Yamaha Receiver Subwoofer Not Working? (Let’s Fix It Fast)

The Yamaha receiver subwoofer not working, and you’re searching for a quick solution? Stay with us!

The subwoofer connected to the Yamaha receiver could be running into issues because of a faulty audio cable or problems with the equalizer/level settings.

This guide will help you diagnose the exact cause of the malfunction and suggest reliable solutions, you can try now.

Let’s start with an overview of the possible methods:

Proceed with the guide for a complete breakdown of the solutions!

Yamaha Receiver Subwoofer Not Working – [5 Easy Steps]

Note: Have you tried turning up the system’s volume output strength using the remote and built-in buttons?

1. Reconnect the Audio Pin Subwoofer Cable

The cable your Yamaha subwoofer uses is another type of RCA cable, often referred to as an audio pin cable, which might have developed a fault. This is what led to the output’s disruption.

The first and most important step is to ensure that the cable is in good condition and connected with the correct inputs on the back of your Yamaha receiver.

1.1 How to Identify Damage On the Audio Pin Sub Cable?

By a standard, subwoofer cables come with 3.5mm-to-Dual-RCA jacks that connect with the back of your receiver.

Hence, the single AUX plug goes into the output of the subwoofer and the dual-RCA jacks connect with the twin inputs on the back panel of your Yamaha receiver.

Most frequently, the connector jacks of the audio cable may become damaged with extended use or a section of the cable might have been ripped off as a result of external pressure.

1.2 How to Check if Yamaha Subwoofer is Plugged Properly?

Once you’ve made certain that the cable is functional and all of that, the more important thing is to check if your subwoofer uses the correct receiver inputs.

There should be a “SUB” imprint right above the audio ports where your subwoofer must be connected, so pay attention to that.

Additionally, ensure the two jacks of the subwoofer’s audio cable are plugged with the input that matches in color pattern. 

1.3 How Does the Dual Subwoofer Installation Work?

As you probably know, you can connect up to 2 individual subwoofers in your 5:1 or 7:1 configuration, so it comes to 5:2 or 7:2 respectively. 

• There are a total of two subwoofer cable pairs on the back of the receiver, designed for left and right bass installation.

You don’t have to adhere to a specific installation policy when there’s more than one subwoofer in your setup, as long as the audio cables are connected with the correct channels. 

2. Enable “Subwoofer” in the Options Menu

One of the most frequent reasons why the Yamaha subwoofer not working is because of not enabling the device in the Yamaha receiver’s settings. 

Note: Accessing the “Setup” settings requires a TV connection over an HDMI cable! 

Follow these steps to ensure the subwoofer of your receiver is enabled:

1. Press the “Setup” button on your receiver’s remote control.
2. Navigate to the “Speaker” tab at the top of the options menu.
3. Access the “Configuration” tab below and find “Subwoofer.”
4. Ensure the feature is set to “<Use>” by pressing Left or Right.
5. Exit the tab and test the output of your Yamaha subwoofer unit.

Quick Tip: You can test the subwoofer’s functionality through the “Test Tone” feature under the “Speaker” menu. 

3. Adjust the Yamaha Subwoofer’s Settings

The system of your Yamaha receiver consists of multiple audio settings that are essential for your subwoofer’s output.

Several different volume categories, such as the “Distance,” “Level” and “Equalizer” configurations regulate the output of both the Yamaha receiver and subwoofer.

Let’s start with some of the simple settings, such as the volume and output!

Option #1 Subwoofer’s Volume and Output

The subwoofer’s volume cannot be operated through the remote control your Yamaha receiver uses.

Instead, you must do it through the “Setup” menu on the receiver, once you’ve connected it to a TV device over an HDMI.

Here are the most important options to configure for optimal output:

• “Distance” feature: Set the value for “Subwoofer” to about +10.0–11.5ft
• “Level” feature: Set the value for “Subwoofer” to about +7.5–8.5dB

Tip: Adjust the remaining “Distance” and “Level” values according to your listening preference.

Option #2 System Output Equalizer

The next step is to go to “Setup” → “Speaker” → “Equalizer” and ensure all frequencies are leveled up.

Boosting only some of the available frequencies or turning down all of the bass’s frequencies, for example, could cause output issues with the subwoofer. 

To adjust the subwoofer’s output, access the “Equalizer” and adjust the “Subwoofer” tile at the bottom, right underneath “Front Presence R.”

We recommend setting it to anywhere between -5.0dB and -3.5dB for optimal output performance. 

Option #3 System and Subwoofer Channel

Some users reported that manually switching to a “Small” channel configuration could clear up issues with the connected subwoofer or the audio speakers.

Similarly to the previous step, the activation of the “Small” channel options requires accessing the receiver’s setup menu.

Option #4 Subwoofer’s “Extra Bass” Option

Activating the subwoofer’s “Extra Bass” feature intensifies the equalizer adjustment and semi-overclocks your device.

You can access and enable this feature by navigating to “Setup” → “Speaker” → “Configuration” → “Extra Bass.”

Note: For activation, highlight the “Extra Bass” tile and press the “OK” button on the remote!

4. Troubleshoot the Subwoofer’s A/C Supply

Power supply insufficiency could be another reason why the Yamaha receiver subwoofer not working.

There are many things that could go wrong with the power supply of your external subwoofer.

Here are different ways to address them:

• Unplug the subwoofer from the power for 50–60 seconds.
• Connect the subwoofer to an alternative electrical outlet.
• Remove external equipment from the setup of the device.
• Check if the subwoofer’s power cable is in good condition.
• Test the subwoofer on another compatible audio device.

Typical signs such as rebooting, powering off, or persistent audio disruptions can be a clear sign of an underlying power insufficiency. 

If you’ve tried everything from above and the issue doesn’t seem to go away, it’s recommended to get in touch with the subwoofer’s manufacturer. 

5. Factory Reset the Yamaha Receiver System

Perhaps, a system utilization fault is preventing the subwoofer connected with your Yamaha receiver from functioning properly.

Hence, the next step is to perform a clean factory reset by erasing all of the receiver’s options through the OS menu.

Follow these steps to factory reset the Yamaha receiver in easy steps:

1. Turn off the receiver in order to access the Standby mode.
2. Hold the “Straight” button and press the “Power” button.
3. Press the Right Program Arrow until “INIT-CANCEL” shows.
4. Use the “Straight” button to cycle to the “INIT-ALL” message.
5. Wait until the Yamaha receiver powers off and starts the reset.

Warning: The factory reset will erase all Yamaha receiver settings and subwoofer options!