Sears PurchaseProtect

Please choose a troubleshooting topic below:

Common Product Issues

2 Way Radios

Sound only heard out of one speaker or one side on four speaker set up.
  • Try adjusting the balance control. You must press in on the knob to adjust the sound between channels.
  • Check all speaker connections. Make sure no speaker leads are disconnected or touching ground

No sound, tape or radio.
  • All power leads must be connected to 12 volts. On digital radios, there is a memory lead, usually brown, white or yellow. This lead must have 12 volts at all times.
  • Check the fuse in switched power lead (red) and memory lead (brown, white, or yellow). Replace with same size fuse if necessary.
  • In two speaker set up, make sure the fader is set all the way to one side.

Radio lights, but there is no sound.
  • Memory lead for radio is not hooked up.
  • Check speaker hook-up and check no sound, tape or radio above.

Lights dim and radio distorts, or cuts out.
  • Check ground. Reconnect ground wire to a solid chassis ground.
  • Check bass control. If turned up to full bass position, this can cause distortion if your speaker cannot handle it.
  • Make sure no speaker leads are touching each other, or chassis ground.

No backlighting on display
  • Some radios have a dimmer wire marked illumination or dimmer. Connect to the dimmer circuit in your dash, or you can connect this wire to the power antenna turn on lead.


Cameras

The camera does not turn on.
  • The batteries may not be properly installed.
  • Remove and reinstall the batteries

Camera does not work.
  • Batteries are low or dead or the camera is not turned on. Replace the batteries, and make sure camera is turned on.

The shutter button does not work.
  • The causes may be;
    • camera is not turned on
    • power mode switch has to be set to the camera icon
    • the green ready light has to lit
    • indicator on camera may show that memory or picture card is full

Power suddenly turns off.
  • If the camera has not been operated for more than a couple minutes, the Auto Power off function may have turned off the power. The Auto Power function can be turned off. Please check your user’s manual.

Part of the picture is missing.
  • Something may be blocking the lens when the picture was taken. Check again to see if your hands, fingers, or other objects are in the way. Also make sure the subject of the picture is in the center of the view finder.

Pictures are too dark, too light, or not clear.
  • Flash may not be turned on for pictures that are too dark. Check and make sure that it is on.
  • The subject may be too far away for the flash to have an effect.
  • If subject is front of a bright light, the flash may not work. Try changing your position.
  • If picture is too light, flash is not needed. Turn off flash.
  • If your picture is not clear, try cleaning the lens.
  • If pictures are not clear, subject may be too close or too far away.


CD Players

CD players can wear out over time. Some of the most common problems with CD players are listed below.
  • Dirty optic lens, prism, or turning mirror.
  • Bad connections
  • Drawer has a worn or stretched loading belt.
  • Unit is dirty or sticky, or exposed to sand, hair, or other.
  • Broken parts, gear teeth, brackets, or mountings.
  • Need for electronic adjustments to focus, tracking, or PLL.
  • Intermittent limit or interlock switches – worn or dirty.
  • Motors – electrical (shorted, dead spot) or mechanical (dry / worn bearings).
  • Laser – dead or weak laser diode or laser drive (power) problems.
  • Photodiode array – bad, weak, or shorted segments or no power.
  • Components are bad due to heat sensitivity.
  • Bad or missing optical pickup shield ground.


Coffee Makers

Proper care of coffee makers (how to avoid problems).
  • Cleaning – Residue builds inside of coffee makers. This residue will build up over time if not cleaned, and can jam or block various parts of the maker. For cleaning, there are special products which break down residue. Some you can use are Bold or Daz automatic, or any other coffee cleaning solution.


Cordless Phones

Unit does not turn on.
  • Make sure AC/DC adapter is plugged into AC outlet as well as to the base.
  • Fully charge batter handset before first use.

There is static noise when handset is turned on.
  • Make sure battery is fully charged before use.

Audio sounds weak.
  • Move handset and / or base unit to different locations. Select different channels to find the best reception.

Can’t make or receive calls.
  • Check both ends of the base unit and unit telephone line cords.
  • Make sure ac adapter is plugged all the way in to the base unit and wall outlet.
  • Disconnect the ac adapter for a few minutes and the reconnect it.

Handset does not ring or receive a page.
  • Battery must be fully charged before use.
  • Extend the base unit antenna vertically (if available).
  • Handset may be too far away from the base unit. Place the base unit away for other electric appliances that could cause interference.

Base unit does not ring or receive a page.
  • You may have too many phones being used by the same line. Try disconnecting some of the extra phones.
  • Make sure the ringer is turned on, and set to low or high.

No dial tone.
  • Make sure the telephone line cord is fully connected (pushed all the way in to the base and wall unit).
  • Test the system by plugging it in to another telephone jack. If it still does not work, test the jack by plugging a different telephone into it.


GPS Automotive Navigational Systems



Keyboards

If you are experiencing any of the following issues:
  • Wrong characters appear when typing.
  • Onscreen messages do not appear when pressing multimedia keys.
  • Setting a multimedia button produces an illegal operation error message.
  • Multimedia keyboard buttons not working.
  • Internet keyboard buttons not working.
  • Sticking keys.

These troubleshooting steps should help:
  1. The most common problem when faced with a non-working keyboard is an improper connection. Try reconnecting your keyboard, restart your computer and see if that fixes it.
  2. Turn off the system. Unplug the keyboard connect and inspect for any bent or broken pins. If the pins are bent, then it is possible to gently straighten them using the tip of a ball point pen or mechanical pencil. If the pins are broken, then replacement of the keyboard may be necessary.
  3. Try updating the device driver. Visit the manufactures web site for the latest driver available for your keyboard make and model.
  4. While at the manufactures web site. See if there are software patches or updates available for your keyboard. If there are, go ahead and install them as well as the updated driver.
  5. If you are using a multi-media type keyboard, be sure to delete the software before installing any new drivers for this type of keyboard. Install the updated driver for the manufactures web site, and then re-install the keyboard software. If any software updates or patches are available for your multi-media keyboard, install them at this time. Delete the keyboard software by using Add/Remove Programs (Start>> Control Panel>> Add/Remove Programs). If you receive a prompt asking if you would like to remove all shared files, answer "No to all". Then click OK.

If none of the above steps resolves your keyboard problem, it is likely that your keyboard is broken or defective.


MP3 Players

When I connect my MP3 to my computer, it displays some strange text.
  • This may not be a problem. If the MP3 is in ‘sleep mode’, it may activate when you send information to it, or actively use it. Please check your user’s manual.
  • Please try to upload music to the player.
  • Reset the player. Please check your users manual for how to do this on your player.

My computer does not recognize my MP3 player.
  • Try restarting your computer while the MP3 and USB are connected.
  • Try a different USB port.
  • Connect the SB cable to the computer first, and then connect the MP3.

MP3 does not power up, but my PC recognizes it as a USB device when I connect it.
  • Reinstall the software which came with the MP3 player. If you do not have the software, you can download it from the manufacturer’s website. Please check your user manual for how to do this or call the manufacturer.

MP3 is not playing my songs in order.
  • Reset the MP3 – check owner’s manual for directions.
  • Reinstall the software that came with your MP3.
  • Refer to the manufacture’s website for more troubleshooting tips.

The battery is a rechargeable (non removable) type. When I attempt to recharge, it says it has a full charge, but then it dies a short time later.
  • Some of the rechargeable batteries do not hold as much charge as the player becomes more used. Depending on what type of MP3 you have, you may be able to replace the battery yourself. If this does not work, try calling the manufacturer to get help.


Phone Answering Systems

Answering system does not work.
  • Make sure that the base unit is plugged in to an electrical outlet not controlled by a wall switch.
  • Check if the answering machine is turned on.

Answering system does not answer calls.
  • Check the recording time settings. Set to 1 minute.
  • Memory could be full. Delete some or all of your messages.

Messages are incomplete, and we recently had a power failure.
  • The incoming messages may be too long. Remind callers to leave a brief message.
  • Memory could be full. Delete some or all of your messages.
  • The outgoing message was deleted. Record your personal outgoing messages again.

Remote access call-in cannot be performed.
  • Make sure you are using the correct PIN (personal identification number).
  • Make sure the touch-tone phone that you are using can transmit tones for at least two seconds. If not you may have to use a different phone to access your answering system remote.


Portable DVD

Unit has no power.
  • Check if the AC power cord has been connected correctly of if the battery is in place.

Picture distortion.
  • Need to clean the disc.

Picture does not fit TV screen.
  • The images may not fill up the whole TV screen even after the mode has been set. This is because the DVD images are fixed in width.

No sound.
  • If the unit is being played in slow or pause mode, press Play to return to normal playback.
  • If the unit is played in 8x, 16x, or 100x mode, press Play to return to the normal.
  • When the unit is in System Setting/Program Menu, press Setup/Prog to exit the System Menu/Program menu, or press Play to return to the normal playback mode.
  • If the unit is muted, press Mute again to enable the normal sound play.

The remote control does not work properly.
  • Using remote control near the unit. Aim the remote control at the remote sensor of the unit.
  • If the batteries in the remote control are dead, please replace batteries with new ones.

Disc playback failure.
  • No disc is inserted. (No disc symbol appears on the screen). Please insert your disc. It is possible that the disc is dirty. Please clean the disc.
  • There could be humidity in the unit. Power on the unit for 30 minutes without playing any discs.

The player fails to play from the beginning.
  • The play mode is in the Program, Random, Repeat or Repeat A-B mode. Press the relative functions again to restore the normal play mode. (Please refer to the advanced operations chapter for detailed instructions)
  • While the DVD Title/Chapter or DVD setup menu is displayed on the TV screen directly, or while playing Video CD that includes PBC function, the setup menu is displayed on the TV screen.

Stops playing automatically.
  • Some discs have recorded the pause automatically command in the original recording. The unit will stop playing automatically at the segment where the command is recorded.
  • If the battery is dead, recharge the battery or connect the unit to them adapter.
  • The battery life is between 3 and 4 hours depending on your usage. A Low battery warning will be displayed about five minutes, after which the unit will automatically switch off.


Portable Power Tools

Please check your product owner’s manual. Links to some of the brands sold at Sears are shown below.

Black & Decker – www.blackanddecker.com
Bosch – www.boschtools.com
Craftsman – www.craftsman.com
DeWalt – www.dewalt.com
Makita – www.makita.com
Porter Cable - www.deltaportercable.com
Skil – www.skil.com


Toasters

Common problems with toasters are listed below:
  • Toaster won’t turn on. - Check the plug. Many consumers assume that the toaster simply stopped working, but the cord has just been wiggled ever so slightly so that it does not have a full connection within the outlet. This seems like a common sense thing, but it happens more often than you would imagine. Checking the outlet to be sure it is working is also a great idea.
  • Toaster knob and basket will not go down or stay locked in position. – Check to see if there is something caught at the bottom such as a piece of crust or something preventing it from locking into position. Be sure to unplug the toaster to remove it.
  • Toaster is not as hot or toasting like it used to. – If there is a lot of build up on the crumb tray the toaster may get too hot or may not get hot enough and that will affect the way that the toaster is able to function. Rinsing the crumb tray is a very quick fix, and should be done from time to time to prevent toasting problems.



Vacuum Cleaners

Vacuum Repair vs. Vacuum Maintenance

The best way to avoid vacuum repair is to properly maintain your vacuum. Vacuums get kicked around all the time, all the while sucking up all these foreign objects. Very few vacuums can last over 10 years without some type of maintenance.

Proper vacuum maintenance,

  • Cut hairs, strings and other debris off the brush roller with a utility knife.
  • Replace bags when they are ¾ full, letting them go all the way is bad for your vacuum.
  • Clean out the bag cavity every once and awhile when you are replacing your bag to keep the inside of the vacuum clean.
  • Replace filters annually and replace HEPA filters every 6-8 months.
  • Flat rubber belts should be replaced every 6 months.
  • Cog belts only need to be replaced when broken, avg. life is 3 years.
  • Pet owners, keep bottom plate free for pet dander.

The vacuum is on, but nothing is picking up.
  • There are only a few possible problems. It may be a clog, a broken belt, or the bag needs to be replaced. First, replace the bag and the belt. If that does not work, you may have a clog.
  • Clogs:
    • Canister & Upright Vacuums - Look for a clog in the hose first. Check the hose by removing it from the canister or base if it’s an upright model. Feel if there is any suction where the hose connects. If the suction is strong, then you can assume the problem is in the hose, or the head. Take the hose and drop a quarter through it to see if it comes out of the other end with ease. If it does, then do the same thing with the nozzle. Once you find where the clog is, you can use a hanger or anything long and skinny to get the clog out.

Vacuum goes works for a few minutes, and then shuts down.
  • Vacuum either has a clog, or a full bag that is overheating the vacuum causing the thermal switch to shut it down. Changing the bag and / or removing the clog would fix the problem in this case.

Vacuum has a foul odor.
  • Change the bag, wash out the bag cavity with a multi purpose cleaner, and replace the filter.

Vacuum has the smell of burnt rubber.
  • There may be a problem with the belt slipping. Replace the belt.

Vacuum cleaner is hard to push.
  • Either the belt is slipping and not pushing through the rug properly or the bottom plate is dirty. If it’s the belt, replace it. If it’s a dirty bottom plate, clean it off and the polish it with furniture polish.

Vacuum is getting poor suction.
  • Replace filter and bags and check for clogs.


VCRs

Unit does not turn on.
  • Make sure the unit is plugged in to an outlet not controlled by a wall switch.

Clock is on but the unit does not turn on.
  • Make sure "Timer" function is turned off.

VCR does not start recording when set.
  • Check the cassette to see if the tab that prevents recording is on in locked position. This would be the cause of it not recording.

VCR does not record from the TV set.
  • Some models use "AUX" input selection and others use "Tuner" selection.

VCR does not record when in a programmed mode.
  • Make sure you are using the proper input selection.

There is no image while playing back.
  • If you are using "RF out" selection, make sure your TV set is on the proper channel (3 or 4) according to VCR output setting.
  • If you are using "AV out" selection, make sure your TV set is in that mode.

Video taped images are fuzzy or interrupted.
  • This is probably due to a dirty play/record head. This could be solved by purchasing a cleaning set for VCR heads, available in most consumer electronic stores. Follow instructions in the cleaning set.

Distorted image is on TV screen while recording.
  • Make sure video indicator is off. This will not affect your recording.