Treadmill Troubleshooting – What to Do When Your Machine is Not Working

While it is not possible to cover every treadmill troubleshooting issue in one article, many common problems can be taken care of in a matter of minutes.

Before you perform major surgery on your machine, you should determine what minor maintenance procedures you can do yourself to prevent problems, and what serious issues might require the assistance of a certified technician.

Here are a few common treadmill problems you may encounter:

Common Treadmill Problems

The tension on the belt needs adjusting. A treadmill belt can lose tension over time so this is one treadmill troubleshooting area you should pay attention to. You should be able to lift the belt away from the deck about 2 to 3 inches at the center. That is the correct tension. If you need to tighten the belt, use the Allen wrench that came with the machine and follow the manual’s instructions to tighten the adjustment bolt at the rear of the machine.

The belt has slipped too far to one side. Before adjusting the position of or tension on the belt, always unplug the power cord. To do the adjustment: if the belt is too far to the left of center, insert the Allen wrench into the adjustment bolt on the right side of the roller at the rear deck, and turn it counter-clockwise ¼ turn. If the belt is too far to the right, adjust the tension control on the left side. Do not over tighten the bolt and be sure to make small adjustments in ¼ turn increments only.

The belt slows down or seems sluggish. If the belt slows while walking on it, the belt may need to be lubricated to reduce friction which prevents the belt from gliding freely over the deck. If you have followed a maintenance schedule and the tension is correct, and you still have a problem with the belt speed, check the edges to see if it is frayed and worn. If you use your treadmill daily, you may have to replace the belt every two or three years. Another possible cause of a sluggish belt, although it is not typical, is that the motor has lost torque and needs replacement brushes.

You get an Error Code on the display. Check the treadmill troubleshooting section of your owner’s manual to determine what the issue is and what steps to take to resolve it.

The console is dead. There can be a variety of reasons for a console not lighting up. Always start at the beginning and make sure the power cord is plugged into the wall and the power switch is turned on. If you are assembling the machine for the first time, make sure that the grey or black console cable (with the 12-pin connector) was not crimped when you attached the console to the posts.

When to Call For Help

For most any problem you are experiencing with your machine, read the owner’s manual first and check the section on treadmill troubleshooting where it will likely show a solution to your specific problem. Chances are, the problem will be minor and will require only an adjustment or a few minutes of maintenance such as applying silicone lubricant between the deck and belt.

If these simple steps do not solve the problem, call the manufacturer’s customer service department for assistance. If your treadmill is under warranty, any attempt to do repairs yourself could void the warranty, so be sure to check with the manufacturer first.

Where to Find Replacement Treadmill Parts