My CDs started skipping. have cleaned the heads,

Hello Keira

Buy a CD Lens Cleaning Disc from Walmart. Run that a couple of times. If that doesn't fix it send it back.

Oh, it a portable Sony Disc Player clone. That means it has to be 15 years old or more. Actually, I found the date '18/6/2007'. It's a new 14 year old device that has been in storage. Emerson are a bargain basement brand and generally lack quality..

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Emerson-60-second-anti-skip-HD8197-compact-disc-player-w-headphones-Adapter-/392716405989

some generic fixes

https://www.google.com/search?q=emerson+hd8197+compact+disc+player+won%27t+stop+skipping

..

hi Sam.
you could try this.
Clean the CD if it skips or the player can't read it. Use a clean lint-free cotton cloth and make sure the CD is not scratched. Use a lens-cleaning CD in the player. If you can access the lens without opening the case, clean it with a cotton swab and lens cleaner.
Why does a CD player skip? They don't scratch as easily as vinyl LPs, but I've damaged half a dozen CDs over the years. If a CD is skipping, first give it good clean using a CD wipe or mild soap and water. Dry carefully with a lint-free cloth in a straight line from the centre to the edge. Rubbing in circles can cause more damage.
.or try this link for more info.
cd player skips Google Search

If it happens with multiple CDs, possibly. Try playing them in something else. Are they commercial CDs or burned?

You may need to get a cleaning CD.

If this happens on all CDs then most like the drive is bad or lens is dirty You can try cleaning out the heads using a cleaner disc. If you have a way to get to the lens you can try cleaning it manually. But most likely. It's one of the following dirty lens, bad motor, bad speed control.

Are these burned CDs or store bought? I used to have an issue with burned CDs using an older ver. of burning software that would cause the same thing to happen in car head units.

If this is the issue try updating or switching to another burning software. CDburnerXP is a great freeware software for burning CDs.

Laser is duff uses the old sony kss family i believe,easy to change and get on ebay..

your disc is scrath or maybe the lens of your player is already weak,or have dust,if you can do the job,clean it with a soft cotton..wipe carefully with only one direction..try also the lens cleaner.

Does it happen when playing cassette or radio? might have a problem with the speaker wires.

your cdplayer is probably at intro

Sony say in the manual that if you record high bit-rate mp3's the sound may be intermittent. I feel this is due to the decoder having to move ALOT of bits around to play, try some makeing a disk with mixed rate mp3's on. e.g.) some 64Kbps, some 128, some 192, and some as high as you can get and see if there is any differ Luck