Customer Case: A Stuck Disc in a PlayStation 4 Slim
A customer recently brought in her son’s PlayStation 4 Slim, explaining that a game disc was stuck inside and wouldn’t eject. Pressing the eject button did nothing.
Having previously worked on PlayStation 3 consoles, I knew that some PlayStation models had a manual eject screw that could help remove stuck discs. I also recalled that the original PlayStation and PlayStation 2 could be manually ejected by hand in case of drive failures.
But what about the PS4 Slim?
🔎 Investigating the PS4 Slim Disc Eject Issue
With the console on my bench, I began searching for a small hole near the disc slot—which is typically where manufacturers place a manual eject function.
However, there was no obvious way to eject the disc manually from the front.
📺 Turning to YouTube for PS4 Repair Guidance
At this point, I decided to double-check my approach by referring to an online video tutorial.
🔹 TronicsFix, a well-known console repair specialist, outlined the process of using a manual eject screw found underneath the PS4 Slim.
According to the tutorial, the steps were as follows:
1️⃣ Power off the PS4 completely before attempting to remove the disc.
2️⃣ Locate a small rubber cover underneath the console.
3️⃣ Insert a screwdriver into the manual eject hole.
4️⃣ Turn the screw counterclockwise to release the disc.
🛠 Attempting the Manual Eject Process
Since the PS4 was already powered off, I skipped the first step and went straight to finding the manual eject hole.
- The hole is directly in line with the PlayStation logo on the bottom of the PS4 Slim.
- Using a small screwdriver, I turned the eject screw a few times to manually release the disc.
At this point, I expected the disc to partially eject, allowing me to grab it by hand, as shown in Sony’s official troubleshooting diagram.
But… there was no disc inside!
🤔 Was the Disc Ever Inside? Time for More Testing
At this stage, there were two possibilities:
- The disc had already been removed, and the customer wasn’t aware.
- The manual eject function had failed, or the drive was misaligned.
To test further, I powered on the PlayStation 4 Slim and pressed the eject button.
🛑 The PS4 beeped three times—a signal that the system believed no disc was inserted.
To confirm, I tried inserting a DVD into the disc drive. The console accepted the DVD normally, and I was able to access the playback menu.
🔍 Lesson Learned: Always Start with the Basics
In hindsight, I should have tested whether the console could read a disc first, before diving into manual eject troubleshooting or referring to Sony’s documentation.
🎯 Key Takeaways for Diagnosing PS4 Disc Issues:
✔ Start with simple physical checks before assuming an internal hardware failure.
✔ Test inserting another disc before troubleshooting an eject problem.
✔ Refer to manufacturer resources and tutorials but verify the issue first.
✔ Use the manual eject screw only if the system actually contains a stuck disc.
🛑 What to Do If Your PS4 Disc Won’t Eject
If you’re dealing with a real stuck disc problem, follow these steps:
1️⃣ Try the Manual Eject Screw
✔ Turn off the console completely.
✔ Locate the eject hole underneath the PS4 (near the PlayStation logo).
✔ Use a small screwdriver to turn the eject screw counterclockwise.
✔ Once the disc is partially ejected, gently pull it out.
2️⃣ Restart the PS4 & Try Ejecting Again
If the manual method doesn’t work, try a power cycle:
✔ Turn off the PS4 and unplug it.
✔ Wait 5 minutes before plugging it back in.
✔ Press and hold the eject button for 10 seconds.
3️⃣ Test with Another Disc
If the PS4 beeps 3 times when pressing eject, it may mean:
- No disc is inside (confirm by inserting a new disc).
- The eject button is faulty.
- The disc drive has a mechanical issue.
4️⃣ Don’t Force the Disc Out!
🚨 Never use knives, tweezers, or sharp objects to remove a stuck disc.
🚨 Avoid inserting another disc while troubleshooting.
🚨 If the drive is faulty, seek professional repair.
🎮 Need Help with Your PS4 Repair? Contact Us Today!
If your PS4 disc is stuck and you can’t remove it, we’re here to help! Contact us for professional console repair services in Wrexham and surrounding areas.
📌 Have you ever had a disc stuck in your PS4? Let us know in the comments how you fixed it!