I can't open the compartment to put a tape in or get a tape out. Help

dead battery --debris --incorrect tape --improper loading

I see your picture of a cassette player. Guess you are referring to that. (tapes also come in reel-to-reel, and 8-track). Just push the "EJECT" button (power may need to be applied to some units for the eject button to work). The tape slot will open. Insert tape with exposed tape on the "head" side of the opening, usually the heads are on the bottom of the slot.. You can't put it in any other way and have the door close. The "door" that opens has guides for you to slide the tape into. The side you want to listen to should face you. Either manually close the tape compartment or push the close button (depending on model). If the door doesn't close, you put it in upside down. Push play and enjoy.

Check eject lever near battery, press it downward to open tape compartment, take out old tape and put new tape, close tape door and let it go inside by itself. Close tape compartment.

Below image will help you to locate eject button/ lever in DCR-HC18E camcorder.
Thanks.

close the tape compartment take the batery of press the power button on and holding the power press put the batery back and wait let me know

Yeah ! Your problem is very simple. u can solve it on your own.
If you dont put the tape the comparment closes well and as soon as you pot the tape the compartment does not close , Right ?
The solution is there within ur hands itself.
If you want the compartment to be closed, then simply dont put the tape inside. let it be outside itself. U see, its so easy !

I have the same problem - the door opens but the compartment won't open up. My tape is stuck - help!

something may be jammed in one of the hinges of the compartment door.

I had a similar issue where the tape bay would not lock in and engage the motor mechanism to load the tape. I removed the battery from the unit and let it stand for approximately a minute then reinserted the battery. The tape drawer closed first without a tape then reopened with no issue. I then inserted a new tape with no issue. I guess it needed a hard reboot.

Use menu system to access "manual eject". Hold left arrow key and press menu to access menu. Follow from there.

I have the same issue. The Handycam can sit on a table without anyone touching it and it acts like it is haunted. The tape sounds like it moves on its own and sometimes it won't let me playback or record. I repair shop I called told me it sounds like a $7 switch is broken, but it will cost $150 in labor to repair the switch.