Victrola Record Player Too Fast? (Try These Easy Fixes!)

Victrola record player too fast, and you don’t know why? Well, continue reading this guide!

The main reason why your Victrola record player is spinning too fast is the Speed Selection setting, which you can control via a switch.

However, this might not always be the case, so in this guide, we will walk you through all the possibilities and help you fix the speed imbalance.

Here’s everything that can make your Victrola turntable too fast:

Let’s tackle each of these possibilities!

Victrola Record Player Too Fast – (Working Solutions)

Note: Have you tried unplugging and reconnecting your Victrola record player from the power?

1. Adjust the Player Speed Setting

The first and vital step is to check whether you’re using the correct speed setting, according to the type of vinyl record you’re listening to.

To explain this as concisely as possible, we can say that the different types of vinyl records require different speed settings to play at normal speed.

Here’s a brief explanation of how each speed setting is used:

• Speed Setting: 33 ⅓ – This speed setting is primarily used for LPS albums, as well as the (long-format) vinyl records. 
• Speed Setting: 45s – The 45s speed setting is excellent for the so-called “EPs” or records with singles.
• Speed Setting: 78s – This is the fastest speed setting, and you should only use it for records released before 1955.

To change the speed setting you should use the Speed Selection switch, which can be found next to the base of the tonearm.

Quick Tip: If you’re unsure what speed setting you need to use for your vinyl record, try all three speeds to check which one normalizes the playback.

2. Plug Victrola in a Different Outlet

A very common problem with Victrola record players, especially when the rotation speed of the motor is too fast/slow is the voltage income.

Victrola record players are exceptionally caprice in regard to voltage, whether it’s 5V, 6V, 9V, or 12V.

The voltage problem mainly arises when you’re not using the original power adapter that came with the Victrola turntable.

Another possibility for speed imbalance due to voltage is when you are not using a direct outlet connection (e.g., extenders).

So, there are two general things you can do right now:

• Connect the turntable to a proven-to-work wall outlet.
• Plug the adapter directly into the outlet (no extenders).

Important: Also if you use a replacement power adapter, verify that the voltage input matches the power specifications of your Victrola turntable.

3. Perfectly Level the Victrola Player

The next and crucial step when your Victrola record player playing too fast is to perfectly level the turntable to prevent speed imbalance.

When the Victrola record player is tilted or positioned on an uneven surface, you might hear your record playback constantly slow down or speed up.

• To level your Victrola record player, we recommend relocating the device to an even surface, preferably solid (no carpets).

To take this step even further, close the case of your Victrola and use a leveling tool to verify whether the turntable is perfectly leveled by looking at the air bubble.

Quick Tip: Some Victrola record players feature adjustable feet, which you can use to level the turntable, even when the surface underneath is uneven.

4. Check the Platter & Reinstall Belt

Sometimes, the speed imbalance on your Victrola record player may occur due to a misaligned platter or loose belt.

Hence, the next step would be to remove the platter so you can check for any issues on the underside and respectively reinstall the belt to ensure everything is working.

4.1 Platter Inspection

To thoroughly inspect the platter, you need to remove it. Here’s how:

1. Turn OFF your Victrola record player by unplugging it.
2. Locate the small ring holding the platter on the spindle.
3. Using your fingernail or screwdriver, remove the ring.
4. This will instantly release the platter so you can lift it up.
5. Be gentle when lifting to prevent overstretching the belt.
6. When you remove the platter, the belt must come loose.
7. Then, you can thoroughly inspect the platter’s underside.

Note: The main thing to look for is dust accumulation on the platter, rips/cuts on the belt, or any other obstruction on the spindle or motor’s pulley.

4.2 Belt Installation

Whenever the platter is removed, the belt is going to be loose, so before putting everything back together, you need to install the belt.

This situation is delicate, so follow the instructions closely:

1. First, flip the platter upside down to reveal the inner ring.
2. Wrap the belt around the ring on the platter’s underside.
3. Next, flip the platter again, hovering it above the spindle.
4. Grab the belt on the right side and stretch it just by a bit.
5. Stretch the belt to grab the motor’s pulley, and release it.
6. Gently slide the platter down the spindle, minding the belt.
7. When you position the platter, check if the belt stays still.

If everything appears to be set up properly, you can now test whether your Victrola record player is playing too fast.

If yes, then you might need to manually interact with the speed mechanism.

5. Manually Adjust the Motor Speed

Sometimes your Victrola record player might be stuck on a high-speed rotation mode because the Speed Selection switch is faulty.

However, the community discovered a quick and easy way to manually adjust the speed of your record player’s motor, by only using a flathead screwdriver.

Here’s how to manually adjust the turntable’s motor speed:

1. First, undo the screws at the four corners of your record player.
2. This will allow you to gently lift the entire base on the turntable.
3. Flip the base and look right under the Speed Selection switch.
4. You will see a small, white, and circular manual calibration dial.
5. Using a flathead screwdriver you can rotate it in both directions.
6. This will respectively increase or decrease your motor’s speed.

It’s unclear whether you need to rotate it clockwise or counterclockwise, so we recommend experimenting to check whether this will work.

Warning: The steps below will void your turntable’s warranty.

Can’t Find the Manual Calibration Dial?

On some Victrola record player models, you might need to look for the cylindrical-shaped motor in the middle and find the two holes with a sponge-like material within.

• Next to the holes, you will find labels “L” for LOW and “M” for MEDIUM.

To set your turntable’s speed to the recommended value of 33 (compatible with most records), you need to reach into the “L” hole and slowly rotate clockwise.

We recommend using a small flathead screwdriver, that will allow you to be very precise when manually adjusting the speed.

Note: If the Victrola record player becomes too slow, reach into the M hole and rotate clockwise, until you find the perfect motor speed.

6. Test with a Different Vinyl Record

If nothing helps and the playback from the Victrola record player is just too fast, it’s not excluded that the issue comes from your vinyl record.

That is why we strongly recommend testing with at least one more record and checking the speed of the playback, before rushing into conclusions.

In case you don’t have a record to test with, now would be the best time to bring your Victrola to a specialized technician for a thorough inspection.

Quick Note: In most cases with speed imbalance, you will have to replace the player’s motor.