Last updated on January 23rd, 2024 at 02:18 am
A TV/VCR combo is indeed a convenient piece of equipment. You don’t need to buy a separate TV and a VCR.
Also, you save yourself the trouble of connecting a TV set to a VCR. In other words, you don’t add to the other dangling cables around your TV cabinet.
But when your VHS tape gets stuck in your TV/VCR you may go nuts.
It’s not going to be easy to remove a stuck VH tape from a TV/VCR combo.
With a standard VCR, you can remove a stuck VHS tape after removing the top cover as shown in the video below.
This isn’t possible with a TV-VCR combo, as the VCR is built into the TV itself.
A sensible solution to the problem is to send it to a VCR service technician. The thing is you may not find one in your neighborhood.
Even if there’s one, you may want to try the following ways to remove a stuck VHS tape from a TV/VCR Combo before calling for professional help.
Why Does a Tape Get Stuck in a TV-VCR Combo?
It is important to understand why a VHS tape gets stuck in a TV-VCR combo, This is so that you can prevent a future occurrence.
Damaged Tapes
Damaged, brittle or frayed tapes may cause them to be stuck in the VCR,
So make sure you check the condition of your tapes before inserting them into the VCR.
Don’t play tapes whose condition is suspect.
VCR Mechanism
If your tapes are in good condition, then the VCR mechanism is usually the culprit.
If the VCR tape transport mechanism is dirty or damaged, a tape may get stuck during playback or when you eject it.
The VCR’s pinch rollers may also be responsible.
The rollers help grip and move the tape through the VCR mechanism. Dirty or worn pinch rollers may leave your tape stuck in the VCR.
Sometimes the VCR’s loading mechanism is faulty. This may leave the tape stuck after you insert your tape or while ejecting it.
Here are the steps you may try before sending your TV-VCR combo to a service center.
Ways to Remove a Stuck Tape from Your TV-VCR Combo
Hold Eject Button
This fix has worked for many users.
- Unplug your unit from the wall socket.
- Wait for about 10 seconds.
- Plug your unit back in while holding the Eject button. In other words, hold the Eject button while plugging in your TV/VCR combo and powering it.
Turn TV-VCR Combo Upside Down
If the above method doesn’t work, try this fix.
- Power off your unit.
- Unplug the power cord from your wall socket.
- Turn the TV-VCR combo upside down and rest it on a flat surface.
- Plug in the power cord.
- Press the Power button on the unit together with the VCR Eject button.
If the tape ejects, pull it out slowly. This is because a portion of the VHS tape may be stuck inside the VCR.
While opening the VCR door, wiggle the tape to free it from the VCR mechanism.
Hopefully, any of the above methods work for you.
Do not open up the TV-VCR combo unless you know what you’re doing. If your VHS tape remains stuck in your TV-VCR combo, do send it to a service technician.
