An audio/video receiver (AVR) is a crucial component in home theater systems that converts signals into sound. If an AV receiver goes down, it can significantly impact the functionality of your entire system. To address this issue, follow a systematic troubleshooting process by following a step-by-step procedure. This includes repairing various home entertainment devices such as surround sound A/V receivers, conventional stereo receivers, power amplifiers, preamplifiers, speakers, and iPod/Bluetooth speaker systems.
Modern home cinema setups typically include a large flat-screen high-resolution television, DVD or Blu-ray player, and a stereo speaker system. Home audio systems include shelf stereos, surround sound receivers, and other components. To repair a blown channel, follow these steps:
- Find any documentation on the issue. Search for a service manual if possible. If the issue is older, you may have a decent chance of finding a repair guide online.
- Check the power source. Ensure the receiver is plugged into a working power outlet. If the issue cannot be resolved, seek help from an A/V technician.
- Check the power. Ensure all plugs are securely connected. If the issue cannot be pinpointed, seek professional help.
In summary, AV receivers are essential components in home theater systems, and troubleshooting can help combat common issues. By following a step-by-step process, you can efficiently resolve the problem and ensure the functionality of your home theater system.
📹 Yamaha RX-V371 Repair and Test
I purchased a faulty Yamaha RX-V371 Home Theatre Receiver. Will I be able to fix it?
Why is my home theater not producing sound?
A common issue with surround sound is a lack of sound, which can be resolved by ensuring sound cables are securely plugged in, all devices are powered on, and the volume and mute controls on the receiver are checked. If the issue persists, the receiver can be used to test and recalibrate the speakers. If the sound is still absent, a new speaker, receiver, or professional home entertainment system repair may be necessary.
To repair sound system balancing, check cable connections between speakers and receivers, adjust settings on the receiver, and if all speakers are working but the balance feels off, recalibrate the receiver using the user’s manual.
Is it OK to leave audio receiver on all the time?
The debate surrounding the use of power in audio equipment has been ongoing since the vacuum-tube era of recording studios and early vacuum-tube computers. Tube gear took time for circuits to stabilize, while solid-state circuitry settles down quickly. However, solid-state gear used in domestic applications like home theater and music reproduction has negligible life-shortening effects due to the remarkable longevity of modern transistorized components.
Leaving the power on an A/V receiver all the time is not practical, especially for recording studios. Heat is the enemy of all circuitry over the long term, and all components generate heat. A/V receivers, which jam seven amplifiers and control circuitry onto one chassis, generate heat. To determine the power consumption, look up the “idling power consumption” in the specifications section of your receiver owner’s manual. Most A/V receivers now have “Standby” circuits that use a small bit of power to keep the infrared remote receptor and circuit active.
In the past, many TV sets had an “Instant On” feature that kept a low voltage supply to the picture tube’s heater element, but most brands dropped that feature as the cost of electrical power increased. Receiver power consumption is just one consideration when deciding on equipment.
How long do receivers last?
It is advised that maintenance be performed on receivers and amplifiers after a period of 10 to 15 years, as equipment of a superior quality is expected to last for a minimum of 30 to 40 years.
What causes a receiver to fail?
A blown receiver channel can impact sound quality due to factors like power surges, heat, faulty components, improper speaker impedance matching, or accidental miswiring. It can damage or malfunction the amplifier circuitry, causing distortion or no sound. Fixing a blown channel requires visual inspection, diagnostic tests, component replacement, and careful soldering. Preventive measures like using surge protectors, maintaining proper ventilation, and using compatible audio equipment can reduce the risk of channel burnout and ensure optimal receiver performance.
Do audio receivers wear out?
The longevity of speakers, soundbars, and audio gear depends on the technology used. Passive speakers without built-in amplifiers are the best option for long-lasting use, as they typically last decades and can be easily repaired. Home theater receivers, which often have the latest video and audio technologies, become obsolete within five years. All-in-one speakers with built-in amplifiers are more complicated to repair and often source audio through advanced technology like HDMI, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.
Bluetooth, an industry standard, is likely to continue working as technology advances. However, portable Bluetooth speakers may have a shorter battery run time and may be difficult to replace or cost more than new speakers.
Wi-Fi is another industry standard, but the technologies transmitting sound through it are proprietary. Companies like Amazon, Google, and Sonos may withdraw support, go out of business, be bought by another company, or relocate their operations. For instance, Sonos announced that its products made before 2016 were not compatible with its latest control app, making using legacy devices with new ones difficult. When shopping for Wi-Fi-based tabletop and smart speakers, it is recommended to get one that also includes Bluetooth support to ensure compatibility with proprietary Wi-Fi technology.
How do I know if my receiver is bad?
AV receivers are crucial components in home theater systems, receiving audio and video signals from various sources like TVs, Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and streaming devices. Common issues they may encounter include no power, remote control issues, Bluetooth or network connectivity issues, audio/video sync issues, overheating, speaker protection mode issues, no sound from specific channels, and low volume. Understanding AV receivers and their importance is crucial for addressing these issues and maintaining optimal audio and video quality.
How do I know if my stereo receiver fuse is blown?
In order to ascertain whether a fuse has been entirely blown, it is necessary to employ a multimeter in continuity mode, connecting the probes to the ends of the fuse in question.
How do I fix my receiver problem?
To fix a stereo receiver that isn’t making sound, ensure all plugs are firmly seated in their sockets, and check the speaker/source selection, speaker wires, speakers, and source components. If the issue persists, try troubleshooting tips to get your new sound system up and running. After arranging new speakers, connecting cables, and turning on the audio source, try pressing “play” on the audio source again. This should resolve the issue and allow the new sound system to function properly.
What causes a receiver to go out?
To ensure the safety of your receiver, check its current and ensure it is not underpowered. If the receiver shares a wall outlet with another high-current appliance, it may shut itself off due to insufficient current. If the receiver is plugged into a power strip, ensure it is connected to a dedicated wall outlet. If the receiver shuts off due to faulty wires, overheating, or low current, it may need service.
How do I get my audio sound back?
To fix “no sound” on your computer, check your hardware and cable connections, audio settings, restart or change your audio device, install or update audio or speaker drivers, disable audio enhancements, and update the BIOS. Make sure your speakers are turned on and the volume is high enough. Unmute all audio components on your PC, sound devices, and apps. This will help resolve the issue and improve your computer’s sound quality.
📹 How to Repair an AV Receiver
How to Repair an AV Receiver. Part of the series: Home Theater Repair & Installation. If your AV receiver goes down, it could …
This is awesome. The first thing I ever fixed was a Sony receiver from 1997 that my father put on the sidewalk because it wouldn’t turn on anymore. This was 2005. I thought to myself, “I wonder what makes this thing work” So I brought it up stairs to take apart. Turns out the plastic power button was just misaligned and wasn’t pressing the switch to turn it on. That receiver worked until 2015. Now seeing receiver’s repaired always brings a smile to my face.
Really liked this article. I spotted that bulged cap early on, but you went through every option which is a great learning experience to detect WHY this power was not working to spec. Some caps look bad but aren’t some look good and are bad. I am NOT good at this but try anyway, haha and would like to learn. I think a couple thousand$ in meters and tools and learning to read schematics (which you actually gave a quick tutorial here) and getting service manuals (for free too 😉 would get me on that path, maybe. But your article made the detection process so nicely transparent and logical. The camera work with very useful macro and the attention to show the real part associated with the schematic was lovely. Cherry on top was your backing music was ancillary and nicely quite low in the mix so didn’t interfere at all with your narration.
Greetings and great article!I have the same amp but recently suround and center speakers gets no signal and stopped working. I ve run the self diagnostic Test All and no sound come out,while front,right and sub works.Could it be that the dsp chip is faulty or perhaps the relays for Center and Suround?Although i am getting the front unit display DSP logo and the suround and center speakers normally. Any advise could be useful!Thanks!
you did not mention and just wondering did you first try waking it up by pressing a sequence of buttons after it might have gone into damage protection mode, which is what happened with my rx v671, I thought it was dead and gone, eventualy found the right sequence and now working again. Did a overdue firmware update as it was connected to a new 2023 4k tv.
there was nothing wrong with it in the first place. These things are notorious for being throw away as the owner thinks theyre fried. I just got one for 20 bucks at Goodwill in perfect, brand new condition. Took me two days to get it to play……like I said–there was nothing wrong with it in the first place
I have the same Av receiver, it went in to protection mode before I bought it second hand, I took it out of protection mode and its been working fine ever since, im guessing in my case I think who ever had it before me just over loaded the amp, with speakers that were drainage to much wattage, however im not really sure, as its not gone back in to protection mode since, I got lucky as I only paid 30 dollars for the amp
Great article! I have the exact same model. One of the website recently stopped working (Front Left website) during music playing ( starts normal but suddenly on and off and then no sound at all), I switched the speaker connected to another website – Front Right and it worked, which means the speaker and cable are working. Any suggestion as how I can fix that website (Front Left) ? Really appreciate your advice. Thank you!
Nice repair, i didn’t know some of the Yamahas used to build in these goddamn STK amp modules. Technics used to do it and Panasonic too, since they are under the same company, but not too many other companies used them. They are very hard to find, and expensive too. If 1 website fails, you need to swap the whole module, which is nonsense. I like more the transistor-based amps, easier and cheaper to repair. I do similar repairs as a hobby, in the future i will avoid these cheaper yamahas for sure. I know, some of the higher-end models from Yamaha using transistors in the amp sections, they are more repair-friendly.
I have the exact problem on my 371 and the same CAP is badly bulged. Mine after trying to figure out what was going on just stopped powering on altogether. Power button does nothing, no clicks, no nothing. The unit is totally lifeless. I am going to attempt to change the CAP but concerned as to mine went from being just like yours to completely dead. Any idea?!
@tony359 Thanks for the detailed explanations, Refreshed my past quest of electronics. Picked my faulty Yamaha RX-V365, It was in the dead. No AC volts in the secondary of standby transformer, Replaced the fuse in the standby transformer, Started seeing the AC voltage. However, Don’t see 9.4 rather getting higher voltage approx 20V AC. Looks like the load is light or no load at all. The schematic looks similar to V371. Any suggestion’s, Do i need to look into primary/ secondary circuit or both for faulty resistor or capacitors.
I have the same problem but with a TSR 5810. I can’t even get mine to boot up into diagnostic mode. No reaction. No clicking. I tried all the button combinations even holding power for more than 15 seconds. Won’t power at all. Do you have any idea what this might be? I think the microprocessor is frozen up like yours was. Where do you find the service manual? I need one for mine.
Hi, I need a help. There’s an issue with my YAMAHA HTR AVR. Its not turning ON even after following the steps like pressing simultaneously Info+Tune Control+Power ON/OFF button. But when i tried buttons Straight+Tune Control+Power ON/OFF button I can hear some tick tick sound inside the system. What could be the problem? Please share the details how to solve this issue. Thank a lot in advance. Please reply.