Have you ever had a record skip or scratched? It’s not only tricky and frustrating when it happens, but it can also cause other problems like not playing the right songs. If this has happened to you and your records, we’ve put together a thorough article on how to fix the problem for good!
Table of Contents
What causes records to skip?
This being said, your record can skip for a variety of reasons. These reasons can be because there is a defect in the vinyl, the stylus has become damaged, or there is a problem with the turntable.
The main cause of a scratched or skipped record is when you play records faster than they are designed to be played. Records that are made to speed up should not play at speeds other than their designated one. In most cases, it should only play at 33 1/3 RPM whereas some could even go as slow as 16.
Other than that, the main reasons why you play your records at a speed that is different than what it is designed for include:
- The turntable has trouble keeping accurate time. This can be due to many factors. Some of these factors could be because of how well it was manufactured, the environment in which it is in, or how you treat it. Regardless of what caused the problem, this could cause your record to skip or get caught midway while playing.
- The needle has become damaged or has become dirty over time. This causes the needle to jump onto the record while it is playing causing skips and other distortions in sound while playing your records.
- Records are designed to play at 33 1/3 RPM. When the needle will jump onto the record while playing, this is when the system will be in danger of skipping. This can cause large amounts of damage to your records if it continues to happen over and over again.
Now that you know what causes your vinyl records or records that you have not put on yet to skip, how do you fix it?
The Best Way To Fix Record Skips:
1. Fixing It By Removing The Defective One:
If the above methods prove unsuccessful for fixing your record skips or scratches, consider taking out your scratched or skipped record and replacing it (if applicable). If you have a lot of records, this could be a long process.
If the needle is dirty, clean it. If your stylus has become damaged, buy a new one. To prevent this problem from happening again, try to stack your records neatly where they are organized by genre or alphabetically depending on how you organize them.
2. Replace The Stylus:
To fix your record skips, you are going to have to replace the needle. If the problem continues, the stylus itself is probably causing the damage. This is because it may have become worn or dirty over time. To fix this problem, simply buy a new stylus and replace it.
3. Clean The Needle:
To clean your needle, simply put it in a needle cleaner. These are easy to find in stores. Just look at the front for an example of what you will be looking for. Depending on the type of stylus that you have, you can also use a small brush or vacuum to clean them with. Make sure that your stylus is free from dust and debris before putting it back in the cartridge!
4. Check The Magnet Needle For Damage:
Another way to make sure that your stylus is not damaged by wearing or dirt is by checking its surface with a magnifying glass. If it has tiny scratches, then the problem is that the needle is not going into the groove of the record deeply enough. If this happens, you will have a harder time hearing the music. The problem could also be that your stylus is out of alignment.
5. Replace The Turntable Belt:
If you are having trouble fixing your record skipping issues because of how hot or cold it is, try replacing the belt of the turntable itself. If this does not fix the problem then it may be that you need to get a belt that is more pliable than what it currently is.
6. Use Vinyl Cleaner To Clean The Record:
If none of these methods have been able to fix your problem, then consider cleaning your record with a vinyl cleaner. These are available at any local store and they work well for getting rid of dust and grime from your records.
Conclusion:
So if your record is skipping or scratching, you’ve probably made sure that the problem has been looked at at least once already. Should problems like these continue, make sure to take out your records and check them over to make sure there are no scratches.
If you spot any then simply repair or replace them! It’s not completely impossible that it could be the needle causing the skipping and distortion of sound.
FAQ:
Q: How do I know if my record is skipping?
A: First, check to see if the record skips in the same place every time. If it does, there is a pretty good chance that it is the vinyl. Another trick is to play the record on a different turntable (perhaps at a friend’s place or a record shop). If the vinyl sounds good on one turntable, but not on yours, then you know to adjust your setup.
Q: How do I Stop my records from skipping when playing?
A: While you will not want to use a spray cleaner every time you play one of your records, running a brush across it to remove dust, and then using an anti-static cloth before playing is a good measure to keep your sound quality crisp and free from skipping. 4. Check stylus pressure
Q: What should I do if my turntable keeps skipping?
A: Stylus: Inspect the stylus — or record needle — for wear or foreign objects like dust. Be careful not to touch the stylus when inspecting it. Clean or replace the cartridge if necessary. Visit our guide to cleaning and maintaining a turntable stylus for more detailed instructions. Lower-end turntables are generally more susceptible to skipping.
Q: How do you stop a spinning record from spinning?
A: With the record still spinning, use a small piece of cardboard to spread the wood glue. Start from the outer edge and move slowly inwards, to create a thin, consistent film across your record. Stop the record from spinning and leave it as is for 24 hours, so that the wood glue dries completely.