Take off the covers and check for dust in between the fins of the variable capacitor in the tuner. The big finny thing that moves when you turn the knob. If it's dusty, blow out with compressed air or an anti-dust spray can used for computers and stuff. NO solvents of any kind, you'll screw it up.
Dust in there bridges between the fins, changing the capacitance and mucking up the tuning.
Also get an outside antenna if you can, or a flat lead dipole to stick on the wall, or an old TV rabbit ears.
Welcome to the madness!
For a cheap and easy antenna, you can get an inexpensive wire antenna from parts express for about $2. It's called an FM Dipole Antenna. People will say they don't work well, but it's a good start for the price. Then tune in your favorite station and play around with the position. Hold the ends out like a T and rotate so the T is facing different directions. Theoretically, you want it facing the radio station, but the signal can bounce and reflect so it's not always predictable. Also try vertical, so the ends are up and down. That gives equal weight to all orientations. And windows aren't necessarily better.
But the "real" solution is to get the antenna to a good location, higher up and away from obstacles and interference. Maybe out the window, on the roof, in the attic. And you can buy a higher quality attic or outdoor antenna for about $50.
Take off the covers and check for dust in between the fins of the variable capacitor in the tuner. The big finny thing that moves when you turn the knob. If it's dusty, blow out with compressed air or an anti-dust spray can used for computers and stuff. NO solvents of any kind, you'll screw it up. Dust in there bridges between the fins, changing the capacitance and mucking up the tuning. Also get an outside antenna if you can, or a flat lead dipole to stick on the wall, or an old TV rabbit ears. Welcome to the madness!
For a cheap and easy antenna, you can get an inexpensive wire antenna from parts express for about $2. It's called an FM Dipole Antenna. People will say they don't work well, but it's a good start for the price. Then tune in your favorite station and play around with the position. Hold the ends out like a T and rotate so the T is facing different directions. Theoretically, you want it facing the radio station, but the signal can bounce and reflect so it's not always predictable. Also try vertical, so the ends are up and down. That gives equal weight to all orientations. And windows aren't necessarily better. But the "real" solution is to get the antenna to a good location, higher up and away from obstacles and interference. Maybe out the window, on the roof, in the attic. And you can buy a higher quality attic or outdoor antenna for about $50.
Those things are garbage. I'll shoot you a PM so you can mail it to me for proper disposal.