Yamaha MCR-042 - Problem with CD player

Hi @lucasac

Here are a couple of things that you can check.

1, Not recognizing the cd disc could simply be a dirty laser lens. Try cleaning the lens either by using a commercially available cd/dvd lens cleaner kit (examples only) or if you have opened the disc drive (see below) to gently clean the lens with a Q-tip lightly moistened with Isopropyl Alcohol 99%+ (available from electronic parts stores).

2. Regarding "...struggles to pull in a CD..."

The player is a slot loading cd disc player type which means it has a motor driven mechanical action that grabs the cd and pulls it in. There's a rubber roller which is used and if it is dirty or has worn down it isn't grabbing the disc that well anymore.

Here's a video that shows how they work.

You can try cleaning the roller using the method shown in this video and check if it resolves this problem.

If no good you may have to open the player to access the disc drive and check if the roller needs a better clean or if it is worn. If it's worn then, finding the service manual (I can't find it -you may have better luck) would help as mostly they have a parts list and it would be easier trying to find a part by searching for the part number as opposed to looking for it by using the make and model number of the device.

If all else fails you could try replacing the disc drive unit. Hopefully there's a part number to be found somewhere on it, that you could search for online.