iFixit - Answers With Device "VCR"

VCR: F60 error on Panasonic DVD recorder

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 16:47:25 -0700

I have a Panasonic DMR-ES40V VCR/DVD Recorder that suddenly will not start up. After the 000000's finish cycling when I plug it in, it gives a F60 error code and won't do anything else. No power light, no fan noise, etc. I have tried the reset options in the user manual, to no avail. Googling the issue seems to point to a video issue, but no one can tell me specifically what. If anyone can help me isolate the problem, I will appreciate it. Thanks.

⟐ Commented December 21, 2025 at 16:47 MST

VCR: Where to find a VHS tape cleaner

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 16:16:23 -0700

I am trying to convert my VHS tapes to DVD format and I am looking for a rewinder/cleaner to clean the dirty tapes before I can play them. Kinko had one but is now out of stock. Please help me find such device.

⟐ Answered July 15, 2021 at 16:16 MST

VCR: Why does my VCR play audio but not show video?

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 06:19:41 -0700

The VCR shows the menu but once I play a tape (a known working tape) it shows a blue screen but plays the audio.

⟐ Answer accepted September 17, 2025 at 6:19 MST

VCR: Magnavox VCR /DVD recorder combo , VCR turns off after 5-10 seconds

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 14:01:08 -0700

I have a Magnavox VCR/DVD-Recorder combo , I just purchased in order to transfer old VHS tapes to DVD. I just realized the VCR shuts off completely after about 5-10 seconds . It doesn`t just stop the tape, it turns off the unit. I tried the DVD and that one works without any problems . Can anybody tell me what the problem is and how to fix it?

⟐ Answered September 12, 2025 at 14:01 MST

VCR: Why does it stop after a few seconds?

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 10:01:54 -0700

I’ve tried rewinding but stops. I’ve tried fast forwarding but stops. I’ve tried playing and it stops. I’ve cleaned the head and will play but still stops after two seconds.

Go Video dual deck HiFi DDV9500

Attached is a video of machine playing for a few seconds and then stopping.

⟐ Commented August 19, 2025 at 10:01 MST

VCR: VHS Tape not playing.

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 17:19:07 -0700

Hi.I have a Philips VR255 Turbo Drive VCR.Everything else is working:the capstan,the motor,the drum the audio head,etc. ,but whe I put a tape in the vcr,the V Pickup arms won’t pull the tape up to the drum,and the tape doesn’t play.so I had to force the arms up to the drum (I didnt break anything,though),and the vcr played,but when I tried to eject the tape,the V pickup arms get stuck halfway and the tape can’t go back in the case,so I have to turn it off and remove the tape myself.I dont have the money to buy another vcr right now.Any ideas as to how this problem can be fixed?

⟐ Commented March 01, 2021 at 17:19 MST

VCR: VCR won't load cassette. Cassette doesn't drop down when pushing it in.

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 01:05:15 -0700

Hi,

I have a Toshiba V-804G VCR that no longer loads cassettes. I removed the lid, and can see that when I push in the cassette, it doesn't go down all the way. The gears of the white part on the right in picture 2 turn and make noise, but don't seem to do anything. The mechanism at the arrow tip in picture 4 doesn't go down around the corner as it should to drop the cassette into place.

We've had this VCR for a long time, and I'd like to get it working again, especially because it can play both PAL and NTSC tapes, and we have quite a selection of both.

Any repair tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

⟐ Commented September 30, 2024 at 1:05 MST

VCR: Turns off after few seconds

Fri, 29 Dec 2017 13:11:39 -0700

I have the same issue with mine. Logic tells me it has a failing power supply, though I lack the equipment and experience to follow that lead.

⟐ Answered December 29, 2017 at 13:11 MST

VCR: VCR wont pick up signal from remote.

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 23:27:24 -0700

Memorex MVR4040A VCR records and plays. Remote works but will not program VCR. Cannot set clock, set tape speed or set timer recording, clock just flashing 12:00.

⟐ Answered December 22, 2025 at 23:27 MST

VCR: VCR won't accept all tapes.

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:05:16 -0700

Hi.

I recently started digitizing my old vhs tapes, and i notice curious thing where my VCR won't accept all the tapes.
It takes them in, nothing starts running, and second or two spits it right out.
This won't happen with all tapes, maybe 1 out of every 20 or so, and all thous others play normally, takes in, plays, out, no issues.

I have a fate memory if restoring that small plastic cap was on issue (one that determine when ever or not vhs can be record or not), because sometimes putting a tape in there seem to work but i don't know.

If anyone can help me with this one, i would be grateful.

⟐ Commented March 05, 2026 at 10:05 MST

VCR: Emerson EWC19T5: What should my next troubleshooting/repair step be?

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 22:03:39 -0700

I've acquired a partially-working Emerson EWC19T5 combination DVD/VCR CRT that I'm trying to get fully working.

It powers on, but the only button that does anything is the DVD eject button. It will accept a VHS tape, but after making some noises, it powers off. This happens the same way whether it's still on VHS input or whether it's been switched to DVD input by ejecting and then closing the DVD tray. Upon powering back up, it will eject the VHS immediately.

I've opened up the cabinet and cleaned as many parts as I could think to clean, but I'm not experienced with this. I did research how to safely discharge the CRT anode cap before working on the board (though every time I've done it, there's not been anything to discharge so it seems to be bleeding everything correctly after it gets unplugged). I identified a ceramic capacitor and an electrolytic capacitor that appeared to have been damaged or leaking in some way, and replaced them, but it still behaves exactly the same way.

I'm not sure how to proceed or what I should be looking for next. Happy to share any and all information that might help. I know this is fairly broad and vague, I'm crossing my fingers for someone willing and interested to walk me through this. I'm decently handy and techy but not specifically knowledgeable or experienced in this kind of diagnosis and repair.

⟐ Commented November 06, 2025 at 22:03 MST

VCR: JVC HR-D721EN black image only sound

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 02:19:36 -0700

hello, from uruguay

I have two vhs jvc version HR-D721EN and both play with sound but black image, I already cleaned the heads and it's still the same, if I fast-forward there you can see the rain but then it's black with the play logo. any idea how to repair it or a circuit that is wrong.

here a picture

thanks

spanish:

tengo dos VHS jvc HR-d721EN, y ambos cuando pongo un casette a reproducir solamente se oye el sonido con la imagen en negro y cartel de play, ya le limpie los cabezales y sigue igual, bloquea la imágen

si le reproduzco y adelanto ahí si se ve la lluvia como que quiere verse pero luego vuelve a negro, alguna idea de algo que este mal para reemplazar

gracias

⟐ Answered November 25, 2024 at 2:19 MST

VCR: Sylvania VCR problems recording DVC845E

Fri, 03 May 2024 11:06:20 -0700

My VCR was working fine. Now it stops recording before finished, the red light blinks which the manual says is because the recording is paused but I didn't pause it. I opened it and found a loose roller and returned it where it belongs. Also the playback is fuzzy and audio is distorted (either too fast or too slow). I hope you can help, and thanks in advance.

⟐ Commented May 03, 2024 at 11:06 MST

VCR: Quasar VCR isn’t working

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 10:42:57 -0700

When the VHS tape is in the VCR there’s a spinning sound/catching noise, and it doesn’t play the tape. It doesn’t rewind or forward either but ejecting the tape is fine.

This is the info on the back of the VCR.

Thank you!

⟐ Commented December 31, 2023 at 10:42 MST

VCR: Play for few seconds

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 17:32:01 -0700

Hi, My VCR-Video-8 combo SONY SLV-T2000 , VHS repaired for loading, now it only plays and Fast forward for 2-3 seconds than stops! Rewind is working.

⟐ Commented December 10, 2023 at 17:32 MST

Panasonic Omnivision VCRplus: Video is stuck inside machine

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 08:51:23 -0700

Put a video cassette tape in and it’s stuck

⟐ Answered June 06, 2024 at 8:51 MST

VCR: 2 VCRs eating tapes

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 06:44:45 -0700

I just bought two VCRs (different models, from different sellers) because the two units I already had finally failed. But the new units are both eating tapes, and they were each advertised by the sellers as being fully tested and operational. Here's what happened with each machine. A store-bought tape plays for about a minute, then stops and the machine shuts off. Turning the machine back on ejects the now-eaten tape. Using a brand-new (still sealed) blank tape, machine records for about 10 seconds then shuts off. Power back on, tape (also eaten) ejects. Using my "home recorded" tape, does the same thing....plays 10 seconds, shuts off, etc. (First VCR is a Toshiba, second is Phillips/Magnavox.) The Toshiba still has my tape stuck in it, and I can't power the unit on to try and get the tape out. My next step is to use another unit I have - which I know works fine - and see what happens. The cable TV box uses an HDMI connection, but I have the appropriate converter, and I've never had this problem. And thoughts/suggestions? (I have a large collection of classic films on VHS, so stopping use of VHS is just not an option.)

⟐ Answered November 30, 2023 at 6:44 MST

VCR: Where is the mode switch on Toshiba M683 VCR

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 11:22:52 -0700

Can't find the mode switch on M683 VCR

⟐ Answer edited April 05, 2023 at 11:22 MST

VCR: Panasonic PV-2700-B VCR won't even try to wrap tape around heads

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 16:47:00 -0700

This is an the oldest VCR I have worked on so far being made in 1987. VCR accepts tapes perfectly fine but does not even attempt to wrap the tape around the heads. Both motors are functioning fine and both belts are somehow in working condition. If I try to turn one of the pulleys to manually pull the tape out, I can only get about 5 rotations (which doesn't do much) when the VCR takes over and brings it back to starting position. I am great at fixing mechanical problems on VCR's but this seems to be maybe a sensor issue (if it has sensors, I can't see any) or an issue with the control panel. 2 notes: the VCR takes about 15 minutes to turn on after plugged in, not sure if this is just an old VCR things or what and there seems to be burn marks on both the top and bottom panel, but none of the inner components are burnt and one of these "burn marks" is in the shape of both the belts, which I can't see getting hot enough to burn the case, not sure what it is. Can't see any evidence of leaky capacitors or just exploded ones.

⟐ Answered March 22, 2025 at 16:47 MST

VCR: My VCR tape windup spool sticks, causing distorted video

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 11:46:18 -0700

I opened it and saw the take-up spool was sticking, but why?

I already tried head cleaner but it did not help it. Record causes spots with nothing recorded and "blip" sound, when played back on good vcr. When good tape is played back it causes a short "skip", is the best I can describe. It is Samsung VR5704. It started a few months ago, before that it worked great.

⟐ Commented March 20, 2023 at 11:46 MST