How to Troubleshoot a Receiver-Based Home Theater System

A receiver-based home theater system has a lot of wires snaking through the components. If you start hearing a buzzing noise or you can't play a movie, it can be frustrating to find the source of the problem. These steps will help you troubleshoot a receiver-based home theater system to see if there is anything you can do to fix the machine without having to take it in to a professional.

Things You'll Need

• home theater system
• receiver

Instructions

1. Review your owner's manual for troubleshooting tips. There will be product-specific tips for all makes and models.

2. Make sure everything is plugged in and all of the wires coming out of the back of the unit are tight. Make sure all breakers and fuses are operational in your home fuse box.

3. If you do not get sound from one or more speakers, make sure they are properly connected to the amplifier. Try to substitute speakers to make sure that individual units are functioning correctly.

4. Check your remote control. Insert fresh batteries to see if that solves the problem. If not, then try to control the DVD player and amplifier manually with the control buttons on the devices.

5. Substitute known working components one at a time. For instance, try a different DVD player to see if yours is the cause of any problems.

6. Call the manufacturer help line to see if they can help you. If not, call a service company.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are hearing a buzzing sound, unplug every component hooked into the back of your receiver until the noise stops. Note which component you disconnected, and this could be the source of the problem. Buy a ground-breaking transformer and plug the faulty unit into this.

• If there is a buzzing noise coming from your television, try plugging the TV into another outlet. You may also want to buy an isolation transformer. If there is no audio connection between the components, a video transformer is needed instead of an audio transformer.

• If there is a buzzing sound coming from your speakers, check the wires for any discoloration, kinks or cuts. If everything looks good and there is still a noise, check to see if the speaker wires are being interfered with by a refrigerator or any other nearby appliance.

• Be patient and working systematically to determine causes and solutions.

• Keep a checklist of parts you know are working.

• Do not disassemble the cases of your electronic components. There is intricate wiring and technology within them that can only be fixed by a professional.

• Make sure you buy the proper length and type of cables, as buying the wrong ones can be an expensive mistake.

• Use care when working with any electronic appliance. Do not work on something that is plugged in for fear of electric shock.