Why is the tape not loading - Panasonic DMR-ES30VS DVD Recorder/VCR

look to see if tape will fully load and if FF or REWIND work, if not a transport problem, drive mechanism not moving the tape, unit will sense this and shut unit off----even a problem in the loading mechanism for the VHS tape not loading the tape all the way will do the same thing.

The fault seems to be in the sensor and the mode switch of the loading system which is connected with the main controller processor and loading driver.
This can be a failure of the tape end detector which is a IR - infra red- emitter which is placed in the center of the tape tray and MUST feed continuous signal to the END IR detectors placed at either ends.
Also the tape seems to load with a false detection of the cassette within when the tray is closed for this reason of the failure along with a possible misplaced mode switch settings. This triggers to make the loading move without a reason and so can be due to failure of the the mode switch or unbalanced settings.You will need some experience to remove the tray unit, then check on the IR sensors and also check the settings of the loading drive and mode switch.

Take the top cover off & have a look at the deck mechanism to see if there is anything obstructing the tape from loading properly. Put a tape in & watch closely to see if it draws the tape in, lowers it down & then threads the tape around the heads. If this is not the case & there is nothing in the mechanism preventing this action then look to see if the head drum is spinning.There may be a fuult with the loading motor if the tape is not being pulled into the machine. If there is a fault with the deck then it is best to take it to a repair centre.

Drop it on a carpeted floor from half a metre
I got the solution fromFixYa on 3rd Feb 09 it worked for me

this is probably due to a stuck microswitch in the tape drive unit as the locked tag presses a microswitch when loaded it is possibly these microswitches that are failing, as one of the switches detects if a tape is loaded and the other detects is a tape is locked, so problems with these switches would mean that it cannot detect if the tape is loaded properly.

The tape should automatically load in when you push the tape to the tape holder.

Try a different tape in case the take up isn't working in the previous tape.

Clean the tape heads with a tape cleaner in case there is buildup on the pinch rollers causing the tape to jam or slip.

If those solutions don't work, you should take it into a repair shop to have a closeup view as to what the problem is unless you see something obvious like a spring broken or loose or a bent piece or foriegn objects in the deck.

I Had The Same Issue And Fixed It :o) I Have A Sony Handycam CCD F-730A 8mm. I put the tape in and close it but it would not load the tape down. It just pop back out. If I took the tape out, it works perfectly and would loaded the tape doc down and close.

1st: I unscrewed and removed the door to the tape. Where the tape can be seen. 2 screws hold it down. Without the tape inside. I Saw a Clear Small Plastic in the inside of the camera where the tape sits on each side. On Both Sides, Left and Right are clear plastic like sensors. They look Like Glass and are small.

2nd: I Cleaned them both with a Q-tip and rubbing alcohol. It Worked. The tape loaded and worked nicely.

It was strange. If i touched one of the small glass like sensors. the mechanism the loede the tape would not work. When The Glass sensor was blocked by the tape or just by my finger in front of it, it would not load. Very strange.

Bluelikealex :o)

check the rubber bert to the capstain motor.

probobly some problem withthe load motor/ The first thing to look for is to see if the heads are spinning - or at least see if they *try* to spin, because unless they *are* spinning the tape will never load. Also, the heads *shouldn't* be spinning with no tape inserted - if they are then this suggests that the dew sensor has been activated (the heads are made to spin under this condition in an attempt to dry things out). If this gives no clues, the next step would probably be to dismantle the thing and attempt to load a tape by hand (looking for signs of jamming mechanism, etc. Anything more serious than this is one for the workshop