Onkyo Receiver Turns Off By Itself? (Here’s The Easy Fix!)

If you can’t wrap your head around why the Onkyo receiver turns off by itself, keep reading!

The Onkyo receiver might momentarily lose power due to a problem with the power adapter, interference from a third-party device, or even overheating.

So, you should try the following steps:

Now, proceed with the guide for a full walkthrough of the solutions!

Onkyo Receiver Turns Off By Itself – [Quick & Easy Fix]

Tip: Try to reboot the Onkyo receiver before you begin!

1. Reset the Power Supply of the AVR

The first and easiest step is to perform a power reset of the Onkyo AVR.

It takes approximately 60 seconds for the AVR to discharge fully and drain all residue electricity, which could result in apparent issues with the power state.

Consequently, follow these steps to power cycle the Onkyo AVR:

1. Optional: Press “Power” to shut down your AVR, if it’s working.
2. Unplug the receiver’s power cable from the power supply outlet.
3. Wait for at least 60 seconds while the receiver has discharged.
4. Reconnect the receiver’s power adapter back into the A/C outlet.
5. Turn on the AVR and check if the power fluctuations are still there. 

Note: Verify the power adapter is secured on both ends before advancing further into the guide!

2. Unplug Extra Wires from the Speakers

What users suggested as the most probable cause for the sudden power loss of your Onkyo receiver is the influence of defective external devices.

Hence, for this step, we recommend disconnecting all of the non-essential devices that aren’t required for the AVR’s functionality.

That includes all speaker wires and the TV’s HDMI or Optical cable. Ensure that the only cable left plugged in with the AVR is, of course, the power supply adapter.

Important: Test With Each Speaker Cable Individually!

A great way to determine if a select wire causes the shutdowns of your AVR is to reconnect each speaker wire individually.

The Onkyo AVR uses exposed speaker wires, meaning you must unscrew the respective speaker terminal on the back and knit the speaker’s wire around it. 

So, unplug the power supply of the AVR and if the terminals are already unscrewed, begin reinstalling the speakers one by one. 

Note: Reconnect the AVR back into the power after each speaker is connected and check if the rebooting or powering off is still there. 

3. Plug Onkyo Receiver to a Different Outlet

In case the Onkyo receiver keeps turning off, it could be because of an insufficiency from the power outlet.

That’s why we recommend checking if the AVR still shuts down or reboots after it is connected to a fully functional and proven-to-work outlet.

Note: Don’t forget to test the Onkyo receiver without any third-party power equipment involved.

So, let’s start with testing the Onkyo AVR on a different power outlet!

3.1 How to Install Onkyo in a Different Outlet?

Fortunately, testing the Onkyo AVR’s power supply outlet does not require relocating all of the equipment, but instead, only the receiver itself along with the power adapter. 

Once you’ve found a fully functional outlet in your home that will be used for testing, disconnect all of the speaker wires and the TV’s cable from the back, then move the receiver.

3.2 How to Know if a Power Outlet is Defective?

A quick way to find out if a power outlet no longer works or experiences issues is to either use a multimeter or test with another device.

Well, either way, there should be signs of an underlying malfunction, indicating that the outlet is due for an inspection.

Tip: We recommend contacting a qualified technician to examine the bad outlet/s in your home!

4. Check for Signs of an Overheating Receiver

Overheating is perhaps one of the leading causes of your Denon AVR’s sudden power loss.

There are several factors that could influence the internal temperature of your Onkyo AVR and cause it to reach the overheating margin in less than a minute after the device is turned on.

• You can determine if the AVR is overheating simply by placing your hand on the top, side, or rear panel.

If the metallic surfaces of the AVR are generating excessive heat, it’s possible that the internal heat has surpassed the normal margin. 

Prior to troubleshooting, it’s essential to identify the possible causes of overheating first!

4.1 What Causes the Onkyo AVR to Overheat?

The leading causes for overheating of the Onkyo AVR include:

• Clogged vents of the AVR.
• Nearby conduction of heat.
• Direct sunlight on the AVR.
• Receiver dust accumulation.

To accurately pinpoint the overheating’s cause, we suggest unplugging the AVR from power and inspecting all of the vents along with the overall accumulation of dust. 

4.2 How to Prevent Onkyo AVR From Overheating?

Here are some effective tips to lower the Onkyo AVR’s temperatures:

• Unplug the AVR from the power for at least 60 seconds.
• Use a microfiber cloth to clean the AVR from dust entirely.
• Position the AVR device in a more open, dust-free position.
• Prevent direct sunlight from flashing on the AVR’s panels.
• Check if nearby heat conductors are transferring more heat.

Alert: Extended overheating of the internal components could lead to lasting hardware damage with the Onkyo AVR. 

5. Turn off “HDMI-CEC” in the TV’s Settings

Another reason why the Onkyo receiver turns off by itself is an active TV HDMI-CEC feature.

Well, as long as your AVR is connected over HDMI to the TV, you can activate the “HDMI-CEC” feature and control the power and volume state of both devices, using a single remote control.

A potential issue with the TV’s remote control might cause the AVR to turn on or off at random times, without even interacting with the device at the given moment.

You can turn off the “HDMI-CEC” feature for most TVs like so:

1. Press the “Menu” or “Home” button on the TV’s remote.
2. Navigate to the “Video,” “System,” “Input” or “HDMI” tab.
3. Then, search for a line that says “HDMI” or “HDMI-CEC.”
4. Now, set the feature to “Off” and confirm the deactivation.
5. Save the changes, exit the menu, and test your receiver.

Tip: Consult with the TV’s user manual if you’re unable to navigate through the settings!

6. Test Onkyo with Another A/C Adapter

The next potential culprit is the Onkyo AVR’s A/C power adapter!

A fault with the cable could be causing the receiver to periodically power off, reboot, or display unusual behavior in terms of other symptoms.

As you probably know, all Onkyo receiver models use a standard male-to-male type B plug, so you should be able to come across a replacement easily.

Check if another appliance in your household uses the same detachable power adapter and test it on the AVR to see if it works.

Note: If the adapter of the AVR turns out to be faulty, consider purchasing a replacement and returning the current one to the device/appliance it belongs to. 

7. Conduct a Manual Inspection of the AVR (Advanced)

If you are still having issues with the AVR and you have a sense for tech, you could be already thinking that the malfunction is on a hardware level.

In such a case, an internal inspection would be mandatory to spot and efficiently eliminate the fault, without going back-and-forth any longer.

• Be informed that if the warranty of your Onkyo receiver is still active, disassembling the device will result in a total warranty void.

How to Inspect Onkyo AVR Internally?

If you’re certain about the AVR’s warranty standing, proceed to remove the 8–12 screws on the back/rear panel of the AVR, until the segment comes loose.

After the device is unplugged from power, inspect the condition of the following:

• The internal capacitors.
• The main control board.
• All the C wires are there.
• The AVR’s motherboard.
• Components short circuit.

You should check for any burnt spots, smoky odor or anything that appears to be out of order!

Note: Since this may not be achievable by anyone, our best recommendation is to either deliver the AVR to Onkyo for an inspection or search for a qualified third-party technician.