What to Do When a Record Is Skipping

All users are well aware of how unpleasant it is to realize that the playback is interrupted. In fact, there are many reasons that could cause this.If you ever wondered how to fix a skipping record – you have come to the right place. I propose to think about what to do in such situations and find good solutions. The most common cause why a record passes signals and the sound is interrupted is dirt, namely dirty grooves.

Reason of Vinyl Record Skipping

Dirt on the record

Always remember that you must not smudge the records with your hands, only take them gently by the edges. However, even with this use, they are often contaminated, making them unusable. In this case, it is important to store your vinyl properly in special packaging that will protect it from external contaminants.

Balancing the tonearm

If your record is free of dirt and dust, the problem may be in your turntable. There are cases where the arm may be out of balance. What does it mean? The bottom line is that you need to rebalance it using the manufacturer’s instructions. Nevertheless, let’s consider a rough order of actions.

For example, if the weight is set too low, the needle may slip along the grooves on your record, causing the music to bounce rather than play smoothly and calmly. Musical jumping is the lesser of your problems, though. But, if this continues for a long time, expect the disc to be damaged.

Otherwise, if the weight is set too high, the needle pushes too hard into the grooves of your record and distorts your music. It can also damage your record over time.

Fixing Vinyl Skipping

Cleaning vinyl with cleaning products

To fix vinyl skipping, spread a little cleaner on the flat of the record and let it soak into all grooves. In this way, it will perfectly touch all the dirt that has accumulated there. Later, be sure to take a dry sponge and wipe the plate gently. Be careful, sponges can leave lint; therefore, it is recommended to use both special cleaning agents and specialized rags and sponges.

Close examination

If it happens that the sound is still skipping and you hear a warped record – perhaps one of the grooves is damaged. In such a situation, you need to very carefully look through the entire front side of the plate with the help of a lens and understand where the damage is. It happens that the dirt is compacted at the smallest points, so try to gently remove it with a brush. If that doesn’t work, use a toothpick to loosen the dirt and rinse it off.

For final word I would like to say that I have prepared the turntable buying guide to highlight the things to look for when choosing a turntable.