Troubleshooting
Player Defect
Based on experience, 90% of cassette playback issues are related to the device: the player, tape recorder, or player. We recommend playing the cassette on another device before contacting the seller.
What problems can a faulty device cause?
- Playback does not start (rollers do not turn)
- Auto-stop is triggered
- Sound “warbles”
- Sound is “muffled” (high frequencies are missing)
- Tape is pulled out of the cassette and gets chewed
- Low playback level
- Different volume levels in the left and right channels
- Different volume levels on the sides of the cassette
Cassette Defect
In rare cases, playback issues can be related to the cassette mechanics.
| Problem | Possible Cause | How to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The cassette does not play, playback does not start, auto-stop is triggered | Uneven tape winding on the cassette spools | Rewind the cassette fully and then fast-forward it back |
| The cassette does not play, playback does not start, auto-stop is triggered | The cassette screws are tightened too much | Loosen the cassette screws, shake the cassette, and then tighten the screws lightly |
| The liner protrudes into the spool hole | Defective components | Loosen the cassette screws, shake the cassette, and then tighten the screws lightly |
| The leader or tape is visible in the spool hole | Defective components | Try carefully rewinding the cassette using a pencil, or contact the seller for a replacement cassette |
| The spools turn, but there is no sound | The tape is reversed, defective components— the cassette was assembled with the leader tape reversed | Contact the seller for a replacement cassette |