Error 03-80-00 occurs when you try to play a disc in your Xbox 360 console

You see the following error message when you try to play a game, movie, or music disc in your Xbox 360 console:

Unrecognized Disc

If you press Y  on your controller, you see status code 03-80-00.

This may mean one of the following:

• There's a problem with the disc (for example, it might be scratched or dirty).
• The game you're trying to play might have a known problem.
• There may be issues with the system cache.

To resolve this issue, try the following solutions.

Solution 1: Run the Xbox 360 Disc Drive Solution

Try the Xbox 360 Disc Drive Solution, which will walk you through several possible solutions to "Unrecognized Disc" errors.

Solution 2: Inspect and clean the disc

Take a close look at the bottom of the disc (the side without a label or image). Excessive scratches or smudges can prevent your console from reading the disc.

If the disc has scratches and the disc drive can't read it, you might want to order a replacement game disc. For more information, see Xbox 360 game disc exchange.

To clean the disc:

1. Hold the disc by the edges without touching the top or bottom surface.
2. Using a soft, clean, slightly damp cloth, lightly wipe from the center of the disc outward.
3. When the disc is clean, load the disc into your console and see if the disc plays.

If the disc still doesn't play, try solution 3.

Solution 3: Try other discs and check the disc's compatibility

Try other discs to determine whether the problem happens with any disc or only with one particular disc.

Make sure the disc type and region code are compatible with your console. For more information about disc formats and regions, see Play DVDs on your Xbox 360 console.

If the disc has a region code that's compatible with your console but you still can't play it, try solution 4.

If other discs do play, but this disc will not, see Xbox 360 game disc exchange.

Solution 4: Clear your system cache (game discs only)

If your Xbox 360 console can't play multiple game discs, try clearing your system cache.

If you still can't play a game disc, try solution 5.

Solution 5: Remove the hard drive (game discs only)

If the problem happens only with game discs, try temporarily removing your hard drive to see if that fixes the problem (see Add or remove an Xbox 360 Hard Drive). If your Xbox 360 console doesn't have a hard drive, skip to solution 6.

If this resolves the problem, reattach the hard drive and order a new Xbox 360 Hard Drive from Device Support (sign in with your Microsoft account). Console registration is required to replace a hard drive under warranty.

If you still can't play game discs, try solution 6.

Solution 6: Disconnect memory units and USB flash drives (game discs only)

If the problem happens only with game discs, try the following:

1. Turn off your console.
2. Disconnect any memory units or USB flash drives connected to your console.
3. Turn on your console.
4. Try playing a game.

If this solution resolves the problem, copy the content from the memory unit or flash drive to your hard drive (if you have one) or use a different USB flash drive.

If you still can't play game discs, request a repair.

Solution 7: Request a repair

If the previous solutions didn't resolve the problem, your console needs to be repaired. See Getting your Xbox console or Kinect sensor serviced.