If your CD/DVD-ROM drive has a long horizontal plastic bar on the front, press firmly on the right side of the bar to eject the tray. Continue with this method if the eject button doesn’t work.
If you’re not sure which drive is correct, look for a name or icon reflecting the disk that’s inside. If no disk is inside, you may see something like “Optical” or “DVD” near the drive letter instead.
If the tray will not open, reboot the PC and try these steps again. If the tray doesn’t open after a reboot, see Using a Paperclip if the Drive is Stuck.
If you’re using a desktop PC and don’t see a pinhole, you’ll need to remove the front panel to make it visible. Check your PC’s manual for instructions on removing the panel. If you’re using a laptop without a manual release hole, you’ll need to take your device in for repair. Before doing so, try restarting your computer and updating its drivers to see if it’s a software issue rather than a hardware problem.
Sometimes the LED light and manual release holes will look very similar. If the paperclip doesn’t easily insert into the hole, don’t force it—you’ve likely found the light rather than the release hole.
Generally speaking, if there are thumbscrews, you can unscrew them by hand. Other screws can be loosened with a screwdriver. Once unscrewed, press lightly on the panel and slide it rearward until you can remove it completely. For more info, check out our guide on opening a desktop computer.
If the cable was not fully connected, plug it in securely. This was likely the problem.
If you cannot find another free power cable, try reattaching the original power cord into the drive after unplugging it.
