Record Player Keeps Repeating (Possible Causes And Fixes)

Don’t lose your groove!

Having trouble with your record player repeating certain parts?

When your record player keeps repeating, it can certainly put a scratch in your listening experience. Pun intended.

But with a bit of troubleshooting, you can have your tunes spinning smoothly once more.

This article will guide you through potential causes like dirty styli, warped vinyl, and unbalanced tonearms.

Read on to get to the root of your repetitive playback problems and restore your record collection’s rich sound. The solution

 

Why Does My Record Keep Repeating?

A record player can keep repeating for a number of reasons, like dust, dirt, a warped or scratched record, or mechanical imbalances.

We are going to delve into the most common causes behind this issue and provide you with straightforward fixes to get your record player back to its smooth, uninterrupted performance.

Whether it is something simple like dust or a more serious problem like a warped or scratched record, we’ll have a look at what you can do to restore your listening experience to its former glory.

So, let’s explore the potential culprits of a record player looping further and learn what you can do to try to resolve them.

 

Dust

Dust is one of the most common issues and it can have a detrimental effect on the performance of your record player. When dust accumulates on the stylus or the record surface, it can interfere with the smooth tracking of the needle.

As the needle encounters dust particles in the grooves, it gathers them together and may skip and repeat sections of the record, disrupting your playback experience.

To address the issue of dust causing repetitive playback, it’s a good idea to regularly clean the stylus and your vinyl records themselves. Use a soft brush designed for cleaning record players, or a specialized stylus cleaning kit, to gently remove dust particles from the needle.

To remove dust from the surface of your records, use a carbon fiber vinyl record brush or a soft microfiber cloth. This article goes into detail on the best ways to clean vinyl records.

 

Dirt

Dirt can significantly impact the performance of a record player in a similar, but more stubborn, way as dust. When dirt accumulates on the stylus or the record surface, it can cause the needle to encounter resistance, resulting in skipping and looping of specific parts of the record.

This interference from dirt can disrupt the smooth tracking of the needle, leading to it jumping over certain sections.

Use a soft brush or a stylus cleaning kit to carefully remove any dirt particles from the stylus. Clean dirt from records by following the process outlined in the article I mentioned above in the section on dust. For more stubborn stains on the record’s surface, you may need to moisten a microfiber cloth a little and rub gently.

By ensuring that both the stylus and record surfaces are free from dirt, you can minimize the risk of interference and restore smooth, uninterrupted playback on your record player. Make it a habit to inspect each record’s surface before playback, so you can avoid the problem in the future.

 

Warped Record

A warped record can significantly impact the playback performance of a record player, leading to repeated sections of the record. When the record is not flat and has a noticeable warp, the needle’s movement across the surface becomes uneven, causing it to jump and possibly repeat certain portions of the audio.

To address the issue of a warped record causing repetitive playback, consider using a record flattener designed to restore the record’s flat shape.

By carefully applying the record flattener according to the manufacturer’s instructions, you can reduce or eliminate the warp, allowing the needle to track smoothly across the record surface. Our article on how to fix warped vinyl records details the process.

If you notice more than one of your records are warped, you should also address how you store your records, because this may be what is causing the problem. Ensure your stored records are not exposed to excessive heat, among other things.

 

Scratched Record

A scratched record can, in a similar way to a warped record, lead to jumps and skips and potential repeated playback. Deep scratches on the record surface can disrupt the smooth movement of the needle, causing it to jump up and repeat or skip specific sections of the song.

The presence of significant scratches will interfere with the needle’s tracking, and in severe cases, you may need to buy another copy of the record.

For minor scratches, consider using a record repair kit to smooth out the imperfections and minimize their impact on the playback.

However, in the case of significant or deep scratches that affect the audio quality, it may be necessary to replace heavily damaged records to prevent repeated playback issues.

Regularly inspect your records for scratches and make sure handle them with care, touching only the edges whenever possible.

 

Unbalanced Tonearm And Counterweight

An unbalanced tonearm and counterweight can also significantly impact the performance of a record player. If your tonearm is not correctly balanced, the needle can slide across the grooves in the record, resulting in music jumping and skipping.

Additionally, an improperly set counterweight can lead to the needle pressing into the grooves with too much intensity, distorting the music and potentially causing damage to the record and stylus over time.

It’s important to check that the tonearm is correctly balanced and the counterweight is set according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Rebalancing the tonearm may involve adjusting the counterweight to achieve the optimal tracking force for your specific record player model.

By following the manufacturer’s guidelines, or seeking professional assistance, you can recalibrate the tonearm and counterweight to help keep the needle in the groove and to solve your playback issues.

We also have an article on how to balance a turntable arm.

 

Unstable Location

Having your record player in an unstable location can also contribute to repeated playback issues. When a record player is placed in an unstable or uneven location, it can lead to extra vibrations and movements that can interfere with the smooth tracking of the needle, causing it to bounce or jump.

You can address this issue by using a record player stand or a stable piece of furniture designed to minimize vibrations. Placing your record player on its own stand reduces the likelihood of it being knocked or accidentally moved during playback.

Even better, you could additionally use a dedicated turntable isolation platform, or attach isolation feet underneath your record player, to further dampen the impact of external vibrations.

 

Record Player Keeps Repeating: Final Thoughts

With a little care and maintenance, record players can provide many enjoyable listening sessions. I hope this overview of common issues and solutions has helped shed some light on what may be causing your repetitive playback problems.

By addressing dust, dirt, scratches, warps or mechanical imbalances, you now have the knowledge to get your turntable spinning smoothly once more. Don’t let minor fixes turn into bigger downtime – act quickly when issues first appear.

And remember to regularly clean your stylus and records to prevent small problems from escalating. Happy listening!

May your records play on indefinitely with optimized care and troubleshooting. Now get out there and fix your repeating turntable so you can relax into the rich sound of your favorite albums without interruptions.