7 Reasons Your Record Player Might Be Skipping + How to Fix It 

If you're a vinyl enthusiast, there's nothing worse than your record player skipping. Not only is it incredibly frustrating, but it can also damage your records if you're not careful.

In this blog post, we will discuss 7 possible reasons why your record player might be skipping and how to fix it. Let's get started!

7 Reasons Your Record Player Is Skipping:

1. Dirty or Damaged Stylus
2. Dust or Debris on The Record or Platter
3. The Tonearm Could Be Out Of Alignment. 
4. Incorrect Tracking Weight
5. Loose Ground wire
6. Loose RCA Cables
7. Warped Records

1. The Needle/Stylus Could Be Dirty or Damaged. 

Problem:

If the needle on your record player is dirty or damaged, it can cause your records to skip. This occurs because the needle is unable to make proper contact with the record, resulting in a loss of sound quality.

How To Fix It:

To clean the needle, use a soft, dry cloth to wipe it down after each use gently. You should also check for damage such as cracks or chips – if you see any, it's time for a new needle. 

2. The Platter Could Be Dirty. 

Problem:

Over time dust and dirt will accumulate on the platter of your record player. This can cause your records to skip as the needle tries to track through the debris. Likewise, if the record is dirty, it will have the same effect.

How To Fix It:

To clean the platter, first, remove any records and give it a quick wipe down with a microfiber cloth. If there is more built-up dirt, you can use a record cleaning brush to scrub the surface gently.

Once you’ve removed all the dirt and dust, give the platter a final wipe-down with a clean microfiber cloth.

3. The Tonearm Could Be Out Of Alignment. 

Problem:

The tonearm is the part of the record player that holds the needle. It is also adjustable, which means that it can become misaligned over time or with misuse.

How To Fix It:

To fix this issue, you'll need to realign the tonearm using a spirit level.

• First, adjust the leveling screws until the bubble in the spirit level is centered.
• Then, loosen the locking nut and slide the counterweight until the stylus feels balanced when lifted from the record.
• Once you've done that, tighten the locking nut and try playing a record – hopefully, that will do the trick! 

4. The Stylus Could Be Worn Out. 

If the stylus on your record player is worn out, it can cause your records to skip – not to mention adversely affecting sound quality and damaging your records!

To check if this is the issue, take a close look at the stylus under a magnifying glass – if you see any cracks or chips, then it's time for a replacement.

Depending on how often you use your record player, you may need to replace the stylus every 6-12 months – so keep that in mind! 

I highly recommend buying a pack of 4 Ruby Record Player Needles, so you have some in reserve just in case.

5. The Ground Wire Could Be Loose or Disconnected. 

Problem:

The ground wire or “earthing wire” is responsible for grounding your record player. If it's loose or disconnected, it can cause your records to skip as the electrical current is interrupted.

How To Fix It:

To fix this issue, simply check that the ground wire is connected properly and tightened – if it's not, then reconnect it and try playing a record again.

6. Warped Records

Problem:

Records can become warped over time, due to heat exposure or poor storage conditions. If a record is warped, it will cause the needle to skip as it tries to track through the surface.

How To Fix It:

There are a few ways you can try to fix a warped record, but unfortunately, once a record is damaged, there's no going back.

One method is to place the record on a flat surface and weigh it down with a heavy object, such as a book. Leave it for 24 hours and then try playing it again – hopefully, that will do the trick!

Another method is to use a hairdryer on a low heat setting to gently heat the record. Hold the hairdryer about 12 inches away from the record and move it in a circular motion.

Once you've done that, place the record on a flat surface and weigh it down as before. Leave it for 24 hours and then try playing again – fingers crossed, it should work this time!

If not, unfortunately, you will need to replace the record – I hope it is not a rare and cherished favorite!

7. Loose RCA Cable

Problem:

The RCA cables are responsible for carrying the audio signal from your record player to your speakers, so if they become loose, the signal can become interrupted.

How To Fix It:

To fix this problem, simply check that your RCA cables are securely connected at both ends and tighten them if necessary. You may also want to try replacing the RCA cables altogether with high-quality gold-plated RCA cables to see if that makes a difference.

Conclusion:

I hope this article has helped you to solve the mystery of why your record player keeps skipping. If you have any other tips or tricks, please share them in the comments below! Happy listening! 🙂 

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