Hi, try to clean the head of the vcr using a vcr cleaner. Also do not use old worn out tapes on the vcr since they cause a lot of problems. DO NOT OPEN THE VCR IF YOU ARE NOT A TECHNICIAN. YOU MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELECTRICAL SHOCK

I would recommend having it professionally cleaned. Shop cleanings come cheap these days and are alot safer than VCR cleaning tapes which have been known to damage heads. Wet head cleaners are worse. If your feeling really adventurous, this is how the pro's do it... -you'll need some isopropyl alcohol and head cleaning chamois(Q-tips work almost as good). -eject tape if any and UNPLUG THE VCR -remove the top and locate the video drum. You can't miss it. It's the large silver drum that sits at an angle near the center of the mechanism. -at the bottom edge of the turning portion of the drum is where the video and Hi-Fi audio heads are located. They are little black rectangles about 2mm long and 1/2mm thick and are very fragile. -use a chamois or Q-tip soaked in alcohol and clean around the heads to remove all bits of dirt being cautious of the heads. Then clean the actual heads, only clean gently from side to side, NEVER up and down. Clean the rest of the drum to remove all dirt and fingerprints you probably left behind and then buff it with a fresh chamois/Q-tip gently to remove any residue. Change chamois/Q-tips often. -then clean the guide posts, audio/control head, back tension lever, pinch roller and capstan post. Basically anything the tape touches. -if using only 70% alcohol a wet residue may be left behind. Make sure all is dry or use 99% alcohol. And thats the difference between a head cleaner and pro cleaning. JUST BE VERY CAREFULL Good luck

Throw the VCR away and get yourself a new one. You can buy a VCR at Walmart for the amount of the bench cost at your local VCR repair place.