15 Things That Always Got Stuck in VHS Players
VHS players often broke or stopped working because people or children accidentally got everyday items stuck inside them.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
VHS players were sensitive machines that relied on precise internal movement to play tapes. Many people accidentally damaged them by inserting the wrong objects or failing to keep them clean. This list covers 15 real items that frequently caused problems in VHS players.
1. Wrinkled or Stretched Tapes
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VHS tapes wore out over time, especially with frequent rewinding or fast-forwarding. When the tape inside became stretched or folded, it would get pulled into the machine unevenly. This often caused the tape to jam inside the rollers or the head drum. The player would stop mid-play and require manual removal of the damaged tape.
2. Food Crumbs
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Many people watched movies while eating, especially children, and crumbs often fell into the machine’s tape slot. Crumbs from chips, cookies, or crackers got caught in the tape path. These particles disrupted the tape’s motion or scratched the tape itself. Some machines even failed to load tapes because of blocked sensors.
3. Coins
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Children sometimes inserted coins into the VHS slot out of curiosity. Coins could get stuck in the loading tray or fall deeper into the unit. Once inside, they blocked the tape path or damaged the tape guides. Some users had to disassemble the player to remove the coin.
4. Pens and Pencils
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Pens and pencils were commonly inserted by children who thought the tape slot was a storage area. These items blocked the movement of internal parts like the capstan and pinch roller. If the machine tried to load while obstructed, it could break internal components. Many repair shops found broken writing tools inside players.
5. Stickers and Tape Labels
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Labels or stickers on VHS tapes sometimes peeled off while the tape was playing. Loose adhesive paper would get caught in the tape path or stick to internal parts. This caused drag during playback and often led to full jams. Removing these sticky pieces was difficult and sometimes left residue behind.
6. Small Plastic Toys
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Small toys like blocks or action figure parts were often shoved into the VHS slot. These objects blocked the loading mechanism or got caught in the rotating parts. Many repair reports from the 1990s listed toy pieces as a frequent issue. In some cases, the toys broke parts of the tape drive.
7. Paper or Tissues
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Soft items like tissues or scrap paper were pushed into VHS players by younger children. Once inside, the paper got wrapped around spinning parts or tangled with the tape. This stopped the tape from moving and sometimes tore it. The paper also caused overheating if it blocked the air vents.
8. Loose Tape Spools
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Older VHS tapes sometimes came apart inside the machine. When a spool detached, the tape could no longer move correctly and became tangled. This caused the player to jam immediately and damage the head. In many cases, the tape had to be cut to remove it.
9. Batteries
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Small batteries were rolled into the machine or were placed in the slot by children. If the player was powered on while a battery was inside, it could short-circuit or damage the internal board. Some batteries leaked acid, which corroded parts of the player. Battery damage often required full replacement of the unit.
10. Bobby Pins or Hair Clips
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Hair accessories sometimes fell into VHS players while someone leaned over the machine. Metal items like bobby pins could fall into cracks or slots on top. If they reached the electronics, they caused shorts or interfered with moving parts. These were especially hard to remove without opening the case.
11. Plastic Wrappers
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Light plastic from snack wrappers could fall into the machine and go unnoticed. These wrappers sometimes got pulled in by static or airflow. Inside, they clogged the tape path or wrapped around the head drum. If the machine kept running, the wrapper melted from friction.
12. Dust and Lint Buildup
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VHS players collected dust over time, especially when left uncovered. Dust and lint settled on tape heads and rollers. This caused playback problems and made the machine struggle to feed the tape. Regular cleaning was needed, but many people did not maintain their players.
13. Spare Batteries
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People often left spare remote batteries on top of the VHS player. These could roll off and fall into the vents or the tape slot. Inside, they caused blockages or electrical damage. Older batteries sometimes corroded and damaged the circuit board.
14. Tape Flaps or Doors
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The plastic flap on VHS tapes sometimes broke off during use. If the flap stayed inside the player, it blocked the tape path and caused a jam. The player could not recognize or load the next tape correctly. These plastic pieces were usually stuck near the front rollers.
15. Tape Labels Inside the Cassette
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Sometimes, manufacturers’ internal labels inside the tape would come loose. These small paper pieces got sucked into the tape path or around the drum. This caused distortion in playback or full tape jams. It was a rare issue but documented in repair logs from video rental stores.