www.makemkv.com

Hi there, I am using the latest Windows 10, the latest MakeMKV version (1.15.2) and an external DVD drive via USB.

I do use MakeMKV not very often and I do remember that I did have the same exact problem for years and somehow always found a way for it to work. But not this time

I have already restarted my laptop after the installation both with the usb dvd drive on and off.
I have started MakeMKV with both the drive on and off and dvd inserted or missing - nothing worked.

In the past, I had to do it in a certain order but for the life of me, nothing works. And I do need to save this dvd
I can access the drive via the explorer.

Does anyone have any ideas?

I look at Hardware, first, then Software.
You need to pull the dvd drive out!

Dis-connect every damm thing connected to the drive!
Pull apart any adapters in the power circuit.

Look at the wires, the inside of the connectors and
all pins and contacts.

Connect on a different circuit, or harness.

Plug it back in and test.
Best wishes.

Usually just pulling the power is enough to force a complete hardware reset... And a USB-powered drive loses power/resets as soon as you unplug the USB cable.

Is there not a button on the drive? Every drive I've ever seen has a button on the front right corner that opens the drive.

The buttons are electrical, not mechanical, so if the drive logic is screwed up, they won't work until reset.

There is, almost universally, the "paperclip hole", to physically unlatch the drive.