DVD reader in PC not recognising discs

[Pinotage]

The DVD drive in my PC doesn't recognise discs. I get  a message to insert a disc in the drive even though there is one.I have tried new DVDs and ones I have played before. I haven't changed anything on my PC since I last played a disc. It is a DVD read drive, I have a separate CD drive)

Any suggestions as to what the problem is, or how it can be fixed?

[fo3nix]

you've not changed the jumper settings or anything like that have you, on the back of the drive?

other than that, maybe its just the laser retiring. if it has worked , and suddenly wont (without any software intervention), then it seems to be hardware failure to me.

[Pinotage]

No, fo3nix,  no changes of any kind

[wideboy]

Try removing (uninstalling) the drive in Control Panel, shutting down then letting Windows find the drive again. If the drive still doesn't work it is probably 'dead'. Buy a new DVD writer such as the NEC or Pioneer etc.

[Space]

optical drives don't last forever. They're one of the most unreliable components of a computer.

[peanut]

go to my computer, right click on the drive, select properties, then select troubleshoot.

[Pinotage]

Peanut - already did it, no good.