Home Theater Troubleshooting Tips

If nothing is turning on…

The first thing you should do is check all the power connections. If you have a surge protector, then make sure that it’s turned on and plugged in. This is one of the most common reasons that home theater systems won’t power up the first time.

If there’s no tv reception…

When your reception isn’t working, make sure you check your antenna, Cable, or Satellite connections. If you have standard Cable or Satellite, make sure it’s connected on your TV and that it’s turned to the correct channel. If you have a High Definition Cable or Satellite and HDTV, make sure you’re connected to your TV via HDMI, DVI, or Component Video Connections. Also, it’s important that your receiver is turned on and set to the appropriate input.

if the picture quality is poor…

When the picture on your home theater system is grainy or snowy it could be the result of a bad cable or incomplete cable connection. First, switch the cable for a different one to see the result.

if the picture has improper or no color…

First, check to see if the picture is bad across all input sources. If it is, check the color settings in your preferences. This will allow you to change the picture to your specific needs. If one input is the problem, check your Component Video connections. Usually, the problem stems from the cables not matching up to the correct connectors. Check the colors and line up the cables accordingly.

if the hdmi connection isn’t working…

You’re DVD is connected to your HDMI-equipped TV via HDMI connection. You turn them on and nothing happens. This can happen when the source and TV aren’t able to communicate. In order for each to communicate properly, it requires that they are able to recognize each other. This is referred to as the “HDMI handshake.”

Sometimes all it takes is finding out the right sequential turn-on procedure for your home theater setup. This means figuring out if the turn-on sequence works best when you turn on your TV first, then the receiver, and then the source or is it some other order? This can solve the problem.

However, sometimes it takes more than that. If this is the case, you could be having firmware problems. From incompatible HDMI cables to firmware updates, it’s important that your firmware is updated correctly to match your system. Contact Reed’s for any additional help fixing your HDMI connection problems.

if you’re having trouble with surround sound…

Whenever you’re having trouble with your surround sound there are a few things to check. First, make sure that the programming source is linked to the surround sound option. Then, check all your speaker connections to make sure they are properly set up according to the channel and source. Finally, check how your Blu-ray Disc, DVD player, Cable, or Satellite is connected to your Home Theater Receiver and the sound connection associated to it.

Depending on your system, these systems operate differently. But it’s important to remember that surround sound isn’t occurring at all times. Actually, most of the sound will come from the center speaker only, but as the sound gets more complicated, the surround system will come into play.

If the dvd player won’t play, skips, or freezes…

Whenever this happens there could be multiple reasons. One reason is that some older DVD players aren’t compatible with newer systems. Another reason a DVD won’t play is that the DVD was made for a different video system. This includes Blu-ray disks played on a standard DVD player system.

Another reason that can play a factor is the DVD itself. If the DVD is cracked, dirty, or mishandle, the DVD or Blu-ray disc play could have trouble reading the DVD. Lastly, it’s possible that your DVD player is defective. If this is the case, check the warranty and consider exchanging the DVD player for another one.

if you’re having trouble streaming from the internet…

Internet streaming is one of the most popular parts of the home theater experience today. With the rise of Netflix, Hulu, and other content, internet streaming is all part of the home theater experience. However, the development of home theater compatible receivers can run into a few problems.

If you’re having trouble streaming, it’s important to check on your wireless router and Wifi signal. Sometimes using an Ethernet connection rather than a Wifi connection can solve a lot of streaming issues.

If you stick to Wifi, it’s important to check your Broadband speed. The reason that this is important is that broadband speed plays a major role in your system’s ability to stream video and the speed at which it happens.

additional home theater tips

Along with all the above solutions, here are a list of our tips and tricks to handling the most common home theater system problems.

• Make sure everything is connected to the correct signal path.
• Check that all power cords are plugged in and connected.
• Make sure everything is powered on.
• Follow all required setup procedures.
• Select the correct input on your TV if you want to view or listen to a source.
• If you don’t hear any sound, check the volume controls and settings.
• Make sure you play a compatible DVD or CD disc for the right player system.
• Note any power-on sequence between sequences that won’t work or does work.

Whenever running into a problem it’s important to remember that it’s not unusual to find problems that you can’t seem to fix. Luckily, Reed’s Built-Ins is here to help. Contact our service department for help with your home theater system.