There’s nothing more frustrating than struggling to remove a disc from your PlayStation 5. While jammed discs were more of a problem in older models, they can unfortunately affect PS5s as well. A jammed disc is often caused by either a software problem or damage to the disc reader.
To remove a jammed disc from your PS5, you’ll need to update the software and reboot it in Safe Mode. If this doesn’t work, you can manually take out the jammed disc by removing the PS5’s cover. If the disc reader is damaged, you’ll need to take it in for repairs.
It’s quite rare for a disc to get jammed in a newer PS model thanks to improved disc reading technology, but it still happens from time to time. Fortunately, your warranty should cover disc problems, especially if you never misused it or dropped the console. Let’s take a look at what you should do if you’ve got a stuck disc.
Is It Ok to Leave Discs in PS5?
While it might not seem like a major problem to leave your discs inside the PS5, avoid doing so as this can damage your disc reader. It’s quite common that users leave discs inside a PS5 for weeks on end, even though they may have downloaded the game.
To be clear, the PS5 Disc Model (on Amazon) is designed for you to put discs in and play them, but leaving them in permanently, while not a big deal, may open you up to a little more risk. Imagine if you forget the disc is there and casually move the console while running. This might not cause any issues, but it definitely won’t if there’s no disc in there.
This isn’t going to break the console or cause exotic failures like PS5 screen flickering or overheating, but it can cause unnecessary wear and tear over time, and the disc reader is often the first thing to cause problems in computers and gaming consoles. If your console is already sounding pretty loud, that could mean it’s on it’s way to overheating and you won’t want to leave it on and running–spinning discs–constantly.
The PS5 disc reader is designed with the latest disc reader technology, which means the readers last much longer than those of the older models. However, if the disc reader is always trying to read a disc that isn’t in use, it may gradually get damaged.
Another issue with leaving discs inside your PS5 is that the disc reader might get damaged if you move the console around while the disc reader is working. While it’s never advisable to move the PS5 when it’s switched on, moving it while the disc is reading is even riskier.
Most PS5 games only need the disc for the initial installation process. After the game is installed, you won’t have any need for the disc, and you can remove it while playing. While it’s easy to fo05.26.rget to remove the disc, try to make a habit of removing your discs after gaming.
Why Isn’t Your PS5’s Eject Button Working?
While it’s not a common issue, there are a few cases where your PS5 eject button might not work. This can be frustrating, especially if you have to insert another disc. The eject button should beep once when you hit it, but if your PS5 is beeping randomly, check our our separate guide on that.
Here are three possible reasons why your PS5 eject button may not be working:
A Software Problem
Firmware problems are often behind certain parts of your PS5 not working optimally. If you haven’t updated the firmware, check for updates. Sometimes, updates can fix bugs that cause errors, such as jammed discs.
The Disc Reader Is Damaged
If the PS5 disc isn’t ejecting, it could be due to damage to the disc reader.
This could be caused by faulty discs, leaving the disc in the PS5 for too long, or moving the PS5 around when the disc reader is working. The disc reader may also get damaged if the PS5 has been dropped.
Dust or Dirt Jamming the Disc
Sometimes dirt and dust can get into the disc area and jam the disc, causing the eject button to fail. While this usually happens with older PlayStations, it can happen to your PS5 if you aren’t careful to clean your discs before inserting them.
Fortunately, you can avoid most of these problems if you clean your discs properly and avoid moving the PS5 around when it’s switched on.
How Do You Fix a Jammed Disc in a PS5?
While a jammed disc may seem like something for PlayStation repair professionals, you can fix it yourself if it happens for the first time. In the case of a software problem, updating the PS5 should resolve the issue. If this doesn’t work, try these methods:
Boot Into Safe Mode
Restarting the PS5 and rebooting in Safe Mode is the best way to resolve most software problems. Power off the console completely and wait a few seconds. Hold the power button for about 8 seconds. The PS5 will boot into Safe Mode.
Once it’s in Safe Mode, you can try to eject the disc. If the first attempt doesn’t work, try switching the PS5 off again, wait for 30 minutes, and try again. If this doesn’t work, there’s probably something wrong with the hardware component.
We have a longer article explaining PS5 Safe Mode in more detail if you’re interested.
Manually Eject the Disc
Manually ejecting the disc should be your last option. Follow these steps to manually eject a disc from PS5:
- Switch the PS5 off and unplug all cables.
- Place the PS5 with the logo facing downwards.
- Gently lift the cover until you hear a click.
- Remove black rings from the optical drive. Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver (on Amazon) to turn the screw clockwise until the disc is clear.
- Remove the disc and place the cover back on.
- Switch the PS5 back on and check whether the eject button works. If it works, there could have been a problem with the disc. Otherwise, you’ll have to take the PS5 in for repairs.