Does anyone know the definition of the various HOx error codes for Panasonic DVD players? It's probably in the service manual. My RP-91 has started producing a couple of them (H03, H05) instead of playing DVD (no prob w/CDs though). I few searches here and on other forums indicates that there are a *lot* of people out there who've encountered these.

Thanks,
Steve

Steve,

Did you ever find out any more details on these errors? My RP-91 is now giving me an H05 error code all of a sudden. *sigh*

Thanks,
John

any luck on these error code listings?

I have read that h02 is spindle. I have also heard h02 is optical pick up. I think its spindle, since the only time I get it is when the dvd isn't turning.

In addition, I was able to replicate the h05 when I was refocusing my pickup, so I think it might be an out of focus code, but not sure. Any one with any information would be greatly appreciated.

I guess if you are going to replace the spindle, you might as well replace the optical too. Thats just over 100 dollars in parts.

ack

patrick

If you go to the pansonic firmware update thread, and go to page 17 or 18, you'll find a few folks who have the RP91 service manual -- you mgiht PM them...

I'm thinking about ordering a copy of it for the fun of it. This was the response I got from Pansonic's service department:

Our service manuals contain the schematics, as well as the parts listings. The service manuals for your model is available for $17.27. There is also a $3.00 shipping/handling fee with in the US, as well as your local taxes, attached to this order.

To place an order, please call 800 833 9626 (253-395-7343) or contact me with your shipping and credit card information.

I do not show a calibration disc. The service manual does list the available
test and service disc.

Thank you for your inquiry,
Lucia
National Parts Center
npcparts@US.Panasonic.com

I've asked (yesterday) for part number and cost of the test and service disk. If I get a reply, I'll post it.

@ ~ $20, it seems like this will be a good buy.

Joe

ppm,

Actaully H02 is optical pickup and H07 is spindle. I don't know what H05 is thou. Even thou the disc doesn't spin and saying that it errors out, I believe that the laser is suppose to power up but since it failed, the disc didn't spin.

I remember my first RP-82 gave me H02 after just loading a disc in. After that I just exchanged my player for another one just before the 30 day exchange ended and ever since, more errors!

Could the loader be changed in these players like it is done in the Bravo/Momitsu and such?

Not without a LOT more modification, if it were at all possible.

As I understand it, the bravo basically uses an off the shelf DVD-ROM drive.

Panasonic (and most stand alone players) uses custom loader mechanisms that don't really resemble a DVD-ROM drive at all. You'd have to manually remove the drive mechanics and transplant them - assuming they're even compatable.

Was just curious.. The bravo and momitsu dont use off the shelf loaders but you are able to put off the shelf loaders in them.

Anyone has more information on this? I just started getting an H05 error on my RP56 out of the blue. I load a DVD-R (burned on the E80), the RP56 tries to read it for a while and then it returns the dreaded H05. Is the player shot? Is it worth having it repaired? Would a firmware upgrade take care of this? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Send Sango a PM and ask him to respond on this thread -- he knows the ins and outs of repairing these units. I believe you need to replace the spindle motor.

Joe

Hello,

I have a portable Panasonic LS-50, which is giving me the H03 error code. After I put a DVD in, it tries to read the disc, but the DVD definitely does not spin at all.

A web search shows that this may be a "Traverse servo error". I don't know anything about player innards, but it doesn't sound the same as the spindle problems that seem so common (and this model is relatively new). Of course, since the disc does not spin, it just might be the same thing. I haven't read any similar issues with Panasonic's portable units.

Would spindle replacement help at all? Or is the traverse servo something completely different?

Thanks,
Marc

Anybody know if the Optical pickup/spindle motor assembly in the currently-selling Panasonic players are compatible with the one in the CP72 units?

I don't know if any of you are aware, but with my LS5 model of the panasonic portable dvd player the error codes could be solved by turning on your device, taking out any disk, closing the tray and pushing the back skip, pause, and play buttons at the same time. Hold for about 4 seconds and the screen will go blank then "initializing" will appear and your player will read your disks again. Hope this is helpful to someone

Lilmissmilies,

I'm want to buy a LS50 or LS90 but after reading reviews on amazon.com about the HO3 error message, I'm thinking about changing my mind.

Does your solution for the error message always work? The reviewers on amazon.com had to pay big bucks for servicing the DVD player.

Thanks!

I am also really interested in buying the LS50 but after reading the Amazon reviews I am worried. Could you please respond with whether holding down the three buttons at one time works everytime? Thanks! :)

lilmissmilies instructions worked-we just fixed the problem with our Panasonic DVD player - H02 error
thanks!!

lilmissmilies instructions worked-we just fixed the problem with our Panasonic DVD player - H02 error
thanks!!

Thanks for the feedback. It's nice to know how to fix it. I just purchased the DVD player and we took it on a 4 hour flight. It worked perfectly and the battery never failed. Great DVD player! :D Thanks lilmissmilies for the fix!

IUf anyone has any trouble with their players in repairing or doesn't wish to undertake it, I offer a repair service for the failures of these Panny units and their clones, I posted a ad in the source components for sale area

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=667008

the H02, H03, H04 and H07 errors are spindle related in my experience, the service manuals list these as spindle failures also, a optical failure is rare, it will usually be indicated by H05 and U11 and sometimes F506

Sango is correct in that H02 can be a optical failure, although I have never seen it

-Gary

fixing code H03
is very simple but needs some courrage and small philips screw driver.
the problem arrise from the laser lamb which moves up and down the disk through a mechanical shaft
I do believe when we press the back space for long time it will take the laser lamb beyond its limit and get stuck at the end of the rotating shaft so the servo motor gets difficulty and resistance to get it back to tract
all you have to do is open the back of the LS50 " 12 small screws"
:mad: when you remove the back cover be carful not to damage the cables :mad: .
you will find the servo motor and laser lamb on one metal structure hanged to the body by three rubber suspensions
remove the whole structre and turn it upside down slowly
move the small black rotating joints up or down you will notice the the mechanical shaft will start rotating and the laser lamb will start to move away from the servo motor relasing it from where it get stuck
and it will work perfect after that
return the back cover and screw the 12 screws and you are done

Hossam - YOU ARE THE MAN! I purchased a Panasonic LS90 34 days ago and got the H03 message (4 days beyond the return/exchange period, of course!). Followed your procedure and 10 minutes later, she's reading DVD's again! Thanks for helping me save a chunk of repair bill!

thanks....Problem: Unit will not play DVD's, Spindle motot not turning, all 5 Disc
indications are lighting up and blinking in a pattern and the unit's LED
readout reads...."CHANGE" and will give and error code of..........."DVD ". Any help?

hugo fernando

I had code H03 as well, and these excellent instructions fixed the player in less then 5 minutes

fixing code H03
is very simple but needs some courrage and small philips screw driver.
the problem arrise from the laser lamb which moves up and down the disk through a mechanical shaft
I do believe when we press the back space for long time it will take the laser lamb beyond its limit and get stuck at the end of the rotating shaft so the servo motor gets difficulty and resistance to get it back to tract
all you have to do is open the back of the LS50 " 12 small screws"
:mad: when you remove the back cover be carful not to damage the cables :mad: .
you will find the servo motor and laser lamb on one metal structure hanged to the body by three rubber suspensions
remove the whole structre and turn it upside down slowly
move the small black rotating joints up or down you will notice the the mechanical shaft will start rotating and the laser lamb will start to move away from the servo motor relasing it from where it get stuck
and it will work perfect after that
return the back cover and screw the 12 screws and you are done

i got the msg "DVD H05" for my 5yrs old panasonic player
would anyone know how to fix that?

Hossam is the man! I just took apart an LS55 portable dvd player with the H03 error and found a small hair in the rotating shaft that moves the laser. Took the hair out, an now it works perfectly. Thanks!

Hossam! Thanks man, you are genius. I followed your tricks and it worked. I Just saved myself a 100 pounds from the repair man. I tried many times for two days but it didn't work, almost gave up but I tried again today a little differently. I spinned the lamp stud unit all the way down the bottom of the sharft and kept rotating the wheel for a while. Closed it. Put the DVD in, it spinned but no picture, so I "INITIALLIZED it"- play, pause and back button the same time- turned of and on again. It finally worked.

Had all of these showing up on my cp 72 was ready to trash until i read hossam's reply figured i would start there, 9 screws later up and running had to move it a couple times but seems to be good now. even found a dvd i have been missing for a few years :eek: hahaha! Thanks!!!

I got the HO2 error a few times. I didn't know what it was until I found this forum.

So hello all.

I fixed this error by gently shaking the machine.


Lo and behold it is working fine now.

I got the HO2 error a few times. I didn't know what it was until I found this forum.

So hello all.

I fixed this error by gently shaking the machine.


Lo and behold it is working fine now.


Hello. I didnt know what the H02 error message was either until I read this forum.

I have a Panasonic DVD/CD player SA-DT100. It stopped reading any CD/DVDs after I turned it off using the standby button while in play mode.

So what a spark of inspiration. Shake up the machine like an old jukebox.

Anything's worth a try I thought.

I turned it upside down and shook it while it was in search mode '----' until it started displaying read mode 'o---'.

Now it plays fine everytime. You guys are great!!

Gotta love this place.....

For what it's worth, I'd like to confirm that the H02 error code that my Panasonic DVD S35 was remedied by "gently shaking" the machine. Thanks to rindulus. Kind of sounds like a joke though, eh?

I received an H02 error on my RV31. I tries the jiggle and shake method, and it seems like it worked. But alas, the H02.

So I loaded a DVD and as soon as the tray wentin, I spun the top of the spindle backwards and it started working.

Thanks everyone!! :)

After Googling and finding this thread, I tried the two procedures that had met with success for dealing with the dreaded "HO2" error: shaking gently and shaking hard.

I found shaking hard worked. The machine let out a sort of groan and proceeded to work fine, at least so far.

So that's great! Thanks a lot!

Hi All --

I am a new member. I have been having trouble with the H02 code and NO PLAY code on both of my Panasonic DVD players. They both went into this mode at the same time ???!!! :confused: Fortunately I have another brand of DVD player as a back up, which IS working.

I have a RV26 and a C220 5-disc player. I tried holding the buttons (thanks, Lilmissmilies!), and it worked on the C220 for a short time, then failed and the fix would not work again. It did not work at all on the RV26. I tried the shaking method on both with no results. I may need to get brave and try Hossam's fix. I would love to get especially the C220 working! :)

These are both older units, so it may be time to bite the bullet and buy a newer one! *Sigh*

I am not sure I can get to the spindle and turn it backwards...

Thanks for all the help - I am glad I found this forum!! I hope I can get these units working again!

pfulton

Hi, I bought My Panasonic LS50 7 months back and got H03 error, I tried shaking the unit no response then i tried gentle shaking laser head back and forth a while. then it's Working perfectly, Thanks you for all suggestion and postings.

Hello all,
Besides gently shaking the DVD player which didn't work for me :confused: , any other suggestion that I could do to fix a HO2 error on a Panasonic DVDPlayer.
Thanks a lot for your help!

Krimo

I got the HO2 error a few times. I didn't know what it was until I found this forum.

So hello all.

I fixed this error by gently shaking the machine.


Lo and behold it is working fine now.

Here is a repair for the H07 error http://www.crestronforums.org/index.php?showtopic=3&pid=8&mode=threaded&show=&st=&#entry8
Did it and it worked on my RP-62. It had to be cycled a few times to get the gears back in place.

Digging this thread back up...

Just started getting the HO2 on my RP-91. Disassembled the thing and lubed the spindle motor, everything works great with the cover off. Put the cover back on and after tesing one or two discs the thing goes back into HO2 mode.

While testing with the cover off I discovered that if I prime the disc (give a little forward or backward turn) it starts up. So I 've found a horrific trick of taping a piece of string to the disc when loading to start it spinning... (that's so bad)

But, I'm curious if anyone has any more hints on how to fix aside from the shaking? Shaking doesn't do it for my unit.

Qs for the repair folks... anyone got a part number for the spindle? And is the spindle part just the board and motor or is there more to it? I'm just trying to figure out how much work it will be to replace it.

Digging this thread back up...

Just started getting the HO2 on my RP-91. Disassembled the thing and lubed the spindle motor, everything works great with the cover off. Put the cover back on and after tesing one or two discs the thing goes back into HO2 mode.

While testing with the cover off I discovered that if I prime the disc (give a little forward or backward turn) it starts up. So I 've found a horrific trick of taping a piece of string to the disc when loading to start it spinning... (that's so bad)

But, I'm curious if anyone has any more hints on how to fix aside from the shaking? Shaking doesn't do it for my unit.

Qs for the repair folks... anyone got a part number for the spindle? And is the spindle part just the board and motor or is there more to it? I'm just trying to figure out how much work it will be to replace it.

I had that exact same problem and found the only way to fix was to replace the pickup assembly. $70 or so from Panasonic parts and even come w/instructions on how to do it.

Hello all,

First off, I'd like to say thanks to everyone in the thread for guiding me to fixing my DVD player. It's much appreciated :)

I have a Panasonic LV50 portable player, and about a year ago it gave up the ghost with the H02 error. It went in a box and we moved house. Recently we planned a trip with our two children, and I realised I needed the LV50 working, so a quick Google found this site.

The symptoms were that the disc would spin, and the laser was working, but the screen stuck at Reading for a couple of minutes then everything stopped. I watched the action by holding down the small buttons on the right side, fooling the player into thinking the lid was closed. The pickup was moving back and forth, up and down and I could see the laser through the disc. Having a closer look I noticed that the pickup was about 7mm from the edge of the spinner. Thinking that it was looking for the disc header in the wrong place I opened the back (the three button initialise and the shaking hadn't helped at this stage).

Turning the unit on it's lid I removed the screws and gently prised up the panel. It was clipped in on the front edge with two small hooks, so a degree of BFI was required. The first thing that is evident when the unit is opened is that the three sections (the back panel, the front assembly and the reading unit) are all connected by thin ribbons. Once I had that I moved things very carefully and made sure not to extend the ribbons to breaking.

I saw the spindle arm - it's about 60mm long, and to the side of the lens mounting. I used my index finger to gently turn it until the lens unit was up against the end of its run. The drive unit sits with three rubber feet in metal holdling points of the front section; I gently placed these together as I reassembled the unit. Closed everything up, and powered on for a test.

After three or four seconds of anxiously waiting the DVD title kicked in, and I had a working unit again :D

I hope this description may help someone else with a broken LV50 (or similar). Thanks again to all who gave the advise which led me to this solution...

Take care, Ian

I tried the soft and hard shake methods for about 10 minutes, then stumbled upon success with five moderate knocks to the bottom of the unit while it was in search mode. Thanks to all for permission to fix it the way I prefer to fix things.

Digging this thread back up...

Just started getting the HO2 on my RP-91. Disassembled the thing and lubed the spindle motor, everything works great with the cover off. Put the cover back on and after tesing one or two discs the thing goes back into HO2 mode.

While testing with the cover off I discovered that if I prime the disc (give a little forward or backward turn) it starts up. So I 've found a horrific trick of taping a piece of string to the disc when loading to start it spinning... (that's so bad)

But, I'm curious if anyone has any more hints on how to fix aside from the shaking? Shaking doesn't do it for my unit.

Qs for the repair folks... anyone got a part number for the spindle? And is the spindle part just the board and motor or is there more to it? I'm just trying to figure out how much work it will be to replace it.

I've my old RP82 sitting around doing nothing for a couple of years since I got the H02 error. My other DVD player just packed it in, so I gave your recommendation a go (rapping the disc). I took the lid off the player (12 screws) put the disc in and rapped it, and it WORKED! woohoo!

Thanks,

Jonny

Hi, I have a Panasonic LS50 and had about 10 months trouble free usage out of it until one day the H02 error code appeared, I took it to the local service centre and they fixed it under warranty, no problem. We have used it alot even in place of our main DVD player when that broke down. However the H02 code has come back, 2 years after it was fixed, I didn't want to take it to the service centre again, the cost would be about £50, now that the warrany has expired, so I looked on this site and FIXED IT FOR FREE IN LESS THAN 1 MINUTE. I am not sure that it will work for everyone but this is what I did:
I simply opened the disc cover and gently wiggled the little unit housing the laser reader making sure I didn't actually touch the "eye" and then I pressed down on various parts of the raised area around the central spindle, again very gently.
To my surprise when I put a dvd in the player actually read the disc and played it.
Thank you to previous posters for their fixes, the 3 button press and shaking methods all of which I tried, and the people who advised manually moving the spindle, I hope my variation works for those who are as frustrated as I was.
Good luck and hopefully I will not need to come here again.

I just recently repaired my RP82 for H07 faults. I replaced the spindle motor assy (third time I have done so).

Now it seems I am having the H05 laser tracking error. After much testing, it seems that the unit will play just fine with the cover off, but dissolve into static and stop playing with H05 within 2 minutes of the cover being replaced. Unbelievable I know.

I was thinking I needed to take a crack at calibrating the optics, as they are probably out of cal, and could be seeing / reflecting against the metal cover. It does fine if I cover it with black paper. And no, it is not any electrical interference. I ruled that out first.

Does anyone know where to download the service manual? I will be ordering the calibration disc.

Any advice on calibrating the optics would also be appreciated. I have read about a few guys "adjusting the pickup" or some such thing. How do you do that with the disc running in the player?

Thanks all!

HO2 error on Panasonic #DVD S1

Hey y'all. I just had this error code pop up. A quick Google of the error code, and I found this board. Tried the "gently shake" method, and ethusiastically gave it a try.

BINGO!!!

I just wanted to take a moment, register, and post my deepest thanks to you fine folks. I only hope that I don't get a recurrance, but if I do, I'll be back.

Thanks again. :)

I had that exact same problem and found the only way to fix was to replace the pickup assembly. $70 or so from Panasonic parts and even come w/instructions on how to do it.
Can you tell me where you bought the pickup assembly and the part number? I have a RP91 that is giving a H02 error. After gentle and vigourous shaking, it still wont work properly. Was replacing the pickup assembly a straightforward job? Thanks.

I ordered from Panasonic. I think I had to call the parts department.

I ordered from Panasonic. I think I had to call the parts department.
I ordered a optical pickup assembly from Partstore.com at $72. It was not in stock.

So, I decided to buy a new dvd. I read the DVD forum and a not too expensive model seems to be a Oppo 980H at $169 at Amazon.com. It upconverts to 1080p, has good reviews for sound and video. It is 7.1 channel ready. If the assembly I ordered comes, I will try to fix the Panasonic RP91 but in the meanwhile I will use the Oppo for my home theater.

I too am experiencing the H02 error, no spinning disk. Shaking sometimes works, but certainly not convenient. I don't think it's worth repairing.

LeoDLion: Have you hooked up your Oppo 980H? How does the image quality compare to the RP91? I have an older Sony XBR WEGA 34" widescreen CRT HDTV without HDMI support and use component cables from the DVD unit. Are you using component cables?

Any one else purchased a new DVD player to replace their RP91? Any recommendations?

Thanks.

I bought a couple machines for transferring my large collection of VHS to DVD. One machine gave me an HO2 yesterday and no trick would resolve it. I could get the DVD player to spin the disc but it was noisy and the tracks look properly lubicated.

The other machine promptly started throwing up snowy video and no trick would resolve that problem either. So I took the DVD drive out of that unit (Panasonic ES35V) and put it in the unit with the HO2 problem.

The original unit is still throwing up the HO2 code in spite of a replacement DVD drive that worked fine in the other machine.

Gone in 60 Minutes....two machines. Aghhhh.

Purple Tang, that sucks that you are still getting the error. Did you try reinitializing the player with the replaced drive?

Today I worked on my really old RV-31 again (shake and kickstart clockwise spin wasn't working right away), but rotating it slightly counter-clockwise and letting it pick up a few times seems to have gotten it going again. And I used canned air with the tray ejected.

How does one reinitialize? Sounds like it could work.

I think there are a couple of ways depending on the player model. Hold these buttons down on the front panel at the same time with an empty tray. A working combination will show "INITIALIZED" on the LED panel after a few seconds.

play-reverse-pause

or

eject-reverse-pause

Didn't believe it, but it works. HO2 error... turn the player upside down and shake it while it tries to read a disc. I had to take that 'gentle' part with a grain of salt...but if it's not working I can't really break it, right? I'm up and running again. You guys are the best. :D

-needsupervision

I tried the "initialize" procedure and that did not work on my LS-90

I unscrewed and unclipped the bottom, manually rotated the gear that rotates the worm screw and subsequently moves the lazer head back and forth. Removed any hairs, plugged in the AC power and we are back in action!

I think the worm drive gets stuck. I did not have to remove the metal plate that holds the lazer head or any cables for this repair, but the assembly and the cables do unclip easily. :)

I got the H02 error code on my Yamaha C920 DVD player. As suggested above, I banged on it a few times while it was loading and Presto! it works!

Thanks!:)

My dvd player worked well for 3 years and just stopped playing one day after getting the HO3 error message. Found this forum on google search and followed directions from HOSSAM's earlier post and took apart the back panel. Found lint and very small fibers caught in the worm screw. Removed it, turned the plastic cogs and put everything back together. Voila! works like a charm!
thanks to this forum, I saved $200.00 in repairs.

Talk about the gift that keeps on giving! Hossam's advice just saved me a bundle as well. In my case, I was getting a weird rattle from my LS-82 for months. I opened it up but couldn't find the chip of plastic that was causing it so I just forgot about it. Then I got the H03 error a couple of hours ago and followed Hossam's instructions. Turns out that piece of plastic had found the laser pickup. When I moved the pickup the plastic fell out. No more H03 and no more rattle. Thanks Hossam!!

My yamaha c920 just gave me the ho2 error and I came into this forum looking for a definition of the error and found the good ol' remedy of just banging on it, went back and guess what....it worked, thanks for the help. Gotta love the forums.

I came across this thread because I was trying to find a way to fix my dvd player. I don't have the manual anymore, so I figured I could type in the error code as a search, and here we are. I have a Panasonic SA-DP-1 DVD Stereo System and started getting the HO2 error code two days ago. Well, I tried the "gently shaking", which didn't work and followed up with "vigorously shaking" which worked the second time. The player doesn't sound too happy about it, but it's working for the time being. I didn't originally pay for the machine but it was new when I received it. I really didn't feel like having to pay to have it repaired and I'm not about to go buy a new one. Thanks everyone and I hope this helps others as well.

I know it has been 2 years since Hossam posted his advice on how to repair the H03 error. I was kinda hesitant and doubted that it would work because I'm not really good with electrical stuff and didn't have an idea which part is which but like he said I had to have courage to do it, and so I tried it. I was really surprised it worked the first time I tried it and my son was really happy coz he's the one who uses it during our trips. Thanks so much, Hossam! The smile on my son's face was the best reward I could ever ask for fixing it.

My Panasonic DVP-35S went to "HO2" last night so I searched google this AM and found this thread. Tried the shaking, no luck, shook harder, no luck, tried the upside down and tapping on the bottom approach, didn't work, tried it again and it worked!! It "groaned" while loading but eventually loaded the disc. However, now I lose my "memory marks" every once in a while, but no big dead. This unit is about 5-6-years old and has been fine (I now only use it in the bedroom so it gets very few hours over the last 4-years). Thanks for all the tips on the various "HO" errors. Appreciate it...

I wrote a BLOG post (http://ricktechtalk.nfshost.com/blog/2008/12/30/fixing-my-portable-dvds-h03-error) of my own successful experience following Hossam's instructions. I included pictures of the innards of my malfunctioning Panasonic DVD player. I hope it's helpful to someone, and happy thoughts to Hossam, wherever he may be!

AVS comes through again, I can say that giving it a good rap ( or 4-5) on the top of it got my Denon 1600 to play cd's again, I'll check dvd's later.

I've got a bluray coming this next week so hoping to last until then at least:D

does anyone have any idea what the HO1 code means? i took the top off and removed all the dvds that my daughter had jammed in there,but it is still not working? is there something else i can do?