Panasonic DMR-ES10 DVD Recorder Logo
Posted on Jan 29, 2008
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

U61 on panasonic dmr es15

I'm getting U61 errors. I read to open the cover, unscrew the 3 screws holding the dvd player in place and push the head back. I've unscrewed the 3 screws do i try to remove it from the metal casing too?

  • 6 more comments 
  • jlmundy Jan 29, 2008

    ok .i figured out to remove the metal casing. I slid the head back towards the back of the unit, put everything back together again and power it on, still get the u61 error. Of course, it's 13 mos old, so out of warranty and only happened when i used a new memorex +R dvd to record. WIll cost me $130 to send back to panasonic. Any advise? Thank you

  • Anonymous Feb 11, 2008

    Same exact problem!!!! Out of warranty also

  • fred1homenow Feb 17, 2008

    U61 code came on after I turned the power on, It then wanted to open the DVD drive. the drive did not open all the way, so i pushed it back in myself and I have this U 61 code not but I did have a U66 at first too.

    The unit is not operative at all.



    Fred

  • Anonymous Feb 17, 2008

    I have a DMR-ES25S. It displayed the U61 error while recording. I bought it in Dec 2007 recording less than 30 times. With eye protection goggle, I opened the DVD drive, powered up the unit. The lens moved in and out searching for disc or tried to read a disc then displayed U61 and ejected the DVD tray. I suspected that the lens or the reading head is defected.

  • Rachel1980 Apr 18, 2008

    I have been having the SAME error (U61) message on TWO Panasonic DVD Recorders (one is a VCR combo). I love them as far as ease of use, but they are junk!



    Please let me know if you figure out how to fix this error - every time I put a DVD in, it makes loud noises like it's eating it and working hard...Also, mine won't work with Memorex DVD either (it used to, but not any more). I have to use Maxell DVD-R (had trouble with the +Rs, too). Ridiculous.



    [email protected]

  • Laughinstaff Apr 22, 2008

    I'm getting the same U61 error on my Panasonic DVD recorder. Surfing the net it seems that just everybody else is too - always just after the warranty runs out. Total junk - I will never buy another Panosonic product again!




  • Anonymous May 29, 2008

    I recorded 3 programs successfully and went to pull down a 4th when it said that there is a problem with the disk and I should replace it. When I try it ultimately gave me the U61 error code. This happened twice.

  • Anonymous Mar 26, 2009

    I have the same problems 2 years old , just thro it away ...not worth to repair .

×

5 Answers

hunhandad

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

  • Contributor 1 Answer
  • Posted on Jun 03, 2008
hunhandad
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Joined: Jun 03, 2008
Answers
1
Questions
0
Helped
6291
Points
14

For U61 errors:
Turn unit off
flip down front a/v input panel
simultaneously press the channel up and stop buttons for at least 10 seconds.

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

  • Contributor 2 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 10, 2008
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Joined: Aug 10, 2008
Answers
2
Questions
0
Helped
13363
Points
12

I have seen several postings regarding errors for the DMR ES15 recorder. I have resolved errors on my 15 month old device by cleaning the black spool that retains and spins the disc. Using denatured alcohol on a lint free cloth, I carefully cleaned the hub but did not saturate the material. This immediately cleared the no read and unable to record errors. Of course, I had to remove the outside covers to access the inter-workings of the read-writer.

Ad

Faizal Ali

Level 2:

An expert who has achieved level 2 by getting 100 points

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Cheetah:

An expert who has answered 20 or more questions within one hour.

Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

  • Expert 62 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 05, 2009
Faizal  Ali
Expert
Level 2:

An expert who has achieved level 2 by getting 100 points

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Cheetah:

An expert who has answered 20 or more questions within one hour.

Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

Joined: Aug 14, 2008
Answers
62
Questions
1
Helped
12571
Points
100

This error U61 indicates the unit is carrying its recovery process, which restores the unit to normal operation. It does not mean the unit is broken. Solution is to wait until the message disappears.

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

  • Contributor 1 Answer
  • Posted on Jul 06, 2012
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Joined: Jul 06, 2012
Answers
1
Questions
0
Helped
6291
Points
1

I opened the case, and then the DVD case and cleaned the rubber seat for the DVD with alcohol and quickly dried it with another Q tip. I then pushed the head to the back; as far as possible from the middle. I cleaned off some of the hardened grease from the guides on which the laser head travels. Then put it back together and it still gave the U61. I turned it off and then back on while holding the up channel and the down channel buttons in. It still didn't work. I opened the case and removed each of the ribbon connections and put them back in twice. Then I closed it up and held down the up and down channel buttons when it started. It worked. I could change to VHS and back to DVD. It plays and records. It must be that the lead solder on the ribbon plug-in connections gets oxidized and need to be cleaned. Just pulling them out and pushing them back in does it.

A

Anonymous

Same here U61 , and 4weeks out of warranty, another one for the dump.
Paddy

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

2helpful
1answer

U61 Code will not reset - any suggestions?

Hello,

You have the same issue as the one who is posted here at Fixya. But this requires you to open the DVD cover. If the unit is still under warranty, its best to bring it to the authorized service center. If not, you can try and test this if it'll work.

http://www.fixya.com/support/t221217-u61_error_code


"I have the same problem (same error # same model of DVR).

I noticed it happened after I left a DVD in play mode and paused for a long time.

I saw a message on the Internet that error U61 can mean that the lens is unable to move (return to its normal position).

The Internet message said that person unpluged everything, then opened the cover to the DMR-ES15 (3 screws) and gently pushed the DVD head back towards the rear of the DMR-ES15.

I assume that would void his warranty, but I am considering trying it since the time to have it repaired versus the replacement cost makes the possibility of a "self-repair" attractive.

Here is part of that actual Internet message. I hope it helps you:

Yesterday, my DMR-ES15 started to malfunction, giving me the error U61.

No matter how many times I tried to press Enter, and Power On, the machine
kept re-booting with the error U61. I noticed that the drive was making some noises as if the Read head was not able to park properly.
So I decided to open up the unit and find out why.

I took out the 3 screws holding the top in place. And then moved
the drive head mechanism back (pushed it towards the back of the unit).

I then plugged the power in, turned it on, and amazingly there was no more U61 error.

I test the unit this morning again and everything seems to work properly again!"


5helpful
1answer

PANASONIC DMR-ES35V have error code U61

From User guide:
U61 • There was a power failure or the AC plug was disconnected while the unit was on. The unit is carrying out its recovery process. This process restores the unit to normal operation. The unit is not broken. Wait until the message disappears.

If fail unplug and hold power button for a minute or two and turn it on and repeat.

1helpful
1answer

Panasonic DVD/VCR message U61

Dear stds ~ My DVD Recorder Keeps Opening & Closeing The Tray A Gives An Error Message Saying ~ Repair Has Failed ~
DVD Recorder ~ DMR ES46V Panasonic ~
Error Message ~ U61 !
If Possible To Resolve ~
Please Do !
Before I Buy A New One !
Please Respond ASAP To ~ [email protected]
Thanks !
0helpful
1answer
0helpful
1answer

ES15 - U61 - what am i supposed to push back?

Yes, there are four screws holding the drive top in place. When you remove these and the top you will see the drive head which can be pushed towards the back of the unit. I tried this but it still didn't resolve the U61 problem, I'm amazed that a company like Panasonic allows such a glitch to occur to so many customers.
2helpful
3answers

U61 error code

UMM the DVD top lid uses FOUR screws. The entire DVD drive is bolted to the chassis with 3 screws.
30helpful
13answers

Model No'DMR-ES15 - U61problem

I get this message occasionally on my Panasonic DMR-ES15. It's actually a really simple fix. It occurs when there is a corruption in the disc which causes the recording mechanism to malfunction. There is a separate error message for this, however it is usually not detected until it's too late. When the recorder asks you to carry out the recovery process, do it. When the disc ejects, make sure you take the disc out that was in there when it occured and throw it away...it will keep happening because the disc is permanently corrupted. However, do not close the tray without a disc or the self-check will fail. Instead pop in a disc of the same format that the error occured in (if it was DVD+RW then put in a DVD+RW). It resolves the problem every time on the first try. (It only happened two times in a year and a half for me). As the manual says the unit is "NOT BROKEN".
Not finding what you are looking for?

6,301 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Panasonic Televison & Video Experts

 Grubhead
Grubhead

Level 3 Expert

5755 Answers

Grand Canyon Tech
Grand Canyon Tech

Level 3 Expert

3867 Answers

Cindy Wells

Level 3 Expert

6688 Answers

Are you a Panasonic Televison and Video Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...