help keep your system software current and compatible with other system modules (hardware, firmware, drivers, and software) as well as providing security updates and increased stability.

To learn how to update the BIOS on your Dell computer, see the Dell knowledge base article Dell BIOS Updates.

Update or reinstall the Dell provided recording software

Dell systems that have an optical drive come with a factory installed CD, DVD, or Blu-ray recording software (for example, Cyberlink Power2Go). The Dell provided recording software enables your computer to write or burn files to a recordable (R) or rewritable (RW) CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disks.

If you are having trouble with recording, try to uninstall and reinstall the Dell provided recording software.

• You can use the software installation disk that was shipped with your Dell computer.
• If there was no disk shipped with your Dell computer, see Dell Knowledge Base article What is Dell Digital Delivery?.

Write or burn a disk using the Windows integrated burning engine

My Computer or File Explorer has the ability to recognize a blank recordable (R) or rewritable (RW) disks and write or burn data on them. If you are using a third-party recording software to write or burn a disk and if you are experiencing any issues, it is recommended that you try burning a disk using Windows burning engine. This helps you identify if the issue with the third-party recording software or the optical drive.

The instructions below explain how to use the Windows Explorer to write or burn a data disk (a type of disk that is used to store and share files among different computers). If you want to create other types of disks, such as a DVD-Video disk (to play on a standard home DVD player) or an audio CD (to play on a standard home CD or DVD player), use a different program or feature of Windows or a third-party CD, DVD, or Blu-ray recording software.

1. Insert a blank recordable (R) or rewritable (RW) disk into the drive.
2. The AutoPlay dialog box should appear. Click Burn files using Windows Explorer.
   Microsoft Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or, Windows 8 might show Burn files using File Explorer.
   NOTE: If the AutoPlay dialog box does not appear, click My Computer or Computer, and then double-click on the optical drive icon.
3. In the Burn a Disc dialog box, type a name for this disk in the Disc title box, click With a CD/DVD player, and then click Next.
4. Open the folder that contains the files you want to burn, and then drag and drop the files into the empty disk folder.
   NOTE: To select more than one item, press and hold the Ctrl key and select the files you want to burn. Drag and drop the files into the empty disk folder.
5. On the toolbar, click Burn to disk, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
6. Wait until the disk burning process is complete. When the disk burning is complete, the drive tray opens and you can remove the disk.
   WARNING: Do not try to forcibly eject the disk. This may render the disk unusable.

Perform a Windows System Restore

System Restore is an integrated Windows tool designed to protect and repair the operating system. When something goes wrong with your computer, System Restore should be used prior to restoring to factory condition.

See Dell Knowledge Base article How to Reinstall Windows 10 on your Dell computer.

Restore your computer to factory defaults

If the Dell personal computer Diagnostics on the optical drive has passed, it is most definitely an issue related to software installed on your computer. If the above troubleshooting steps have not been able to resolve the issue with the optical drive, you could try to restore your computer factory defaults as a last resort.

Dell computers are built with a small amount of hard disk space reserved for reinstalling your operating system. This method is the easiest way to restore your computer to factory condition. The restoration process deletes all user data from the computer, so be sure to back up all your files prior to starting this process.

See Dell Knowledge Base article Restore your Computer Using SupportAssist OS Recovery.

For any other issue with the CD, DVD or Blu-ray drive on your computer, see the Dell knowledge base article Troubleshooting CD/DVD or Blu-Ray Drive Problems in Microsoft Windows.

Recommended Articles

Here are some recommended articles related to this topic that might be of interest to you.

• How to Troubleshoot CD, DVD or Blu-Ray Drive Problems
• Guide to Optical Disc Drives and Optical Discs
• Optical Disk Drive is Unable to Read or Recognize a Disc
• Troubleshooting Optical Drive Recognition Issues in Windows

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