How To Fix VHS Tapes that squeak and stick and won’t play

Its agonizing to have old VHS tapes that you really want to play one last time, and archive to digital files or DVD, but they squeal in the VCR and they won’t rewind or play.
This simple procedure will show you what’s inside a VHS cassette, and give you the knowledge to probably fix your problem.
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[@DuBBeR2]

Thanks for this - just found an old tape of my mum who passed 10 yrs ago and this will be the first time I've "seen" her other than photos!

[@pgestudio75]

I can't thank you enough! I have been converting a handful of my priceless family vhs home movies to digital for archiving and ease of access and have had trouble with three of my tapes not playing in my vcr. What a heartwrenching feeling that is to think of my one-of-a-kind videos being lost forever. I VERY carefully and cautiously followed this tutorial, making sure not to twist or crimp the tape at all. Worked like a charm! Thanks to this video, I now have been able to salvage these three videos and cherish the memories on these irreplaceable tapes of my family and friends, many of which are no longer with us since these videos were filmed in 1989. Many, many thanks "Visual Life"!!!

[@pgestudio75]

***** I agree completely with you. Call me a pack rat or even a sentimental fool, but even though I now have digital versions of my tapes, I'm still hanging on to the original vhs tapes in the event that I may need them one day. I wasn't about to toss the couple that couldn't play since I knew that the actual physical tape on the reels had rare and playable footage on it and knew it could be fixed somehow, even if that meant on a professional level to wind the tape on to a new tape or something like that. Thanks to you, it was an easy and quick DIY solution at home. I thank you again for the tip!

[@unclebill3351]

This method works great, but if you want to save yourself a lot of hassle, try just loosening the 5 screws just a little bit to reduce the pressure of the warped cassette case. Just takes a little...about the thickness of a business card gap showing all the way around. Works great for me!

[@robthom09]

I just tried your tip. I didn't want to open the case, but the tape was locked tight.. like a brake. Didn't think it could be just friction from slightly warped case, but slightly loosened screws and tape works fine now.. Thanks,

[@RyanCoyer]

Holy Cow! Thanks for the tip. It worked and took seconds!!!!

[@suburbohemian]

Thank you thank you thank you! I have a special needs son and one of his fave tapes locked up like this, but it already had the same interior as the good one depicted above so I re-assembled the tape and put the screws back in less tightly than I had found them and it worked! I have a very happy son now, thank you!!

[@bassett1605]

Worked perfectly! If I'd have listened to all the forum advice I came across when trying to search for a solution, a perfectly salvageable tape would have been thrown away. Thanks 🙂

[@NeonGen2000]

Back when storage mediums had moving parts and information decayed regardless of use. This has been very useful information. I'm currently trying to digitize my tape collection. I'm on a video binge on how to repair/clean tapes and VCRs.

[@momzilla9491]

Yesssssssssss! Now I know how to fix that VHS Tape of my son's Baptism! Thank you so much!

[@tulatularosa]

thank you, folks like yourself, that take the time to make this information available are wonderful. thank you again and just a pass-it-on type of comment: thank folks doing ordinary jobs that they are being paid for. I thanked a road crew once outside my ranch gate, and not only did they thin the roadside trees correctly by species, but in a couple of months, they showed up with a load of used chip-and-seal recycled asphalt and coated our short driveway up to the gate from US 60.

[@polygamous1]

This is by far the best way to repair non working VHS tapes, mate a million thanks for a real honest non bias advice that Really Works

[@robthom09]

Hey everyone. I just fixed mine from the tip below (from "Uncle Bill"). I didn't want to open the case, but the tape was locked tight.. like a brake. Didn't think it could be just friction from slightly warped case, but slightly loosened screws and tape works fine now.

[@SunnyAustria]

The Reels have no contact to the VHS-Case :D The Recorder lift the reels if the Tape is in the Recorder.

[@Imageloading...]

Then why does this work for so many people?

[@jostein6581]

THANKS! This helped me fix the cassette, which was the problem. I initially thought it was the VCR motor head.

[@swaskiel790]

I'll be giving it a try this week on a tape from 88. Cross my fingers. Thanks.

[@trantrum]

Thank you! - I had problems getting the case back together but when I twisted the silver roller it fell into the groove and now a tape from 1982 works again.

[@retrovhsmanvaultfromthe70s97]

trantrum I happen to me with my VCR and DVD combo have for Christmas

[@HogRebel]

Great video! I was trying to repair a cassette that wouldn’t play and I could tell the spool with the movie on it was jammed up and wouldn’t turn. The VCR just kept ejecting it every time I put it in. I WISH I had watched your video or another like it BEFORE I took the cassette apart, because just my luck, or lack thereof, I took the BACK off first! 😡😤🙄 Pieces everywhere, of course. I think the spring on one catch was broken, because I found one but not the other. I’m going to TRY to put it in a different cassette and see how that works. 🙏🏻😬 Sure learned my lesson, though!

[@jacobhepworth3209]

Worked like a charm. Thank you for helping me salvage some old family footage. The one extra thing I had to do was manually rewind the tape.

[@momo56001]

THANK YOUUUU, You just helped me save memories of my sisters 4th birthday!!! Tysm!!!

[@markmorris5780]

YAAYYY! Glad to help save memories.

[@AdmiralMoo]

Thanks, this was super helpful! I ended up stacking a few pieces of scotch tape together and put them on that flat side of the shell you replaced and my tape is working flawlessly

[@lmprods]

EXCELLENT!!

[@Rb1330]

Thank you so much. You explained it so I could understand and it worked perfectly!

[@oldgoody1]

@Visual Life, you dont understand how the deck and the cassette work in this aspect. When the cassette is loaded into the VCR, the reels are raised a millimeter or two above the lower cassette floor. The reels make no contact with the floor. That is the design. Same with Beta, 8mm etc. Whether the floor surface is completely flat or has ridges in it is irrelevent here. Again, no contact is made. If contact is made, there is a fault in the VCR, the cassette or both. Watch the cassette as it is loaded. See how as the cassette is lowered into position, both reels are raised a little.

[@DVDPromotions]

You are a star! great video, worked like a treat. I just switched over the casing, it was as you said. Old poor quality casing. I switched it for a new maxell tape casing that hadn't been used before.

[@deadlydanton]

You're a star. Thanks so much. Was panicking the tape was knackered. Cheers.

[@paulponsford]

Had the problem, I Just removed the five screws, lift out the tape spools and spray a little WD 40 lubricant on the plastic base and hey-presto , all working perfectly.

[@junioracevedo8829]

I have beta video tapes! ☹️

[@rosa121070]

Thank u so much I just restores my truck drivers son first haircut hahaha he is going to love it!

[@No0037]

You helped me a lot!! Thank you!!😊

[@bluetopia42]

People always now you must be a good teacher when you say things like: "Don't do it the way I did it. I did a shitty job. " :D Very good tutorial!

[@MulletHead87]

Not for everybody's case but I selected the Blank Search option within the settings menu that made it work. (Blank Search Option) On remote for VCR Setup>Function>VCR Function>Blank Search Equip I have is a "go video 2 in One VCR/DVD converter player but just using it to play the tapes. Capturing i bought an RCA to HDMI converter that goes into my Capture card I already had for my PS4 Xbox etc.. Your kids might already have a capture card so check their gaming consoles. Lastly watch your tapes as you capture and Cry your face off. Seeing my dog that was with us for 14yrs as a puppy running around did it for me. 😭😭😭😙

[@sufi45879]

I agree with Sunny Austria.

[@perdaniel99]

This worked, even though the cassette wasn't a cheap one. It's a 260 minute BASF EQ cassette. I was hoping to find some old home movies on the cassette, but as I'm typing I hear ads for the first episode of the new series The Simple Life :-)

[@TatianaBelieves]

Yay! Your video helped me save my VHS tape! I thought our memories were gone! I didn't know about the little flap on the left. That helped alot. Thank you SO SO much!

[@lmprods]

You are so welcome!

[@melsmails]

Thank you very much. I am digitizing my mom's home movies. This helped me a lot. Some of these tapes are tight as heck.

[@melsmails]

I have now finished, and only had to fix three tapes out of the 20+. One tape I had to remove from one housing to put into another. My mom's Christmas gift will be complete because of your help. :-) Thank you again. Take care.

[@jamsapro]

sr i work in the library and we need that you bring back that tape.

[@markmorris5780]

GREAT! Good going.

[@CNBill]

Thank You. My VHS tape now works.

[@InVisibleTechTV]

CN Bill I am so glad to hear that this process has salvaged another VHS tape!!

[@alexisCalled10]

Thanks I fixed my Rudolph the red nose reindeer tape (:

[@amigatroels3645]

Thanks man, great video, well explained! I had an old Disney (would have thought they used hight quallity but nooo) tape that skweeked and had wavy picture. I took it apart and not only was is flat like this but a tap was broken of from the top part so I ended up replacing both top snd bottom and now it plays perfect! :)

[@jebug29]

I've always just removed the little plastic holders along with their springs. Although I figure that might not be the best method, it works if you don't have excess cassettes.

[@sokontes2667]

I have a very cherish movie on vhs tapes I'm trying to save and after I fix the movie I will share it on KZbin cause people have been asking for it.

[@sethhorst6158]

What do I do if the tape only pays for 5 seconds and stops itself every time I try to play the tape? My Shrek retold VHS tape came with a damaged casing, but even when I glue and tape the plastic shards back onto the case, it refuses to play longer than 5 seconds. Although it does seem to only play a little longer on one of my VCR's.

[@1628sherwin]

Worked Perfectly

[@glennnuyes519]

Ik heb er al veel gerepareerd en schoongemaakt en werken allemaal weer

[@ronaldhenson9170]

thank you it helped me and my home alone 2 vcr tape it works like a charm

[@RonJLow]

One of our home-movie tapes has a different problem - not friction related. Those two spring-loaded fingers that lock the hubs just seem to be staying in the locked position. What unlocks them?

[@lmprods]

You have to open the cassette and manually open the fingers to allow the tape hubs to move

[@RonJLow]

@@lmprods Just twiddling with the pawls and closing it back up got to working again, for now.

[@andrewmagana8093]

How many of us are watching this because we messed up an old VHS are now panicking

[@asanyal296]

Very informative. What kind of a screw driver did you use?

[@lmprods]

I used the smallest phillips head I could find.

[@wishfulthinking6501]

Thanks, this was a big help!

[@judithheath4090]

I Managed to fix my 2003 VHS Of Thomas & Friends: Percy's Chocolate Crunch The Old Hub would not let the vcr drive the tape but i used a replacement hub from the 2000 Reprint VHS Of Just Cause!

[@nakazul1]

Thnx sooooo much. Wish i fond your channel earlier. Do you rekon one could use something to lubricate it to work?

[@karthick86c]

Do not use any kind of lubricant as the lubricant can get into to you VCR and cause other problems. Some lubricants can dissolve the tape itself.

[@herebetween]

No way! Awesome 👍🏻 we love our VHS tapes

[@badboystyla8561]

Can I remove the mechanisms that lock the spindles in place?

[@markmorris5780]

You shouldn't remove the gear locks because they are needed to keep the tape wind from getting loose.

[@knotmi]

great video thank you!

[@GallaRM]

I only needed to turn it from the inside to get it to work :D

[@livvy94]

I took all of the screws out and removed the label, but it still won't come apart...

[@markeushorst7437]

I glad dvds where invented

[@tylernfilms]

I glad you knows eenglesh

[@emildandrea]

Thanks so much.

[@kenj280]

Thanks so much for this!

[@lmprods]

Glad it was helpful!

[@themanfromvolantis]

OK. The flaw with this idea is that we bought the videos in the 80s and 90s. So how do we know how expensive they were? Also, what if its an expensive tape that is locked up?

[@therestorationofdrwho1865]

Do you know how to fix VHS-C converters that jump or click? Mine makes a constant clicking noise and at the same time the tape jolts slightly.

[@therestorationofdrwho1865]

Visual Life Well, they cost a lot which is why I want to try and fix it.

[@calypsoplatonova7099]

I'm 22 and still use them! They are cheap, they don't scratch and all of the good movies are in VCR players. I would rather use VCR tapes over DVDs anyday!

[@sdh568]

tried switching cases, but vhs still wont play, ff or rewind. where to go from here?

[@sdh568]

thanks for the advice. tested another vhs, played, ff & rewind fine. used the case to swap tapes, and still didn't work. next up, another vcr. thanks again.

[@epf1961]

Most important part: How to thread tape into new shell: See 3:11 to 4:13. Thanks!

[@speedyboishan87]

hi when a play a video tape from about 5-10 mins the picture rolls up and down i have looked at the reel it looks fine could it be a faulty tape the remainder works without any issues it's the first 5-10 mins the picture starts shaking/rolling up and down.

[@acefrehley3797]

VHS WAS THE WORLD STANDART. BUT EVEN WEKIPIDIA SAID BETAMAX WAS BETTER. AND SO ARE THE BETAMAX VIDEO TAPES. AND YOU CAN'T DINY CAUSE YOU NEVER SEEN A SONY BETAMAX VIDEO CASSETTE

[@Trenell03]

i have some tapes that i'm trying to transfer to my computer but i hear audio but see no picture. Please help if you can. What could this problem be?

[@adrianluminaru8117]

worked!

[@weRweekendwarriors]

Hi! I have a cassette adapter that I put the smaller vhs tapes from my camcorder into. When I play a few tapes they’ve got like a static at the bottom of the screen. I know these tapes are kinda old but is there any way I can fix this problem? It must be coming from the smaller vhs tape rather than the cassette adapter I’m thinking. Anyway any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

[@markmorris5780]

that static is a tracking error caused by the difference in the alignment of the playback head in your VCR from the record head in the original camera. The best solution is to play back the tape in the original camera. The next best solution is to hope that your VCR has a tracking adjustment. Usually it is an automatic function that kicks in when needed. Check your VCR manual to find out if there are any controls for it. Otherwise, you have to live with the playback defect, or try playing the tape in another VCR.

[@weRweekendwarriors]

@@markmorris5780 okay. Thanks so much. I’ll check it out!!

[@ZhanaZee]

Thank you sooo very much life saver and yesss it now works

[@rtrey2436]

My Hitachi VRC/DVD player will not eject the VHS tape ..I push the on button and the player comes on for about 20 to 30 sec then turns itself off any suggestions ? ?

[@Luffym17]

I'm making my own anime vhs copy's for dubs that will never be on vhs and needed to know how to know how to take it apart. I cut the tab off the vhs so it can't be recorded over. I just need to cut the access tape I don't need, and make so all that is in there is tape I have recorded. Is there a specific way you recommend to do that?

[@Luffym17]

+Visual Life Thank you, I had that same idea, but I just needed to know just in case. Again thanks! Its better I get this done first before I print my label stickers, and put them on. Lol

[@impmj]

I had a sticking and dragging video tape and I placed the tape reels in a newer high quality case like the one you used but the tape and reels still dragged. I then went one step further and rewound the tape onto new tape reels and while it played better it would still drag and slow down and screech at certain spots. The problem must also be that the videotape emulsion itself is starting to degrade and drags when moving around the guide pins in the video cassette and the pins and heads inside the VCR. I have read about "baking" videotapes to cure the problem but not sure how that process works.

[@brandx1604]

All VHS tapes have a thin layer of lubricant to ensure stable playing. Once that breaks down, that's when the problems usually begin.

[@DDVF]

We routinely bake some brands of VHS - mainly Ampex. Dries out them out and usually stops the squealing. Doesn’t always work the first time and sometimes doesn’t work at all. You want low heat (100-125° F) for 4 to 8 hours.

[@aarontrivino6698]

Hi I have been watching old home videos an hour ago after the home video ended I checked The time left and there's 39:58 minutes left I tried to press play but it won't play

[@retrovhsmanvaultfromthe70s97]

Aaron Trivino they are very cheap

[@nicholasteeters8178]

Aaron Trivino f

[@delavalmilker]

Ok---but how do you find a cassette that has the "little ridges"?

[@oldgoody1]

You may not need to. When the cassette is inserted the reels are raised above the cassette floor. There is no contact! If there is contact there is a problem with the cassette, the VCR or both. But the reels are not meant to scrape on the plastic floor of the cassette.

[@robinibanez8930]

Worked for one of my tapes. I had another one where the tape got stuck to the metal tube that it is supposed to be fed across. Unfortunately caused a partial tear almost all the way across 😢. Is there a way to fix that? I'm worried if I try to play the vhs now it is going to completly snap

[@lmprods]

Robin Ibañez gently unspool the tape,lay it flat on a table and use invisible scotch tape to repair the tear. Wind past the tape manually and then play the tape. VCR probably won’t play over the tape spot.

[@robinibanez8930]

@@lmprods do i do that on the top or bottom of the tape or both sides?

[@lmprods]

@@robinibanez8930 Do both sides for safety. and be sure to trim the tape edges if they stick out

[@frizzyred1292]

Mine plays fine but the squeaky noise is really loud.

[@slayufa]

Бред! После загрузки кассеты катушки "сидят" на приемном и подающем узлах, и не трутся об корпус

[@acefrehley3797]

YOU BETTER LOOK AGIAN AT YOUR VIDEO ITSELF. CAUSE NOTHING LIVES FOREVER.

[@lmprods]

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN MY VIDEO "HOW TO SAVE YOUR VHS TAPES".

[@codylee771]

It's a jacket

[@OddMediaProductions]

Watch "Tape Racers" a short film about VHS rewinders and the people who race them! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIulfKJmr52fhZo

[@niinazplan3t777]

Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaank yoooooooooouuuuuuuu

[@InVisibleTechTV]

niinazplan3t777 You are so welcome. Very glad you achieved success with it.