Why Do DVD Drives Regularly Fail?

There are many small delicate parts inside a DVD drive.

Both CD and DVD optical drives have a tendency to fail quite frequently, and they usually fail more quickly than many other computer drives. There are several reasons for optical drive failure, including the way optical drives are made and used.

Moving Parts

Any piece of hardware with moving parts is generally more prone to failure than solid-state technology. A DVD drive has to turn constantly while discs are inside it at a high rate of speed and this will gradually damage the motor.

Handling

People have to handle DVDs when they place them in a drive, and in the process, they will often make the discs dirty. When dust and other debris get on a disc, it can easily be transferred into the drive. Gradually, this process will make the drive dirty, which can eventually cause it to fail.

Fragility

Optical drives are made with many tiny components and these are usually quite fragile. It doesn't take much to damage these parts and when they eventually fail, they can be very difficult to fix.

References

• Toms Hardware Guide: How to Fix All CD/DVD Drive Issues
• "The Idiots Guide to Upgrading and Repairing PCs"; Jennifer Fulton; 2001