How to Insert a CD Correctly

Store your CDs in cases to prevent scratches.

You can listen to your favorite songs or audio books by inserting a compact disc into a CD player. If you incorrectly insert the disc, the CD player will be unable to read the disc and could potentially scratch it. Sometimes it can be tricky to determine which way to correctly insert a CD, especially if you are dealing with a burned CD. You can easily determine how to insert a CD by following a few guidelines.

Instructions

1. Press the eject button on your CD player. The disc tray will open. Some CD players do not have a disc tray. If there is no tray, press eject to see if there is a disc already in the player. If there is, a CD will pop out.

2. Look for any labels on the CD. The labels indicate the front side of the CD. Insert the CD with the label side facing you. If there is no label, search for the manufacturer's logo.

3. Place the CD into the disc tray. Push or press the disc tray back into the "close" position. If there is no disc tray, insert the CD into the open slot and gently push the disc into the player. The CD player will begin to read your disc. If the disc does not automatically start, press the "Play" button.

Tips & Warnings

• Sometimes a CD will not function properly if it is dirty. Use a "CD cloth" to wipe off any dust or fingerprints on the disc.

• You can tell if there is content on the disc by checking if there is a dark ring around the "hole" of the CD. The dark ring indicates the amount of content on the disc. This also indicates which side is the back of the CD.

References

• How To Clean Stuff: How to Clean a CD
• The Geeky Life: How to Tell if a CD or DVD is Blank