5 Things to Try When Your Record Skips

Clean the stylus first A skipping record is almost never the record’s fault. Use a stylus brush and gently sweep from back to front, not side to side.

Clean the vinyl Wipe the record with a microfiber cloth and anti-static solution, or warm water with a drop of dish soap. Skip expensive cleaning machines for now.

Check tracking force Cheap turntables like suitcase players often have too little weight on the stylus. Add a penny on the headshell if needed.

Look for warps or defects If it still skips in the exact same spot after cleaning, the record may be warped or have a pressing defect. Return it.

Don’t blame the artist first A clean stylus fixes 9 out of 10 skips. Clean the needle before assuming the record is bad.