How to Manually Eject Disc From Mac

Have you ever encountered a situation where your Mac refuses to eject a disc? Whether it’s a CD, DVD, or even a stuck USB drive, it can be frustrating not being able to remove the physical media from your Mac. However, fear not! In this blog post, we will explore several methods to manually eject discs from a Mac, ensuring that you can always retrieve your media without any hassle.

Video Tutorial:

Why You Need to Manually Eject Disc From Mac

There are several reasons why you might need to manually eject a disc from your Mac. In some cases, the disc may be physically stuck and cannot be ejected using the usual methods. This may happen due to a faulty disc drive or a software issue. Additionally, if your Mac becomes unresponsive or freezes, it can prevent the automatic ejection of a disc. Knowing how to manually eject a disc can help you overcome these situations and retrieve your media safely.

Method 1. Using the Eject Key

To start, let’s explore the most straightforward method to manually eject a disc from a Mac – using the eject key on your keyboard.

Step 1: Locate the eject key on your keyboard. On most Mac keyboards, this key is located in the top-right corner and is usually marked with a triangle pointing up above a horizontal line.

Step 2: Once you have located the eject key, press and hold it for a few seconds.

Step 3: After holding the eject key, your Mac should attempt to eject the disc. If successful, you will hear a mechanical sound, indicating that the disc has been ejected.

Method 2. Using Finder

If the eject key method fails to eject the disc, you can try using Finder to manually eject it. Follow the steps below to proceed.

Step 1: Open a Finder window by clicking on the Finder icon in your macOS Dock or clicking on the desktop and selecting "New Finder Window" from the dropdown menu at the top-left corner.

Step 2: In the sidebar of the Finder window, locate the "Devices" section. Here, you should see a list of connected drives, including the one containing your stuck disc.

Step 3: Click on the drive that corresponds to the stuck disc. In the main Finder window, you should now see the contents of the disc.

Step 4: At the top of the Finder window, click on the "File" menu. From the dropdown menu, select "Eject [Disc Name]." Alternatively, you can right-click on the disc’s icon and select "Eject" from the contextual menu.

Method 3. Via Terminal

If the previous methods fail, you can resort to using Terminal commands to manually eject the disc. Terminal allows you to execute commands directly on your Mac’s operating system, providing more control and flexibility. Follow the steps below to eject the disc using Terminal.

Step 1: Open Terminal by navigating to "Applications" > "Utilities" > "Terminal" or by searching for it using Spotlight.

Step 2: In the Terminal window, type the following command: "drutil eject" and press the "Enter" key.

Step 3: Terminal will attempt to eject the disc by sending the appropriate commands to the disc drive. If successful, you will see a message confirming the disc ejection.

Method 4. Using Disk Utility

If the previous methods do not work, you can try using Disk Utility to manually eject the disc. Disk Utility is a built-in macOS application that allows you to manage disks and volumes on your Mac. Follow the steps below to eject the disc using Disk Utility.

Step 1: Open Disk Utility by navigating to "Applications" > "Utilities" > "Disk Utility" or by searching for it using Spotlight.

Step 2: In the Disk Utility window, you will see a list of connected drives and volumes on the left sidebar. Locate the drive that corresponds to the stuck disc and click on it.

Step 3: At the top of the Disk Utility window, click on the "File" menu. From the dropdown menu, select "Eject [Disc Name]." Alternatively, you can right-click on the disc’s name and select "Eject" from the contextual menu.

What to Do If You Can’t Manually Eject Disc From Mac

If you have tried all the methods mentioned above and still can’t manually eject the disc from your Mac, don’t worry. Here are some additional fixes you can try:

1. Restart your Mac: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve software-related issues that are preventing the disc from ejecting. Click on the Apple menu at the top-left corner of your screen and select "Restart."

2. Force shutdown: If your Mac is unresponsive and prevents any ejection attempts, try performing a force shutdown. Press and hold the power button until your Mac powers off, then turn it back on and attempt the ejection again.

3. Seek professional help: If all else fails, it may be time to seek professional assistance. Contact Apple support or visit an authorized service provider to assess the issue and find a solution.

Bonus Tips

Here are three bonus tips to keep in mind when dealing with stuck discs on your Mac:

1. Use external disc drives: If your internal disc drive is frequently causing issues, consider investing in an external disc drive. These drives can be easily connected via USB and provide an alternative solution for reading and writing discs.

2. Use disk image files: Instead of relying on physical media, consider creating disk image files (.dmg) of your discs. Disk images are virtual representations of physical media and can be mounted and accessed using software like Disk Utility. This eliminates the need for physical disc ejection.

3. Keep your Mac updated: Regularly update your Mac’s operating system and firmware to ensure compatibility with various disc formats and optimize disc drive performance. These updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can help prevent disc ejection issues.

5 FAQs

Q1: Why is my disc stuck in the Mac?

A: Discs can get stuck in a Mac due to various reasons, such as a misalignment of the disc within the drive, a faulty drive mechanism, or a software issue preventing proper ejection.

Q2: Can I use these methods for both CDs and DVDs?

A: Yes, the methods mentioned in this blog post can be used to manually eject both CDs and DVDs from a Mac.

Q3: What should I do if the disc is severely scratched or damaged?

A: If the disc is severely scratched or damaged, it may be difficult to eject using these methods. In such cases, it is recommended to seek professional assistance to avoid causing further damage to the disc or the Mac.

Q4: Are there any risks involved in manually ejecting a disc?

A: Manually ejecting a disc using the methods mentioned in this blog post does not pose significant risks. However, it is important to be cautious and follow the steps carefully to avoid causing damage to the disc or the Mac.

Q5: Can I manually eject a disc from a MacBook without an eject key?

A: Yes, if your MacBook does not have a physical eject key, you can still manually eject a disc using the methods involving Finder, Terminal, or Disk Utility.

Final Thoughts

Encountering a stuck disc in your Mac can be frustrating, but with the methods outlined in this blog post, you can easily overcome this issue. Remember to try using the eject key on your keyboard first, followed by alternative methods like Finder, Terminal, or Disk Utility. If all else fails, don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance. By keeping these tips in mind and staying up to date with software updates, you can ensure smooth disc ejections on your Mac.{"@context":"https://schema.org”,"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":" Why is my disc stuck in the Mac?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" Discs can get stuck in a Mac due to various reasons, such as a misalignment of the disc within the drive, a faulty drive mechanism, or a software issue preventing proper ejection."}},{"@type":"Question","name":" Can I use these methods for both CDs and DVDs?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" Yes, the methods mentioned in this blog post can be used to manually eject both CDs and DVDs from a Mac."}},{"@type":"Question","name":" What should I do if the disc is severely scratched or damaged?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" If the disc is severely scratched or damaged, it may be difficult to eject using these methods. In such cases, it is recommended to seek professional assistance to avoid causing further damage to the disc or the Mac."}},{"@type":"Question","name":" Are there any risks involved in manually ejecting a disc?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" Manually ejecting a disc using the methods mentioned in this blog post does not pose significant risks. However, it is important to be cautious and follow the steps carefully to avoid causing damage to the disc or the Mac."}},{"@type":"Question","name":" Can I manually eject a disc from a MacBook without an eject key?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" Yes, if your MacBook does not have a physical eject key, you can still manually eject a disc using the methods involving Finder, Terminal, or Disk Utility."}}]}