[Solved] MakeMKV Scsi Error - Illegal Request, Hardware Error

Failed to open disc. Error 'Scsi error - ILLEGAL REQUEST:READ OF SCRAMBLED SECTOR WITHOUT AUTHENTICATION' occurred while reading 'DVD+R-DL HL-DT-ST DVD-RW GH41N PQ06' at offset '1048576' - from MakeMKV forum

Error 'Scsi error - MEDIUM ERROR:L-EC UNCORRECTABLE ERROR' occurred while reading my disc. - from MakeMKV forum

MakeMKV DVD ripping errors such as MakeMKV SCSI error - illegal request, SCSI error - hardware error, Scsi error - medium error， are disc reading error. If MakeMKV shows SCSI errors, it's likely to be a dirty or damaged disc or a drive problem. Learn various MakeMKV Scsi errors, ILLEGAL REQUEST: READ OF SCRAMBLED SECTOR, MEDIUM ERROR: L-EC UNCORRECTABLE ERROR, HARDWARE ERROR: TIMEOUT ON LOGICAL UNIT, and more. Possible fixes to SCSI errors are also provided below.

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Part 1. MakeMKV SCSI error - ILLEGAL REQUEST: READ OF SCRAMBLED SECTOR WITHOUT AUTHENTICATION

The following SCSI error illegal request in MakeMKV is commonly complained by users.

• Scsi error - ILLEGAL REQUEST: READ OF SCRAMBLED SECTOR WITHOUT AUTHENTICATION' occurred while reading 'BD-RE TSSTcorp BDDVDW SE-506BB TS00' at offset '1048576'
• Scsi error - ILLEGAL REQUEST:INVALID FIELD IN CDB
• Scsi error - ILLEGAL REQUEST: COPY PROTECTION KEY EXCHANGE FAILURE - AUTHENTICATION FAILURE
• Scsi error - ILLEGAL REQUEST: ILLEGAL MODE FOR THIS TRACK

Basic Fixes for MakeMKV Errors (Software & Settings Issues)

1. Run MakeMKV as the administrator on your computer.
2. Update MakeMKV beta key if you are using the beta version.
3. Set your computer system back to a date before your free beta key expiration.
4. Update to the latest version of MakeMKV to ensure compatibility with newer macOS/Windows updates and copy protection changes.
5. Increase Read retry count in MakeMKV preferences to improve stability when reading problematic DVDs or Blu-rays.
6. Make sure you are using the right software for decrypting and ripping copy-protected discs. MakeMKV may require additional tools like WinX DVD Ripper Platinum or AnyDVD for certain encryption types.
7. Some discs use AACS (Advanced Access Content System) or BD+ protection. In some cases, installing the libaacs library or similar decryption support libraries may help.
8. Ensure your optical drive has the latest firmware updates and supports the disc format you are trying to read.
9. Ensure that the disc is in good condition with no scratches or damage that may affect reading performance.

Advanced Troubleshooting (Drive, Connection & Detection Issues)

10. Check the USB connection and power stability if your optical drive is not detected. Try a different USB port, cable, or use a powered USB hub, especially for external Blu-ray drives on Mac.
11. If MakeMKV shows "No Disc Found" or cannot detect the drive, restart the application and reinsert the disc. On macOS, also confirm that the drive is properly recognized by the system.
12. If MakeMKV gets stuck on "Scanning" or takes too long to load the disc, this is often caused by drive communication issues or heavily encrypted discs. Updating MakeMKV or switching to a different drive may help.
13. If only partial titles appear or the main movie is missing, the disc may use advanced playlist protection. Reloading the disc or updating MakeMKV often improves title detection.
14. Make sure your optical drive supports LibreDrive mode where applicable, as some newer protections require LibreDrive-compatible firmware for full disc access.

Read More: MakeMKV Tutorial - How to Use MakeMKV to Rip DVD and Blu-ray

Part 2. MakeMKV Scsi error - Uncorrectable Error Medium Error

Common Scsi error - Medium Error messages are listed below:

• Scsi error - MEDIUM ERROR: L-EC UNCORRECTABLE ERROR' occurred while reading 'BD-RE ASUS BW-16D1HT 3.10' at offset '917504'
• Scsi error - MEDIUM ERROR: NO SEEK COMPLETE' occurred while reading 'BD-ROM MATSHITA BD-CMB UJ-120 1.01' at offset '65536'
• Scsi error - MEDIUM ERROR: POSITIONING ERROR DETECTED BY reading OF MEDIUM
• Scsi error - MEDIUM ERROR: READ RETRIES EXHAUSTED

Basic Fixes (Disc & Software Issues)

1. Clean the disc with a soft cloth. Dirty or scratched discs may cause reading issues.
2. Replace your disc. Manufacturing defects can also prevent MakeMKV from reading certain sectors properly.
3. Run MakeMKV as administrator to avoid permission-related read errors on Windows and macOS.
4. Update MakeMKV to the latest version. Older builds may not handle newer disc protection or updated operating systems correctly.
5. If the issue started after an update, try rolling back to a previous MakeMKV version.
6. Increase the read retry count in MakeMKV preferences to help recover weak or unstable sectors on damaged or difficult discs.

Advanced Fixes (Drive & Connection Issues)

1. Try a different optical drive. Some drives are more sensitive to certain discs, especially Blu-rays and dual-layer DVDs.
2. Check your USB connection. Use a direct USB port or a powered USB hub if you are using an external optical drive.
3. Ensure your optical drive firmware is up to date. Different firmware versions can significantly affect disc compatibility and error rates.
4. If MakeMKV fails on direct disc reading, use the Backup Disc feature first, then open the BDMV/index.bdmv file from the backup.
5. Some errors such as “L-EC UNCORRECTABLE ERROR” indicate unreadable sectors or drive-level read limitations.
6. If a disc plays normally in a standalone player but fails in MakeMKV, the issue is often related to drive compatibility rather than disc damage.

Part 3. MakeMKV SCSI Hardware Errors

MakeMKV SCSI hardware errors usually indicate that the optical drive is unable to properly communicate with the disc. Common error messages include:

• Scsi error - HARDWARE ERROR: TIMEOUT ON LOGICAL UNIT
• Scsi error - HARDWARE ERROR: TRACK FOLLOWING ERROR
• Posix error - Input/output error occurred while reading

What causes these errors: In most cases, this is not a MakeMKV software issue. It is usually related to unstable drive communication, insufficient power, outdated firmware, or unreadable disc sectors.

Troubleshooting tips:

• Test multiple discs. If all discs fail, the issue is likely the drive rather than the media.
• Try a different USB port or use a powered USB hub. External drives often trigger timeout errors when power is unstable.
• Check the USB cable and avoid long or low-quality connections, which can cause intermittent I/O errors.
• Update your optical drive firmware. In many cases, firmware updates significantly improve read stability and reduce SCSI errors.
• If possible, test another optical drive. Some drives are more sensitive to dual-layer DVDs and Blu-rays.
• Try enabling LibreDrive support (if compatible), which improves low-level disc access and reduces read failures on newer protections.
• If the error appears only on specific discs, the issue may be bad sectors or manufacturing defects rather than a drive failure.
• Clean the disc and ensure it is fully seated in the drive before retrying.
• If the drive repeatedly disconnects or freezes, restart MakeMKV and reconnect the drive before retrying the rip.

Read More: More troubleshooting for MakeMKV ripping errors >>

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