Windows 10: External drive appears to be recognized by windows, but disappears when a disc is placed in...

As the title says, I can't get my external drive to work. It has worked in the past, and when it has done so the icon on the drive turned from what it is normally the to a blue disc. Now however it just disappears and nothing plays. Unfortunately I cannot upload screenshots because they keep failing to upload for some reason. I've already tried updating, deleting, and reinstalling the driver for the external drive in device manager, and my computer seems to recognize it. I've also tried configuring what the disc should automatically open up on, and nothing has worked. If I tell it to prompt me

:)

 

Surface would not recognize external CD drive

My Surface is not recognizing the external CD drive. I used a usb hub and directly connect it, and it still wouldn't recognize it. The icon appears when there is no disc (I've tried various discs) and disappears when I insert a disc. The external CD drive
is a simple plug and play drive.

 

external disc drive

I have an external disc drive which my laptop recognizes once plugged in. However upon selecting the external disc drive (D) and inserting a cd nothing happens and I cannot name the cd in the drive, open it or upload it. It's obvious that I'm missing
something and require technical help. Anyone with a solution or suggestion? Thank you.

 

External drive not recognized

I have an external drive that is not being recognized. I have unplugged it and and plugged it back in and still not being recognized. I see it listed in device manager and it says it is working properly. In disk management it says Disk 1 Unknown not initialized.
I have tried changing drive letters not able to do that. This happened when I disconnected an hdmi cable, The external drive stopped responded at that point so I unplugged it but when In plugged it back it is not being recognized. I can feel the disk spinning
so it is working. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance