Troubleshooting for Windows XP DVD Player

by Stephen Lilley
A scratched or dirty disc is often the source of DVD playing failure.

A scratched or dirty disc is often the source of DVD playing failure.

dvd disk image by Jovan Nikolic from Fotolia.com

Several factors could cause you to experience problems when trying to play a DVD on your computer when using Windows XP's DVD player software. You should always check the disc itself. Examine the data side of the disc -- if there are any scratches, dirt, dust or anything else on the disc, it might prevent the DVD drive's laser from reading the information stored on the disc. That will make it next to impossible for Windows to play your DVD correctly. Remove any dirt or dust with a clean, dry and smooth cloth. DVD scratch repair kits can be purchased at any electronics retailer.

The Disc

Several factors could cause you to experience problems when trying to play a DVD on your computer when using Windows XP's DVD player software. You should always check the disc itself. Examine the data side of the disc -- if there are any scratches, dirt, dust or anything else on the disc, it might prevent the DVD drive's laser from reading the information stored on the disc. That will make it next to impossible for Windows to play your DVD correctly. Remove any dirt or dust with a clean, dry and smooth cloth. DVD scratch repair kits can be purchased at any electronics retailer.

The Drive

If there is any dust covering the drive's laser, it could prevent the drive from reading the DVD. Either take a can of compressed air and spray gently into the drive while the tray is fully extended, or purchase a laser cleaner from an electronics store. Also, if you feel comfortable working around the inside of a computer, open your computer's case, and ensure that the drive is properly connected to the motherboard.

Drivers

Improper or outdated drivers could also prevent the Windows XP DVD player from working properly. A driver is a small piece of software that tells your computer how to interact with whatever piece of hardware you are trying to use. Check the manufacturer's website for your DVD drive, and make sure that you have the most recent driver available. Also, try uninstalling and reinstalling the driver, using Windows XP's device manager.

About the Author

Stephen Lilley is a freelance writer who hopes to one day make a career writing for film and television. His articles have appeared on a variety of websites. Lilley holds a Bachelor of Arts in film and video production from the University of Toledo in Ohio.

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