What Happens When You Leave Your Record Player on for Too Long

Posted by impress vinyl on March 27th, 2023

If you're an avid vinyl collector, you probably spend a lot of time listening to your records on your turntable. While it's tempting to leave your record player on for extended periods, it can have negative consequences. In this blog, we'll discuss what happens when you leave your record player on for too long and how to prevent any potential damage.

1. Damage to Your Records

Leaving your record player on for too long can cause significant damage to your vinyl records. When the turntable is on, the stylus is in constant contact with the record. Over time, this can cause the stylus to wear down the grooves, which can result in a loss of sound quality. Additionally, if you leave the turntable on and don't remove the record, the stylus will continue to spin in the same spot, causing even more damage.

2. Damage to the Stylus

The stylus is a delicate part of your turntable that can be easily damaged if left on for too long. When the stylus is in constant contact with the record, it can become worn down or even break. This can be costly to replace and can affect the sound quality of your records.

3. Overheating

Leaving your record player on for too long can cause the motor to overheat. This can lead to the turntable malfunctioning or even catching fire. It's important to turn off your turntable when not in use to prevent any potential safety hazards.

4. Wasted Energy

Leaving your record player on for extended periods of time can result in wasted energy. This not only impacts your electricity bill but also contributes to environmental damage. Turning off your turntable when not in use can help reduce your carbon footprint.

How to Prevent Damage

To prevent any potential damage from leaving your record player on for too long, follow these tips:

1. Turn off your turntable when not in use. This will help prevent any potential damage to your records, stylus, and turntable motor.

2. Remove the record from the turntable when not in use. This will prevent the stylus from wearing down the grooves in the record.

3. Invest in a turntable with an automatic shut-off feature. This will turn off your turntable after a set amount of time, preventing any potential damage.

4. Keep your turntable clean and well-maintained. Regular cleaning and maintenance will ensure your turntable is in good working order and reduce the risk of any potential damage.

In conclusion, leaving your record player on for too long can have negative consequences for your vinyl records, stylus, and turntable motor. To prevent any potential damage, it's important to turn off your turntable when not in use, remove the record from the turntable, invest in a turntable with an automatic shut-off feature, and keep your turntable clean and well-maintained. By following these tips, you can enjoy your vinyl collection without any worries about potential damage.

Source: Leaving Your Turntable On Too Long