Crosley Record Player Problems & Their Solutions (Troubleshooting)

Crosley record players are one of the main reasons behind the resurgence of vinyl.

Well, these record players were launched at affordable prices, which became a point of attraction for people to enter the vinyl world.

But, as I said, these are very cheap, i.e., you can buy a single unit for under $80, which indirectly indicates the compromise in the quality of the components used inside it.

As many of you might know, a turntable setup with an entry-level turntable with an in-built phono preamp and a pair of active speakers will cost around $300. At the same time, a Crosley record player offers everything for just under $80 which means that they have compromised with the quality to list their product at such a price and this compromise in quality makes this record player more prone to issues.

I receive many emails from users sharing the problems they are facing with their record player and asking for solutions. After seeing so many users facing problems, I have written this article in which I have shared all the common problems that you might face with your record player along with their solutions so that you can fix the issues in no time.

Crosley Record Player Problems & Fixes  (Troubleshooting):

We have covered all the common problems that you might face with your record player and shared their solutions through which you can fix them in no time.

Problem 1: No Power / Not Powering On

Solution:

One of the most common problems and most of the time, the issue arises due to ERP energy-saving standard mode which is a feature that Crosley intentionally added to save power.

Well, we have already talked about this problem in detail and shared its solution in this article.

Problem 2: Distorted Sound Coming From Record Player

Solution:

There can be many reasons for distorted sound, like the record or stylus being dirty, static buildup on records, a damaged stylus or record belt that has lost its elasticity or worn out, record motion being obstructed in any way, and many more.

Well, I recommend you check out this article about fixing muddy and distorted sound coming from speakers.

Problem 3: The Platter or Record Not Spinning

Solution:

To fix this problem, I recommend you check out this article about fixing the Crosley platter not spinning problem.

Problem 4: The Record is Spinning But No Sound Is Coming

Solution:

There are four reasons why this problem occurs:

1) Stylus guard is on

The marked stylus plastic is known as the “Stylus Guard” which helps us protect it from dust and damage while we are not using it. So, if you see this white plastic covering your stylus, then you should remove it right away and try playing the records.

2) Headphone is plugged in

Mostly, people forget that they have plugged in their headphones, and they start panicking about why there is no sound, but, in reality, the sound is coming from their headphones.

So, do check your headphone jack and remove headphones if they are plugged in.

3) The stylus is removed while removing the stylus guard

Sometimes, people unintentionally remove the stylus along with the stylus guard, which makes the cartridge look like this:

And, as you know, the stylus is responsible for generating the vibrations, and without it, you won’t be hearing any sound from speakers.

So, if your cartridge also looks like the one shown in the image above, then you should install the stylus again. Your cartridge should look like this:

4) Tonearm Rest

The tonearm rest problem can arise with anyone at any time, and the main cause of this problem is lubrication or broken mechanisms.

In this issue, the tonearm rest doesn’t go down in its downward position, due to which the tonearm hangs in the air over the platter, which results in no connection between the stylus and record grooves.

To fix this issue, I suggest you check out this article about fixing the tonearm rest not going downwards.

Problem 5: The Record is Spinning Too Slow or Too Fast

Solution:

There can be many reasons, like issues with the belt, the speed switch being broken, speed calibration being required, a faulty motor, and much more.

I recommend you check out this article about fixing record players playing too fast or too slow.

Problem 6: My turntable is spinning backward

In technical language, the issue is known as “wrong polarity”.

The issue arises when you try to use a power adapter that is not compatible with your record player, i.e., a power adapter of a different unit or one purchased from a third party.

Solution:

Use the power adapter that is supplied to you with the unit. If your adapter is broken or faulty, then I suggest you first confirm the power adapter specification that is compatible with your record player and purchase it.

Problem 7: The Tone Arm Seems Stuck, How Do I Get It To Move?

Solution:

1) If you are playing your record player for the first time then you might forget to remove the twisty tie attached to your tonearm. So, you just need to remove it.

2) Don’t forget to undo the tonearm clip.

Problem 8: My CD Does Not Play

Well, the people who own a Crosley CR704 record player often face this issue that after inserting the CD, the CD starts spinning and the speakers don’t output any sound.

Solution:

1) You just need to switch the function switch to CD.

2) The CD should be clean, and the label should be facing upward while inserting the disk into the record player.

Problem 9: My Radio Does Not Play

Many people face this issue with their Crosley CR704 record player.

Solution:

1) Set the function switch to Radio, and then select FM or AM. For FM, the button needs to be pushed in, and for AM, the button needs to be pushed out.

2) Make sure the antenna is not detached.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1- Why is my Crosley blinking?

Crosley power light blinking indicates that there are some issues with the power circuit or your power adapter is connected loose. You can try tightening the power adapter to solve it but if it doesn’t work, you need to get it checked by a professional.

Q2- Why is my record player randomly stopping?

The reasons behind the record players randomly stopping in-between playing records are a faulty motor, incompatible power adapter, loose belt, and faulty power circuit. First, I recommend you check the belt and power adapter compatibility with your unit. If these are good then I suggest you to either check a faulty motor or power circuit using a multi-meter or simply get help from professional.