How to Diagnose VCR Problems

VCRs today are smaller, lighter and smarter, but they still have a heck of a lot of moving parts, and they suffer mightily if a child tries to load a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich into them. Follow these steps to keep your VCR in good health.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Picture and Sound Malfunctions

1. Display and Sound Works, but Video Doesn't Work or Picture Looks Snowy. Clean the tape heads (see Related eHows).
2. Picture and/or sound is intermittent or distorted. Try to adjust the tracking (see Related eHows).
3. VCR plays but can't find picture on TV. Check cables between VCR and TV. Tighten if necessary. Make sure VCR and TV remotes are set to Video or VCR. Look for TV/Video or TV/VCR button on both remotes. Check channels 3 and 4 on TV and VCR. Sometimes VCR output is displayed on these channels.
4. Sound from only one channel. Replace the audio cable.

Display Malfunctions

5. VCR display doesn't work at all or shows gibberish. Reset VCR's CPU by unplugging it from wall, waiting several minutes, then plugging it back in. Just turning off power switch isn't enough.
6. VCR display works, but there's no picture or sound. Check to see if a tape is jammed inside. Try changing the video input and/or output source. Many VCRs have two ways to receive and send a video signal (coaxial and video direct). If that works, try changing the cable for the other method to see whether you need a new cable. Clean the tape heads (see Related eHows). Open the VCR and inspect any belts that are accessible. A drive belt may be broken or loose.

Playback Malfunctions

7. VCR plays but won't record. Clean the tape heads (see Related eHows).
8. VCR shuts down shortly after startup. Open the VCR and inspect any belts that are accessible. A drive belt may be broken or loose.

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