“Help me – my treadmill is stuck on an incline level and is unresponsive! What to do?”
Believe it or not, this is something that is common to many treadmill owners. In most cases, even turning the treadmill off and bringing it on back again doesn’t solve the problem, and unplugging it from the socket is nowhere near a solution.
So, What to do When your Treadmill is Stuck on Incline?
First of all, stay patient. You don’t want to damage anything. Try turning the treadmill off and waiting for some time before turning it on again. However, if this doesn’t solve the problem (as the example above), you will need a different solution to the problem.
Understanding the Causes of the “Stuck At Incline” Problem
We all know that treadmills have so many electronic and mechanical parts, and are very delicate. So, the cause of the “stuck at incline” problem could be the incline motor itself, its gearbox, or the electronic board that controls the position of the incline. Figuring out what the problem is is often the most difficult part.
If Turning It Off Doesn’t Help, Try Calibrating Your Treadmill
Next in the list of solutions is calibration. This can work if turning your treadmill off before did not solve the problem. Here is a checklist on how to do it:
This might be a lot of work with the buttons, but is sometimes found to be a fix. If this doesn’t help either, you can either investigate the problem by unscrewing the treadmill and checking the motor, or getting professional help. We recommend the second choice, though – mostly because it prevents other problems from showing up.
Other Common Treadmill Problems And Their Fixes
Treadmills are a great way to break some sweat from the comfort of your home and get a decent workout. Besides the “stuck on incline,” there are many other common treadmill problems that you might have experienced or you are about to experience. Below, we are listing them and their quick fixes.
“The speed of my treadmill changes as I am running”
If you notice that the speed varies as you are running or jogging, start checking the owner’s manual for the recommended speed setting. Set the treadmill to this speed but do not get on (leave it as it is). Observe the treadmill to see if there is any hitching in the belt. If there is such a thing, you may need a new belt. Contact your manufacturer.
“I feel slipping when using the treadmill”
Feeling a slipping sensation when using your treadmill shows that there might be some need for repair. Belts usually slip when there is too much friction or when they are too tight. To check the latter, lift the middle of the belt (near the center) and see if there is a gap of two to three inches (which is recommended). If there is no gap, it is likely that the belt is over-tightened.
“The console display of my treadmill doesn’t work”
Console displays are just like other electronics – they might fail at times. If the treadmill works but the console display doesn’t, there might be a problem with the magnetic pickup of the flywheel. In some cases, the magnet disconnects and in others, it needs to be replaced.
“There is a burning smell coming out of my treadmill”
A burning smell coming from the treadmill usually means that the belt is getting too much friction. There might be a short in the wiring, electronics, or the treadmill motor. A problem like this should not be treated lightly, though – it could escalate and potentially cause a fire.
“My treadmill belt is overheating”
Heated belts need immediate lubrication. This is the best way to limit the amount of friction between the platform and the belt. When this friction increases to some point, the machine is set to power off. This is why some treadmills stop working suddenly. To fix the issue, lubricate the belt and see if the problem disappears. In many cases, the belt might need to be replaced.
ConClusion
We hope this guide helped you understand what causes the treadmill to get stuck at an incline level, as well as some other related problems. The key takeaway from everything is that if your treadmill is under warranty, you should definitely contact the manufacturer before doing anything on your own and risking more damage. Besides lubrication or a factory reset (calibration), there are not many things that you could fix on your own.
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