Why do brand new records skip? The causes, in the order to check them: Questions Answered

Record Care
Vinyl and Turntable Answers Team

When a brand new record skips, there are five possible causes. Most people check them in the wrong order, wasting time blaming the record when the problem is the setup. The questions below work through the correct order, from the quickest fix to the most involved.

Why does my brand new record keep skipping even though it looks perfect?

A skipping new record is more often a player issue than a pressing fault. Check your tracking force against the cartridge specification before assuming the record is damaged. Full details in our guide to Record player skipping on every record: tonearm, tracking force or a worn needle? .

My new record skips in exactly the same place every time. Is it scratched?

A skip in the same spot usually points to a specific issue with that groove, such as dirt, a worn stylus, or a physical warp. You can test whether the problem is the record or your player by swapping it with a known-good disc. Full details in our guide to A record skipping in the same spot: scratch, warp or dirt in the groove? .

Why does my record player skip when I walk across the room?

Footfall creates vibrations that travel through your floor and furniture into the tonearm, causing the stylus to briefly lose contact with the groove wall. This is a common setup issue, not a problem with the records. Full details in our guide to Record player skips when you walk past: floors, feet and what to do about it .

Is a low hum coming from my turntable normal?

A constant low-frequency hum usually indicates a ground issue. A hum that gets louder when you touch cables points toward cable routing or electrical interference. Identifying the type of noise is the first step to fixing it. Full details in our guide to Record player humming or buzzing: ground wire, cables or interference? .

Why is my record player making crackle, pops and hiss?

Most noise is caused by dust on the record surface, static electricity, or a dirty stylus. These issues are usually resolved with basic maintenance and cleaning. Full details in our guide to Crackle, pops and hiss from a record player: dirty records, static or a dirty stylus? .

My records sound like they are playing underwater or too fast. What is wrong?

A steady speed error suggests a problem with the belt or speed settings. A wobbly, swaying pitch can indicate a physical issue with the record itself. Check the belt and settings first. Full details in our guide to Record player sounds slow, fast or wobbly: belt, speed setting or off-centre hole? .

Why does my turntable sound muffled and distant?

Muffled sound is often caused by a dirty or worn stylus that cannot read the groove accurately. A simple stylus clean can often fix this. Full details in our guide to Muffled or distorted sound from a turntable: stylus, tracking or the amp? .

I just bought a new record and it skips on the first track. Is it a bad copy?

A brand new record skipping due to a factory fault is uncommon; the problem is more often related to your turntable’s setup. Work through your player’s settings before returning the record. Full details in our guide to Record player skipping on every record: tonearm, tracking force or a worn needle? .

My turntable skips every time I play a specific album. Is that album ruined?

A skip that occurs on a single record suggests the issue is specific to that disc, such as a warp or dirt in that particular groove. Testing the record on another player can confirm if the fault lies with the vinyl. Full details in our guide to A record skipping in the same spot: scratch, warp or dirt in the groove? .

Why does my record player make a buzzing noise when I move near it?

A buzz that changes when you move your hand near the back of the deck or touch the cables usually points toward radio-frequency interference or cable routing issues. This is often a simple fix involving how you arrange your wires. Full details in our guide to Record player humming or buzzing: ground wire, cables or interference? .

Why does my new record sound crackly even though I cleaned it?

Static electricity can attract dust to the surface immediately after cleaning, creating a noisy record that looks clean. This is a typical issue with freshly unboxed records. Full details in our guide to Crackle, pops and hiss from a record player: dirty records, static or a dirty stylus? .

My turntable sounds slow and dragging. Is the belt broken?

A consistently slow or fast speed is usually caused by a worn belt or incorrect speed settings. Check the belt and adjust the settings to resolve the issue. Full details in our guide to Record player sounds slow, fast or wobbly: belt, speed setting or off-centre hole? .

Why does my turntable sound distorted like it is under water?

Distorted sound is typically caused by a stylus that is dirty or worn, preventing it from tracking the groove correctly. Clean the stylus before assuming your equipment is faulty. Full details in our guide to Muffled or distorted sound from a turntable: stylus, tracking or the amp? .

Detailed guides:

Why does my record player skip when the bass hits hard?

Loud passages can cause the stylus to lift out of the groove walls if the tracking force is set too low or if there is vibration from the surface. This is a common setup issue that affects playback quality. Full details in our guide to Record player skipping on every record: tonearm, tracking force or a worn needle? .

The cause most often misdiagnosed as a bad pressing is tracking force set below the cartridge manufacturer’s minimum. Leaving it uncorrected risks groove damage over time. For the full picture, start with our Why do brand new records skip? The causes, in the order to check them .