Troubleshoot Audio Speakers
Audio speakers may stop working unexpectedly for a variety of reasons, many of which can be solved without hauling the cabinets off to a repair shop. Working systematically, from one speaker to the next, it is possible to isolate the problem to a specific speaker or perhaps the amplifier or receiver. Once the source of the trouble is located, checking the connections should take only a few minutes. In the absence of a major problem, such as a blown speaker cone, chances are the tunes will be playing again in less than half an hour.
Instructions
1. Locate the speaker problem. In a stereo system, audio will be heard through a left and right speaker. Home theater systems will include five to seven speakers, plus a subwoofer, producing audio. Listen to the system with audio playing to locate which speaker is not working.
2. Check the balance and surround sound controls on the receiver. If the balance setting is dialed all the way to the left or the right, no sound will come from the other speaker. If the surround sound is set to three channel, for example, the rear speakers will be silent. Changing the setting may solve the problem.
3. Look over all speaker wires connected to the system for obvious signs of a break, crimped wires or other damage that could interrupt the audio signal to the speaker. Replace bad wires with new speaker wire.
4. Disconnect each speaker one at a time from the set of speaker wires and attach the clips on the volt ohmmeter to the wires to check for a signal from the receiver. This ensures power is flowing from the receiver all the way through the wires.
5. Inspect the connections on the back of each speaker and the receiver. Speaker wires should be attached securely to the proper terminal, with the red wire connected to the positive terminal and the other wire connected to the negative terminal. Positive and negative terminals are usually color-coded red (+) and black (-).
6. Check the back of the speaker cabinet for a reset button, which is a circuit breaker that trips if the power flowing to the speaker threatens to damage the component. Press the button to close the circuit, which might fix the problem if a sudden power spike has popped the fuse. Not all speakers are equipped with a reset button.
7. Remove the speaker cover to look for visible signs of damage to the speaker cones. The covers on most types of speakers pull straight off and reattach by aligning the four pegs in the corners with the holes in the speaker cabinet. A torn or ripped speaker cone, or a cone with a visible hole in it, will not play properly, if at all. At best, the speaker will produce a sharp buzzing or humming sound. Replacing the speaker is often the only solution, unless the speaker is a high-end model that could be repaired with a replacement cone.
8. Disconnect the speaker from the wire and connect a speaker that is known to be working. If the second speaker will not play, the problem is with one of the internal amplifiers in the receiver. If the second speaker plays normally, the problem is with the original speaker.
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