Our team here at TRG has been testing NordicTrack treadmills for years. Among our top recommendations, we consider NordicTrack some of the best. We’ve tested all of NordicTrack’s lineup and have had some of their treadmills for years. From time to time though, we do have a problem that needs repairing. This is just the nature of using motorized machines, from any brand.
Fortunately, most NordicTrack treadmill issues are pretty common and can be resolved with some repair. Along with common NordicTrack treadmill repair problems, I’m going to share with you how to keep your NordicTrack treadmill properly maintained. Most of the maintenance tips relate to the majority of treadmills out there, too, in case you don’t have a NordicTrack treadmill.
Common Treadmill Problems
All kinds of treadmills can have problems, not just ones from NordicTrack. Many of the following issues are commonly found on all treadmills.
Belt Slipping
Your treadmill’s belt might be slipping. There could be a number of reasons why your treadmill’s belt slips, such as the belt being too tight, too loose, too worn, or in need of lubrication.
Regular tightening/aligning of the belt as well as lubricating is important to keep up consistently with any treadmill. Check your NordicTrack treadmill’s manual for how to tighten and align the belt, as well as how to lubricate it – although, we have this post here to help with that, too.
If you’ve had your treadmill for a while, the belt could be worn. It could also have worn more quickly if it wasn’t properly aligned. This can cause the sides to fray and for it to not smoothly rotate over the rollers.
Speed/Incline Issues
Maybe your treadmill’s speed or incline settings seem off. The pace of your treadmill could be too fast, too slow, or just inconsistent. The incline (and decline if applicable) could be inaccurate, too.
The problem could be as simple as the speed and incline need recalibrating. This has happened to us with treadmills we’ve had for years and ones we pull fresh out of the box. How to recalibrate your treadmill should be in the manual. On most NordicTrack treadmills, it is in the settings on the touch screen.
It could mean there is a problem with the belt, such as a lack of lubrication or a poor circuit connection. Instead of causing the belt to slip, needing lubrication could cause the belt to inconsistently move across the deck. A worn belt can cause this, too.
A poor circuit connection can happen if you plug your treadmill into an extension cord or into a wall outlet that doesn’t have the appropriate voltage. There could also be a connection issue between the motor and the belt.
Screen Not Working
Your treadmill’s touch screen or console display might not turn on if there’s a problem with your treadmill’s connection or power cord. NordicTrack treadmills have touch screens, and with any piece of tech equipment, something can break from time to time.
Checking that all wires from the console are properly connected when the treadmill is assembled is important. Sometimes the problem could be that a cord is pinched. Also, checking the power cord that connects to the base of the treadmill is important, especially if you’ve had your treadmill for a while. Cords can wear over time.
If the screen isn’t loading, you can try resetting it. You’ll need 2 people to do this. Start with teh treadmill off, and take the end of a paperclip or another small object, and locate the tiny hole on the console behind the touch screen on your NordicTrack.
Push the paper clip into the hole. Once you have it pushed in, hold it there and have the other person turn the treadmill on. When the screen lights up, you can remove the paper clip. This should reset the stream and allow it to turn on and load properly.
Regular NordicTrack Treadmill Maintenance
Regular treadmill maintenance is important to help avoid problems. Regular maintenance also helps the longevity of your treadmill and helps to ensure it runs properly.
Check The Belt
Aligning, tightening, and lubricating the belt regularly is important. This helps to prevent things like belt slipping, damage, and speed issues over time.
Of course, check your treadmill’s manual, but most treadmills should be lubricated around every 3 months or after 40 hours of use, whichever comes first. Your treadmill might need to be lubricated more often if you live in a dry climate.
A good indication that the belt needs lubricating is if it feels dry underneath it. You should feel the lubrication underneath the belt.
If your belt is making a slapping noise or if you can reach under it completely from one side to the other, it is too loose. The belt might have become stretched over time and needs tightening.
Keep Your Treadmill Clean
Regularly cleaning your treadmill might seem excessive, especially if you are the only person using it, but it can help avoid potential damage down the road. Dripping water and sweat on your treadmill and not cleaning it up after your workout can cause corrosion and damage over time.
Disinfectant wipes are best for wiping down your treadmill from the console and handles to the motor hood and side rails to prevent corrosion and bacteria from growing.
Another aspect to keep clean is the belt. If you wear dirty shoes while running on the belt, this can cause the belt to get dirty. A dirty belt means the motor can get dirt in it, which can cause more problems and potential damage. It’s important to keep the belt free from dirt and debris on top and underneath.
NordicTrack has a cleaning kit available to buy with a treadmill belt cleaning spray to keep your belt clean.
Place A Mat Underneath The Deck
A good rule of thumb is to place a rubber mat underneath your NordicTrack treadmill, or any treadmill. A mat can help protect your flooring and your treadmill. Over hardwood, a mat can help prevent your treadmill from scratching it, and on carpet, a mat can prevent carpet fibers from getting into the motor and causing damage to your treadmill.
A mat can also help cut down on the treadmill’s noise. These are our top recommendations for treadmill mats.
Check For Loose Parts and Wear
This isn’t something you need to do every day, but it is important to do fairly regularly. Screws and other pieces can become loose and components can start to wear down when a treadmill is consistently used.
Other NordicTrack Treadmill Repair
Most common treadmill problems can be repaired and sometimes even avoided with regular treadmill maintenance.
Sometimes things happen though and need repairing by an expert. NordicTrack treadmills come with manuals so make sure to check out your model’s manual if you have a problem or need help with general maintenance. Keep in mind that severe problems will most likely require help from NordicTrack or whichever manufacturer your treadmill is from.
NordicTrack includes a 10-year frame, 2-year parts, and 1-year labor warranties to help cover issues.
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