Playing a DVD on Windows 11 can be a bit of a headache if you’re not sure what you’re doing. Since Microsoft dropped native DVD support from Windows 10 onwards, you’re pretty much on your own now. If your laptop or PC doesn’t have a built-in DVD drive (which is common these days), you’ll need an external one—just connect it via USB. But even if you’ve got the hardware sorted, Windows doesn’t come with a built-in player anymore, so the first step is to grab some decent software. VLC Media Player is the go-to here – it’s free, plays DVDs, and doesn’t come with all those annoying restrictions some paid players have. But setting everything up properly? That’s the tricky part. Follow these steps, and hopefully your movies will be playing without much fuss.
How to Play DVD on Windows 11
If you want to kick back and watch that old DVD, but it’s not working, chances are Windows 11 isn’t quite ready out of the box for this. Here’s how to set it up so you can watch movies without pulling your hair out.
Plug in Your DVD Drive Properly
This might sound obvious, but—make sure your DVD drive’s plugged in nicely. If it’s an external unit, connect it via USB. Windows might take a sec to recognise it, so give it a moment. You can check if it’s recognised by opening File Explorer and looking under This PC. If the drive shows up, you’re all good. Sometimes, you might need to update or install drivers, especially if it’s a no-name or older model. Head to Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager), and check under DVD/CD-ROM drives for any warning symbols. If there’s a problem, right-click and hit Update driver.
Install a DVD Playback Software (Because Windows Doesn’t Do It Natively Anymore)
Yep, you read right—Windows 11 doesn’t support DVDs out of the box anymore. So, you’ll need a third-party player. VLC Media Player is the best bet—it’s free and easy to use. Head to the official VLC website and grab the latest version. Run the installer (just click ‘Next’ a few times), then open VLC once it’s installed. You can tweak settings later if you like, but for now, it’s ready to go for basic DVD watching.
Slip the DVD into the Drive and Make Sure it’s Recognised
Pop your DVD into the drive. Windows should recognise it pretty quickly—most of the time. If nothing happens, right-click the Start button, select File Explorer, and head over to This PC. If the disc appears there, you’re sweet. If not, check that the disc is clean and free of scratches—that can sometimes stop Windows from recognising it properly.
Open Your DVD in VLC or Your Player of Choice
Once the DVD spins up, open VLC Media Player. Click Media > Open Disc from the menu bar. A window will pop up—make sure the Disc type is set to DVD (usually it detects this automatically). If you have multiple drives, pick the right one. Hit Play, and fingers crossed, your movie should start streaming.
Fine-tune the Settings if Needed and Enjoy
This part can be a bit of a black box—sometimes everything just works, other times you might need to tinker a bit. If you get error messages, read the prompts for clues. Sometimes, issues come down to region codes—make sure your drive’s region matches the DVD’s. If playback is choppy, try lowering the video quality or turning off hardware acceleration in Preferences > Input / Codecs in VLC.
And fair dinkum, on some older setups, the disc might not load first go or might need a restart of VLC or even your PC. Windows can be a bit finicky sometimes.
Pro Tips for Watching DVDs on Windows 11
- Check your DVD’s format: Not all DVDs are the same — especially if they’re encrypted or region-locked. Make sure your media player can handle it.
- Keep VLC updated: Older versions might bug out. Head to VLC’s website now and then to get the latest version.
- Region coding: If your DVD won’t play, check your drive’s region setting in Device Manager > DVD/CD-Rom drives. You only get 4 chances to change this, so set it right the first time.
- Explore the settings: Tweak subtitles, audio, or playback speed in VLC preferences if needed. The default isn’t always perfect.
- Use headphones or external speakers: Keeps the audio crisp, especially with old flicks or dialogue-heavy stuff.
FAQs
Does Windows 11 come with a built-in DVD player?
Nah, it doesn’t. You’ll need to download something like VLC or another media player if you want to watch DVDs.
Can I use any media player to watch DVDs?
Naah, not all will do it. Some support DVD menus, some don’t. VLC and paid players like PowerDVD are your best options. Otherwise, it can be a bit hit and miss.
What if my DVD drive isn’t recognised?
Make sure it’s plugged in properly, check your drivers in Device Manager, and see if it shows up. Sometimes, disabling and re-enabling the device or reinstalling drivers helps.
Is VLC free?
You betcha! No catches. It’s free and reliable, so most Aussies just stick with it.
Why isn’t my DVD playing on Windows 11?
Check your connections, make sure the disc’s clean, verify region settings, and update your software. If one of those isn’t right, it might be why it’s playing up.
Wrap-up
- Hook up your DVD drive properly.
- Download and set up VLC Media Player.
- Pop the DVD into the drive.
- Open VLC, go to Media > Open Disc, and hit play.
- Enjoy the movie! Adjust settings if the picture or sound isn’t quite right.
Final thoughts
Getting DVDs to play on Windows 11 isn’t as straightforward as it used to be, but with a few steps, it’s doable. Having the right software makes a big difference, and making sure your hardware is recognised is half the battle. Once set up, it’s just a matter of clicking “Play.” Sometimes a quick restart or driver update gets things moving. Hope this helps you get those disks spinning again — it worked for me on a few setups!