You finally got the PS5 Slim or the new Pro, and now you’re staring at that empty slot on the side of your console. It’s an annoying feeling. You have a stack of physical games—maybe some 4K Blu-rays too—but nowhere to put them. So you head over to the Target website, search for the Target PS5 disc drive, and see those two dreaded words: "Out of Stock." It’s frustrating. Honestly, it’s a bit ridiculous that a modular piece of plastic and lasers is currently one of the hardest tech accessories to find in 2026.
The struggle is real.
Sony’s shift toward a "digital-first but physical-optional" hardware design has created a massive bottleneck in the supply chain. When the PS5 Pro launched, everyone realized at the exact same moment that they needed the detachable drive. Retailers like Target were swamped. But it’s not just about high demand; it’s about how Target manages its inventory and why "dropping" these drives in small batches has become the new normal for gamers.
The Reality of Buying a PS5 Disc Drive at Target
Target is a weird beast when it comes to gaming hardware. Unlike specialized retailers, Target’s inventory system is heavily tied to regional distribution centers. This means if you see someone on Reddit claiming their local store has ten units, your local Target in a different state might not have seen a shipment in three weeks. It’s localized. It’s chaotic.
The official Sony Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive for PS5 is designed to snap onto the Slim and Pro models. It’s a sleek piece of tech, but it’s also a high-theft item, which is why you’ll rarely see it just sitting on a shelf behind a glass case. Most of the time, the Target PS5 disc drive stock is kept in the back, or it's reserved strictly for "Order Pickup" or "Drive Up" customers. If you're walking into the store hoping for a lucky find, you're playing a low-probability game.
Why the Shortage Keeps Happening
You’d think after the initial PS5 console shortages of 2020 and 2021, Sony would have figured out the logistics. They haven't. Or rather, they didn't anticipate the attach rate. When the PS5 Pro was announced as a digital-only console by default, the market for the detachable drive exploded overnight. Scalpers noticed.
Scalping bots that used to target GPUs and consoles have pivoted. They now crawl the Target app every few seconds. Because Target’s website doesn't always have the "RedCard" exclusive early access for these specific accessories, it’s a free-for-all. You’re competing with scripts that can checkout in 0.4 seconds. It's not a fair fight, but there are ways to tip the scales back in your favor.
How to Actually Get a Target PS5 Disc Drive
Forget checking the website once a day. That’s a waste of time. If you actually want to land a Target PS5 disc drive, you have to be more aggressive with how you use their digital tools.
First, the Target app is significantly faster than the desktop site. During high-traffic restocks, the mobile API usually stays stable while the web browser version throws "Access Denied" or 405 errors. You want your payment info and "My Store" location locked in before you even see a "Restock" notification.
- Turn on "Notify Me": It’s hit or miss, but sometimes Target’s internal alert system actually works.
- The 6:00 AM Rule: Target often updates their local "on-hand" inventory numbers between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM local time. This is when the overnight trucks are processed.
- Third-Party Trackers: Use services like CheapAssGamer or specific Discord inventory bots. They often ping Target’s servers faster than the official app will notify you.
Is the Disc Drive Worth the Hassle?
Some people are giving up and going 100% digital. I get it. It’s easier. But there’s a massive financial downside to that. If you buy a digital game on the PlayStation Store, you’re locked into Sony’s pricing. You can’t buy a used copy from a friend. You can’t trade it in at GameStop. You can't borrow a copy from the library.
The Target PS5 disc drive pays for itself over time if you buy used games. If you save $20 on four different games by buying physical copies instead of digital ones, the drive has basically paid for itself. Plus, the 4K Blu-ray player in the PS5 drive is genuinely high-quality. Streaming bitrates on Netflix or Disney+ can't touch the data density of a physical disc. If you have a high-end OLED TV, you’re doing yourself a disservice by not using the disc drive.
Common Mistakes When Searching Target Stock
A lot of people search for "PS5 External Drive." Don't do that. That will lead you to USB hard drives for storage. You need to specifically look for the "Disc Drive for PS5 Digital Edition Consoles."
Another mistake? Ignoring the "Check Other Stores" button. Target’s radius for "local" stores is usually about 20 miles. If you're willing to drive 45 minutes, you might find a store in a less populated suburb that has one sitting in the "Returns" bin or a cancelled "Order Pickup."
Also, watch out for the price. The MSRP is $79.99. Because Target allows third-party marketplace sellers in some categories (though less so for core electronics), you might see inflated prices. If it’s over $80, you aren't buying it from Target; you're buying it from a reseller using Target’s platform. Avoid those. They don't have the same return protections, and you're just rewarding the scalping behavior that caused the shortage in the first place.
The Installation: It's Easier Than You Think
Once you finally get your hands on the Target PS5 disc drive, the physical setup is a breeze. You don't even need a screwdriver. You pop the bottom cover off the PS5 Slim or Pro, click the drive into place, and snap on the new faceplate that comes in the box.
The catch? You need an internet connection for the initial "handshake." Sony requires the drive to register with their servers once. This is a DRM (Digital Rights Management) move. It’s annoying, but once it’s done, you can play your discs offline without an issue. Just make sure your console firmware is fully updated before you try to attach the hardware, or it might not recognize the drive at all.
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Dealing with Target Customer Service
If your order gets cancelled—which happens a lot at Target when multiple people hit "Buy" at the same time—don't just scream into the void. Call the store. Sometimes the inventory system shows "0" because one unit is sitting at the customer service desk as a "returned but not yet processed" item.
Target employees are usually pretty chill, but they're also overworked. If you give them the DPCI (Department, Class, Item) number instead of just saying "the PS5 thingy," they can give you an exact answer in seconds. For the PS5 disc drive, keep that product code handy in your phone notes. It saves everyone time and makes you look like you know what you're talking about.
Practical Steps to Secure Your Drive
Stop manually refreshing the page. It’s bad for your mental health. Instead, set up a focused strategy.
- Download the Target App: Enable "Push Notifications" and ensure your "My Store" is set to the one you can actually get to within 30 minutes.
- Check Early: Check the app specifically at 6:30 AM. This is the "Golden Hour" for inventory updates.
- Use "Pick Up" Only: Do not choose shipping. Shipping comes from central warehouses that are almost always empty. "Pick Up" pulls from the shelf of the actual store.
- Verified Restock Accounts: Follow accounts on X (formerly Twitter) like Wario64. They are frighteningly fast at posting Target links the second they go live.
The availability of the Target PS5 disc drive will eventually stabilize. Production is ramping up, and the initial "Pro" hype is starting to simmer down. Until then, stay persistent. The ability to own your games, trade them, and watch high-bitrate movies is worth the few days of checking your phone. Once that disc clicks into the slot and you hear it spin up for the first time, the hassle of the hunt will feel like a distant memory.