How do I get my plug and play DVD player to work?

Question

I plugged in my plug and play DVD player and it said that it needs software on the computer to work. Why did Microsoft make it so difficult to use such a simple thing? How do I get this DVD player to work?

Answer 1

Welcome D Z!

Thank you for reaching out.

Based on what you described, when you connected the plug‑and‑play DVD device, Windows detected the hardware but prompted that additional software is required to use it.

Apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Starting with Windows 10 and continuing in Windows 11, Microsoft no longer includes native DVD playback support by default due to licensing requirements. Windows can still detect the DVD drive and read data DVDs (files), but it cannot play DVD video content without additional decoding software. In some cases, playback may also be affected by region restrictions, where the disc’s region must match the DVD drive’s configured region.

To get it working, please consider installing a third‑party DVD player app such as VLC Media Player (free and includes built‑in DVD codecs), or a commercial DVD player app from the Microsoft Store if you prefer an official‑style solution.

After installing the player, insert the DVD, open the app, and choose Open Disc (or similar) to start playback.

Once a DVD‑player app is installed, the external USB DVD drive should work normally.

Hope this helps clarify things. Thank you so much for your understanding!

Best regards.

Answer 2

The DVD player needs two things from Windows to work: a driver so Windows can see the hardware, and a DVD decoder/codec so Windows can play DVD-Video content. Windows 11 does not include a DVD decoder by default, and some external DVD devices also require their own software.

Use these steps:

1. Install the software/driver from the disc or vendor
   Many plug-and-play DVD drives come with a setup disc or a download link. On Windows 11:
   • Insert the included software disc into the drive (or connect the drive and insert a separate software disc if provided).
   • Follow the on‑screen instructions. If nothing starts automatically:
     • Select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > AutoPlay and make sure AutoPlay is On.
     • Or open File Explorer, browse to the disc, and run Setup.exe or Install.exe to install the required software.
2. Install a DVD decoder/codec
   Windows Media Player and other players need a compatible DVD decoder (MPEG‑2 codec) to play DVD‑Video:
   • If the DVD software that came with the drive includes a DVD player, install it; it usually includes its own decoder.
   • If a DVD decoder is not installed, Windows Media Player cannot play DVDs. Media Player 9, for example, requires a third‑party decoder; the same principle applies on newer Windows versions.
3. Check codec compatibility (32‑bit vs 64‑bit)
   On 64‑bit Windows, 64‑bit codecs are required for 64‑bit players:
   • If only a 32‑bit codec is installed on a 64‑bit system, some players may still not play the DVD.
   • Use a codec or DVD software that explicitly supports 64‑bit Windows.
4. Try an alternative player app
   If Windows Media Player does not work even after installing a decoder, use another app that includes its own DVD playback support, such as the Microsoft Movies & TV app from Microsoft Store.
5. If playback still fails
   • Verify the DVD drive appears correctly in Device Manager under DVD/CD‑ROM drives (if it does not, install or update the device driver from the hardware manufacturer).
   • If a third‑party DVD program that came with the decoder cannot play DVDs, Windows Media Player will not be able to play them either; reinstall or update that DVD software and your display/audio drivers.

Once the correct driver and DVD decoder are installed, the external plug‑and‑play DVD drive should function like a normal DVD drive in Windows 11.

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References:

• How to install programs from a disc
• How to troubleshoot playback in Windows Media Player 9
• Codecs FAQ