Tape won't load

The alignment of the super slim mechanism parts might have got damaged.The whole mechanism has to be replaced.
We can offer mechanism and Service manuals and you will need a service center to do the job.

Was having a similar problem but the tape would not even partially load. Spent several hours, over the course of several days trying to figure how to fix this and found the following solution to a similar problem on this site. I tried it as a last resort...it worked! Now I just need to figure out what to tell my wife when she asks me "how" I fixed the camera????

Here is what I did...I allowed the mechanism to close without a tape inserted (the only way it WOULD close), gave it a solid - but gentle - whack on the tape side of the camcorder with the palm of my hand...sort of like burping a baby. I said a little prayer to the saint of hopeless causes (St. Jude Thaddeus)...slid the open/eject button, opened the door, slid a tape in, gently pushed it down (where it says "push") and ...the mechanism closed!!!

Not sure if the "fix" will last but we'll see and report back if the problem crops up again.

Check for bent frame where the tape goes in - it's very delicate and easy to bend back into place if it's warped. If there's no obvious damage, check with some of the independent shops on the Fixya home page. Our general repair charge is $85 + parts.

I had the exact same problem as described here on a Sony DCR42E. After much searching I found the fix from a link on another FIXYA thread. The fix is to give the give the side of the camcorder a few slaps. I hit outside of the tape loader (tape loader door closed) three firm slaps with an open hand, using the inside of my finders. Firm but not hard enough to break anything. Opened the loader and the tape loaded perfectly again. From what I could see from the thread this seems to be a common enough problem. I can't remember if it just affected sony camcorders. If you find the original link there are plenty of posts that state that the slap fixed the issue for them.

Don't listen to all these techs lol. There is a really really easy solution. It's called the fonzie tap. I had the exact same problem, my camcorder (zr400) wouldn't accept my tape but it would close with out it. So heres the solution:

With the camcorder closed tap the side quite hard then try inserting the tape again. Repeat this action until it accepts the tape. I swear on my mothers grave this actually works! I almost shat my pants when it fixed it hahaha. I hope this helps alot of people.

Elaine

throw it in the bin

Had somewhat similar problem. After pushing tape in, it wouldn't go down and there was a loud whrring noise then the tape would eject.I noticed the tape was not inserted square at the top of the mechanism but down on the forward side about 1/16". I pulled the right side up even with the left and the tape functioned normally. It must have straightened "something" because I ejected and replaced the tape several times without taking care to align it and it then worked fine.