What is the best way to get a stuck CD out of a CD player?

Since CD players and drives vary in type and mechanism, the best way to remove stuck CDs will also vary. For instance, some CD players have a CD slot where a CD is to be inserted, while other players and drives have trays that move out and retract into the main body of the player or drive.

On car CD players such as certain Sony models, stuck CDs may be removed from the slot by using another CD. This fix involves inserting the CD into the slot about an inch and pressing the eject button. Other types of CD players such as computer optical drives usually have retracting trays. Stuck CDs from these types of drives may be removed by removing the drive and shaking it to dislodge the CD.