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Troubleshooting a Failed Speaker Channel

Spend less than 20 minutes to get your stereo speaker system working

By Gary Altunian Gary Altunian Writer Gary Altunian was a freelance contributor to Lifewire and industry veteran in consumer electronics. He passion was home audio and theater systems. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 20, 2020 Reviewed by Christine Baker Reviewed by Christine Baker Christine Baker is a marketing consultant with experience working for a variety of clients. Her expertise includes social media, web development, and graphic design. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Audio Speakers Soundbars Stereos & Receivers Stereo or multi-channel systems tend to fail in predictable ways, so it makes sense to follow a consistent approach to troubleshooting. The steps below will help you isolate operational problems in a specific component or area where the problem begins.

Troubleshooting Speaker Channel Problems

Check to see if the speaker channel is inoperative with all sources

If one speaker channel won't play no matter the input, you can more confidently narrow the problem source to a speaker problem. IvanWuPI / iStock For example, if the problem exists only with DVDs and not any other source, such as a radio or CD player, then it's possible that either the DVD player or the cable connecting it to the receiver or amplifier is bad. Replace that cable with a new cable or swap it with a known-good cable to see if that works. Verify that the balance control is centered and the volume is high enough to be heard.

Work backward to check for breaks or broken connections

Starting from the speaker and moving towards the receiver or amplifier, thoroughly check the entire length of the wire for any breaks or broken connections. It doesn't take much force to cause permanent damage to most cables. If you encounter splices, make sure that the splice is maintaining a safe, proper connection. If something looks questionable or you are unsure, replace the speaker wire and check the whole system again. Verify that all wires are securely connected to the terminals on the backs of the receiver/amplifier and the speaker. Check that there are no frayed ends touching any metal parts — even one stray strand can cause a problem. If the speaker wire is in good condition, yet the channel in question still won't work, then the problem likely exists within the receiver or amplifier itself. It may be defective, so check with the product manufacturer for warranty or repair options.

Swap the right and left channel speakers

This is a quick and simple way to test whether one speaker is truly bad or not. For example, let's assume that the right channel does not work when connected to the right speaker, but the left channel works fine when connected to the left speaker. After switching them, placing the left speaker on the right channel and vice versa, if the left channel suddenly does not work when connected to the right speaker, then you know the problem lies with the right speaker itself. If, after the swap, the left channel does work with the right channel speaker, then the problem is not the speaker. It has to do with something else in the stereo system — either the speaker wires or the receiver or amplifier. Klipsch 7.1 Channel Speaker Setup Diagram Example. Image provided by the Klipsch Group

Make sure the hardware isn' t defective

Electronics can malfunction or die out at any time, often with little or no warning. If replacing the cable in the previous step didn't fix things, then the problem may lie with the source itself. Swap out the source product for another of the same type, connecting it to the original receiver or amplifier and speakers. If the new testing shows that all speaker channels now play as they should, then you know it's not the speaker, but the device — time to shop for a new device.

Review each device' s operating manual

Some devices may require non-standard, non-intuitive configurations or they may house "hidden" problems like fuses or jumpers that require replacement or reconfiguration. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire The Complete Guide to Home Audio Systems for Beginners How to Connect a Subwoofer to a Receiver or Amplifier Why You Need a Center Channel Speaker How to Connect Speakers Using Speaker Wire 5 Things to Consider Before Buying Stereo Speakers How to Install and Set Up a Home Theater Receiver How to Fix Common Car Amp Problems How to Splice Wires for Speakers and Home Theater Systems No Sounds on Windows 11? Here's How to Fix It What to Do When the Subwoofer Isn't Working Properly How to Make Wired Speakers Wireless How to Quickly Test Speaker Wires and Speaker Connections How to Use a Speaker Switch for Easy Multi-Room Audio How to Install In-Wall Stereo Speakers How to Install Your New Stereo System How to Fix an Xbox One Controller That Won't Turn On Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies