Not So Tech Savvy

[AzureKiteUsagi]

Hey there everyone, I have a question for some of you computer loving people....

My Windows 10 desktop does not detect my CD/DVD drive.
I've tried everything I could think of.
I can't even find it in my device manager or control panel.

I need the drive to work to install a WiFi USB adapter because it's not connected to the internet...

Can anyone help me out?

 

[Miles Marsalis]

I'm asking a dumb question, but it's late and I'm heading to bed soon.

Did you install the driver for the CD/DVD drive? If you updated to Windows 10 recently or the drive model is old, you may need to check the CD/DVD drive's manufacturer's site and download the appropriate driver from their support section.

 

[AbstractReptile]

Maybe check the bios to see if it detects the drive? Or, if possible, use your mobile device to transfer drivers to the computer?

There are several options available, really, and I'm guessing you used the drive to install Windows in the first place.

Feel free to PM me if you want.

 

[Mambi]

Hey there everyone, I have a question for some of you computer loving people....

My Windows 10 desktop does not detect my CD/DVD drive.
I've tried everything I could think of.
I can't even find it in my device manager or control panel.

I need the drive to work to install a WiFi USB adapter because it's not connected to the internet...

Can anyone help me out?

Assuming you uses SATA ports, make sure they are active on the BIOS and being detected on that level (and not a broken cord of course). Alternatively,ensure power is active in the drive...anything else you should be at least SEEING it even if it doesn't know what it is.

 

[Deleted member 115426]

Give it a good whap. Plz don't. I just have nothing to contribute since everyone else said all the important stuff.

 

[Vesper The Coyusky]

Hey there everyone, I have a question for some of you computer loving people....

My Windows 10 desktop does not detect my CD/DVD drive.
I've tried everything I could think of.
I can't even find it in my device manager or control panel.

I need the drive to work to install a WiFi USB adapter because it's not connected to the internet...

Can anyone help me out?

Ok I am tech savy myself, and I can help you out.

First restart your computer, if nothing go to the next step (usually this step, fixes issues most of the time.
Go to the windows button in the bottom left corner and type "devmgmt.msc" without the quotes, it should pop up.
check in CD/DVDs and see if its there, if theres something like a yellow exclamation point, its disabled, right click then enable. If not go to the next step
Next step check what brand is the drive and the model number and search on the brand's website for the latest drivers (google) download and install the correct one. You might need to install an older driver if its not compatible with windows 10, make sure it's compatible with windows 10. Once the driver is installed, restart your computer. If it's a .zip file thats downloaded, it will extract files to a certain area in the computer and you can run the installer there. . If nothing, go to the next step.
Go into the BIOS screen by hitting the correct key to get into the setup screen when you see the splash screen of your computer, as you're starting it up, before windows starts. See if the drive is disabled in the BIOS.
Once the computer has been powered down completely, open the side case and check the physical connections (does the CD drive open and close) if so, unplug the long wider cable and re-insert it (don't force it). Also make sure the connection to the motherboard is secure from the CD Drive.) Put the side case back and turn it on. If nothing. Most likely, the drive is defected (But I doubt it).
Let me know if you got it or not.

 

[rekcerW]

Is it a USB or an internal drive? That's an important thing to know. Does it eject when you hit the eject button? Do any lights flash, or does it make any sound during startup as though it were initializing?

First and foremost, check your cables. By whatever means, ensure that there is power to the drive. That is always the first step if it's not showing up in device manager.

If it's an external USB drive, check if the power supply is good, and try multiple USB ports which I'm sure you've already tried.

Try different ports internally, too. I'm going to assume it's a SATA drive if it's internal, since it's 2020, but try swapping the SATA/IDE ports on your mobo with devices that you know are good with things like your HDD/SDD. Your BIOS should still recognize it even without an MBR to look at.

Grab the model number off the drive (should be on a sticker or stamped/engraved somewhere on it), and ensure it's compatible with your release of Windows.

In addition, what release of Windows are you using/specs of your system, because you should be able to just load the drivers on a flash drive and install it that way. It's unusual for a release of W10 to not have some sort of driver to handle your wireless adapter right from the install package. I haven't had that happen in years.

I'd just use whatever computer you wrote this post with, put the drivers on a flash drive, and install them that way lol.

 

[redhusky]

As a work around if you still can't get the CD-ROM to work, download the files on a USB drive from the CD (from a PC that does have it working) or from the website itself on a separate computer that does have the net and then install the driver for it from that.