How do you fix a locked up VHS tape?

I put a little WD40 on the metal rods underneath the film where you pull the flap up. Try not to get it on the side of the film that plays the images. It was an experiment I tried just moments ago and it worked! Yay!

Brandy
March 2015

swap across to an unwanted physically unscrew remove casing and transfer internal tape carefully

martin
August 2008

If it is only this tape that won't play then try winding the tape along a little manually. If you look on the underside of the tape itself you will see a small hole between and below the two reels. Push into this hole with a screwdriver or something like it and you will the be able to wind the tape along. It is possible that the magnetic tape itself is sticky. Tape degrades over time and can also be damaged by humidity etc.

Angela.
February 2008

If it is only this tape that won't play then try winding the tape along a little manually. If you look on the underside of the tape itself you will see a small hole between and below the two reels. Push into this hole with a screwdriver or something like it and you will the be able to wind the tape along. It is possible that the magnetic tape itself is sticky. Tape degrades over time and can also be damaged by humidity etc.

Angela.
February 2008

looks like the vhs player needs to release the brake on the tape in order for it to rotate the reels. the player may be at fault.

bob
October 2007