WH16NS60 No Disc Error

[Hitchkunt]

I have a WH16NS60 that I flashed to revision 1.02 running on OSX that has worked without any issue since 2020.

However, now the drive does not seem to be able to read any discs. Whenever I insert a disc (UHD, Blu, DVD) the blue light on the player flashes and the disc spinning animation on MakeMKV runs for 30 seconds or so but the drive fails to read the disc and automatically ejects it. MakeMKV says no disc inserted.

I've tried unplugging the drive and rebooting. I've tried multiple discs in various formats but I get the same error.

I plugged in an old Pioneer non libre drive into my computer and was able to read a disc using MakeMKV.

I'm unsure what else to try and would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

Drive Information
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE WH16NS60
Revision: 1.02
Serial number: KL9K6IG3102
Firmware date: 2118-10-29 19:36
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 76

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware version: 1.02
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

No disc inserted

[TeddyRaspin]

You could try the 1.03 firmware or restore the original firmware.

According to my experience, your problems could be the symptom optical unit is not working fine anymore.

Let me know if restoring or upgrading fw will fix this.

[Hitchkunt]

Thank you for your reply.

I am running into some difficulty trying to flash the drive again.

In OSX Terminal I am getting an unable to load sdf.bin error when I try to flash to 1.03.

This is my command line:
/Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -d /IOBDServices/91774439 -f /Applications/MakeMKV/sdf.bin rawflash main, Macintosh HD/Users/MacPro/Downloads/mk-firmware-pack-20200720/MK/HL-DT-ST/WH16NS60/HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH16NS60-1.03-NM00600-212005081010.bin
Unable to load sdf.bin
Internal error 0xffffffff

I'm not sure what's going on with this drive. As I said in my previous post, it just doesn't seem to read any discs anymore. I also tried using VLC to open discs but like MKV it just ejects the discs.

[Hitchkunt]

Ok, I was able to flash to revision 1.03 but the drive is still unable to read discs.

[TeddyRaspin]

Try to put a DVD or CD. If it reads it, then the blue laser is gone.

[Hitchkunt]

I tried a DVD but it is unable to read it too.

[TeddyRaspin]

Could you try your drive on PC instead of MAC?

Try also to flash it to its stock firmware and do some tests again.

[Hitchkunt]

I flashed it back to the original firmware but it still fails to read any discs (Blu, DVD).

Unfortunately, I don't have any PCs to try it out on.

[TeddyRaspin]

Connecting to a PC via SATA or USB adapter would be the final test to see if it's a MAC problem or the drive dead.

I haven't any further tip or idea to share.

[dcoke22]

Do you hear the disc spin when you put it in the drive?

If it doesn't spin, then the problem is sorta obvious. If it does spin, there is a remote chance that just the optics of the lasers are dirty and preventing it from working. You could, if you're so inclined, take the case off the drive and attempt to gently clean the laser assembly.

That said, new Pioneer drives work great, don't require any flashing, and are an easy way to solve your problem with money instead of time.

[john27]

UHD/4k discs give me the same problem (Type: No disc) but normal blu rays are still OK. Drive worked great on both until about a week ago. I reflashed 1.03 MK version and still no luck on UHD/4k.

[Billycar11]

UHD/4k discs give me the same problem (Type: No disc) but normal blu rays are still OK. Drive worked great on both until about a week ago. I reflashed 1.03 MK version and still no luck on UHD/4k.

Then you still have a chance at reviving it with cleaning
But do post your drive info to make sure it's the right 1.03

[john27]

Tried cleaning and no luck. Here is the Info:

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE WH16NS60
Revision: 1.03
Serial number: KL9K5UA3434
Firmware date: 2120-05-08 10:10
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 76

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware version: 1.03
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

No disc inserted

[Billycar11]

Tried cleaning and no luck. Here is the Info:

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE WH16NS60
Revision: 1.03
Serial number: KL9K5UA3434
Firmware date: 2120-05-08 10:10
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 76

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware version: 1.03
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

No disc inserted

well sorry man looks like its time for a new drive. if its new just return it
i would recommend a BU40N or a UHD pioneer.

[Stubborn5228]

I seem to be getting the same issue as well. New to me drive that reads DVD and CD, but nothing else. Is it worth trying to flash it with something else, or does that necessarily indicate an issue with the laser?