Disc spins but is not read when you load it in your Xbox 360 console

When you try to use a disc in your Xbox 360 console, one or more of the following problems occurs:

• The console does not recognize the disc.
• The disc drive status indicator in the Xbox 360 Dashboard momentarily changes to "Reading," and then changes back to "Open Tray." The game, audio CD, or DVD movie does not start.
• The console restarts and opens to the Xbox Dashboard.

You do not see an error message when these problems occur.

Important If you do see an error message, this article is not about the problem that you are experiencing. To troubleshoot a problem in which you see an error message, search the Microsoft Knowledge Base for that error message.

This problem occurs because the Xbox 360 console cannot read the disc correctly. This problem may occur for any of the following reasons:

• The disc is dirty or damaged.
• There are non-disc issues.

Here are methods that you can try to fix the problem. These methods are easy to follow. If one method does not resolve the problem or does not describe your situation, go to the next one.

Method 1: Change the default behavior of the disc tray

If you have previously downloaded an auto-update that enables you to change the default behavior of the disc tray, you can set your console to automatically load a disc in the DVD tray. Or, you can set your console to start in the Xbox 360 Dashboard. For more information about how to check this setting, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Method 2: Fix a problem that causes your screen to freeze

If the screen freezes or the Xbox 360 console becomes unresponsive, follow the steps that are listed in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

Method 3: Determine whether the disc is causing the problem

Try to use several similar Xbox 360-compatible discs in the console to determine whether the disc that you are using is causing the problem. To test whether the problem is caused by a specific disc, use a disc of the same type, such as a game disc, DVD movie, or music CD. If the problem does not occur when you use other discs, that specific disc might be the cause of the problem.

For disc-specific issues, check the disc for any visible signs of damage or dirt. Hold the disc by the edges without touching the top or bottom surfaces with your fingers. Clean the disc by using a soft cloth. Lightly wipe from the center outwards. Do not use solvents or chemicals to clean the disc.

Method 4: Try installing the game to the Xbox 360 Hard Drive

If this problem occurs when you play one or more game discs, and if the Xbox 360 console has an Xbox 360 Hard Drive attached, try installing the game on the Hard Drive.

For more information about how to install an Xbox 360 game on an Xbox 360 Hard Drive, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Note It may take 10 to 12 minutes to install a game to the Xbox 360 Hard Drive. If you have insufficient space on the Hard Drive to install the game, you can skip this step. However, this step helps troubleshoot the problem.

Method 5: Determine whether the console is causing the problem

The problem might not involve the disc. Instead, the problem might be caused by your Xbox 360 console. To check this, follow these steps:

1. If you have access to another Xbox 360 console, try to play the disc on the other console. Or, if the disc is a CD or a DVD, try to play the disc on another device, such as a CD player, a DVD player, or a computer that is equipped to play CDs or DVDs.
2. If you have an Xbox 360 Hard Drive (HDD) or Memory Unit (MU) attached to the console, turn off the console, and remove the HDD and any attached MU. Then, turn on your console, and try the disc again. If this seems to resolve the problem, turn off your console, reattach the HDD and MU, and then delete any saved games for the game that is causing problems.
   
   Note If you can do this, save the games to a separate MU.
   
   If this does not resolve the problem but removing the hard disk does, clear the hard disk drive cache. For more information about how to do this, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
   971755  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971755/ ) How to clear the Xbox 360 console cache
   To learn how to remove and connect the Hard Disk Drive from your console, see the instructions in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article, and then return to this article:
   906204  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906204/ ) How to attach or remove your Xbox 360 Hard Drive

Important We do not recommend that you use any kind of laser lens cleaner with your Xbox 360 console. We have not determined the effectiveness of these products or the effect that these products may have on the console.

Additional support

If the steps in the previous section did not resolve your problem, your console may have to be repaired. For more information about how to start the online repair process, please visit one of the following Web Page links:Note: Online console repair service is currently not available in all countries and regions.

For more information about how to contact Xbox Customer Support directly, please visit the following Microsoft Web site: