A method to automatically detect and rectify a tray block in a disk drive comprising detecting an occurrence of a tray block in a disk drive upon receiving a tray-out command or a tray-in command by determining whether the tray is in an intermediate position for a predetermined time period, the intermediate position being a position between a first position within a casing of the disk drive and a second position projecting completely outwards from the casing, the tray arranged to receive a record carrier when in the second position and being supported for movement between the first position and the second position. The detected tray block is rectified by cleaning a brush-commutator interface of a tray motor arranged to move the tray between the first position and the second position and is useful for optical recorders and/or players which have a design of a tray open/close mechanism.