10 Secrets That Will Fix 'DVD Won't Play' in Less Than 5-min

DVD Won't Play on TV/Windows 10 PC/DVD Player/PS4/Xbox? Follow DVD Playing Troubleshooting Steps

Sometimes we'll find that our DVD won't play on the standalone DVD player, Windows PC, computer, Xbox/PS4/PS5, or on any other DVD playback platforms. Common problems include only sound but no picture, not supported mode, no signal, auto play the trailer while stop at main feature and so on. How could this happen? There could be a number of reasons why the DVD won't play on TV/Windows 10 PC/DVD Player/PS4/Xbox. The problem could be with the DVD disc, the DVD player, and the video cable connecting the player and the TV. Read following checklist to isolate the problem and solutions to fix DVD not working on your television.

Tips: You're recommended to digitize DVD for convenient and flawless playback. This way, you will be able to play DVD movie on DVD Player/computer/TV/Xbox/PS4 without region limits, compatibility issue, or performing complicated settings on DVD player/TV. No DVD player needed. No disc needed. No problems any more.

Solution 1. Check if the DVD type is incompatible with DVD player

Some users keep asking why my DVD doesn't play on DVD Player connected to TV/Windows 10 PC/Mac computer. The culprit could be the DVD bad compatibility.

* You have not burned the discs correctly. Please make sure that your original file is ISO image and that burn it to DVD disc.

* Or you created a DVD that is the wrong disc media type to be played on the TV, that would be either a +R, -R, or RW media. Check the manual for the DVD player to see if it will read the DVD format.

* DVD home player is too old to accommodate the playback speed. For instance, some old home player might only support playing back DVD content at the standard 25fps or 29.97fps. Therefore, it will be out of function if your DVD is burned at 50fps or 60fps. In such case, you're required to re-burn the copy at a slower speed to suit its play ability.

Solution 2. Check the TV Input

Ensure that the TV you're using for DVD playback is set to the correct input source for the DVD player. Use the TV remote or the input/source button on the TV to cycle through the available inputs until you find the one connected to the DVD player.

Solution 3. Check DVD Player Settings

Access the DVD player's settings menu and verify that the video output settings are compatible with your TV model. For instance, if your TV is an older model, it might be unable to support high-definition (HD) settings, so ensure the DVD player is set to output in standard definition.

Solution 4. Reset the DVD player and TV

Power off and unplug both the DVD player and TV from the power source. Wait for a couple of minutes, plug them back in and turn them on. This can help clear any temporary glitches or conflicts.

Solution 5. Clean the dirty DVD or try a different disc

Sometimes the TV won't play a certain DVD properly but works fine with another disc, so the issue rests with the DVD itself. It might be accumulated some dust or fingerprints on the lens. Worse still, DVD may be scratched and damaged, which will also affect the playback experience.

You can try the following steps to fix dirty DVD won't play on TV/DVD Player/Windows 10 PC/Mac computer.

1. Clean the disc with a mild soap and warm water
2. Dry the disc with a lint-free cloth
3. Squeeze toothpaste on the disc
4. Rub the toothpaste on the disc in a straight motion from the center to the outer edges
5. Wash off the toothpaste and dry the disc.
6. If it still won't work, try another disc to see if you can play DVD fine.

Check more details on how to fix a scratched DVD and recover data.

Solution 6. Ensure solid connection between DVD player and TV/PC/Computer

Sometimes DVD works fine on a computer but doesn't play on TV properly or the movie is discolored or distorted, there can be something wrong with the DVD player, e.g. can't connect DVD player to TV. Make sure video cables are securely connected at both ends. For example, when using HDMI jacks, connect the HDMI output jack on the DVD player to the HDMI jack on the TV. Make sure you turn your DVD player on before doing so. This is also the same as the Component, S-Video, the Composite video jacks.

Solution 7. Install Third Party DVD Player Software

The DVD not playing issue can be caused by the third party DVD player software problem installed on your device. The built-in support for DVD playing is removed in Windows 10. So, if you are running into DVD not playing error on Windows 10 PC/laptop, Mac computer, Xbox One/PS4/PS5, try some third party DVD player programs, such as VLC Media Player, 5KPlayer, KMPlayer. If you have no idea which DVD player to choose from, refer to review of top 10 free DVD player for Windows 10.

Solution 8. Update DVD Firmware

This solution is provided by a warm-hearted user who has the similar experience and wants to share his workaround to help you solve this issue. He says sometimes a DVD disc is burned in such a way that DVD firmware can't play it. Given that your DVD firmware can be updated, this trouble might be tackled thereby.

Solution 9. Change region code

The DVD you are playing is often region locked and isn't allowed to be played everywhere other than the DVD player with the same region code. For example, the DVD player you bought from UK cannot play NTSC DVD or the DVD from the region other than region 2, unless you change the country code in the player or make DVD player region free or seek for a region free DVD player. Note that most DVD players allow up to 4-5 country changes. So be careful. Apart from changing region code, you can also use a DVD ripper to create a region-free copy of your DVD.

Solution 10. Digitize DVD and play DVD movies on TV via USB drive [Most recommended]

Analysis: After spending much time with the above solutions, the DVD will play sometimes. But you cannot promise your cherished DVDs are elongated forever, after all they are highly likely to be rotted, fingerprinted or worn out each time you put them into the drive. At the same time, changing the region every time you play a foreign DVD can be tedious, let alone the 5-time region change limit. In consideration of this, you can try WinX DVD Ripper Platinum to preserve your DVD library and remove the region code permanently and fast.

WinX DVD Ripper Platinum - Digitize DVD for playback properly without limits

• Support all types of DVDs, incl. homemade/burned DVD, 99-title disc, scratched DVD, DVD-RW/R, etc.
• Convert DVD to region-free MP4, AVI, H.264, MOV, etc for 4K/HDTV with full screen playback.
• 350+ profiles preset for media players, mobiles, game consoles, Apple TV, HDTVs, PCs, etc.
• Fast rip a full DVD within 5 minutes, thanks to level-3 Intel/NVIDIA/AMD hardware acceleration.

Free Download for Win 7 or later

Free Download for Mac OS X 10.6 or later

You can go through the steps below to rip DVD to MP4 or other TV-compatible format for playing on your TV via USB drive. This is the most effective way to fix commercial/homemade, scratched, old or new DVD won't play on TV error.

Step 1. Click DVD Disc button to load the movie disc or burned DVD. WinX DVD Ripper will correctly choose the right title, so you won't be bothered by finding the correct title with a player. By the way, you can also convert ISO image and DVD folder for playback on TV at your will.

Step 2. Choose MP4 as the output format. MP4 is widely recognized by your TV, USB, Windows/Mac, and any other devices.

Step 3. Click RUN to begin converting DVD to TV supported MP4 format. It won't take you long time.

After finishing DVD ripping, you can connect your USB drive which stores the MP4 copy to TV and then you can play the movie on the platform.

If, unfortunately, none of these solutions mentioned before resolve this DVD playback on TV issue, it may be a more complex problem that requires professional assistance. In such cases, contacting the manufacturer's customer support or seeking help from a qualified technician might be necessary.