how can I fix a jammed VHS tape?

patrick, October 2004

The first thing you want to do is remove all the screws on the bottom of the tape. Remember to keep them in a safe place where they won't roll around and get lost.
Now for the most important part. Before you open up the tape, you want to flip the tape over so that the screw/gear side is on the bottom and the windows are facing up. If you don't do this you'll have all the internal pieces fall out before you'll be able to properly be able to see where they belong.
If there's a label on the tape's spine you'll probably be forced to remove it at some point. I find that if I do it while opening the tape up, I can typically peel it carefully and leave it stuck to one side. It might seem like you can leave to two sides stuck together, but I always have trouble with lining things up when it comes to closing the tape later.

Lola, February 2005

I went to a site and followed directions that I really did not understand. Ended up breaking my machine, but I did get the tape out and back to the place.

However, sometimes if you wind, by hand, the little disk with the gears, it will realease the mechanism. It takes a long time. Then you have to rewind the tape. This does involve taking the lid off the vcr...usually 3 little phillips screws. Good luck.

cm, November 2004

jammed how?

ben, November 2004