Why Is My Victrola Record Player Not Turning On? (Easy Fix!)

Frustrated with the Victrola record player not turning on issue? Well, you are not the only one! So, the first thing to do is check the power indicator light.
The indicator light can be found right underneath the volume knob and based on whether it’s lit or not, you can quickly find out where the issue comes from.
Based on whether the power indicator is lit or not, do the following:
- Power Light ON: This means that the turntable receives power, but the platter is not spinning due to a problem – try solutions 1–3.
- Power Light OFF: This means that the turntable is not receiving power, so you are looking at a power supply issue – try solutions 4–6
Why is My Victrola Record Player Not Turning On? – (FIXED)
Note: Have you checked whether the power adapter is securely connected to the wall outlet?
1. Switch Victrola to PHONO Mode

If you see that the power indicator below the Volume knob is lit, but your Victrola record player is not spinning or working, verify that you use PHONO mode.
The Victrola turntable is an all-in-one product that features 3 x separate modes through which you can select the type of audio input.
1.1 PHONO Mode
The PHONO mode is meant for vinyl records, hence if you’re not using it, the motor and platter will not spin, even if your turntable is working.
In short, PHONO mode is for listening records.
1.2 Bluetooth Mode
The Bluetooth mode is meant to turn your Victrola record player into a Bluetooth speaker, for you to connect any wireless device and listen to your music through the unit’s built-in speakers.
1.3 Line-In Mode
The Line-In mode is designed for users to connect their AUX-enabled devices and listen to their music through the built-in speakers of the turntable. The Line-In mode uses the AUX jack input.
Important: If you want to listen to vinyl records, you must turn the knob to the “PHONO” mode!
2. Change to a Manual Stop Switch

If you take a close look on the right of the Modes knob, you will see the Auto & Manual Stop switch.
This switch’s purpose is to either automatically stop the platter from spinning whenever the record is over (based on tonearm position) or keep the platter spinning until a manual halt.
Well, if your Victrola record player is not turning on and won’t spin, perhaps there is a problem with the tonearm’s mechanism for the auto stop.
Hence, switching to manual mode will bypass this mechanism, and hopefully (if your turntable receives power), the platter will start spinning.
Quick Tip: To switch to the manual mode, push the switch downwards to the “OFF” position!
3. Eject the Platter & Adjust the Belt
If the Victrola record player receives power and the indicator is lit, but the platter is not spinning, perhaps the belt is loose or something is obstructing the platter.
To find out whether that is the culprit, you must remove the platter, check the motor’s pulley, and reinstall the belt appropriately.
We’ve designed three comprehensive steps to help you out:
3.1 Removing the Platter

To remove the platter, you must first turn off the Victrola record player and remove the small ring in the middle of the spindle, holding the platter in place.
You can either use your fingernail or a flathead screwdriver, but be gentle not to damage anything.
When the small ring is removed from the spindle, you can gently lift up the platter and remove it.
3.2 Inspecting the Pulley
The motor’s pulley is what drives the belt and spins the platter. When the platter is removed, you will find the pulley on the right side.
You must thoroughly inspect the pulley for any wrapped hair or other obstructions that can prevent the motor from spinning.
Quick Tip: If you have machine oil, you can lubricate the motor’s pulley by spilling a drop or two in the pulley’s shafts.
3.3 Reinstalling the Belt

The belt reinstallation remains the most important aspect since if the belt was loose in the first place, your Victrola record player won’t spin or turn on.
To reinstall the belt correctly, follow these instructions:
- Wrap the belt around the ring on the platter’s underside.
- Hover the platter above the spindle, but don’t slide it yet.
- Pinch the belt on the right side and attach it to the pulley.
- Release the tension and ensure that the belt is not loose.
- Gently slide the platter down the spindle and put the ring.
Reminder: When everything is done, verify that you’re using PHONO mode and that the Auto & Stop switch is set to “OFF” and test your turntable.
4. Plug the Power Adapter Directly

When the Victrola record player simply won’t turn on, and you can justify this by verifying that the power indicator is not lit, plug the adapter directly into the wall outlet.
If you are using any power devices, or rerouting the electrical supply, the voltage income to the turntable might be insufficient.
Here are some examples of devices you should avoid:
❌ Power extenders
❌ Electrical dividers
❌ Surge protectors
❌ Smart plugs/outlets
To simplify things, try connecting the power adapter directly!
5. Verify the Correct Voltage Supply

If the Victrola record player won’t turn on and the power indicator is off, this generally means that the turntable is not receiving power.
The main reason for this would be an incorrect voltage supply, especially if you’re not using the original (supplied) Victrola record player power adapter.
There are different Victrola record player models, most of which use exactly a 5 V power supply, so you need to ensure your adapter is compatible.
If you’re using a different power adapter, which provides more than the necessary voltage, (e.g., 6V, 9V, or 12V), the turntable will not turn on.
Note: The easiest way to acquire a compatible power adapter is to purchase one from the web!
6. Switch to a Different Power Outlet

One of the final things you should attempt is connecting the Victrola record player to a different power outlet, preferably in a different room.
This is vital, since if you are currently having faults with one of the fuses in your home, the voltage from all outlets in a room may be insufficient.
So, try multiple different power outlets throughout your home, by using a direct connection with your power adapter to check if your turntable will turn on.
Quick Tip: Test whether other electrical appliances in your home are having power problems.
Victrola Turntable Not Turning On – Final Steps?
If your Victrola record player is not turning on to no avail, the last thing you can do is bring the device for servicing.
In case the device is covered by the warranty, file a reclamation and try to claim a free replacement.

Finn Wheatley, a Master’s graduate in Computer Science from UCL, London, honed his skills at small data science consultancies. There, he helped large corporations enhance their data capabilities by deploying cutting-edge machine learning analytics and resolving technical hurdles.