To insert a PS5 disc, gently slide it into the disc slot on the front of your console with the label facing the correct direction. The console must be powered on for the disc to be recognized and the game to install.
How to insert a PS5 disc correctly
Inserting a disc into your standard PS5 console is straightforward, but doing it correctly prevents damage. The most important rule is that the console must be powered on before you insert the disc. The disc drive will not accept a disc when the system is off. Ensure the console is on and on a stable, level surface before you begin.
Locate the disc slot on the front-facing panel of the console. It is a slim, horizontal opening. There is no button to press to open a tray; the slot is always accessible. Hold the disc by its edges, avoiding touching the shiny data surface. Gently slide the disc into the slot. The console will automatically pull the disc in the rest of the way. Do not force the disc or push it in roughly.
Which way does the PS5 disc go?
Correct orientation is critical to avoid jamming the disc. The label side of the disc must face a specific direction depending on how your console is positioned.
Vertical orientation: If your PS5 is standing upright, the label side of the disc must face the larger, white side panels of the console. The shiny, readable side of the disc will face the black center section.
Horizontal orientation: If your PS5 is lying flat, the label side of the disc must face upward. The shiny side of the disc will face downward. When inserted correctly, the disc will slide in smoothly without resistance.
Installing and playing your PS5 game
Once the disc is inserted, the console takes over. When inserting a game disc for the first time, the game will begin to install automatically. You may be prompted to select specific add-ons to install during the initial game installation. This process copies the game data to the console’s internal SSD for fast loading.
After installation, the physical game disc must remain in the drive to play the installed game, as it serves as a license check. If you remove the disc, the game will close and you will need to reinsert the disc to launch it again. This applies to all disc-based PS5 games and is part of the system’s copy protection.
For managing your library, the PS5 storage capacity, discs and expansion options allow you to install multiple games and add extra storage via an internal SSD, so you can get more storage on PS5 without constantly deleting titles. The disc itself is used only for the initial install and ongoing license verification.
How to insert a disc on PS5 Digital Edition or PS5 Pro
The PS5 Digital Edition and PS5 Pro consoles do not have a built-in disc drive. To play disc-based games on these models, you must attach the official detachable disc drive. This is a separate accessory that connects to the console via a dedicated port, and installing games from a disc can help you manage your PS5 storage capacity more efficiently.
To attach the drive, place the console on a stable surface. Align the disc drive with the connection port on the console and slide it into place until it clicks securely. The drive must be connected both physically and electronically.
After attaching the drive, an internet connection is required for the initial pairing setup of a detachable disc drive with a PS5 Digital Edition or PS5 Pro console. This one-time pairing registers the drive to your specific console. The drive will function identically to the built-in drive on the standard PS5, with automatic game installation and the disc remaining in the drive for license checks.
