
Disassemble an amplifier:
- Make sure that the electrical cord is unplugged from the wall receptacle.
- Remove screws on the side, back, or bottom to separate the cover from the chassis.
- Slide the two halves apart to expose the internal components mounted on the chassis (lower frame).
How do you fix an amplifier that is not working?
The first step in fixing internal parts in your amplifier is to open the unit up. Most amplifiers are encased in a two-piece housing–top-front and bottom-back. Besides fuses accessed from the back of the cabinet, many amplifiers include one or more internal fuses.
Why won't my amp turn on when Radio is off?
The remote turn-on wire usually comes from the radio, in which case your amplifier won't turn on if the radio isn't on. So if there is no power at the remote terminal on your amplifier, the next step is to check for power at the corresponding wire where it connects to the radio. If your amp is wired incorrectly,...
How do I Stop my amp from humming when playing music?
You should first try moving both the amplifier and the audio source system onto the same wall outlet using a surge protector. Sometimes, having them plugged into the same power source will fix the problem. If it doesn’t, try testing both the audio source and the amplifier to see which is causing the humming.
How do I know if my amp is broken?
If the amp has good power and ground, the remote wire has voltage when the head unit is turned on, and no fuses are blown, then you're probably dealing with a busted amplifier. Some amplifiers go into protect mode to avoid further damage to internal components.

How do you fix an amp that won't turn on?
0:053:29What To Do If Your Car Amplifier Has No Power (will not turn on) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWon't power on check the ground wire make sure there is no rust or dirt on the metal area the groundMoreWon't power on check the ground wire make sure there is no rust or dirt on the metal area the ground wire is connected to make sure the connection is a hundred percent secure and tight.
Why doesn't my amplifier have power?
To diagnose a blown car amp fuse, replace the fuse with everything turned off. If the fuse blows, there's probably a short between that fuse and the rest of the system. Next, replace the fuse again with the amplifier disconnected. If the fuse still blows, there is a short somewhere in the wiring.
What causes an amp to stop working?
If the amp in question is a car amp, the most likely cause is a faulty remote turn-on wire. If there's a problem with this wire or if it's hooked up incorrectly, you're not going to get any power to your amplifier. Other causes include: A broken or loose power wire.
How do you fix an amplifier?
How to Repair Power AmplifiersTurn the amplifier off at the wall and allow it cool down. ... Turn the amplifier back on. ... Unscrew the back panel and remove the chassis. ... Inspect the wiring and solder joints. ... The circuit board can give visual clues to the location of the problem. ... Make sure the probes are clean before testing.More items...
How do you know if your amplifier is blown?
How do you Figure Out that your Car Amplifier is not Working Properly?There is a noticeable distortion in the sound.There is no sound even if you have already turned on your audio system.Your stereo system starts making bizarre sounds such as farting sounds.
What can damage an amplifier?
The two most likely possibilities for damage are: - Connecting the speakers incorrectly, putting a heavy load on the amplifier and overheating it. Usually one channel goes before the other. - Cranking up the volume on the amp and ruining loudspeaker driver(s).
How do I get my amp to work?
0:1920:48Guitar Amp Controls Explained! How To Use Gain, Tone & Effects Knobs...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEverything up full but unfortunately whilst turning everything up to the max may give you sheerMoreEverything up full but unfortunately whilst turning everything up to the max may give you sheer volume. You definitely won't be getting the best tone that your amp can offer.
How do you diagnose a broken amp?
Questions to help diagnose your broken ampThe amp doesn't turn on.The amp makes no sound.The amp passes signal but makes strange, non-musical sounds.The amp passes signal that sounds distorted.The amp is extremely noisy.The amp has low volume.The amp smells like it's burning.The amp's effects don't work.
How do you test an amplifier to see if it works?
How To Test An AmplifierAttach the wires for power (red) and ground (black). ... Touching the amplifier's electricity wire to the car's battery positive post and the ground to the negative battery post is one of the easiest things. ... Link the amplifier with a mic. ... Check all accessible fuses and use one fuse in the amplifier.More items...
Can an amplifier be repaired?
Modern audio equipment is built using delicate components that cannot be repaired; instead, they are replaced. Your audio professional will know which ones to replace, where to get them, and how to do the job. Use a clean pencil eraser to clean cable pins on a regular basis.
Do amplifiers lose power over time?
Actually amps can lose power over time depending on how the amp was treated.
How do I reset my amp?
1:232:52Amplifier Factory Reset - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUsing a tool such as a paperclip carefully insert the tool into the hole until you feel the buttonMoreUsing a tool such as a paperclip carefully insert the tool into the hole until you feel the button press down slightly keeping. This button press turn on power to the amplifier.
Will amp turn on if fuse is blown?
If the fuse is present and blown, the amp can't turn on because the circuit providing mains voltage is open.
How do I reset my amp?
1:232:52Amplifier Factory Reset - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUsing a tool such as a paperclip carefully insert the tool into the hole until you feel the buttonMoreUsing a tool such as a paperclip carefully insert the tool into the hole until you feel the button press down slightly keeping. This button press turn on power to the amplifier.
Do amplifiers lose power over time?
Actually amps can lose power over time depending on how the amp was treated.
How to clean an amplifier?
If you need to open up the amplifier for cleaning or to replace a fuse or electrical cord , here’s what you’ll need: 1 Phillips screwdrivers 2 Soldering iron and solder 3 Electrical contact cleaner spray or can of compressed air
Why is my receiver not working?
One of the most common causes of receiver problems is oxidation of electrical contacts and jacks. A jack is the connector used to mate a wire or plug to a circuit. A jack or plug that has gunk on it won’t conduct electricity, so the next device in line doesn’t get the signal.
What is an amplifier?
An amplifier is an electronic device that magnifies and controls audio signal sources from a built-in AM-FM receiver as well as an external CD player, tape player, or other audio home-entertainment device. The output signal is fed to audio speakers.
What happens if my amp doesn't turn on?
If Your Amp Doesn't Power on at All. In order to turn on, your amp needs to have power at both the remote and power wires, in addition to a good ground. So if you notice that your amp isn’t turning on at all, that's a good place to start. If the remote turn-on wire doesn't have power, your amp won't turn on.
What to look for when an amp won't turn on?
If the remote and power wires both check out okay, the next thing to look for is continuity on the ground wire. If the ground connection is poor, or it isn’t connected at all, the amp may fail to turn on ...
Why does my amp only turn on when I turn on the radio?
If your amp is wired incorrectly, and the remote turn-on is connected instead to the power antenna wire on the head unit, you may find that the amp only powers on sometimes. In this specific situation, the amp will usually only turn on when the head unit audio input is set to AM or FM radio. The power wire is the next thing to check ...
What does it mean when an amplifier is clipped?
This is a sign that the amp is being overtaxed by a subwoofer or other speakers to the point where it simply can’t provide enough power.
Why won't my amp turn on?
If the remote turn-on wire doesn't have power, your amp won't turn on. The remote wire acts essentially like your finger flicking a switch, where your finger is battery power, and the switch is a mechanism inside the amplifier. The remote turn-on wire usually comes from the radio, in which case your amplifier won't turn on if the radio isn't on.
What to do if your subwoofer is clipping?
So if you feel like your woofer or subwoofer amp is clipping, the first thing you’ll want to do is compare the amp’s power rating with the speaker. If you find that the amp has plenty of power for the application, then there could be a problem with your speaker wires, the speakers themselves, or the amplifier’s ground.
How to make sure my amp is turning on?
If your amp is turning on just fine, then you’ll want to make sure that it’s receiving an input from your head unit. This is a pretty easy process if you have access to both the head unit and the amp — simply unplug the RCA cables from each unit and reconnect them with a good set.
2. Sound Is Distorted
Whether you’re working with a car amp or a standalone stereo amp, distortion can occur when your amp is faulty or damaged.
4. Amp Comes On, but No Sound Comes Out
If your amp is working, but you aren’t getting any sound, there could be a few different reasons for this. Let’s look at the most common ones.
5. The Surround Sound Feature Sounds Wonky
If your amplifier has surround sound capabilities, but your audio is coming from the wrong direction, you may have poorly placed speakers. Additionally, you may have connected one speaker’s wire to the other incorrect speaker and vice versa.
6. Amp Goes Into Protect Mode
Although not all of them come equipped with it, protect mode is a feature that many newer model car amps have.
7. Not Enough Bass (or Treble)
This problem is usually due to bad equalizer settings. However, it could also result from poor speaker placement or the music being too loud. As with most other issues on the list, there’s always the possibility that you have a loose or faulty wire or connection that’s causing the problem.
8. Volume Keeps Getting Too Loud
This issue is one we’ve probably all experienced at one time or another. We’re cruising in our cars, listening to our favorite song, or sitting in our dens, watching a great action flick, when all of a sudden, the volume goes from perfect to insanely, eardrum-rupturing loud.
9. Speakers Sputter Occasionally
Although sputtering speakers could be caused by loose or faulty wires or an internal issue in the amplifier, it often happens because your volume is too loud. If you start hearing sputtering, recall when it happens.
