Using a External DVD\Blu-Ray player and VLC Media Software
This article explains how to check out an external DVD\Blu-ray player with VLC media player to play a disc on your laptop.
💡 What you need: An external DVD or Blu-ray player and VLC media player installed on your laptop.
Step 1: Pick up an External DVD or Blu-ray Player
- Check out an external DVD or Blu-ray player from the Solution Center or the Library.
Step 2: Install VLC Media Player
Install VLC Media player software from the university software portal on your laptop:
| Device Type |
Software Portal |
What to Do |
| Apple (macOS) |
Software Center |
Open Self Service, find VLC media player, then select Install. |
| Dell (Windows) |
Company Portal |
Open Company Portal, find VLC media player, then select Install. |
⚠️ VLC must be installed before playback. If you do not see VLC in the portal, contact the Solution Center for help. Don't install VLC software from VLC website as that will not have the decoder plug-ins.
Step 3: (MacOS Only)
Step 4: Connect the External Player
- Plug the external DVD\Blu-ray player into your laptop USB-C port.
- Wait a few seconds for your computer to recognize the drive.
Step 5: Insert the Disc
- Insert the DVD or Blu-ray disc into the external player.
Step 6: Play the Disc in VLC
- Open VLC media player.
- Select Media > Open Disc.
- Select the disc or drive shown.
- Select the Play button in the lower-left area of the window.
📌 Important: Do not browse into the disc file structure. Select the root drive for the disc only. Choosing individual files or folders may prevent playback.
Troubleshooting Audio
🔊 If audio is missing or sounds incorrect, check VLC audio mode settings.
- In VLC, open the Audio menu.
- Select Stereo Mode.
- Make sure it is not set to Dolby 5.1 or other surround modes.
What if the disc still will not play?
- Confirm the external drive is connected securely and appears as a drive on your computer.
- Quit and reopen VLC, then try Media > Open Disc again.
- Try a different disc to rule out disc damage.
- Commercial Blu-ray, playback depend on disc encryption and the plugin may not have installed. Call Solution Center to have a computer tech verify plugin is installed.
- For MacOS (Apple) with VLC and having issues seeing the disk after VLC install. Go to "Get Info" on the VLC application and make sure 'Open using Rosetta" is checked. Close and relaunch VLC application