My Amp Is ON But No Sound From Speakers/Subwoofer Is Not Working

If your Amp is on and also has power but no sound is coming from speakers or the subwoofer is not working, you have come to the right place.

Because we are going to solve your issue. The sound problem ruins your listening experience since an amp or amplifier is meant to enhance the sound quality.

Then it delivers the enhanced sound to a speaker or subwoofer. So, if it cannot work properly, the sound does not display from the speakers or sub.

This problem is caused by a few common reasons such as overhearing, overvoltage, blown, or damaged amp. There may be a defect in the power system of the amp, sub, or speaker.

Faulty power cables and wrong settings can also create this audio issue. Hence, you need to check all the important components to get sound from your speaker or subwoofer.

My Amp Is ON But No Sound From Speakers

In this article, we will explain these reasons as well as tell you the best methods to solve this issue.

1. Cool Down Your Amp

An amplifier or amp is overheated when it does not get enough air to cool it. Moreover, if it works continuously for long hours, an amp can get damaged.

The sound becomes distorted when the amp is overheated. In extreme cases, it stops working. Hence, your amp is ON but no sound is delivered to speakers or subwoofers.

Your amp is overheated due to overpowering- keeping it on for several hours. It can also overheat when you place it in sun or near a heat source.

Another cause of overheating is the failed cooling system or faulty circuit of your amp. When the amp is overheated, it goes into ‘Protection Mode’ and stops sending audio signals.

However, in case of overvoltage and overcurrent, the amp blows and then goes into protection mode. You can solve this issue by applying a few tricks;

  1. Power off your amplifier and unplug it from the power supply.
  2. Disconnect all the cables, connections, and devices from your amp. Give it some time to cool down and dissipate heat.
  3. Place your amp in a cool and shady place.
  4. When it completely cools down, turn your amp ON and check whether the sound is coming from the speakers or not.

2. Increase the Volume Level

Both the amp and the subwoofer or speaker have volume knobs on them. You need to check the volume settings on both devices. Turn up the volume to its full level.

Also, check the bass knob on your subwoofer and increase the bass. Make sure any of the devices are not in a muted state. Otherwise, the sound will not come from the speaker or sub.

These are the basic actions you should perform immediately after turning on your sound system. But, many people really forget to turn on the volume.

Thus, they put themselves in trouble of repairing and testing their amp, sub, and speakers.

3. Adjust the Settings

Sometimes, the wrong settings can also put you in trouble. The sub may not be enabled hence not giving sound. You can check it by the following process;

  1. Open Settings on your subwoofer and select ‘Speakers’
  2. Next, tap the ‘Speaker SP’ option.
  3. The speaker pattern should end at ‘.1’ or ‘.2.’. If it is ending at .0, the sub Is not enabled.

The sub may not receive some specific frequencies. This happens when the ‘cut-off frequency’ setting is wrong. To resolve the issue, increase it to the maximum level.

Now, your sub can receive all the frequencies. The sub may be in standby mode. Although it is powered on and its LED light is glowing yet sound does not come from it. So, turn off the standby mode on your sub or speaker.

4. Check the Power Supply

The power cable of your amp may have some defect in it. Therefore, it cannot supply enough power to your amp, hence it powers On but does not send audio signals to speakers.

Look for the bends, cuts, or short circuit signs on the power cable. If you notice any damage, use another power cable for your amp.

Power wires are responsible for delivering current to speakers. If they are weak, they cannot withstand high currents. So, the wires overheat and melt away.

Always use compatible and strong power wires to avoid this issue. Also, check the wall power outlet in which your amp is plugged. It should supply the required voltage otherwise your amp will not work.

5. Check the Connection Cables

Make sure you have connected the amp to the speaker or sub correctly. Connect the positive terminal of the amp to the positive terminal of the speaker and the negative with the negative.

Otherwise, the audio will not come due to a polarity mismatch. Moreover, plug the cables firmly, they should not be loose. Another trick is to unplug all the cables from your speakers and amp.

Thoroughly clean each cable connector and connection port both on your amp and speakers. Remove the dust using a soft bristle toothbrush. You can also use an air can to blow out the dust.

A microfiber cloth and sticky tack are also good options to remove the dust from tiny ports. After a few minutes, plug all the cables back in. Now, check the audio from your speakers.

6. Defective Remote Wire

If the remote of your amp is faulty, it will not respond. You may be turning ON the volume through the remote control that is not functioning.

Turn ON your amp manually and then also turn on its volume by pressing the buttons on the amp itself. Change the batteries of your remote and check it’s working.

There is a remote wire connected to your amp. Any fault in this wire can also create an issue. So, test the remote wire for any bends, cuts, and rust.

7. Mismatched Impedance

The impedance of your amp and speakers may be mismatched. Therefore, the sound is not coming from the speakers although the amp is powered on.

Because each amp works with a speaker of a specific impedance. So, if the impedance of your speaker is very high or very low as compared to the amp, they will fail to work together.

For example, if your amp has 4 Ohms impedance, your speaker should also have the same impedance. Otherwise, it will go into protect mode and you will hear no sound.

So, check the impedance of both your speaker and amp. It may be written on these devices or in their user manual guide.

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8. Check the Power System of Your Amp

Another reason for the sound issue may be the faulty power system. The amp fails to deliver sound to the speakers if its wiring is not accurate. It cannot get enough power.

Although the amp is powered on yet it has no capacity to enhance audio and cannot direct it towards speakers. So, you need to check the power system of your amp.

Use a multi-meter to measure the voltage. The fuse of the amp or speaker may have blown out. It blows out due to a power surge or short circuit.

You can check it by observing the circuit board of your amp or speaker. A tripped circuit breaker will stop the speaker or amplifier from functioning.

If you do not have knowledge about the circuit board and fuses then you should seek help from a technician.

9. Test Your Speaker or Subwoofer

If your amp is working perfectly, the issue is in the speaker or the subwoofer. Check the stereo and volume settings of the speaker or subwoofer to which the amp is connected.

Make sure the speaker or sub is not in protect mode or muted. Turn on and increase the volume on your device using the physical buttons instead of the remote.

Also, check the connection cables on your speaker or subwoofer. Make sure they are powered on and get enough power supply. Unplug all the cables from your amp or speaker.

Clean the connection ports and plug the cables in again. Another trick is to connect your speaker or subwoofer to some other device.

Also, connect a different speaker or subwoofer with your amp. If the sound comes from the new speaker, then the amp is fine. In this way, you can check which device is faulty.

10. Test Your Subwoofer

If your amp is working well, but still the sound is not coming from the sub, test it. The sub might have some defect in it. For example, its fuse is blown out or the circuit board is defective.

You can check the performance of your subwoofer by the following method;

  1. Locate the audio input connector on your sub and insert one end of the audio input cable in it.
  2. Now, tap the center of the other end of the audio cable.
  3. Your subwoofer will give a thumping sound.

If your sub is getting enough power and connected properly but the thumping test fails, the sub is damaged.

Consult a technician or manufacturer to get it repaired. You can also test your speaker by connecting it to some other sub or amp.

11. Reset Your Speaker or Subwoofer

A simple way to reset your sub or speaker is to disconnect them from the power outlet. Wait for 60 seconds and plug the power cord in. This will recycle your sub or speaker.

But, you should also try to reset your subwoofer or speaker to its default factory settings. The reset method depends on the brand and model of the speaker or sub.

Generally, they can be reset by holding the power button for a few seconds. However, you can find the exact reset method for your speaker or sub in the user guide or online.

Related: Fix TV Slow To Respond To Remote

Frequently Asked Questions

Read the answers to your frequently asked questions in the following section.

Amp has power but no sound comes from the speaker subwoofer, Why?

The culprit may be either of the three devices. So, you need to check the efficiency of all these devices. It is better to check their power supply and voltage display. Troubleshooting and resetting the speaker or subwoofer can also help. However, there may be compatibility issues between your amp and speaker or sub. Cleaning the devices and testing their connection cables can also solve your issue.

How to connect a subwoofer to a receiver or amp?

You can connect the two devices using an RCA cable. This cord has white and red connections. Find the RCA ports on your sub and amp/receiver and plug the compatible end of the cable into both devices.

Can any amp work with any subwoofer?

Any amp and subwoofer can go together if their RMS wattage matches. Before purchasing an amp or sub, you should confirm its RMS rating. Moreover, look for the specifications and compatibility in the user guide or online.

Final Words

So, we have told you multiple solutions to resolve your problem. In many cases, the amp is ON and has power but no sound comes from the speaker or the subwoofer is not working. You can solve both types of issues by following this guide.

Hi, I'm Memona Aman, Editor of Speakersmag.com. I am naturally inclined towards modern technical gadgets. I love to research on speakers and soundbars. I write articles on this blog to share my latest knowledge. I am happy to assist you in your search for the best audio devices. Read more about me
Hi, I'm Memona Aman, Editor of Speakersmag.com. I am naturally inclined towards modern technical gadgets. I love to research on speakers and soundbars. I write articles on this blog to share my latest knowledge. I am happy to assist you in your search for the best audio devices. Read more about me

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