- Use the physical eject key near or on the CD tray to eject the disc.
- Alternatively, right-click the disc drive in File Explorer and select Eject.
- Use a paperclip to press the manual release button if the tray isn’t opening — turn off your computer first!
Using the Eject Feature
Close any apps using the CD/DVD-ROM drive. If any open apps are accessing files on the CD or DVD inside the drive, close those apps—Windows will not eject the tray otherwise.
Press the eject button. If your CD/DVD-ROM drive has a physical eject button, you can usually press it to open the tray. Eject buttons are usually right beside the drive door. Some PCs have eject keys on the keyboard, usually near volume controls. Look for key with an upward-pointing triangle with a horizontal line underneath. If your CD/DVD-ROM drive has a long horizontal plastic bar on the front, press firmly on the right side of the bar to eject the tray. Continue with this method if the eject button doesn't work.
Press ⊞ Win+E to open the File Explorer. You can also open File Explorer by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting File Explorer. Your list of drives will appear on the left panel.
Right-click the CD/DVD-ROM drive in the left panel. You may have to scroll down to the bottom to find it under "This PC." A menu will expand. If you're not sure which drive is correct, look for a name or icon reflecting the disk that's inside. If no disk is inside, you may see something like "Optical" or "DVD" near the drive letter instead.
Click Eject in the pop-up menu. As long as the drive is working properly and no apps are currently accessing files on the CD or DVD in the drive, the tray should now slide open. If the tray will not open, reboot the PC and try these steps again. If the tray doesn't open after a reboot, see Using a Paperclip if the Drive is Stuck.
Use a Paperclip if the Drive is Stuck
Turn off your PC. If you can't eject the tray using the physical eject button (if there is one) or File Explorer, the door is probably jammed. Turning off your computer will stop the disk from spinning and make it safe to open the drive with a paperclip.
Locate the manual release hole on the CD/DVD-ROM drive's door. You'll usually see a small round pinhole on, below, or beside the drive tray. Behind that hole is a button that can eject the tray whether the PC is on or off. This will allow you to remove a stuck CD or DVD. If you're using a desktop PC and don't see a pinhole, you'll need to remove the front panel to make it visible. Check your PC's manual for instructions on removing the panel. If you’re using a laptop without a manual release hole, you’ll need to take your device in for repair. Before doing so, try restarting your computer and updating its drivers to see if it’s a software issue rather than a hardware problem.
Remove all power cords. It's important that your PC is not connected to a power source when attempting to open the tray with a paperclip.
Gently insert one end of a paperclip into the manual release hole. Bend one end of the paperclip so it extends straight, and then insert it slowly into the pinhole. When you feel resistance, push inward until the tray pops open. Sometimes the LED light and manual release holes will look very similar. If the paperclip doesn't easily insert into the hole, don't force it—you've likely found the light rather than the release hole.
Pull the tray out. Gently pull the tray away from the drive to open it fully. Remove the stuck disk if applicable, and then push the tray back in when you're finished. Turn the computer back on then test the drive's eject button or use Windows File Explorer to see if the drive will eject normally. If you are only able to eject the tray with a paperclip going forward, you'll need to have the drive serviced.
Fixing a Disc Tray Power Cord Issue
Turn off your PC. If you've tried other methods and still can't eject the tray, you may need to turn off your PC and open it to check whether the disc drive’s power cord isn’t plugged in fully.
Unplug all power cords from the back of the PC.
Press the Power button on the front of the computer. It should release, moving to the "Off" setting.
Remove the side panel from the computer. Check your PC's manual for specific instructions. Generally speaking, if there are thumbscrews, you can unscrew them by hand. Other screws can be loosened with a screwdriver. Once unscrewed, press lightly on the panel and slide it rearward until you can remove it completely. For more info, check out our guide on opening a desktop computer.
Locate the CD/DVD-ROM drive. You should see a power cable connecting it to the inside of the computer. The connector is usually on the back of the drive and made of plastic with 4 attached wires. If the cable was not fully connected, plug it in securely. This was likely the problem.
Remove the power cable and try another. Exchange the original power cable with another that is not in use. If your CD drive will not open, it may be an issue with its power source. Try replacing the cable that plugs into the back of the drive. If you cannot find another free power cable, try reattaching the original power cord into the drive after unplugging it.
Replace the side panel of your computer and plug in its power cords. If the drive's power source prevented it from ejecting, it should now be resolved.
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