To update the firmware for an HP PLDS DVDRW DU8AESH drive, you should primarily use official HP maintenance tools. These drives typically use generic Microsoft drivers from 2006, and specific firmware updates are released only to fix critical bugs or compatibility issues. Recommended Update Methods
HP Support Assistant: This is the most reliable way to find firmware specific to your machine. Open the HP Support Assistant tool. Select My devices and click Updates for your PC.
Click Check for updates to scan for any available optical drive firmware. HP Software and Driver Downloads: Go to the Official HP Support website.
Enter your computer's Serial Number or Model Name to access the specific product page.
Look for a Firmware category in the driver list. if it is not present, no official updates have been released for your specific drive model.
Third-Party Discovery (Advanced): Some users on the HP Support Community suggest using tools like ImgBurn to check for firmware, though this is not an official HP method. Troubleshooting Common Issues
If the drive is not working and no firmware is available, try these steps:
Reinstall the Driver: Right-click the drive in Device Manager, select Uninstall device, and restart your computer to let Windows reinstall it automatically.
Hardware Check: Restart your PC and press F2 repeatedly to enter HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI. Run a Component Test on the Optical Drive to rule out physical failure. hp plds dvdrw du8aesh firmware update
Playback Issues: If the drive works but won't play movies on Windows 10/11, you may simply need a third-party player like VLC Media Player, as these operating systems no longer include native DVD playback software. HP PLDS DVDRW DU8AESH - 9359666
To update the firmware for an HP PLDS DVDRW DU8AESH optical drive, you must first identify your specific computer model, as firmware is typically distributed via model-specific "SoftPaqs" rather than a universal drive-only installer. 1. Identify Your System Information Because the
is an OEM drive used across various HP ProDesk, EliteDesk, and Pavilion models, firmware is tied to the PC’s support page. Find Serial/Product Number Windows Key + R , and find the "System Model" or "Product Number". Check Current Firmware Device Manager
, expand "DVD/CD-ROM drives," right-click the PLDS drive, and select Properties Hardware Ids
from the dropdown to see the current version (e.g., a 4-digit code like HP Support Community 2. Locate and Download Firmware Official HP Support - Software and Driver Downloads Enter your Serial Number Product Name (e.g., "ProDesk 400 G7 SFF"). Expand the Optical Drive categories.
Look for a "PLDS Optical Drive Firmware Update." If multiple are listed, match them to the manufacturer name found in your Device Manager. 3. Alternative Troubleshooting (If No Update is Found)
If your drive is malfunctioning (e.g., not reading discs) and no firmware update is available, use these standard HP troubleshooting steps: HP PLDS DVDRW DU8AESH - HP Support Community 2 Apr 2025 —
The HP PLDS DVDRW DU8AESH is a built-in optical drive commonly found in HP laptops and desktop systems, used for reading and writing various disc formats like DVD-ROM, DVD-R, and CD-RW. Updating its firmware can improve media compatibility, fix read/write errors, and ensure the drive works correctly with newer versions of Windows. Why Update the Firmware? To update the firmware for an HP PLDS
Firmware acts as the permanent software that controls how your hardware interacts with the rest of your system. Updating the DU8AESH firmware is often recommended for:
Fixing Bugs: Resolving issues where the drive fails to recognize specific discs or "disappears" from File Explorer.
Media Support: Increasing the range of recordable media (brands of blank DVDs) the drive can handle effectively.
System Stability: Ensuring compatibility with major OS updates, such as moving from Windows 10 to Windows 11. How to Update HP PLDS DVDRW DU8AESH Firmware
There are several ways to update your drive, ranging from automated tools to manual downloads. Method 1: HP Support Assistant (Recommended)
This is the easiest and safest method for most HP users as it automatically identifies the correct hardware version for your specific PC.
Open the HP Support Assistant (usually pre-installed on your device).
Select My devices and click Updates in the My PC or My notebook pane. Once you click Update , a progress bar appears
Click Check for updates to scan for any available firmware or driver patches.
If a firmware update for the PLDS DVDRW DU8AESH appears, check the box next to it and click Download and install. Method 2: Manual Download from HP Support
If the Support Assistant does not show an update, you can check the official HP drivers page manually. Navigate to the HP Software and Driver Downloads page.
Enter your laptop or desktop serial number or product name to find the specific support page for your computer model. Look for a category labeled Firmware or Optical Drive.
Download the latest executable (usually a .exe or .zip file) and follow the on-screen instructions to run the update. Method 3: Third-Party Tools (Expert Only)
For drives that are struggling with identification, some users use tools like ImgBurn to check for available manufacturer firmware. HP PLDS DVDRW DU8AESH - HP Support Community
A: No. The DU8AESH is hardware-limited to 8x DVD write speed. Firmware improves compatibility, not maximum speed.