This should cause the tray to pop out a bit, and you can open it the rest of the way with your hands. If this worked for you, skip the next paragraph, otherwise there’s one more thing you can try. There are two more holes underneath the left side of of the disc tray. Insert a paper clip into the leftmost hole and push until you feel it hit something.
If you pushed the internal gear correctly the disc tray should open slightly, and you can pull it out fully with your hands. With the tray now open, make sure the disc inside isn’t sticky and causing the problem. Then plug the console back in and see if the tray is back in working condition. If not, reopen the disc tray the same way and move on to the next section. A video of this method is available here.Ĭleaning the internal mechanismsĭon’t worry, you won’t have to open up your console any more than you already have to try this potential solution. One of the main mechanisms for opening your 360’s disc tray is a simple rubber band. Holding firmly onto the open disc tray,use a small pair of tweezers or something similar to reach into the tray and grab the rubber band stretched around two rotating cylinders, making note of exactly where the band is.
Be very careful to ensure the disc tray does not close, as it would be difficult to reopen without the rubber band in place. Using rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab, gently rub the alcohol over the surface of the band, getting the grime and dirt off. Using the same products, gently rub the cylinders the rubber band was on, slowly opening and closing (not all the way!) the disc tray while doing so to rotate the cylinders. Then use another cotton swab to ensure the cylinders and rubber band are dry.