External optical drive issue (yes I still buy CDs)

[bigpoppamac31]

I think I have an issue with my external optical drive. (yes I still buy CDs) It was working fine up until today. So when I put in a CD it launches iTunes like normal and asks me if I want to import or not. Whether I reply yes or no it never used to matter. But now no matter which I choose iTunes would freeze and the CD would disappear and re-appear repeatedly. I'm trying with CDs I've already successfully imported with this drive so I know they work. But they do not work. I can sometimes play a song from the CD but as soon as I switch tracks the CD would disappear again and come back asking to import and I'd get the beach ball. Any ideas why this is? Should I just buy a new CD drive? I'm still on El Cap hence why I'm posting this here.

 

[MBAir2010]

does the cd player work on other devices and have we tried to use another CD? PS: el capitain is out friend. still