NordicTrack treadmills are quite similar to other brands’ treadmills, but their high-tech displays may require some additional maintenance and tech support. We have all of NordicTrack’s current treadmills and many of their other cardio machines, so we have encountered and fixed many of the most common issues. No matter how well you take care of a treadmill or how much money you spend on it, these machines have a lot of moving pieces and handle a lot of force, so problems are bound to arise. Fortunately, many of these issues can be solved within minutes and without a call to customer service. Additionally, keeping up with your treadmill’s routine maintenance can save you a lot of time and frustration.
Common NordicTrack Treadmill Issues
1. The White Screen: How to Reset Your NordicTrack
If your NordicTrack Commercial 1750 (or any other NordicTrack cardio machine) just won’t finish booting up for your morning workout, we have the solution for you! These steps below will get you back to your workout without a call to customer service.
Step One: Check to see if your machine has a pinhole on its console.
Most NordicTrack treadmills should have a pinhole somewhere along the top of the console. If your machine has one, congratulations, you do not have to call customer service!
Step Two: Find a paperclip
It doesn’t have to be a paperclip. We have used a SIM card key (like the kind you get with your phone sometimes), a safety pin, a piece of wire, and even the end of a zip tie. You probably have one of these on hand. It just needs to fit into the pinhole on the top of your machine. It’s safe to test it out if you aren’t sure your tool of choice will fit.
Step Three: Find an accomplice
You might be able to manage the next steps alone if you have long arms, but having a friend or family member to help you out makes this procedure much easier.
Step Four: Turn off your treadmill (or other NordicTrack machine)
Once the treadmill is turned off, use your tool to press down on the button inside of the pinhole. Then hold it down. You might be able to feel it compress. We have made the mistake of not hitting the button when performing this step.
Step Five: While the button is being held down, turn the machine on.
Keep holding the button down. This is where your accomplice comes in handy. They should switch on the machine while you maintain pressure on the reset button.
Step Six: When the screen lights up, stop pressing the button
The screen should now proceed to the regular iFIT page, or it may go to a system reboot page. Either is fine. If you continue to get the white screen, try again! We’ve had to redo this process because we didn’t press the button down or we stopped pressing it down too soon.
2. The Belt Isn’t Moving Smoothly
Lubrication
If the belt is slipping, skipping, or sticking, it’s time to pause your workout. The belt may need lubrication or may have too much lubrication. With the machine off, you can inspect the belt and the deck underneath. The belt may need to be loosened first as described in the section below. A build-up of too much lubrication may need to be wiped away. If you have not kept up with the lubrication schedule as indicated by the treadmill user manual (in other words: if you had no idea you even needed to lubricate the belt), apply lubrication if necessary. Make sure to apply only a small amount. You may need to run the treadmill at a low speed for a few minutes to spread the lubrication over the deck. Your treadmill manual should describe the exact procedure recommended for your machine by NordicTrack.
Belt Tension
If lubrication is not the issue, the belt tension may need adjustment. Find an Allen wrench that will fit into the belt adjustment bolts on either end of the deck. This procedure can also be used to center the belt if it has shifted to one side. Use just a quarter turn to adjust the bolts until the desired tension and positioning have been achieved.
3. Something Smells Off
If the treadmill smells strange or like it is burning, turn it off immediately. Unplug the treadmill. Check the belt to see if it is damaged or needs lubrication. Too much friction could be the source of this smell. If that is not the case, there could be something wrong with the wiring. Call the customer service line for support. They may instruct you to remove the motor hood to check for debris or signs of damage.
You can also inspect your electrical cord and power outlet, but be sure that the treadmill is disconnected from its power source first! When in doubt, call the manufacturer or a treadmill technician if the machine is out of warranty.
Other Expert Tips For NordicTrack Treadmill Repair
- A malfunctioning display may need an update. If you keep dismissing update prompts to get to your workout, you may eventually run into issues. Check your treadmill’s settings for any available updates before proceeding to your workout.
- A shaky treadmill may indicate an uneven floor. If your floor is uneven, the treadmill may wobble. Try relocating your treadmill if the floor is drastically uneven.
- An inaccurate incline may need calibration from the iFIT machine settings menu. Calibrating the incline does not take long at all, so it’s a good idea to recalibrate every so often.
Treadmill Maintenance
Even the best treadmills need care and maintenance to keep running! To avoid the above issues as best as possible, make sure to keep up with your treadmill’s prescribed maintenance routine. Lubricating the belt, keeping the motor hood free of dust, updating software, and keeping the deck clear of debris can reduce the likelihood of something going wrong. If something else does happen and your treadmill is inside of the warranty, contact the manufacturer for support. Even if the treadmill is out of warranty, the manufacturer may be able to suggest the best course of action for your exact problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth it to repair a treadmill?
Whether or not it is worth it to repair a treadmill may depend on the cost of the repair and the age of the treadmill. At best, we expect treadmills to last 10 to 15 years. If your treadmill is in the double digits, it might be time for an upgrade. Newer treadmills are typically worth the repair, especially if the machine is still under warranty.
How do I get my NordicTrack serviced?
If your NordicTrack treadmill is still covered by the warranty, you should reach out to NordicTrack’s customer service to get the right help. Even if your machine is not covered by the warranty, NordicTrack may be able to provide you with more information on what next steps are needed for your treadmill’s repair and maintenance.
Do all NordicTracks have a reset pinhole?
No, not all NordicTracks have the reset pinhole. Older models seem to be missing it more than others. If your model does not have this reset option, the next step is to call NordicTrack’s customer service line if your screen is malfunctioning.
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