How to Fix Xbox One Disc Reading Issues

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Disc being inserted in Xbox One console.


With the Xbox One console, you can play video games and video or audio content off of the internet or from optical discs such as CDs, DVDs or Blu-ray discs. If you find yourself having trouble loading or playing any of your discs with the Xbox One console, this guide provides some troubleshooting steps that may resolve those problems.

2. Check Disc

  1. Hold the disc by the edges without touching the top or bottom surfaces.
Proper way to hold a disc being shown.
  1. Inspect the disc for dirt, scratches or visible defects.
  2. If the disc is dirty, use a soft, clean, slightly damp cloth to clean it by lightly wiping from the center of the disc outward.
Proper way to clean a disc being shown.
  1. Use water only. Do not use solvents to clean the disc.
  2. If the disc still can't be recognized or played, try it in another unit of the same type or try another disc of the same type in the unit.

3. Additional Information

To better assist you, please answer this question.

4. What's next?

5. Install Blu-ray player app

  1. Press the Xbox button on the controller.
Placement of Xbox button on gamepad pointed out.

  1. Go to the Store.
Store icon highlighted in Xbox One menu.
  1. Then go to Search.
Search option highlighted in Xbox One Store.
  1. Type the keyword "blu-ray" in the search field using the on-screen keyboard then select Search.
Search option highlighted on on-screen keyboard.
  1. Select the Blu-ray Player app when it appears.
  2. On the app details page select Install or Free.
Install option highlighted on app details page.
  1. The app should get installed. Wait for the process to complete.

6. Check Disc Region

Each Xbox One console is manufactured for a specific Blu-ray and DVD region, following international standards. The Xbox One console can play Blu-ray discs and DVDs that are sold in the same region as the console. See the following tables for the countries in each disc region.

Some Blu-ray discs and DVDs are not region-encoded or are coded to all regions. Region-free Blu-ray discs and DVDs will play on any Xbox One console.

Supported regions for Blu-ray discs

Find the region code represented as A, B, or C on the packaging, and verify that it matches your region.

RegionGeographic regions/countriesAIncludes most North, Central, and South American and Southeast Asian countries and regions, plus Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong SAR, Macau, and KoreaBIncludes most European, African, and Southwest Asian countries, plus Australia and New ZealandCIncludes the remaining Central and South Asian countries, as well as China and Russia

Supported regions for Standard DVD discs

Find the region code represented as a number between 1 and 8 on the packaging, and verify that it matches your region.

RegionGeographic regions/countries1United States, Canada, Bermuda, U.S. territories2Europe (except Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus), Middle East, Egypt, Japan, South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Greenland3Southeast Asia, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong SAR, Macau4Mexico, Central and South America, Australia, New Zealand, Oceania5India, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Africa, Central and South Asia, North Korea6People's Republic of China, Hong Kong SAR7Reserved8Special international venues, such as airplanes and cruise ships

7. What's next?

8. What's next?

9. Enable Energy-saving

  1. Press the Xbox button on the controller.
Placement of Xbox button on gamepad pointed out.

  1. Go to the System tab.
System icon pointed out in Xbox One menu.
  1. Then go to Settings.
Settings option highlighted in Xbox One menu.
  1. Then go to Power & startup.
Power & startup option highlighted in Xbox menu.
  1. And then go to Power mode & startup.
Power mode & startup option highlighted in Xbox settings.
  1. Select the Power Mode option.
Power Mode option highlighted in Xbox One settings.
  1. Set it to Energy-saving.
Energy-saving option highlighted in Xbox One settings.

10. Power Cycle

From the console

  1. Press and hold the Xbox button on the front of the console for approximately 10 seconds or until it turns off.
Power button pointed out on Xbox One.
  1. Press the Xbox button to turn it back on.

From the controller

  1. Press and hold the Xbox button on the controller.
Xbox button pointed out on controller.
  1. Select Turn console off from the on-screen prompt.
Turn console off option highlighted in on-screen prompt.
  1. Press the Xbox button to turn it back on.

11. What's next?

12. Power Cycle

From the console

  1. Press and hold the Xbox button on the front of the console for approximately 10 seconds or until it turns off.
Power button pointed out on Xbox One.
  1. Press the Xbox button to turn it back on.

From the controller

  1. Press and hold the Xbox button on the controller.
Xbox button pointed out on controller.
  1. Select Turn console off from the on-screen prompt.
Turn console off option highlighted in on-screen prompt.
  1. Press the Xbox button to turn it back on.

13. Eject Disc

To remove a disc from the Xbox One console you have to press the Eject button which is placed differently on the front panel of each version:

  • Xbox One Original
Eject button highlighted on front panel of Xbox One original.
  • Xbox One S
Eject button highlighted on front panel of Xbox One S.
  • Xbox One X
Eject button highlighted on front panel of Xbox One X.

14. Manually Eject Disc

  1. Unplug the power cord and other connected cables.
Power cable being unplugged from console.
  1. Grab a 2 inch long pin or uncoil a large paper clip — a standard clip is too short.
Paperclip being uncoiled.
  1. Locate the eject hole, which — on all Xbox One consoles — can be found on the left wall of the console, around the corner from the disc slot:
  2. On Xbox One Original the hole is between the slats on the left side, just below the connect button for wireless controllers. Owing to the angle of the slats, you need to be facing the side of the console directly to see the hole.
Pinhole location pointed out on left wall of Xbox One console.
  1. The Xbox One S left wall is a grill full of holes. The one that you are looking for is the second from right and second from bottom.
  2. On Xbox One X the hole is in plain view below the grill on the left side.
  3. Insert the pin or end of the paper clip into the eject hole. As you push the clip, the disc will pop out, but only a little. Pull it the rest of the way using a lint-free cloth to keep the disc clean.
Paperclip being inserted in the left wall of the console.

To keep this from happening again, make sure the disc isn’t sticky and doesn’t have a label that’s thick or peeling.

15. Proper Position

For the Xbox One console to work as intended, it has to be positioned properly. The proper position depends on the console model:

For Xbox One Original

  1. Place the console horizontally.
Correct horizontal position for Xbox One original.
  1. Do not place the console vertically.

For Xbox One S or X

  1. The console can be placed horizontally. This position offers the most stability.
Correct horizontal position for Xbox One S or X.
  1. The console can also be placed vertically. The proper stand is required when using the console in this position.
Correct vertical placement for Xbox One S or X with stand.
  1. Do not place the console vertically without the proper stand.
Incorrect placement

Keep these in mind when placing the console:

  • Place the console on a stable surface.
  • Do not place the console on speakers or subwoofers.
  • The console should be in a well-ventilated, relatively cool place and away from direct heat sources.
  • The space should be uncluttered. Do not put other objects on, under, or right next to the console to avoid blocking the vents and cause your console to overheat.
Incorrect placement of object on top of console

16. What's next?

17. Resolve Game Install Issues for Xbox One

Show Me HowClicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.

18. Resolve Game Freeze or Crash Issues for Xbox One

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Clicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.