I was ripping, and now MakeMKV can't find any usable optical drives

[CalicoSkies]

I recently bought the Friends 4K blu-ray set and have been ripping it. Many of the discs have had trouble being ripped until I cleaned them (sometimes 2 or 3 times was necessary before I was successfully able to rip the whole disc). I got to the last 4K disc and was having trouble (to the point where MakeMKV would just go back to the main screen with an empty drive icon), even after I cleaned the disc several times. Now, I have removed the disc to try again, and MakeMKV says it can't find any usable optical drives.. I'm wondering what might have happened? Could my drive be worn out? My optical drive is a LG WH16NS40, and I'm using MakeMKV v1.17.6.

MakeMKV.png (39.65 KiB) Viewed 1999 times

[Woodstock]

The drive isn't being detected when MakeMKV asks about all drives. Sometimes, the operating system takes control of the drive and won't release it; other times, it just isn't detected for some reason.

If you attach it via USB, try unplugging it and plugging it back in (best if it powers off during this time). If it's a built-in drive, you probably should power the computer down and restart it, then try again. It's also best to do this without a disk in the drive until you start MakeMKV.

[CalicoSkies]

The drive isn't being detected when MakeMKV asks about all drives. Sometimes, the operating system takes control of the drive and won't release it; other times, it just isn't detected for some reason.

If you attach it via USB, try unplugging it and plugging it back in (best if it powers off during this time). If it's a built-in drive, you probably should power the computer down and restart it, then try again. It's also best to do this without a disk in the drive until you start MakeMKV.

I figured it might be something like that. It's an internal SATA drive. I rebooted my PC, and MakeMKV can see the drive again, but for some reason it seems it's unable to read this disc. It tries to read and then just goes back to the main screen with a blank drive. It does this even after I've cleaned the disc. And I'm wondering if it might be a general issue with the disc or the drive. Even without running MakeMKV, when I put the disc in, the drive seems to spend a few moments trying to read the disc, and I also hear a sort of momentary vibration at some point (also happens with MakeMKV running when it shows it's trying to read the disc).

MakeMKV-BlankDrive.png (62.58 KiB) Viewed 1936 times

[Woodstock]

Does it do the same thing with a DVD (different laser)?

[Billycar11]

this is one of the very annoying things about lg/asus drive fully power off the drive for a min and see if it works again.
do a shutdown some times even a psu plug pull while shut down helps

but this is one of the many reasons the recommended drives are pioneers see below for details

[darqman]

I have this exact same drive and it does the same thing. As others have mentioned powering it off and leaving it off for a minute or two then switch back on has always fixed it for me. My Pioneer drive never does this.

[CalicoSkies]

I have this exact same drive and it does the same thing. As others have mentioned powering it off and leaving it off for a minute or two then switch back on has always fixed it for me. My Pioneer drive never does this.

I did that, and it worked. I was able to rip this last disc that I was having trouble with.

I've ordered a Pioneer drive, and a user on this forum sent me some info to get it flashed, so I'll see if that works when it arrives. Overall I've been fairly happy with the drive I have now, but sometimes I run into issues like this.

[darqman]

I have this exact same drive and it does the same thing. As others have mentioned powering it off and leaving it off for a minute or two then switch back on has always fixed it for me. My Pioneer drive never does this.

I did that, and it worked. I was able to rip this last disc that I was having trouble with.

I've ordered a Pioneer drive, and a user on this forum sent me some info to get it flashed, so I'll see if that works when it arrives. Overall I've been fairly happy with the drive I have now, but sometimes I run into issues like this.

I'm glad you got it working again. Smart move on the Pioneer drive.