With the latest round of super thin iMacs it introduced last year, Apple did away with optical drives in its all-in-one desktop PCs. Good riddance, so far as I'm concerned. In my experience, the optical drive is often the first thing to fail on Macs, at least around my house. That may have something to do with the amount of pet fur flying around here or the frequent renovations that have been known to kick up dust. It may well be a side-effect of kids — one of which was the subject of one of my first GeekDad posts, way back in May 2007 (in that case, it was paper shoved in an iMac's DVD slot). Whatever the reason, I currently have four Macs with shot optical drives. That doesn't bother me. What has been driving me crazy is what happens when someone inserts a DVD into a broken drive which then refuses to eject it.
Apr 27, 2019 Apple USB SuperDrive lets you install software on your Mac and play & burn both CDs and DVDs. Get fast, free shipping when you shop online. There are no external controls, such as an eject button. My DVDs get stuck in this thing and it can literally take hours of pressing eject on the DVD software controls and hoping that it will eventually. Surprisingly the MacBook by Apple doesn't have a pin hole where you can use a pin to forcefully eject the disc that is stuck in the superdrive. Here are 10 methods proven to eject any stuck CD or DVD without wasting your money and time in sending your MacBook to Apple Repair Center.
In the old days, Apple provided a manual eject button you pushed in with a paperclip; however, Macs released in the past few years have been lacking this handy feature. If a disc becomes stuck in the drive for some reason, it can quickly become a cause of irritation and frustration. The Mac knows it's there. It will spin the drive up, trying to read the disc, sometimes repeatedly. If you use the usual methods to try to eject it (such as choosing 'Eject' from the Finder, or dragging it to the Trash), you can be rewarded by an endlessly revving optical drive, as the disc is constantly spun up, remounted and clicks as it fails to eject. If you leave it, the drive will sometimes be quiet for days, but you know it's there and one false move — accidentally clicking on that icon — starts the maddening revving cycle.
In this case, the DVD was stuck in a 24-inch iMac that I used on a daily basis and the icon on the desktop, along with the occasional spin/eject cycles was bugging me. I was preparing to pass it on to the kids, but wanted to resolve the disc issue first, because I know they'd keep clicking on it and I was afraid we'd hit a state where it simply wouldn't spin down. I'm no prude when it comes to taking computers apart (I was even Apple Certified back in the day), but pulling out, or replacing the optical drive in an iMac is a pain in the butt and something I'd rather avoid. A MacBook, no problem: access to components is easy. The iMac, less so. I've swapped out the RAM on this machine and removed the protective glass cover to clean dust off the LCD display, but there's no way I want to remove the display altogether to get at the drive beneath it. Not if I can avoid it. Given that I couldn't care less if the optical drive actually works (we do pretty much everything over the air around here), so installing a functional drive wasn't a concern, that meant hitting the Interwebs to see if anyone has a clue of how to remove that %&*# disc.
In case you are ever faced with this annoying situation, here is what I tried (in order of escalating frustration):
1. Drag the CD/DVD icon to the Trash, reboot the Mac and hold down the mouse button, or the 'Eject' button on your keyboard.
2. Launch Apple's Disk Utility application, select the stuck CD/DVD and hit the 'Eject' button.
3. Using the Terminal, enter the following command: drutil eject
2. Launch Apple's Disk Utility application, select the stuck CD/DVD and hit the 'Eject' button.
3. Using the Terminal, enter the following command: drutil eject
Mac External Superdrive Manual Eject Software
If none of these solution works, there's a pretty good chance that there's a hardware problem. If your Mac is still covered by AppleCare, I'd take it in and let a Genius look after it. If not and you don't mind the risk of possibly damaging the optical drive, you can proceed to more drastic measures. Oh, and I could find no trace of a software solution, like an AppleScript to make the iMac ignore the drive. If someone knows one that works, that would certainly save some effort and potential hardware damage.
4. Apple itself publishes a how-to on slot-loading iMac drive failures. This involves inserting a paperclip, then sliding it as the disc is ejected in an attempt to free it.
Here's where things start getting more desperate.
5. Inserting a thin piece of cardboard into the optical slot as the disc is spinning can force it to stop and may then trigger the drive to eject the disc.
6. The 'try anything' school of thought (and a few websites) suggested that jamming a second disc into the slot and trying the standard eject methods may be enough to make the drive barf out both discs.
7. A number of people managed to pull the disc out by inserting two credit cards (working one on either side of the jammed disc) and using them like pincers to yank it out. This guy even put up a YouTube video showing the technique in action. Didn't work for me.
6. The 'try anything' school of thought (and a few websites) suggested that jamming a second disc into the slot and trying the standard eject methods may be enough to make the drive barf out both discs.
7. A number of people managed to pull the disc out by inserting two credit cards (working one on either side of the jammed disc) and using them like pincers to yank it out. This guy even put up a YouTube video showing the technique in action. Didn't work for me.
Usb Superdrive
Still no luck, even after several hours and repeated sessions of fighting with this thing. I was about to pack it in, take the iMac apart and physically remove the drive. But stubbornness and an unwillingness to admit defeat called for a little MacGyvering. The approach I settled on was to use a thin, metal putty knife with a patch of heavy duty adhesive two-sided tape. I worked the knife into the drive, pressed it against the disc until it adhered, then tried ejecting the disc, simultaneously releasing the pressure on the putty knife and pulling it out. It took multiple attempts and by the end I was not being particularly gentle, but I was finally rewarded by not just the click of the eject mechanism engaging, but the sound of the disc popping out, still firmly attached to the putty knife by a blob of gooey tape.
Was it a damaged disc, or is the drive shot? I have no idea and I don't plan to find out. Fool me once… That drive is now sealed shut, which is one less thing to worry about given the machine is going to the kids' playroom anyway. The DVD itself is gummy and scratched (as might be expected give the removal efforts), but I did notice it was extremely flexible. It wasn't cracked, but it bent almost like cardboard, even a day later. I suspect the months it spent stuck in the drive heated it up and baked the plastic, but maybe that was the problem in the first place. I'll never know (unless one of the kids rips the duct tape off the drive slot and jams another in).
So, nearly seven years between posts, two optical drive-related iMac issues are resolved. The next one I buy apparently won't have an optical drive, so don't expect to check in around 2020 for a continuation on this theme.
Force Eject External Drive
No Offset Correction
- Written by Pedro Ivo A from BRASÍLIA
It is not possible to discover the wright offset correction of this drive and apple doesn't reveal wich it is. It does mean it is impossible to rip CDs with 100% accuracy. So the drive became useless for me.2 of 2 people found this usefulA bad harbinger
- Written by Zachary S from Berkeley
I bought a new iMac. Love it. But to use the CD's and documents I had backed up I needed a CD ROM. Three wasted CD's and hours on the phone with Tech support and they decided it was the quality discs I chose and no warranty recall. Bought more CD's and same thing. Bought an Asus-cheapie for $29.00 and it's worked falwlessly. I hate Lenovo, Asus and cheap stuff but when they work better than a home brand it fills me with dread.3 of 3 people found this usefulTypical Apple poor quality and inability to perform standard operations
- Written by Wilson A from Waterlooville
As usual with Apple this is a product designed for looks rather than functionality. It costs well in excess of other drives yet has some really bad issues as follows...
-It can be difficult to eject disks
-It won't accept modern mini DVD's that are supplied with so many products these days leaving no way to use products with a very expensive iMac. As a result I have to resurrect an old Windows PC just to use modern devices.
An overpriced yet awful, bordering on useless product!3 of 3 people found this usefulNot up to Apple standard
- Written by Brittany W from El Paso
I have many Apple products and this is by far the biggest disappointment. I haven’t owned it for that long (I still have the box) and it ate my dvd and quit working. It was making the worst sounds. It was grinding and clicking like crazy. I finally was able to get my DVD out. I called support and they had me put the DVD back in and now it is stuck for good. The worst part is that their only solution was for them to send me a new one and me ship mine back. That would seem like a great plan, but they wanted to charge me the full price of the new one. So essentially I would be purchasing a new product knowing how bad it was. I politely declined and I urge you to do the same. If you read the reviews, trust them. Stay away from this product. You will only regret it if you don’t.3 of 3 people found this usefulWorks great 4 years later.
- Written by Andrew A from HUBBARDSTON
Got mine when I initially purchased my Mid-2015 MBP, and it still works great. Not sure what people are having trouble with, I have never had any issue. You burn stuff, then eject the disk, or go to disk utility and hit eject.4 of 4 people found this usefulApple DVD Drive - GREAT PRODUCT
- Written by Michael L from LA MESA
I have read the reviews and decided to buy this unit anyway. I have used it for over two years and NEVER has it failed me. I love this drive. I play video disks and I read disks and I burn disks. - never a coster or an inability to use it successfully. GREAT PURCHASE!!!6 of 6 people found this usefulWorks Great!
- Written by Greg L from Littleton
I almost didn’t buy because of all the bad reviews. But after chatting with an apple representative and learning this is the only external cd drive option,I decided to buy it despite all the terrible reviews. Glad I did- I’m not a tech guy, but this was as easy as could be to use. Just insert the cd, follow the prompts on the screen, then select the button on the screen to eject. No problems whatsoever, no idea what all the bad reviews are about, a bit expensive yes, but not out of line compared to any Apple products. Great buy!8 of 8 people found this usefulApple USB SuperDrive
- Written by Charles N from Salida
Despite nearly being frightened away by the plethora of bad reviews, I bought the unit. Hey, it's an Apple. In 15 years all I've bought is Apple and I have yet to regret doing so. My instincts told me if it was a piece of ****, Apple would not have left it on the market. Long story short: I bought it, it got here when it was promised, I plugged it in and it works fine. Apple... your politics gag me, but your gear is top notch.10 of 10 people found this usefulTrash
- Written by Mary-Patricia A from Bradenton
I loved reading the review about those not being 'tech savvy' having trouble with this drive. I'm tech savvy and this device was a waste of my hard earned cash. I used device 3 times; that's it before it stopped working.4 of 4 people found this usefulLimited at best
- Written by Marlyn A from Newport News
The device itself functions well, but how ridiculous it is that for my Macbook with USB-C interface I cannot charge the computer and watch a movie using the SuperDrive because it only works when connected with the Apple USB-C to UBS adapter. Too limited, is a joke! Does not seems to be worth the money.3 of 5 people found this useful$80 down the drain
- Written by Katherine R from Laurel
Says it is compatible with new MacBook Pro models with adapter, but when I try to connect a brand new superdrive to a brand new MacBook Pro using a USB to USB-c adapter, I get a message to plug the drive directly into a USB port that does not exist on this machine. Thanks a lot, Apple. Looks like another $80 Apple tax from this perspective.10 of 10 people found this usefulGreat Product !
- Written by John J from Southampton
This product is exactly what I expected. I have been very pleased.3 of 3 people found this usefulSUPER bad
- Written by Nikki N from Las Vegas
So glad that I bought this wonderful cup holder...seriously...I bought something basically to watch movies, but careful, if you actually want to watch something from this century (like a Blu-Ray), sorry this won't work...so now I have an amazing computer, an amazing Disc collection and no way for them to come together with this, Apple's only drive...3 of 4 people found this usefulWorthless Junk
- Written by Josh L from Vinita
These things are complete junk. The most recent one lasted less than 1 day. This is the last time I purchase one of these from Apple. Time to look elsewhere for a DVD player. Thanks Apple.3 of 4 people found this usefulAnother one bites the dust.
- Written by Michael M from SAN MARINO
One Apple Hard Drive died.
2 Time Capsules died.
1 iMac 27' fusion drive died.
None of them recoverable.
The SuperDrive.
Used a few times, always put it back in the box after use so that dust would not find its way in. And still, it died with absolute minimal use. Truly disgusted with the lack of quality from Tim Cook's version of Apple.
Now I need to find another vendor that I can rely on with regards to a CD/ DVD drive, sorry, still have tons of storage on old discs, not like Tim Cook says begone SuperDrive and all my data is accessible elsewhere.33 of 39 people found this usefulLOVE IT
- Written by Anonymous
This is a good product to watch DVDs on your Mac.9 of 16 people found this usefulLOVE IT
- Written by Anonymous
Cool USB6 of 19 people found this usefulWorks for me!
- Written by Rebecca D from Liverpool
I replaced my 2007 iMac with a 2017 - no built-in drive so I purchased the Superdrive. I plugged in the USB and inserted my music disc. It loaded up immediately and played beautifully. When I was finished, I clicked the eject icon on the screen in iTunes and it popped right out. Each time I've used it, this is exactly what happens. Perfect! I'm glad I didn't heed the bad reviews and gave it a shot.21 of 23 people found this usefulFast and beautiful!
- Written by Gregg A from Greenville
I imported more 7,000 CDs into iTunes with my SuperDrive before it started having read errors. Over the years it was always fast and looked great next to my MacBook Pro!21 of 26 people found this usefulTerrible Apple product
- Written by Don Q from Dumfries
The Apple USB superdrive is a waste of money. My MacPro does not even recognize the drive. Do not buy.19 of 23 people found this useful