Top 7 Reasons Your Gaming Console Won’t Read Discs

If your PS5 or Xbox suddenly refuses to read game discs, you’re not alone — it’s one of the most common issues gamers face.
At Tech & Games Hartlepool, we fix dozens of consoles each week with this exact problem, and in most cases, it’s not the end for your disc drive.

Let’s go through the top causes  and what you can try before bringing it to our repair shop.

Step 1: Check the Disc Itself

It sounds simple, but most “disc not reading” problems start with a dirty or scratched disc.

Try this:

• Gently clean the disc using a soft microfiber cloth.
  
• Avoid circular motion — wipe from the center outwards.
  
• Try another game disc to confirm if it’s the console or the disc.
  

If other discs work fine, the problem is likely with that specific disc.

Step 2: Check Disc Drive Alignment

If your console makes clicking or spinning noises but won’t load the disc, the internal drive alignment may be off.
This can happen from accidental drops or discs being inserted off-center.

  Bring it to Tech & Games Hartlepool — we can realign or recalibrate the disc drive mechanism, often without replacing parts.

Step 3: Power Cycle Your Console

Sometimes, a simple reboot clears temporary software glitches that cause disc-reading errors.

Try this:

1. Turn off your PS5 or Xbox completely.
   
2. Unplug it for 2–3 minutes.
   
3. Plug back in and restart.
   

If the console starts reading discs again, it was likely a temporary firmware or cache issue.

Step 4: Check for System Updates

Outdated firmware can interfere with the optical drive’s ability to read certain game formats.

Fix it this way:

• On PS5: Go to Settings → System Software → System Software Update.
  
  
• On Xbox: Go to Settings → System → Updates.
  
  

If your console is offline, update manually using a USB drive or bring it to our store — we can safely perform a firmware update for you.

Step 5: Dust or Dirt in the Disc Drive

Over time, dust buildup can block the laser lens that reads the disc.
Using a disc cleaner might help, but avoid inserting foreign objects.

At Tech & Games Hartlepool, we perform professional lens cleaning using anti-static tools — restoring disc reading capability without replacements.

Step 6: Faulty Disc Drive Motor or Laser

If your console won’t spin or read any discs, the motor or laser module could be failing.

Our technicians can test both using diagnostic tools and replace only the faulty part — saving you the cost of a full drive replacement.

Step 7: Hardware or Motherboard Fault

In rare cases, especially with older Xbox or PlayStation models, a faulty logic board can cause the disc drive to stop communicating.
This requires component-level repair — something we handle in-house.

We’ll test, repair, and return your console same day in most cases.

When to Visit Tech & Games Hartlepool

If you’ve tried the basic fixes and your console still won’t read discs, it’s best to let the experts step in.
📍 Visit our Hartlepool repair centre — we’ll diagnose it for free before any repair.

We repair PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and other consoles — often same day.

Address: 119 York Rd, Hartlepool, UK, TS26 9DL
Call: +44 1429 233870

FAQs: PS5 / Xbox Disc Reading Issues

Q1. Why won’t my PS5 read game discs?
This usually happens due to a dirty disc, misaligned drive, or laser lens issue. Try cleaning the disc, but if all discs fail, your console needs a quick drive service.

Q2. Can dust cause my Xbox to stop reading discs?
Yes — dust buildup can block the laser lens. Our professional cleaning service can restore your Xbox’s reading ability within minutes.

Q3. How much does it cost to fix a PS5 or Xbox disc drive in Hartlepool?
Most disc drive repairs at Tech & Games Hartlepool range from £45–£95, depending on the issue. Diagnostics are free.

Q4. Do you offer same-day console disc repairs?
Yes! In most cases, we repair PS5 and Xbox disc drive issues the same day, so you can get back to gaming fast.

Q5. My console reads some discs but not others — what does that mean?
That usually means either the discs are scratched or the laser is weak. We can test both in-store to confirm before recommending a fix.