The Xbox One is a well-loved gaming console, but it’s more than just a console for playing games. It also serves as an entertainment hub, allowing users to stream videos and even play DVDs or Blu-ray discs. However, many people are unsure if their specific Xbox One model supports these features.

In this guide, we will explore whether Xbox One models can play the DVD, how to Play DVD on Xbox One with a disc drive or without one, and more tips to resolve the playback issues, so you can use all features on Xbox One properly in the future.

can xbox one play dvds

Can Xbox One Play DVDs?

Yes, the Xbox One is capable of playing DVDs, but this depends on the specific model you own. Some Xbox One versions come equipped with a disc drive, allowing you to insert DVDs and use the Blu-ray Player app to watch them. On the other hand, certain models don’t feature a disc drive at all. If your console lacks a disc drive, you’ll need to use a DVD ripping tool to convert your DVDs into a digital format that can be played on your Xbox One.

Can You Play DVDs on Xbox One All Models?

Not all Xbox One models can play DVDs. This capability depends on whether the console has a disc drive. Below, you'll find a table detailing which Xbox One models support DVD playback based on their disc drive features.

Model Disc Drive Support Compatible Disc Types
Xbox One Yes DVD, Standard Blu-ray
Xbox One S Yes DVD, Standard Blu-ray, UHD Blu-ray
Xbox One X Yes DVD, Standard Blu-ray, UHD Blu-ray
Xbox One All-Digital Edition No NA
Xbox Series S No NA
Xbox Series X Yes DVD, Standard Blu-ray, UHD Blu-ray

Most Xbox models support DVD playback thanks to their built-in disc drives. However, the Xbox One All-Digital Edition and Series S lack disc drives, so they cannot play DVDs.

How to Play DVD on Xbox One?

Now, we come to the most awaited part. After you've decided which Xbox One to buy or you've already owned one, it's time to learn how to play DVDs on Xbox One with or without a disc drive.

How to Watch DVD on Xbox One Models with Disc Drive

Step 1: Set Up Your Xbox One

Power on your Xbox One and make sure you're connected to the internet. Press the home button on your controller to bring up the home screen.

Step 2: Install the Blu-ray Player Application

Navigate to the ‘Store’ using your Xbox controller. Once in the store, go to the search tab and type ‘Blu-ray Player.’ Select the app with the blue cover backdrop and click the ‘Install’ button. Wait for the app to download and install, it’s free!

how to play dvd on xbox one

NOTE: If you can’t find the ‘Store’, scroll down to ‘Add more’ on the home screen, and choose the store tile. Next, add it to home.

Step 3: Insert a DVD into the disc drive on your console

Place your DVD into the disc drive on your Xbox One. The Blu-ray Player app should automatically launch and begin playing the DVD.

Step 4: Adjust Automatic Play Settings (If Needed)

If your DVD doesn't play automatically on your Xbox, you may wonder, “Honestly, can Xbox One play DVDs?”. Don’t worry, this situation does occur occasionally. You can enable automatic playback by following the below steps:

  • First, press the home button, search 'settings' and click it.
  • Next, select 'System' > 'Settings' and choose ‘Disc & Blu-ray’. There is an option between disc settings or Blu-ray settings, you can select one based on the disc you have.
  • Last, click ‘Play disc automatically’. Now, your Xbox One will automatically play the DVD as soon as you insert it.

Step 5: Check the Region Code

If your DVD still doesn’t play, verify that the region code on the DVD matches your Xbox One’s region settings. DVDs purchased in a different region won’t play.

Step 6: Enjoy Your Movie

After completing these steps, you will be able to watch offline DVDs on Xbox One with disc drive.

How to Watch DVD on Xbox One Models without Disc Drive

To watch DVDs on an Xbox One that doesn’t have a disc drive, such as the Xbox One All-Digital Edition and Xbox Series S, you will need additional software because the DVD cannot be played directly on those consoles. You must choose software that enables you to digitize the DVD, which means converting the disc to a digital format.

Before digitizing the DVD, there is something to note: Some DVDs are copy-protected with CSS, APS, RC, Sony DADC, and other protections. The digitizing process will be blocked because of these protections. As a result, you will need professional software to rip and bypass the encrypted protection.

You can achieve both of these essential functions with DVDFab DVD Ripper, which is ideal for digitizing any DVD for audio and video playback on devices like Xbox One consoles, while also removing copy protection.

DVDFab DVD Ripper – Key Features:
  • Convert any DVD disc to 1000+ video and audio, including MP4, AVI, MP3, WMA, M4A, and more.
  • Remove any old or new encrypted protection within 5 to 10 seconds.
  • Rip the DVD disc in a smaller size but with the original quality.
  • Equipped with the latest advanced GPU acceleration technologies for 50x faster ripping speed.
  • Available to digitize DVDs to more than 260 preset devices like Apple, Google, Microsoft, Samsung, and others.

Here's the tutorial for digitizing DVD to a digital format like MP4 using DVDFab DVD Ripper:

Step 1: Download DVDFab DVD Ripper on your PC

You can download on Windows or MacOS. After the download and install process is done, navigate to the ‘Ripper' module. Then, insert DVD into the disc drive or navigate it with the add button if it’s already inserted.

How to Watch DVD on Xbox One Models without Disc Drive

Step 2: Choose the output format

There are two methods to do it:

  • Select ‘Choose Other Profile’> ’Format’ > ’Video’ > ’MP4’.
  • Select ‘Choose Other Profile’> ’Device’ > ’Microsoft’. In here, choose your preferred output device like ‘Xbox One’.

Watch DVD on Xbox One Models without Disc Drive

Step 3: Customize your video or movie

Your movie or video will appear with the default title in this phase. You can choose the titles you want by clicking the ‘Choose Other Titles’. This menu also lets you select the subtitles and audio tracks you like.

It also has an ‘Advanced Settings’ to adjust the frame rate, resolution, and other options. Besides that, you can utilise the ‘Video Edit’ menu to trim and crop videos, adjust picture values, or add watermark.

Watch DVD on Xbox One Models using DVDFab DVD Ripper

Step 4: Select the folder destination and start converting

Click the ‘folder’ icon to choose a location to save the output video. Then, click the ‘Start’ button. Voilà, the application will begin the process of ripping the DVD to a digital format within a few minutes.

Once the process is complete, you can play your DVD video or movie on the Xbox One. Now you know that even if your Xbox One doesn’t have a disc drive, you can still watch DVDs; all you need is a powerful tool like DVDFab DVD Ripper to make it happen.

What to Do When Your Xbox One Won't Play DVD?

Thank you for sticking around to learn more about “can you play DVDs on Xbox one?”. The next chapter will be about “Why Xbox one won't play DVD?”. Actually, playing DVD on the Xbox One is simple and accessible to anybody.

However, some users encounter various issues when using it. The most common problems include “incorrect region code,” “unplayable disc,” “error code 0x80820002,” and more. Accordingly, here’s a breakdown of common issues and the solutions you need to know for fixing your Xbox One when it won’t play DVDs:

Issue 1 : Your DVD Is Dirty, Scratched, or Damaged

Your Xbox One may struggle to read your DVD and won’t play it if the disc is dusty, scratched, or significantly damaged. To resolve this, we recommend wiping the disc with a clean, soft cloth, moving from the center outward. If the disc is severely damaged, consider replacing it with a new one.

Issue 2: Defective Xbox Disc Drive

Another reason your Xbox One might not play DVDs is an issue with the console's disc drive. How can you check this? Try inserting the DVD into another console. If it plays, this means your original Xbox One has a hardware problem. To fix this, you can either contact Xbox Support for hardware repair or consider getting a replacement.

Issue 3: Incompatible DVD Region Code

Manufacturers encode DVDs with region codes that need to match your Xbox One’s settings. For example, a DVD with region 3 (Southeast Asia) won’t play on a Xbox One DVD player that is set to Region 2 (Europe). To avoid region code issues, check the region code on the DVD box before inserting it to your console.

Here’s a table to help you identify the region codes, along with the countries associated with each disc drive region:

Region Countries
1 United States, Bermuda, Canada, U.S. territories
2 Middle East, Egypt, Japan, South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Greenland, Europe (except Russia, Ukraine and Belarus)
3 Southeast Asia, South Korea, Taiwan, Macau
4 Central and South America, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Oceania
5 India, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Africa, Central and South Asia, North Korea
6 People's Republic of China, Hong Kong SAR
7 Reserved
8 Special International venues, such as airplanes and cruise ships

Issue 4: Errors During Blu-ray Player App Installation

To play DVDs on Xbox, you need to install the Blu-ray Player app. Occasionally, errors may occur during the installation process, often due to a poor internet connection. To resolve this, try uninstalling the app and reinstalling it from the ‘Store.’ After reinstalling, restart your console and attempt to play the DVD again.

Issue 5: Incorrectly Placing the DVD in the Console

Lastly, placing the DVD in the wrong orientation in the disc drive is a minor mistake that can prevent your Xbox from playing the DVD. The artwork or label should face up (toward the top of the console). To avoid playback issues, always insert the DVD correctly.

By understanding and addressing these common issues, you can prevent playback problems that may cause your Xbox One console to not play DVDs. Simply follow the steps in this guide to make sure your DVD plays smoothly on your console.

FAQs

Does Xbox One support region-free DVDs?

No, the Xbox One can only support DVDs that have the same region code as the console. For instance, a console with region code 2 (Japan) cannot play a DVD with region code 4 (South America).

Do I need an internet connection to play DVDs on Xbox One?

You don’t need an internet connection to play DVDs on Xbox One if the Blu-ray Player app has already been installed. Once installed, you can watch DVDs offline. You only need an internet connection when you need to download and install the Blu-ray Player app.

Why won't my Xbox One recognize my DVD?

Because there are some issues happen, such as:

  • Your disc is dirty, scratched, or damaged.
  • Your disc drive Xbox One has a hardware issue.
  • The Blu-ray Player isn't installed correctly.
  • The region code on your DVD and your console don't match.
  • Incorrect placement of the DVD in the console.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve learned how to play DVD on Xbox One, you’re equipped with the knowledge to enjoy your favorite DVD movies and videos with ease. Whether you have a model with a disc drive or one without, you now know the steps to follow, including installing the Blu-ray Player app or using tools like DVDFab DVD Ripper to digitize your DVDs.

By following this guide, you’ll be able to troubleshoot and resolve any issues that prevent your Xbox One from playing DVDs, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable viewing experience. Whether you're using Xbox One with a disc drive or a digital edition, you now have the tools and knowledge to get the most out of your console for DVD playback.