I Can't Play My Dvd's On Windows 10 (laptop)

I've read all kinds of info on it, but I still am not sure what to do. I tried to get Windows Media Player to be my default player, but I guess it's no longer supported in Win10.

I do get an error message saying "the disk is empty", something like that.

Can someone help me with this? I have to use my Dvd drive until I can buy a DVD Player which I definitely want to do so I can keep my laptop free from hooking up to the HDMI so I can watch DVD's.

I'd appreciate any help. I am headed to bed now, as I racked my brain for the last, several hours trying to figure this out, lol Thanks in advance for any help.

PS I did the Windows 10 upgrade from Windows 7, had no negative issues until this came up today when I bought a set of my fave programs (The Golden Girls) then found out I could view them from my laptop.

 

I too am not able to play DVD films/video, inserted in the DVD drive, in Windows Media Player. I therefore use the free excellent VLC Media Player.
This article in How to Geek gives some reasons for that and explains how to use a player like VLC, and the article refers to both Windows 8 and 10:
http://www.howtogeek.com/127774/how-to-play-dvds-on-windows-8/
I think you will have no difficulty using VLC:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/vlc_media_player.html

Other Players such as Media Player Classic Home Cinema also work fine on my Windows 10 systems
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/media_player_classic_home_cinema.html

 

Thank you Max, I will go ahead and try these solutions, and keep you posted, denise

 

Hi Max, or anyone that may read this, and want to reply. Will any of these "players" play automatically when I stick the DVD in? I set them as default, but it won't open, I just keep getting the Google Play Store to select one of their apps.

I found the files on the DVD and I think the one that I click on to play is the Video TS? Anyway, that doesn't work either doing it that way, big hassle

 

There should be a lower bottom left side box to check that says something like 'do this for all files'

You can just open VLC then choose 'Media > Open Disc'

You should also be able to set the DVD drive for 'autoplay' here:
http://www.howtogeek.com/236241/how-to-enable-disable-and-customize-autoplay-in-windows-10/

 

So it won't autoplay when I insert it in the drive right? That's ok, I can handle doing that. I'll download VLC now. I hope that works as so far, nothing else has, including the Classic you mentioned. Thank you for helping me Max denise

 

I just added a guide to auto play probably after you just replied. Have a look at that.
http://www.howtogeek.com/236241/how-to-enable-disable-and-customize-autoplay-in-windows-10/

 

Ok, I will try it, VLC is about to be installed for me, then I'll take a look at the link, thank you again denise

 

You're welcome Denise, hope it all goes fine.

 

OMG, it worked, finally Max!! With the VLC everything went ok. I stuck in the DVD and the little option came up (it shows in Win10) and it said "new options for video player" and VLC was on the list, yesssssss!! So I selected it and my dvd opened right up, thank you so much!! Denise

 

Great! I found it a bit complicated when I first set it in Win10! Happy days

 

Well, I spoke too soon Max. The video played but audio would blimp out for a second here and there. I thought it may be the DVD itself, so I tried a DVD I know has no scratches etc. It did the same thing. So now I don't know if it's my dvd drive in my laptop, or the VLC. I bought my laptop in 2011, and it's been a real honey, but maybe it's just time. I will try the vids on a friend DVD Player hooked to their TV and see if they are clear.

I don't see how it could be the VLC doing that sort of thing do you? Thank you much, again, denise

 

What is your free hdd's space ? You could download this as alternative player checking if works better than vlc

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/potplayer.html

 

Thank you Falcon, I have lots of room, but I don't want to try another player. I truly am convinced it's my dvd drive. I'm looking to try cleaning it up and see if I can play the vids until I can buy a DVD Player Thank you again, I just don't want to download anything else right now. I'll keep your link in case I change my mind denise

 

I see by your signature that you're running an older than current version of Win 10. You should be at V. 1607 build 14393.51 (unless you were at that and rolled back).

 

mdonah, I did the "free" upgrade to 10 but I haven't gotten any update/upgrade notice. Maybe I don't get one since it was a free upgrade from my Win7. I'll check though, and see if I can upgrade, denise

 

You should get it through Windows Update. It is however, being rolled out in stages to save some of the load on the server.

 

Ok, I'll check for updates. Thank you again Mdonah I didn't have my updates "on". Geez, I'm glad you said something. I went into "advanced settings" in Windows Update Settings and it was on "off" ty again, denise

 

Too late Ploder, I downloaded it, and it is just about finished. At least I can see the issues with it by your link. I don't know what updating to Windows will do for my DVD drive, if anything, but I did clean it, carefully per instructions on Youtube. I think I have a "computer" guardian angel as I wing so many things, and get advice (different from different sources of course). I never worry as the worst that can happen is a crash. To me, I'll live, and eventually buy another computer.

I just try to keep this one going as best I can denise
PS So I won't find a newer upgrade than 1607 I take it? I have my settings on "auto" pilot now so when another version minus the bugs in 1607 comes along I will be notified??

Thanks you guys, learn something new everytime I get on here

 

Yes I would first do some cleaning of the DVD drive, using either a disc that cleans it, or just buy the appropriate cleaning fluids. I simply don't believe it is VLC as opposed to any other such third party player.
See this guide if needed:
http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-your-dvd-drive/

Or your later point about Windows 10 1607, the anniversary update was only the FIRST 'build' of version 1607, there have been several since and the latest stable release build is 10.0.14393.51
That build was released after the first anniversary build.
I imagine as you only just updated, you have that but check below if you want to be sure.
You can check with Belarc Advisor exactly what build you have.

 

Hi Max Ok, I lucked out today because I've been pup & bird-sitting while a friend had surgery. When she got back to her place, she insisted on "giving" me an awesome Blu-ray/DVD player. I opted only to borrow it (she's too kind I think) and wow, I can watch all my movies now on that. My tv has two in-ports for HDMI 1 & 2 so I can have my Roku2 plugged in and my Blu ray/dvd at the same time, yeehaw. I'm glad she loaned me the player as I didn't realize I even had two ports for HDMI!!

My Win update seems to be doing just fine. I'll check Belarc Advisor, always loved that little site, so handy, and see which build I've got. Be back soon to let you know denise

 

Ok, just went into system info instead, didn't know that you had to download Belarc now, used to just bring up a page if I remember right, after running a system check on my pc's.

I have the build below so looks like I'm ok, good to go As I mentioned, I haven't had any issues, so far:

 

Looks like you're good to go. There have been reported problems/issues with version 1607 but, I think those are mostly because of the hardware it's now running on. Some machines are just not forward compatible.

My Dell Latitude E6400 and Inspiron 15-5555 are doing just fine with the new build.

On my Inspiron, I also run the Insider Preview which is at build 14901.1000 (RedStone 2) and it's working fine too.

 

Hi Denise

That sounds great as you can watch DVDs in a more comfortable way. I too prefer to watch DVDs on a separate player via a larger screen TV.