Why Does My VCR Keep Ejecting Tape? Reasons and Solutions

VCR (Videocassette Recorder) can keep ejecting a tape because of tape bunching up underneath the flap, imperfect interaction of the video cassette, internal damage in the VCR cassette, dust, and wreckage, and an increase of tension on the tape, etc.

A video cassette recorder (VCR) refers to an electromechanical device that records analog audio and video data and plays it back when needed. A cassette is needed to record the audio video from a source. It is removable from the VCR.

Why Does VCR Keep Ejecting the Tape

A cassette is provided to the VCR which saves data in an analog way. The cassette has a tape inside it that is magnetic. The tape is revolved in the VCR by a rotor an electronic device that plays the recorded video and audio from the cassette. 

1. Tape Bunching up Under Neath the Flap

if the tape is bunching up underneath the flap first press the small release button on the side o the VHS (video home system) and lift the tape up to the flap. Then spin the circular spindles on the take clockwise until it strains itself to smooth out the build-up of the tape.

2. Imperfect Interaction or Internal Problem

It occurs when a cassette can not interact with the VCR for some reason. There can be a defect in the cassette also. There could be any problem line damage in the rotor, parts that help to rotate the rotor or defects in other parts. The defect has to be fixed by fixing the parts or establishing new parts.

3. Dust and Wreckage

Because of dust or wreckage in the VCR or cassette, the cassette comes out from VCR. Because of dust and wreckage, the cassette can not interact with the VCR. VCR and cassette have to clean at a certain time to prevent this problem.

4. An Increase of Tension on the Tape 

VCR has a safety mechanism that limits the tension on the tape. If the tension of the tape increases, it ejects the tape automatically so that the tape won’t break or get scratched.

How Do I Repair a VCR That Ejects a Tape

A VCR can keep ejecting a tape for many reasons. Here are the solutions –

1. Clean The VCR Player

There are many parts to a VCR. Many of them are sensitive and need to be cleaned carefully. Some of the parts are the Idler tire, Capstan and pinch roller, Reel table edges, Various guideposts including the roller guides, Audio/control head (right side) and full erase head (left side), Video heads, Rubber belts, etc.

For cleaning a VCR you need Isopropyl alcohol, cotton swabs, a can of compressed air, and a screwdriver. Then follow these steps: 

Step 1: First, eject a tape from the VCR and unplug all the cables from VCR.

Step 2: Then place the VCR on a flat surface. Use a screwdriver to remove the cover and other parts of the VCR.

Step 3: Clean the dust using a cotton web socked with Isopropyl alcohol. Clean the head drum with light pressure.

Step 4: Carefully clean the dust so that excess Isopropyl alcohol can not wet the parts.

Step 5: Clean the circuit board by using compressed air. Do not use Isopropyl alcohol for this.

Step 6: Wait for a moment to dry the VCR. 

Step 7: At last screw, the parts and cover of the VCR and plug all the cables back into their place.

2. Fix the VCR Tape

VCR tape can be fixed if it is not too damaged. It is used to store video and audio from a source. A VCR can be damaged in many ways. Like broken tape, tape not allowing recording, lines on the screen and poor audio, loose tape, etc.   

a. Broken Tape

• Step 1: First unscrew the cassette. Then open the front side of the cassette. Be careful not to damage the parts of the cassette.
• Step 2: Remove the sides of the cassette. If any section of the tape is twisted, cut them. Make a diagonal cut to the tape by overlapping them.
• Step 3:  Attach the two points with scotch tape evenly. Cut the excess part of the scotch tape. Replace everything back in its place.                          

b. Tape Not Allowing Recording

• Step 1: Find if any edge of the cassette is broken.
• Step 2: Use electrical tape to cover the area.
• Step 3: Then use it to record.

c. Lines on Screen and Poor Audio

• Step 1: Allocate the wheel on the front of the recorder.
• Step 2: Then insert the cassette into the VCR and adjust the tracking wheel after playing the tape.

d. Loose Tape

• Step 1: Rotate the wheel and insert the tape into one wheel.
• Step 2: Rotate the other wheel to make it tight. 

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Why Is My VCR Cracking Tapes?

VCR can crack tape because of a dirty or worn idler tire. It prevents the takeup reel from turning or it stops turning at some point or gets slipped from the tape. With the flow of time, it gets dirty, cracked, worn, broken, dry out, and glazed. 

The microchip inside the VCR can detect any kind of problems and turn the tape back into the cassette. But because of the idler tire, the tape stuck inside it. This tape has to exert from the VCR carefully otherwise it will get cracked. It can be removed unharmed after removing the top cover.

How Do I Know if My VCR Is Broken?

If the VCR does not record anymore then it is broken it needs to be fixed. A broken VCR can eject the cassette or it does not reject the cassette but it can not play it on the screen, it eats the cassette tape, can be decoyed in time, etc. if this problem can be observed from the VCR then it is broken.

Conclusion

VCR is an analog device used to record. One can face many problems using a VCR. But if the problem is ignored it is a very useful device. Most of the problems are too small and they can be repaired easily without going to a technician. Which can reduce costs. It is a part of our day-to-day life. So we should take good care of it.