How to Fix a Stuck PS5 Disc

If you spent the extra $100 on a disc-based PS5, you don’t want a stuck CD turning it into an overpriced digital model. But when disaster strikes, say, when a kid shoves a mini CD inside your PlayStation, it’s not obvious how to get the disc out. Luckily, there are a couple of methods for retrieving this obstruction and freeing up your PS5’s disc drive once again. One just happens to be easier than the other.

We’ve covered similar steps to fixing a PS4 that won’t read discs in the past, which could include up to five different methods to try before solving the problem. Luckily, a simple stuck disc doesn’t require as much troubleshooting: The issue lies in the disc drive, and it’s actually somewhat easy to manually eject an obstruction from the drive when things get stuck. Sony included a shortcut of sorts into the drive to help unstick a disc, but it isn’t a guaranteed solution. If it doesn’t work, there’s a slightly more difficult method you can try, which actually sees you opening up the disc drive itself.

The “easy” way to remove a stuck disc from your PS5

This is the method you should try first, if you can. It’s less involved and relatively quick. As demonstrated by this excellent What Happens When video, you’ll first need to complete unplug your PS5 from power. Do not attempt any work on your PS5 if it’s plugged in. Next, you’ll need to remove the bottom plate if you haven’t done so already, then you can quickly remove the bottom case. Now all you need to do is use a screwdriver to turn the screw covered in a black sticker clockwise, which will manually push whatever is inside the disc drive out.

If it works as well as it does in What Happens When’s video, you’ll be home free in minutes.

The “hard” way to fix a stuck PS5 disc

The more difficult path is most likely to fix the problem for anyone, however it’s a lot more involved. Based on CD247 Repair Centre’s eight-and-a-half minute walkthrough, you start with the same idea as the easy method, but instead of manually moving the disc with the screwdriver, you need to remove the inner case of the PS5, piece by piece. Note: This method breaks your warranty, since you need to remove the security seal inside your PlayStation. If you want to keep your warranty intact, stop here, and take your PS5 in for official repair.

But let’s say you want to move forward. As you follow along and continue to remove parts, keep track of which screws go where. Keep similar screws, such as those for the fan, together and away from other screws. This process can be simple, albeit tedious, but it can turn into a major headache if you mix up the various screws.

The end goal here is to remove the disc drive entirely. You’ll open it up, of course removing many screws along the way, but once instead, you’ll need to disconnect two wires from the board. Then, carefully lift the still-attached lid in order to unscrew the remaining barrier between you and your stuck disc.

You can remove the disc from here, then reverse course and close everything back up. CD247, however, recommends you check to make sure the CD rollers (the mechanism that rolls your CDs in and out of your PS5) can bounce easily. In addition, you can hit them with a quick wipe of WD40, and make sure everything inside this case is clean and dust-free. Just be cautious around the laser reader, since, if damaged, it won’t be able to read your discs.