If you don’t see any dust or debris, try using a magnifying glass to get a better look at the grooves.
Static also attracts more dirt and dust to your record.
An anti-static brush gets rid of any static and cleans dirt off your record.
Avoid pressing the cloth down forcefully against your record so you don’t press dirt and dust deeper into the grooves.
If your record still doesn’t play without skipping, then the scratch is too deep to fix.
If your record is so warped that a weight doesn’t flatten it or make it playable, then it’s easier to replace the vinyl instead of trying to fix it.
If you keep your record player near a speaker or a subwoofer, loud bass noises could shake the record player and make the needle skip.
Avoid brushing the needle from side to side since you could knock it out of position and prevent your player from working properly.
If the needle doesn’t come out on its own, then you may need to replace the entire cartridge instead. As a rule of thumb, try to replace the stylus every 400 hours you use your record player. [13] X Research source It’s normal for every needle to wear out over time, even if you have a high-end record player.
Find the anti-skating dial on your player and set it to “0” so the arm doesn’t move. [15] X Research source Avoid letting the needle touch your record player since you could damage it.
The brush removes any pops and crackles caused by static electricity, plus it cleans off any leftover dirt or dust that might have been left on the surface.
Don’t forget to put outer sleeves to protect the album artwork and protect your records from dust and damage.
Alternatively, keep your vinyl in record cases to keep them fully protected and organized. Be careful not to pack your records too tightly on a shelf since they could start to warp or deform. Multiple vinyl records can start to get heavy, so make sure any shelves are braced with metal brackets and can support the full weight.
