The program can't find any usable optical drives

[Bob-E]

I've seen no evidence of an intentional fix. For me, it was fixed on the second version update after it happened. It looks like it's related to updates in some way, as that's when it started for me and others. I'd still REALLY like to know what the cause and resolution is as I'm confident it will happen again.

[Gaspode]

For me the problem occurred on Win10 after an update from MS which added Ransomware Protection. To make the optical drive's visible again I could either disable the Ransomware Protection completely or just add the Makemkv exe files as an exception. I chose the later option and now Makemkv works again.

You'll find it in Windows Defender Security Centre under Virus & Threat Protection.

[NewMeat]

For me the problem occurred on Win10 after an update from MS which added Ransomware Protection. To make the optical drive's visible again I could either disable the Ransomware Protection completely or just add the Makemkv exe files as an exception. I chose the later option and now Makemkv works again.

You'll find it in Windows Defender Security Centre under Virus & Threat Protection.

It's my 1st post, and I'd just like to say Thanks! I've been fighting the same problem and it was the ransomware protection. I followed your advise, added an exception, and it fixed the problem. It also worked for PowerDVD18 not working also. Thanks again.

[p-richard]

Yes. Windows Defender was the offender. Specifically Makemkvcon64.exe was getting blocked. I had a feeling it was local to my machine and some change that took place without my knowing. Thanks for your help. I'm back up and ripping. YAY!!!

[Gaspode]

Glad you managed to get working again.

I wish I could claim credit for this finding but someone else here on the forum first suggested it and it stuck in my mind.

[JimmyJoeBob]

I've been able to work around this by running MakeMKV "as administrator".
..so far...

[terwer]

Thanks for the heads up. I had to allow exceptions for all of the executables in the MakeMKV folder in Windows Defender before it recognized the optical drive.

[AeXiPHiXiON]

For me the problem occurred on Win10 after an update from MS which added Ransomware Protection. To make the optical drive's visible again I could either disable the Ransomware Protection completely or just add the Makemkv exe files as an exception. I chose the later option and now Makemkv works again.

You'll find it in Windows Defender Security Centre under Virus & Threat Protection.

thank you sir! great find!

recently blocked apps -> makemkvcon64.exe, vlc.exe, setup_makemkv_v1.14.2.exe, wmiprvse.exe (ms is apparently blocking their own software..)

[Dahita]

Thank you so much for your solution, this problem was driving me nuts!

I'd like to add that the solution is not fixed just by adding makemkv.exe as an exception to Windows Ransomware protection. You also need to add all the other executables from the main folder:

makemkv.exe
makemkvcon.exe
makemkvcon64.exe
mmccextr.exe
mmccextr64.exe

[danzzerss]

DEBUG: Code 3221225506 at ]p8h%iw6q@=GL92,:29403613
DEBUG: Code 3221225506 at ]p8h%iw6q@=GL92,:29403613

I have tried to contact support directly but I am unsure if they will answer.

they'ill answer, they did reply to me twice but so far they don't have a fix, we just have to keep looking, good luck to us on the windows OS