Toshiba vcr wont load tape

[checkin]

With the cover off, tape goes in half way, can only get it to load pressing eject on remote, after more tries will load normally.
With cover on, need to use remote eject, all the time to get it to load.
Blocked the sensors, one by one, but didnt change a thing.
Trying to wrap my head around how the remote will override the normal push loading.
I feel like the answer is right in front of me, but missing the forest for the trees. Any thoughts?

[hodgey]

What model is it? It could be a dirty mode switch, which may or may not be an easy fix depending on how new it is.

[checkin]

It is model SD-V291U. 2003 Thanks for reminding me, I forgot about the switch. Is it usually located under the carriage chassis about the size of a quarter?

Picture below.

[checkin]

Chassis picture

[hodgey]

I haven't tinkered with this specific mech, but on modern decks like this it should be under the chassis yeah.

EDIT: This mech may not actually have a normal mode switch, that's interesting. Maybe it's something similar though, issue with the thingies detecting the light as mentioned in the video.