External DVD-R drive randomly not reading CDs

[Luxion]

I am digitizing a few hundred CDs to a 5TB hard drive for my library and an external DVD reader I set up has been very finicky. Sometimes it will read a DVD and it will be fine. Other times it will read the DVD, know that most of it is used saying theres only 100 MB or so free, but then treat it as an empty CD for me to write files to.

I'm unable to access the DVD files on that external DVD reader but when I insert the DVD into another reader, external or not, it seems to work just fine. Again, this external reader works for some, but not others and they are all from the same make and manufacturer. Any ideas on whats going on?

 

[Bleipriester]

Maybe, the lens is dirty or not perfectly positioned anymore. If you have a cleaning disc, try it out.

 

[adamjohnson]

Optical units are toss it items there about 20 bucks.
Replace the unit.
I suppose if you want to play try a lens cleaning kit.

Disc don't last forever so if you have one that's getting shaky make a copy.