Win 11 laptop will not recognise external CD/DVD drive

Si_Clist

I have a new Windows 11 laptop which refuses to talk to a new "BUNUD" CT10 external cd/dvd player https://www.amazon.co.uk/External-Rewriter-Optical-Winodws-MacBook/dp/B0BPBRH2H2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=XGKDEFEBXIS1&keywords=external+dvd+drive+windows+11&qid=1705933364&sprefix=%2Caps%2C72&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1  which is supposed to be compatible with it.  It is connected by a USB cable which is known to be good, plugged into the correct socket on the external drive and the only USB socket on the laptop.

I have followed various troubleshooting routines suggested by Google to the best of my ability but to no avail, and as an old git who's not really up to speed with this stuff, I'm now stuck.  I have very little hair left to tear out, so can anyone please suggest a way forward in simple terms?  (I need to read a DVD of PDFs of medical information ASAP) 

Edited to add that the player does not show in "This PC" but it starts and sounds like it's running properly when a disc is inserted.

cerebus

Apparently if you read the info on amazon it isn't compatible with Windows 10/11 but you can use vlc player to read discs however I don't know if vlc player can open pdfs

Another way to use it is to boot your laptop using a live version of Linux and use the dvd drive with thar

Or use an Internet cafe or your local library and transfer the pdfs onto a usb stick 

Si_Clist

cerebus said:

Apparently if you read the info on amazon it isn't compatible with Windows 10/11...

But if you read the bold text at the top of that link, it is!  

booneruk

It sounds as if it's getting power from the USB port (you can open the tray, insert a disc and hear it spinning), but that it's not registering as a drive in Windows. 

I'm wondering if you're plugging it into a USB-C or USB-A socket on the laptop?

I'd assume USB-C since new laptops should come as standard with those. Hopefully you're not plugging it into a hub since older standards of USB and certain hubs will limit the power delivery, and there's a chance it is getting enough power to open and spin, but not enough to communicate with the laptop.

When it's plugged in does Device Manager show any connected DVD drive? (click start, type device manager and hopefully it'll find it for you). You should see something like below if the drive has successfully registered with windows. Do you hear the USB "device connected" noise when you plug it in?

Newcad

I'd plug it into the USB port and then use Windows Update 'Check for Updates' to see if it will download a driver for it.

Or plug it in and then in Device Manage do a 'Scan for new hardware'

As already said it is obviously getting power through the port so may just need a driver before it can also send data through the port.

victor2

It does sound like the drive isn't getting enough power through the USB to fully operate. Consider returning it and getting one with a seperate power source, something like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Antika-External-Extended-Portable-Desktop/dp/B0C398FJW7/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Not particularly recommending that one, it was the first I found with a search. An alternative would be to get a powered USB hub, but no guarantees it will work, and could cost more than a cheap drive.

Si_Clist

Thanks guys.  It's connected properly but doesn't show up in Device Manager.  I'm totally fed up with the thing so it's going back to Amazon.  Hopefully I'll have more luck with the Hitachi_LG replacement I've just ordered ...

cerebus

Si_Clist said:

cerebus said:

Apparently if you read the info on amazon it isn't compatible with Windows 10/11...

But if you read the bold text at the top of that link, it is!  

I wouldn't believe everything you read on amazon if I were you.......

Have a look at some of the adverts for torches for example some of them output hundreds of thousands of lumens which is impossible 

flaneurs_lobster

cerebus said:

I wouldn't believe everything you read on amazon if I were you.......

Have a look at some of the adverts for torches for example some of them output hundreds of thousands of lumens which is impossible 

Well they could, but just not for very long.........

outtatune

Are you plugging both the USB-C and standard UBS plugs into the laptop? See in the Amazon picture where the cable from one loops into the other? You may need both connected to deliver enough power.

cerebus

flaneurs_lobster said:

cerebus said:

I wouldn't believe everything you read on amazon if I were you.......

Have a look at some of the adverts for torches for example some of them output hundreds of thousands of lumens which is impossible 

Well they could, but just not for very long.........

No...

There's not a COB led in the world that could output hundreds of thousands of lumens using aaa or aa batteries or even 18650s and still be able to be lugged around as a torch!

I believe they would be called lighthouses but hardly portable!