windows 10

Because the CD/DVD drive disappeared immediately after the SSD installation, first verify that the computer’s BIOS/UEFI still detects and enables the optical drive before changing Windows settings.

1. Check whether the drive is physically detected

1. Restart the computer and enter BIOS/UEFI Setup using the key shown during startup—commonly F2, Delete, or Esc.
2. Look under Storage, SATA, or Drive Configuration.
3. Check whether the CD/DVD drive is listed and enabled.
4. If it is absent:
   • Shut down and unplug the computer.
   • Recheck the optical drive’s SATA data and power connections. Installing the SSD may have loosened a cable or reused its SATA connection.
   • If this is a laptop where the SSD replaced the optical drive, confirm that the CD/DVD hardware is still installed.
   • If uncertain, contact the computer manufacturer or installer.

Microsoft recommends checking BIOS activation and current chipset drivers before Windows driver repair.^1^

2. Reinstall the CD/DVD device in Windows

If BIOS detects the drive:

1. Press the Windows key, type Device Manager, and press Enter.
2. Select View → Show hidden devices.
3. Expand DVD/CD-ROM drives.
4. Right-click the optical drive and select Uninstall device → Uninstall.
5. Restart the computer.

Windows should reinstall the driver automatically after restarting.^1^

If the drive has a yellow exclamation mark, open Properties → General and note the Device status error code. Device Manager displays device and driver status information there.^2^

3. Reinstall the storage controller

If the optical drive remains missing:

1. Open Device Manager and select View → Show hidden devices.
2. Expand IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers.
3. Uninstall these entries if present:
   • ATA Channel 0
   • ATA Channel 1
   • Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller
4. Restart Windows so the controllers are automatically reinstalled.^1^

4. If Windows detects it but no drive letter appears

Open Computer Management as administrator → Storage → Disk Management. If the optical drive appears without a letter:

1. Right-click it and select Change Drive Letter and Paths.
2. Select Add.
3. Choose an unused letter and select OK.^3^

It should then appear under File Explorer → This PC. A CD/DVD drive is not normally shown directly on the desktop unless a shortcut was previously created.

5. Registry repair only for driver/configuration errors

If BIOS detects the drive but Device Manager reports Code 19, 31, 32, 39, or 41, Microsoft documents removing the UpperFilters and LowerFilters values from:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

Back up the registry first and use an administrator account. Incorrect registry changes can cause serious problems, and recording software might need to be reinstalled afterward.^1^

References

1. Your CD or DVD drive is not recognized by Windows or other programs | Microsoft Support
2. Using Device Manager
3. Change a drive letter