When you insert a CD in the DVD drive, you might find CDrom.sys is corrupted. Why does this error occur? How to get rid of it from Windows 10/11? In this guide from MiniTool Website, we will try our best to gather some effective methods to you.

CDrom.sys Is Corrupted

The CDrom.sys file refers to a software component of Microsoft Windows operating system. It is a class driver for optical storage device that locate in C:\Windows\System32\drivers. Sometimes, you might find CDrom.sys is corrupted or missing when trying to insert a CD in the DVD drive. The following causes might be responsible:

  • Corrupted system files.
  • Virus or malware attack.
  • Corrupted registry keys.
  • Hardware incompatibilities.

How to Fix CDrom.sys Is Corrupted on Windows 10/11?

Fix 1: Update DVD/CD-ROM Driver

Device driver plays an important role in the hardware and computer, so make sure to update your driver in time. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1. Right-click on the Start icon and choose Device Manager.

Step 2. Expand DVD/CD-ROM drives and then right-click on your DVD drive to choose Update driver.

Step 3. Click on Search automatically for drivers and then follow the instructions on the screen to complete the rest process.

hit Search automatically for drivers
Tips:
Reinstalling the DVD/CD-ROM driver might also do the trick. Read this guide - How to Uninstall and Reinstall Device Drivers on a Windows PC to get more detailed instructions.

Fix 2: Run Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Hardware incompatibility issues are a common cause for CDrom.sys is missing or corrupted. Luckily, you can run Hardware and Device troubleshooter to find and fix problems with devices and hardware. To do so:

Step 1. Run Command Prompt as an administrator.

Step 2. In the command window, type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic and hit Enter to launch Hardware and Device troubleshooter.

Step 3. Click on Advanced in the lower left corner > tick Apply repairs automatically > hit Next > select the device from the list > hit Apply this fix.

hit Advanced

Step 4. Restart your computer.

Fixed! Hardware and Device Troubleshooter Is Missing Windows 10
Fixed! Hardware and Device Troubleshooter Is Missing Windows 10

Is Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter missing from your Windows computer? In this post, we will show you how to open it using the command line.

Read More

Fix 3: Run SFC & DISM

If the driver files are missing or corrupted, you can run the combination of SFC and DISM to detect and repair them. To do so:

Step 1. Run Command Prompt with administrative privileges.

Step 2. Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter.

Step 3. After completion, restart your computer to see if CDrom.sys is corrupted again. If yes, run the following command in an elevated Command Prompt.

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Fix 4: Delete and Recreate Corrupted Registry Key

In some cases, your registry keys might be tweaked without your knowledge. Once the registry key damaged, you will have to delete the corrupted registry keys and recreate a new one. To do so:

Tips:
Before making any changes to Windows Registry, make sure to create a backup of your registry in case something wrong during this process.

Move 1: Delete the Corrupted Registry Key

Step 1. Press Win + R to open the Run box.

Step 2. Type regedit.exe and hit Enter to open Registry Editor.

Step 3. Navigate to the following path:

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

Step 4. In the right pane, locate the UpperFilters entry & the LowFilters entry and choose Delete.

Step 5. Reboot your system to make the changes effective.

Move 2: Recreate the Key

Step 1. Type regedit.exe in the Run box and hit Enter.

Step 2. Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Services/atapi

Step 3. Right-click on atapi > choose New > Key > rename it as Controller0.

Step 4 Hit Controller0 > right-click on any empty space > select New > DWORD(32-bit) Value > rename the key as EnumDevice1 > change the Value data to 1 > hit OK.

change the value data

Step 5. Quit Registry Editor and then save the changes.

Fix 5: Scan Your PC with Antivirus Software

Malware or viruses attack can also lead to CDrom.sys errors like corrupted CDrom.sys or CDrom.sys BSOD. If this is the case, antivirus software can help you out. Here’s how to perform a full scan with Windows Defender.

Tip: The attack of viruses or malware might lead to unexpected data loss, so you had better create a backup of your important files in advance. To do so, a free PC backup software – MiniTool ShadowMaker is worth trying. Multiple items are supported such as files, folders, systems, partitions, and more. Get the free trial and have a try!

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Step 1. Press Win + I to open Windows Settings.

Step 2. Go to Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.

Step 3. Hit Scan options > tick Full scan > click on Scan now to start the scanning.

tick Full scan

Final Words

Now, your CDrom.sys files might be repaired and your system is able to communicate with the CD or DVD drivers. Meanwhile, it is also important to test the CD or DVD tray regularly if you don’t use it for a long time.

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