The root-cause varies that you can’t play DVDs on HP laptop, here are some possible ones and their corresponding troubleshooting.
1. Scratched/damaged DVD
Try cleaning your DVD with mild soap/baking soda toothpaste, warm water and lint free cloth to clean your DVD. Try using DVD data recovery software if cleaning doesn’t work.
2. Mucky DVD Drive
Lightly dampened a cotton swab with warm water or rubbing alcohol, use it to clean the DVD drive.
3. Discs burned on a different computer
Burn the disc again with a blank disc of another brand. Use a lower (4x) burning speed, and finalize your disc.
4. Communication problem between drive and system
Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter, follow the instructions to resolve any issues found
5. The error states of drive
Search and open Device Manager > Double-click DVD/CD-ROM drives > Right-click the drive name, select Uninstall device or Uninstall > Restart your computer
6. Laptop won’t automatically start disks when loaded
Search and open Control Panel > Click Hardware and Sound, select AutoPlay > Use AutoPlay for all media and devices setting > select Ask me every time > Next to each DVD, Blu-ray, and CD type > Save
7. Hardware issues
Turn off the computer > Press the power button and then immediately press the Esc key repeatedly until the Startup Menu opens > Press F2 to open the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI > Click Component Tests > Optical Drive > Run all the available tests > Have a working CD or DVD available to complete the tests > Follow any instructions to resolve any issues found
8. Haven’t updated video player software for a long time
Make sure that your DVD drive and player software have the latest updates.
9. Unnecessary system resource occupation
An easy to overlook fact that system resources might be occupied by unnecessary programs or connected devices which will also jeopardize your DVD playback on a laptop - shut them down/cut them off.
10. Due to the unauthorized DVD copy, DVD copy protection, DRM, region code, etc.
Remove copy protection, DRM, region code, etc. on your DVD with a good DVD decrypter program. Learn about the best DVD decrypters → 2019 Best Free DVD Ripper Review