I am trying to record to a blank dvd-r. I load a blank dvd-r into samsung-vr357 and it ejects it saying "Cannot read disc". I never get a chance to Format it or anything.

Hi Alan, seems like your dvd player must NOT be region free, The link below is a short YouTube video showing how to set your dvd player to region free for FREE, The site is (your movie finder. Com) Also there's videos down the right side of the link that may help as well....... CHEERS..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LhQE0EPxqs Multi Region Codes for DVD Players

Well it seems that your DVD player is having an issue reading the disc, I guess the first question is what kind of disc are you trying to insert? Is it a burned DVD or is it a movie dvd? This model is not a Blu Ray so if you are trying to use a Blu Ray disc then it will not read it. If you are trying to read a burned disc from someone then more then likely the disc was not finalized and is unable to recognize the disc, because the finalization process is where all the the information is written about what kind of disc it is and the format, codecs, etc. OR maybe the laser is dirty or the DVD player has kicked the bucket. Finally, the product DESC says it can read DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD+R, VHS formats, but I have found that some DVD units do not like certain brands of Blank DVDs. I hope this offers some ideas for you and good luck!

The laser lens needs cleaning . You can try a DVD cleaning disk from Target or Walmart . If that doesnt work , the player will need to be opened and manually cleaned

HI Not fixed yet but reading some of the answers that appear to be very common I am going to try a dvd cleaner on the machine so hope it works
thanks for tue info
crawfordj939

If exact model is Samsung DVD-VR357, than it doesn't even has to recognise blank disc as your unit is DVD PLAYER with Video Casette Recorder.

See Specs. for your unit below:
Function Combination VCR Y Compatibility Playback Media DVD-R,DVD-RW,DVD+R,DVD+RW,CD-R/RW,CD,VHS, DVD-RAM Playback Formats MP3, WMA, JPEG, MPEG-4, DivX A/V Quality Progressive Scan Y HD Upconversion 720p/1080i Digital-to-Analog Converter 10-Bit/54MHz DTS Output Y Dolby Digital Surround Sound Y Connectivity HDMI CEC Y Convenience Child Protection Parental Control Physical Features Connectivity HDMI Output Y Component Video Output 1(Rear) S-Video Output 1(Rear) Composite Video Output 1(Rear) Coaxial Digital Audio Outputs 1(Rear) Optical Audio Output 1(Rear) Product Weight & Dimensions Dimension 16.9" x 3.1" x 11" Weight 8.8Lbs. Shipment Weight & Dimensions Dimension 20.2" x 7.1" x 15.1" Weight 12.1Lbs.

Closest model match for DVD recording unit would be DVD-VR375

Unfortunately you have player only and you won't be able to recor DVDs with it whatsoever.

Good luck

Hi and welcome to FixYa,

Initially, try to clean the lens using a CD disc cleaner. Additionally, verify that your blanks are either DVD-R or DVD-RW.

Pls post back result(s). Good luck and Thank you for using FixYa.

you advertise on web sit let our experts solve your problem for free then you want me to pay im out of work at 60yrs old or i would gladly pay to hep me fix the problem

all the best and thanks

Try unplugging the machine so it will reset itself. Then plug it back in. That has worked for me in the past.
pjrsop

it might need to be cleand u take the sheild off and take a q tip and lightly clean the laser
pls rank ps keep off the carpit

I have the same problem. How do you reset the unit?