Don’t worry, you probably won’t need to buy a new one.
There are many possible causes for a turntable that won’t spin, and most are fairly easy to diagnose and fix.
Often, it is simply a case of not knowing how to play a record player correctly.
I’ll help you figure out exactly what is causing the issue on your record player and then help you rectify it.
For most problems, you don’t need any special skills to take care of the issue on your own. And the most you’ll need in terms of tools is a screwdriver, though you probably won’t even need that.
Let’s begin by checking the most common causes when a turntable stops turning.
Contents
Why Do Record Players Stop Spinning?
Record players stop spinning due to a number of reasons. In order to accurately diagnose the issue, it always helps to have an understanding of how a record player works. That is true whether you have a record player with a direct drive turntable or one with a belt drive turntable,
For that reason, I’ve covered some of the basics of the working mechanism of record players to help you diagnose and solve your particular problem more easily.
Arm Is Not Reset
If your record player suddenly stops working, it’s only natural to assume the worst, especially if something like this has never happened before.
While it’s easy to feel like something’s broken inside the record player and that your favorite device can no longer be salvaged, that’s rarely ever the case with a record player that no longer spins.
One possible problem could simply be that the arm has not been reset. If this is the issue, great! It’s very easy to fix.
Most manual record players have a tone arm that needs to be pushed back into the reset position for it to work properly. If it is not reset, the player will not spin.
If it looks like the tonearm may not be pushed back far enough, simply lift it and move it toward the right hand side. You should hear a clicking sound to indicate that it has been reset.
This is a surprisingly common problem that has left many users of record players wondering where they went wrong. Always make sure to always reset the arm before you start playing a new record, in order to avoid this issue.
Problems With The Belt
If the turntable is a belt drive model (read belt drive vs direct drive), it is possible that the belt has become loose or crumbled away. When the belt is not in its proper place, or is damaged, the platter stops spinning.
For this reason, it is imperative to first understand where the problem lies. If the belt is just loose or out of place, you can fix this problem by repositioning or tightening the belt.
If, however, the belt has completely withered away, you will have to buy a new one, since it is not possible for a belt drive record player to function properly without one. Belt issues are common with belt-drive record players like the MMF 1.3 from Music Hall.
Problem With The Direct Drive
With direct drive record players, it can be difficult to locate the issue. Another potential cause for a platter that has stopped spinning could be problems with the internal mechanism of the direct drive motor.
When it comes to direct drive record players, there are numerous possible reasons why the record player might be malfunctioning. These include debris and dirt stuck in the motor components and shaft. A jammed platter or a faulty on and off switch can create problems too. There is also the probability that the power to the motor is cut off or (ideally, though you’ll feel like an idiot) the player simply isn’t plugged in.
While it generally isn’t too difficult to fix these problems by yourself, it can be difficult to figure out which parts need replacement, and then to find the appropriate replacement parts.
Regular maintenance is the best way to prevent such issues. Keeping the appliance clean and free from debris is a good precautionary measure. Regular upkeep and oiling also help elongate a record player’s life. We have an article detailing how to clean your turntable.
How To Fix A Record Player That Spins Too Slow
Sometimes the problem is not that your record player won’t spin at all, but that it is spinning too slowly. This obviously distorts the sound, so it’s something you want to fix.
The good news is that it is usually a simple fix. Your best bet is to begin with the easiest solutions and work your way up. And the easiest of all is a simple cleaning and routine maintenance.
Cleaning And Maintenance
Oftentimes, a platter not rotating at the correct speed is simply due to dirt holding it back or too much friction. That’s why your first step should be a thorough cleaning of the turntable along with some additional lubrication.
Once you’ve cleaned everything, add a few drops of oil on the motor shaft and on the area where the spindle enters the housing. Use twenty weight synthetic oil.
If cleaning and lubrication has not solved the problem, it is time to take a look at the belt.
Adjust Or Replace The Belt
The first thing you want to do is make sure the belt is not rubbing against some other part of the record player. If that is not the case, it could be that the belt has stretched out a bit.
It is not uncommon for the belt to stretch a few millimeters and that is enough to slow down the turntable. If this is the case, your best bet is to replace it, but you could also try shrinking it back down first.
The best way to achieve this is to boil the belt. Simply boil some water, then turn off the stove and put the belt in the hot water. Let is soak for 4-8 minutes, before removing it. It should have shrunk back to its original size.
If the belt is not stretched too much, you could also remedy the problem by putting some talc on the bets and the pulley. This increases the friction, reducing slipping, and also brings the belt in closer contact with the pulley.
Fine-Tuning Adjustments
If nothing else has fixed the speed issue, it is time to get serious. You’ll need to make some fine-tuning adjustments to the turntable motor.
To do this you’ll want to find the manual for your model. If you no longer have it, there is a good chance you can find it online. Manuals are often available on the manufacturers’ websites.
If you can’t get your hand on any type of instruction manual, you’ll need to locate the adjustment screws on your own. Two common locations are beneath the platter and on the underside of the record player itself.
Turning these screws clockwise speeds up the platter. Turning them counterclockwise slows it down. Make sure the unit is completely level before making any adjustments.
This process is one of trial and error. Make small adjustments and test. You can test by listening, but it would probably be more accurate to use a stroboscopic disc to check the rotation speed.
If you have the opposite problem and the record player spins too fast, read this article.
Tips To Keep Your Record Player Spinning
Record players stop spinning when there are issues with the motor or belt. Timely maintenance and cleanup keep the record player in good condition.
Take time to oil and dust the record players and regularly check the condition of the belt. Focus on keeping the on and off switches free from dust and make sure to cover the record player with a protective dust cover.
Additionally, if you feel that the sound quality, pitch, and speed are lacking, inspect the record player for signs of belt decay.
Like other appliances, a record player needs to be cared for. If you look after your record player, it will not stop spinning and will produce amazing sound for a long time. And if it does turn out you need to replace the belt, read on…
How To Check And Fix The Belt
You can fix a record player that won’t spin by inspecting the condition of the belt. Check if the belt is in the proper position. Also, check the condition of the belt and see whether it is corroding or needs a replacement.
Here are ways to ascertain if the record player needs a belt replacement. Before the belt stops working completely, it will show you some warning signs that indicate its time is nearly up. Most notably, the record player spins at the wrong speed and produces poor sound quality.
Here is how to fix a turntable that won’t spin, by replacing the belt.
To replace the belt and restart the spinning process, you first need to find a compatible belt. The instruction manual has all the details about the size, width, and thickness of the belt required for your model.
If you no longer have the manual, search for it online. Most manuals are available on the internet. If you can’t find yours, search for the company that makes your turntable and contact them to ask for a manual, or to ask directly what kind of belt you need.
After you have the belt, start the replacement process. Before you start, unplug the record player and remove the plastic covering protecting the platter.
Next, remove the platter from its position. To do so, unscrew the C shaped clip with any screwdriver that fits. Keep the clip safe for later use.
After the platter releases, flip it to its backside. You will notice a circular lid on the inner side of the platter. Gently straighten your belt and move it over the circular inner lid. Continue moving the belt slowly until it snaps in place. If the damaged belt is still in place, obviously, you need to remove it first.
Flip the platter over and place it on its original position. Pull the belt from the access points and pull it over the drive motor. Push the platter into its place and attach the C shaped clip. With this, the belt and player are ready to use.
Here is the whole process summarized:
- Switch power off to the turntable to prevent electric shocks
- Pull the plastic mat off and set it aside
- Remove the platter
- Place the platter upside down on a flat surface
- Stretch the belt over the center of the platter, making sure it fits properly
- Stretch the belt over the small peg near the platter’s edge
- Turn the platter over and place it on the turntable
- Turn the platter to expose the motor through access holes
- Hook the belt around the motor
- Spin the turntable in both directions to see if the belt works fine
- Check the belt to make sure it is installed properly
Turntable Not Spinning: Related Questions
How Does A Record Player Work?
When you make a record player work, a stylus reads the grooves. A stylus is a cone-shaped needle that hangs from an elastic metal band. It is set at one end of the tonearm, which moves across from the side of the turntable while the stylus moves with the spiral groove.
As the stylus moves through the grooves, it picks up vibrations that travel with the metal band to a cartridge containing wires at the end of the arm. The vibrations are turned into electrical signals by a coil in the magnetic field. These signals are then transferred to the amplifier. The boosted signals are then converted into sound through the speakers.
Can You Fix A Warped Record? How?
Yes, warped records can be fixed using two glass sheets larger than your album but small enough to fit into your oven.
First, preheat the oven to 175° F/ 80° C . Take your warped record and clean it before placing it in the center of one of the glass panels. Place the other glass panel on top of it and then put them both in the heated oven.
Let the sandwiched record “bake” for a couple of minutes, before pulling it out and setting it out on a plain surface at room temperature. Place heavy books or other heavy objects over the sandwiched record. Once it has cooled down, remove the glass panels and the record should be back to its old, flat self.
Is It OK To Leave A Record On The Turntable For An Extended Time?
You should never leave a vinyl record on the turntable. Always put it back in its sleeve after use, and store it properly. Removing it from the platter after you are done listening to it keeps it protected against dust and dirt.
Record Player Won’t Spin: Final Thoughts
Just because your turntable has stopped spinning does not mean you need to buy a new record player. Run through the list of possible causes and check each one.
If you are unable to determine why it has stopped spinning, it is most likely an issue with the motor. You may need to get a new one, which you could swap out yourself, though I would suggest taking it to a professional.
Depending on how much your record player costs, at that point it may actually make more sense to buy a new one. But most of the time, the cause is much simpler and something you can easily fix yourself.
First fix worked! Thank you!
That’s great, I’m glad it helped!
My record player is stopping in the middle of the final song on each side. I don’t know how to reset this. Any tips?
Thank you – fix worked!!!!
hi. I have a dual cs 508 belt drive. had to unplug it. the stylus had previously come off and I can’t see a needle. there is a computer part hanging at the end of the arm but it seems difficult to attach to the stylus. that’s the first thing. The second is that now, the turntable doesn’t turn when I move the arm to play an album. I looked at the belt and it seems to be OK. Also, when I select phono on the receiver, I get a hum but nothing else is working . any thoughts would be appreciated . How much do turntables go for these days? I rarely use it but it completes the system of Yamaha receiver, technics CD player and Harmon Kardon cassette player and Bose 401. speakers. ( you probably can see that I purchased this system about 30 yrs ago) Thanks in advance for you time and thoughts.
Sounds like a lot of different issues. If it’s a good player, it may be worth having someone take a look at it. New ones cost a few hundred to a few thousand for good quality. Cheap ones start at $40, but you obviously get what you pay for.
I have a Garrard GT50 turntable. This model has automatic play. It also has sensors on the platter to detect if it’s a 45 rpm or a 33 rpm record you are playing. Also, the stylus is supposed to raise by itself, move toward the record, lower itself and start playing.
The turntable spins, but the belt doesn’t stay on for very long. Obviously it’s an old belt, it’s too loose and needs to be replaced, which I can do
However, I noticed another problem before the belt fell off and stopped spinning. The problem is that if you push the START/CUT button the stylus is not automatically raising, moving toward the record and lowering to play the record.
Could it be that the system detects the belt is too loose thus not working properly? Is it possible that once I replace the belt it will work properly?
Your input on this issue would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
I honestly don’t know. Since you have to replace the belt anyway, I’d go ahead and do that first and see if it also takes care of the other issue.
We have a portable one from sharper image (the suitcase kind) & one day it just stopped working. I checked the belt and put it on properly. That didn’t do the trick. The player lights turn on but it won’t spin. I don’t hear the motor “trying to turn”. It makes no Discernible noise. Is there something else I can check? How would I know if it was the motor?
It probably is the motor. Since you got it from a physical store, I’d just take it back there and have them take a look at it. They should be able to tell you exactly what the problem is.
i have a 1981 magnavox radiowith record player and it has sat unused for a couple years, i turned it on and the turn platter dont want to spin then i give it a little help and it starts to spin but not at the right speed it is slow and then it stops
My Goodmans revive turntable stops when function knob is turned away from Speakers to line in and bluetooth. Any idea why?
I don’t, sorry. This is definitely something you’ll want to contact the manufacturer about.
My turntable has not been used for several months. When I turn it on, it wouldn’t turn, though I can turn it both directions manually. It just sits there buzzing rather loudly. Any diagnostic and repair suggestions?
Have you checked the things mentioned in the article? If it’s none of those, I’d contact the seller or manufacturer.
thanks for your efforts. i have a technics 120 (1976) and it sometimes won’t get to speed and stop or is inconsistent. i was told to unplug it, and toggle the speed switch back and forth several times. sometimes that works. given what I’ve briefly told you, and its age, do you think it’s time for a new deck? i have a lot of 45 rpm transfers to CD to do.
Thanks
King Harris
Yeah, probably. Or at least a new motor.
I have an Ion Vinyl player and it doesn’t on at all. I have checked and put back the belt on properly and it’s still not spinning. Not sure if it’s on or not. Could it be an issue with the motor? Only problem is I got this from UK and I am from Maldives and we don’t have any sort of vinyls , vinyls accessories or vinyl /music mechanics in my country 🙁
Any ideas?
Yes, it could be a problem with the motor, but it’s impossible to know for sure without troubleshooting it.
I have a Pioneer PL-120 that I’m trying to fix. It’s in good condition but hasn’t been used regularly for 10+ years. I put in a new belt, but I think the problem might be the motor. I used isopropyl alcohol to clean off the residue from the old belt that was on the motor spindle and I oiled the motor with 3-1 oil. The motor spindle will spin but not consistently. For example, when I’ve re-assembled the turntable with the new belt the spindle won’t move. I guess my question is should I continue to work on the motor or replace it. Would taking the motor out to clean and oil it make a difference?
You could try cleaning it ad oiling it first to see if it makes a difference, but I would just replace it.
I placed 4 rubber pads under each corner on a perfectly fine Technics SL-1300MK2 to help stop high volume humming. Now it won’t turn. Try to spin platter by hand, it’s grinding. Remove pads, spins freely. What’s causing the platter to lock up by elevating the turntable?
I have just bought a record player on eBay I think it’s 70’s vintage. It has been working but now the turntable has stopped turning. The radio element is working . What can you suggest that I try please
Many thanks
Find the nearest garbage can and dump it
Thank you for the education. I was able to fix my wife’s record player in the time it took her to cry that it as broken. I learned a lot from this article and I am NOT a repairing things kind of guy. But my wife sure thinks I am now.
I have a Rotel RP855 where the turnatable has stopped spinning. I have tried replacing the belt–I got contradictory advice from the belt supplier (who actually told me not to buy a new one!) and the manufacturer–and it hasn’t made any difference (although the belt, like the player, is 30 years old so it’s probably good to have a new belt…:-)
I then noticed that the spindle always stops turning if anything other than a very small amount of pressure is applied to it–including the belt. When it stops, it sometimes starts turning again when the player is switched on, but not always.
Any ideas? That seems like a switch issue to me, at least partly, but I can’t see why that would stop the spindle turning when it’s touched. None of the parts are even visible from outside…
I also wondered if just cleaning it would help–and if so what should I use?
Thanks for any help you can offer!
The stop, start and auto switch is locked up. I took the off the round table. Inside is a round piece attached to a plastic piece and when you push them the turntable works. It is in the stop position but it will not move to the start position. Can you help me.
I have a Pioneer Pl- Z82.Over the weekend it stopped working,I tried restarting the arm which would make the turntable move round,that didn’t work so I opened up the back and there was something that had come loose,small silver piece,but don’t know where this part may have fallen out from.I’ve sat looking for hours to no success finding where it came from???how can I post a photo of the inside and component??
My partner thought he’s broken it and was ready to buy a new player – this article fixed it. Thank you!!!!
My turntable is a Technics SL -L26 DL-SERVO. Along with several other Technics components. Only the turntable doesn’t work. The tone arm works and I can hear a motor, but the turntable doesn’t work. I can turn it both ways by hand. I removed the platter, but cant get to anything. I think it’s a direct drive motor. Old unit and no manuals.
I have an old philips F7111 turntable. It was not used for 20 years and I finally pluged it in but it won’t spin. It doesn’t have power button so I don’t know what to do. The belt is good so I don’t know what it could be because I don’t hear motor running
Hi, I have a dodocool record player, the denim look suitcase one
When I turn it on it makes a horrible noise. The turntable does not move when I move the arm over to the start of a record, the noise continues
I have taken off the turntable and refitted the belt, exact as per instructions in booklet but still the same.
I have checked the belt is round the wheel and also the little spindle on the left, I assume motor shaft, all looks as per pics in booklet
Is it knackered, only 18 months old
Thanks in advance
Trevor
I have a recent new record player that powers by battery you plug the charger in and it doesn’t charge properly what do I do when it all was new what do I do
It is an intempo record player that is powered by battery and the charger doesn’t charge the battery and it plays a few seconds and then just stops working how do I fix that or is my record player broke.
I have a brand new Victrola that stops playing in the middle of the last song, presumably because the tracks are closer to the center on a new vinyl than on a vintage vinyl. Is there any way to adjust this calibration to prevent the arm from automatically stopping the record when it gets “too close” to the center?
Garrard GT-10 Belt Drive Record Player has this auto start reject button. I accidentally pressed it and now the arm won’t move to play the record. It automatically wants to go to resting point. How can I get it to play again? I tried to press it again but that didn’t work.
HELP I own an old yet clean not used much… JVC belt driven TT. Turned on button… turned some -slowed down then little faster. No it doesn’t turn on at all… can the electric wires on start/stop button just quit on you? Motor runs 5 sec. Then stops. Select speed light vasilates from 33 to 45 even set in 33. sat for a long time in my music rm. Belt is correctly in place.. JVC AL-F350 pd alot for it in late 70s. Worked fine 2 months ago. Susan
Our old Pioneer turntable hasn’t been used in a long while.
We have replaced the perished belt new mat and new stylus.
Got it going and sounds good!
Problem is the turntable stops when trying to play track 1 but will play from track 3 on perfectly
Cheers
Rosalie
Arm drops outside of record—how to adjust it so it falls on the record..
Arm had to be reset! Thank you. I reset it and it works great again!
I have a bush portable record player but it turns the wrong way and the sound isn’t working either, didn’t want to take it apart yet just in case
Hello, I bought an old Soundesign stereo for nostalgia mostly. The turntable doesn’t spin and I hear a clicking sound. Any suggestions? Thanks!
I own a house of marley and on 45 rpm the record player only starts spinning half way the record. Any ideas?
My pioneer direct drive auto return PL-200 will not come on it’s been stored for about 10 yrs and I’m getting nothing what can I do to get it going again it worked perfect before o stored it
This blog post is very helpful. I have a record player that won’t spin and I’m not sure what the problem is. I’ll definitely be following the instructions to fix it.
What would cause a direct drive AT-LP120 (Audio Technics) the platter to not move when on? It spins freely by hand, all lights come on, but no action. We bought this less than a year ago, and seldom use the turntable. Went to use it and no turn. Any ideas?
having the same problem but with an at-lp60