Why won't this VHS tape rewind or fast forward, but just wants to eject?

It’s been a while, but I seem to remember that VHS tapes have a saffety tab/ sides of the cassette to protect it from damage, or from taping the tape, or erasing it, or something. If it snaps off, then you’re in trouble. Don’t ask for details. I have forgotten.

Check out page 8 here;

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/media/i3d/01/A/man-migrate/MANUAL000024095.pdf

Or if you’d rather read instead of looking at pictures;

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1986-04-12/business/0210310171_1_eraser-bulk-tape-record-changer

Um…that’s “safety:”

One or both of the tape reels might be stuck.

Try inserting a butter knife blade or something just a bit wider between the teeth of either of the reels, and then see if you can turn the reel.

It should take some effort to turn the reel, but not a lot.

If you don’t have something wide enough to simultaneously engage the teeth on the opposing sides of the reel, you can angle the blade of a butter knife so that it bridges the gap.

If you can’t turn the reel in either direction, then try the same thing with the other reel.

If you can’t turn either reel in either direction, then you have at least one frozen reel, which would cause the trouble.

I have the same problem with an old VHS tape that I’d like to keep using. I’m at the point where I’m either going to have to try taking it apart and hand unwinding and re-winding it, or just throw it away. So if you get any better suggestions from this question, I’d love to hear them, too.

@gailcalled The safety tab shouldn’t be a problem. I would routinely snap these off deliberately back in the day, to keep from accidentally taping over things I wanted to keep. If you change your mind about that, the typical fix is to put a small piece of tape over the hole – presto, a new safety tab.

I’m wondering if the tape has come off the reel. I will find out and let you guys know.

@Dutchess_III I think if the tape had come off, you’d have heard the awful death-squeal of grinding tape. My guess is that it’s just wound too tightly, either from repeatedly watching and rewinding, or from remaining still for years and years, letting the weight of the tape cause compression on the lower end.