Windows Media Player - synch option no longer appearing, CDs no longer appearing in WMP to be ripped.

[Microsoft Windows]

My 2022 PC (Windows 11 Home, latest updates done) has an external Asus disk drive, primarily for ripping CDs into Windows Media Player 12, which I then synch onto an Android mobile phone to listen to on-the-go. Just recently this has ceased to work. Two different problems have emerged - firstly, Windows Media Player is not detecting the presence of the CD drive, Windows itself does detect it, but is unable to play the CDs (I have tried multiple). Secondly, the Synch column is not appearing in the WMP menu - only 'Play' and 'Burn'. What is causing this, and what is the solution?

Continue reading...