Tracking Recently, my VCR stopped adjusting its tracking authomatically. Is there something I can do to fix this by hand?

Most all VCR players have auto tracking. When cassette is in the machine it will do the tracking for you. Sometimes a manual adjustment may be need if the player can’t find the right track for itself. When this happens it is usually a problem with the tape. Manual tracking adjustments are made on the player itself and not on the remote control. If you can’t find anything on the player that reads ‘tracking’, find it in the user guide. Sometimes cleaning the heads will solve the problem especially if all the tapes have the same issue.

Usually VCRs do not offer specifically labelled tracking buttons as such, however they may incorporate tracking into their channel UP/DOWN buttons, both on the front of the main unit and/or remote. Some brands also offer V-LOCK (vertical lock or still image adjustment) (in pause mode during playback) to stabilise the image, reducing vertical jitter, which again can be adjusted as required using the same buttons as used for tracking. In most cases, pressing both CH UP and CH DOWN together while the tape is playing should centre track (revert back to auto tracking) the unit.

I am sure if your VCR has channel buttons on it, try pressing either one while a tape is playing. See if it affects the tracking at all. If it does, press both buttons together for 5 seconds or so, then release - auto/centre tracking takes over.

It costs nothing to try this, and it won't hurt your machine or your tapes.

Yes take the top cover off and give all the heads etc a spray with Servisol Video 40. That might make a differance. Allow to dry before trying a tape! If the house has a smoker you might need to do a lot of work!

There are two reasons that might cause loss of tracking halfway into a video tape. The first means you can't really do a lot about it. To check it is this is simple. When you get to the point the video jumps, stop the VCR and eject the tape. The look at the tape itself by lifting the flap at the front (push the small catch on the right side). Examine the section of the tape. If you see any damage to the tape (it should look smooth and shine) then it will never track properly.
Another cause of the jumping is caused by the take up reel, getting sluggish. Sometimes these are run off a belt, that becomes slack, replacing it could solve the problem, or it could be something else in the mechanism that's causing it.
There is another solution, particularly if the tape wasn't recorded on the machine that is playing it back. I haved used loads of different VCR's and I found that the tracking has never been set up right on any! This means that only the VCR it was recorded on generally gives the most correct playback.
Having said that it is possible to get a VCR with really good tracking. I have found that Panansonic VCR's have the best tracking. I currently have a NV-HS900 which can track just about everything, but you will only get one seconed-hand now.

your tracking may not be a tracking problem it could be dirty heads open the vcr and use a piece of clean notebook paper and slightly press against the head(round cylinder) while manually turning the head it will pull the dirt off the head and clean it do not use any cleaner as it causes film on the head, other solution is your auto tracking is off and can be adjusted by slightly turning the arms that hold the tape around the head while it is playing and watch the picture till it is clear then stop

• You can (i do) say thanks to engineers.
• they made after some time VCR's with auto-tracking (digital controlled).
• (exception:**IF you find some modern VCR's and have tracking: this control is pretty sure in the remote control or inside the menu**)

BUT
If you have problems as tracking point of view. (and not tracking in the remote control or any place else (menu) or front panel, etc

• VCR needs a good maintenance. The sensor (control head) is dirty now. Or someone went inside the mechanism (I don't think so) and move something there. IN any sense the service is needed for this problem in VCR.
• But if you mean the DVD
• you need the technician to replace the pick up laser.

No manual tracking or if there is it wont help.either heads are worn or possibly dirty.if u open it .i assume u have.the silver drum has little notches around it.2 ,4,or 6 these are the heads.get some alchol or aftershave will do.take a peice of card playing card size is ok .must be plain not printed.apply some aftershave alchol to card not dripping ,hold card against the dum then with other hand turn the drum back and forwad not moving the card,u may damage heads.when u check card it should show some dirt reassemble and try.otherwise its museum time show the grandkids see if they know what a tape is

On most VCR's you can use the channel buttons to adjust the tracking. There's usually channel buttons on the front panel of the machine so you don't need a remote.

the video heads are probably dirty. it only takes one tape with one little spot of cola or juice or something on it to gum up the heads. a vcr cleaning tape may or may not clear it up. otherwise it needs to be cleaned by a proffessional, by hand, to clear it up.

Is the VCR sitting on top of your TV? This has caused problems in the past...accordianman