You lower the tonearm, expect music… and instead the stylus slides or skates across the record, sometimes all the way to the center. It’s alarming, frustrating, and often followed by a quick panic lift of the cueing lever.
Is something broken?
Is the cartridge defective?
Or did you just ruin your stylus?
Take a breath—this is a common setup issue, and in most cases, it’s easy to fix.
What Does “Skating” Mean?
Tonearm skating happens when the stylus doesn’t stay planted in the record groove and instead moves rapidly inward or outward across the surface.
This usually occurs:
- As soon as the stylus touches the record
- Before music even starts
- On smooth surfaces like lead-in grooves or test records
Skating is not random—it’s physics.
The Physics Behind Tonearm Skating
Because a pivoted tonearm tracks the record in an arc, friction between the stylus and the groove creates a force that pulls the arm toward the center of the record.
This is known as skating force.
Turntables are designed to counteract this force using anti-skate. When something in the setup is wrong, skating becomes obvious—and dramatic.
The Most Common Causes of Skating
1. Tracking Force Is Too Low
This is the number one cause.
If the stylus doesn’t have enough downward pressure:
- It can’t stay seated in the groove
- It rides on top of the record
- Skating force easily pulls it sideways
Tracking too light is far worse than tracking slightly heavy.
2. Anti-Skate Is Set Incorrectly
If anti-skate is:
- Set too high → the arm may skate outward
- Set too low or off → the arm skates inward aggressively
Anti-skate should roughly match your tracking force as a starting point.
3. Tonearm Is Not Balanced Properly
If the arm was never correctly balanced:
- Tracking force numbers become meaningless
- The stylus may barely touch the record
- Skating becomes uncontrollable
Balancing the tonearm is not optional—it’s foundational.
4. Turntable Is Not Level
A tilted turntable allows gravity to influence tonearm movement.
Even a small tilt can:
- Encourage skating in one direction
- Overpower proper anti-skate settings
- Cause inconsistent tracking
Always check level at the platter, not the shelf.
5. Cueing Platform Too High or Sticky
If the cueing lift doesn’t fully lower:
- The stylus may not fully contact the groove
- The arm can slide instead of tracking
- This is common on older or dry cueing mechanisms
6. Damaged or Missing Stylus
A broken, bent, or missing stylus tip:
- Cannot sit in the groove
- Will skate uncontrollably
- Can damage records instantly
Always inspect the stylus if skating appears suddenly.
When Skating Is Normal
There are situations where skating is expected:
- On smooth, ungrooved surfaces
- On blank vinyl or test records
- When cueing off the record edge
What matters is behavior during normal playback.
How to Fix Tonearm Skating (Quick Checklist)
- Balance the tonearm
- Set tracking force to manufacturer specs
- Set anti-skate to match tracking force
- Level the turntable
- Ensure cueing platform fully lowers
- Inspect stylus condition
Fix these in order—don’t skip steps.
Does Skating Damage Records?
Brief skating usually doesn’t cause permanent damage—but repeated sliding can:
- Scuff record surfaces
- Stress the stylus suspension
- Wear one groove wall unevenly
If skating happens, stop playback and correct the setup before continuing.
Final Thoughts
A skating tonearm isn’t a sign of bad equipment—it’s a sign that something basic is out of alignment. Vinyl playback is mechanical and precise, but also forgiving once things are set correctly.
Most skating issues come down to:
- Too little tracking force
- Incorrect anti-skate
- Incomplete setup steps
Fix those, and the tonearm will behave exactly as it should—calm, controlled, and locked into the groove.
Set it right once. Enjoy stress-free playback every time.