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[Solution] Subwoofer Not Working AMP has Power

The role of amplifiers and subwoofers is to enhance the sound quality. A pleasurable trip is comprised of a wonderful partner and soothing music. What if you won’t be able to enjoy music just because the woofers are not working. It can be highly frustrating.

If there is some trouble with the stereo system, you need to check the AMP’s input. In most cases, the car AMP is not powered. Hence, the stereo system doesn’t work. So, once you power the AMP, things go fine.

But what to do if Subwoofer not working AMP has power?

It seems to be a tricky question, and one may run to find a mechanic to resolve it.

Well, here is the good news, you can fix it on your own. Yes! Sounds interesting? So, let’s begin our guide on how to fix a car subwoofer not working AMP has power to enjoy an uncompromised sound quality:

Volume is at ‘Zero’

It is the first consideration one must take into account when the subwoofer not working AMP has power. If you cannot turn up the volume, make sure that the knob is turned up. It is a possible and most obvious reason for this problem.

Most people overlook this solution and look for bigger issues. Sometimes, the subwoofer is set at mute. Due to this, they don’t work even if the amp has power.

If the problem persists, move on to the next step.

Faulty Wiring

WHen AMp has power, faulty wiring is one of the possible reasons why the subwoofer is not working. Check out the wiring underneath the dashboard and locate the damage, if any.

Start the checking process with the fuse. Due to the upsurge, sometimes the fuse blows up. In this case, the circuit breaks, and the subwoofer will stop working. This circuit is meant to save the subwoofer from any potential damage.

If you have no idea about the car wiring, it is advisable to call an automotive mechanic for inspection. A professional mechanic can easily locate any wiring fault and fix it properly.

Inputs are not available.

If the input signals are not available, you cannot expect the subwoofers to produce sound. Locate the head unit and examine the input cables. Unplug and then plug it properly and recheck if the head unit is working

Check out if there is any breakage with these cables. Other accessories like a CD player, radio tuner or auxiliary input should also work well to make the subwoofer work.

If the inputs are not working, it’s time to replace them. If they are, then we have another remedial measure to consider.

Inspect your speakers

When the volume frequency is high, and the inputs are available, the subwoofer is still not working. The next possible reason responsible for this is your speakers.

Many times the power wire of the speaker gets damaged due to overheating of the subwoofer. In other instances, the speakers could be damaged. Hence, after unveiling the issue, take corrective action. If the speaker wires are damaged, replace them with that new ones.

If speakers are faulty, replace them with new ones. Check out the subwoofer power level is compatible with the new speakers or not.

A wide range of speakers is available in the market with different power levels.

The subwoofer is on, but the sound is not coming.

Once your subwoofer starts working, you may encounter an issue of sound not coming. Here is the simple process you can follow to resolve the issue:

  • Check if the amplifier is on
  • Then inspect if the amplifier’s input is working. Look for the RCA cables and check it all the wires are connected with the head unit. Check if the RCA cables produce RCA outputs.
  • Check the operating voltage of your amp. The amp could be on but does not have a requisite operating voltage. In this case, the subwoofer will not work. Most amps can turn on at 6-10 volts but need 12-14 volts to make the subwoofers work.
  • The volume of the subwoofer is not very low or muted.
  • The subwoofer and amplifier are properly configured. Sometimes, the setting of the subwoofer disables the speakers.
  • Check if the subwoofer connecting cable is working
  • Check the subwoofer is not encountered with any short-circuit issue. When a positive and negative terminal comes into contact, it leads to the short-circuited subwoofer.

Other troubleshooting options

Here are some other options to fix your subwoofer:

The sub is enabled

  • Go to speaker settings
  • Choose Speaker SP
  • Check if the speaker pattern is ending in 1 or 2
  • If the speaker pattern ends in 0, change it to 1 or 2, it will not work.

Configuration Issue

The discrepancies between the subwoofer and amplifier settings often create issues with the subwoofer operation.

Subwoofer LED Lights

Check the A/V receiver for the subwoofer LED lights. The low-frequency effect (LFE) does not reach the subwoofer due to a poor source of audio. The signal should be present on the receiver. If a stimulated LFE signal is sent to the sub, the subwoofer lights will turn up.

Faulty Connection cable

If the connection cable of the subwoofer is faulty or damaged, the subwoofer will not work.

Power chords

If the power chord of the subwoofer is not properly plugged in, the subwoofer does not work. An inactive AC outlet will not let the subwoofer turn on. When the sub is passive, it means that the power cord is missing. Find an active subwoofer or try another step of troubleshooting.

The volume of the active subwoofer

Set the volume of the active subwoofer at the middle position and check if it is working or not.

Standby Function

If the subwoofer is programmed to turn into standby, it could be why the subwoofer is not working.

Operating Voltage

The car amp turns on at 6-10 volts of power, but the operating voltage for the subwoofer varies between 12-14 volts. The negligible power sourced through the remote wire may provide inadequate power so that the car amp turns on. At the lower operating voltage, the amp may start working, but the subwoofer will not work.

Conclusion

WHenever your amp has power, but the subwoofer is not working, the first step is to check the volume. The next step is to check the inputs, followed by the wiring system inspection. Check if all the power wires are connected properly?

All the troubleshooting mentioned above DIY options can be followed to fix your subwoofer. If the issue persists, you should contact a professional automotive mechanic for assistance.

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My Name is Christopher Angels, and I am a postgraduate in mechanical engineering. Cars have always excited me as a child, and soon I decided to dive into the world of cars by pursuing mechanical engineering. I also worked as a Mechanic for over 3 years to understand Cars' anatomy and how each part contributes to its working.

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