Microsoft admits to problem with Xbox One disc drive affecting some users

Microsoft has admitted that some owners of the newly launched Xbox One are experiencing problems with the console's disc drive. According to a report by gaming news website Kotaku, some users are saying that the drive makes loud noises when they try to insert a disc while some say it is not reading discs at all. The company, in response to questions raised by the source, has said that only a very small number of users are being affected.

The company recently announced that it sold more than one million units within the first 24 hours. Putting the number in perspective, if even one percent of said users are found to be affected by the problem, this amounts to 10,000 faulty units currently being in circulation across initial launch markets. Over 150 people told Kotaku that their new consoles were faulty. Others uploaded videos allegedly showing the problem. Microsoft, in a statement issued to the gaming news site, said, “We’re working directly with those affected to get a replacement console to them as soon as possible through our advance exchange programme. Rest assured, we are taking care of our customers.”  

Microsoft admits to Xbox One fault

This is not the first time that Microsoft has faced issues with the launch of its Xbox console. When the Xbox 360 was launched in 2005, some users reported faults with the hardware which resulted in three red lights flashing on the front of the device and the console becoming unusable. Since then, the problem has become known as the “red ring of death”.

According to a report by the BBC, Spencer Izard, an analyst with IDC said, "Microsoft suffered very significant quality control problems with the early Xbox 360 consoles and has put significant effort into its hardware design and manufacturing process to minimise faults. For launches over multiple countries the volume of manufacturing required by both Microsoft and Sony will always unfortunately yield a minor amount of hardware failures, in one form or another, and we are seeing this with this launch cycle.”

Both the Xbox One and Sony’s PlayStation 4 were launched within a week from each other and will go on sale in the UK and Europe on November 29. There is still no word on an India-centric launch date yet, although several Indian online retailers have already put the consoles up for pre-order. Sony was earlier reported facing several issues with the PlayStation 4. At the time, the company had said that less than one percent of the consoles sold were being affected and has offered replacements for those affected.