Onkyo Receiver Won’t Turn On? (Don’t Panic, Easy Fix!)

If you’re wondering why the Onkyo receiver won’t turn on, then this guide is just for you!

Your Onkyo receiver might have run into a power-related issue as a result of a faulty electrical cord, malfunctioning external equipment, or a problem with any of the internal components.

There’s a variety of different solutions to attempt, including:

Keep reading for a detailed walkthrough of the solutions above!

How to Fix Whenever the Onkyo Receiver Won’t Turn On?

Tip: Try holding the “Power” button on the Onkyo receiver’s remote for at least 15 seconds!

1. Reset the Onkyo Receiver’s Power

The first and one of the best-working steps is to disconnect your Onkyo receiver from the power supply and wait until all of the residue electricity is drained.

Sometimes it takes longer for the power to discharge, but waiting for an average of 3 minutes must be enough for a power cycle.

Follow these steps to discharge the receiver’s power supply:

1. Locate and hold the “Power” button on your Onkyo receiver.
2. Wait for 10–15 seconds and disconnect the power adapter.
3. Now, keep the device unplugged for a minimum of 2 minutes.
4. Reconnect the power cable and ensure it is plugged securely.
5. Attempt to turn on the Onkyo receiver using the power button.

If pressing the power button does not do anything, check if you can turn on the device using the remote control.

After that, proceed to press and hold the receiver’s “Power” button for another 20–25 seconds as an additional attempt to discharge the capacitors. 

2. Plug the Receiver into a Different Outlet

If your Onkyo receiver will not turn on after the power cycle, there may be a fault with the power outlet your receiver’s adapter connects with.

Well, even when using a direct connection without associating external devices, power outlet insufficiency is a frequent problem for any appliances. 

So, unplug the Onkyo receiver adapter and temporarily relocate the unit next to a proven outlet.

How to Test a Power Outlet’s Functionality?

Connecting a low-voltage appliance is the best way to tell if your electrical outlet works or not.

The device’s indicator or status lamp should immediately light up after plugging it with the outlet and most importantly, the power supply may remain consistent without any voltage interruptions.

Note: If the Onkyo receiver’s current outlet power does not appear stable, contact a technician!

3. Disconnect All Your External Devices 

Disconnecting all external devices in the setup of your Onkyo receiver is a sensible thing to do, as they could be interfering with the power supply.

Malfunctioning third-party devices can target any functionality parameter of your speaker, but primarily the power supply.

Unplug the following types of devices from your Onkyo receiver:

• Devices plugging with the power cord of the receiver.
• Devices plugging with the power outlet of the receiver.
• Devices plugging with the HDMI/Audio of the receiver.

Also, verify the only cable that’s left connected with the Onkyo unit is the power supply cord and hold the device’s “Power” button for approximately 25–30 seconds.

Now, attempt to turn on the receiver using both the built-in “Power” button and the remote control. 

4. Test the Power Adapter of the Receiver

If the Onkyo receiver won’t turn on regardless of what you’ve attempted so far, we strongly recommend testing the power adapter.

Most Onkyo receivers use a standard AC power cord that varies on voltage supply based on model.

To test the power cord, you must find an electrical appliance in your home that has the same inputs as the receiver.

Then, plug the power adapter into the testing device and connect the other end to a proven power outlet.

Finally, check if the appliance turns on and responds to inputs.

Note: If the power adapter is faulty, search for a compatible replacement in a nearby technical store or purchase it online. 

5. Inspect the Receiver’s Internal Capacitors (Advanced)

A blown-up capacitor could lead to repeat inconsistencies with the Onkyo receiver’s electrical supply or, as it is in your case, prevent the device from starting up entirely.

Fortunately, accessing the receiver’s hardware and inspecting the components does not take much technical expertise, but it still must be done with proper caution and thorough guidelines.

Here’s how to locate and inspect the capacitors of the Onkyo receiver:

1. Disconnect the Onkyo receiver from the electrical outlet.
2. Wait for 1–2 minutes until the receiver is fully discharged.
3. Locate the screws holding the unit’s outer case attached.
4. Use a flathead or a Phillips screwdriver to remove them.
5. Now, gently lift the cover to expose the internal components.
6. Look for the capacitors (two small metallic plates with gaps).
7. Take a close look at the top part of each receiver capacitor.

Alert: Proceeding with a receiver disassembly will result in a warranty loss!

5.1 How to Identify a Blown Capacitor?

A blown capacitor typically has its head section blown open or a separation of the wires inside.

You could also identify a fault with the capacitor by the burnt spots or the unusual smell of any carbide dioxide upon accessing the receiver’s hardware.

You could also test the capacitors using a Multimeter in “Capacitance” mode.

• So, simply touch one of the meter’s sticks with the positive pole of the capacitor and the remaining stick with the negative pole. 

5.2 How to Replace a Blown Capacitor?

The first step is to identify the exact type and model of the blown capacitor. There’s typically an imprint on the side, front, or rear panel of the capacitor.

However, it’s recommended to bring it along with you when shopping for a new one.  Once you have the new capacitor, simply insert it in the spot of the previous one.

6. Check the Welding of the Internal Wires (Advanced)

Before reinstalling the panels of the Onkyo receiver, it’s recommended to also have a look at the welding of the internal wires.

Your Onkyo receiver typically has both a main control board and a motherboard that connects with the power supply of all separate components.

Alert: The receiver must be disconnected from the power while testing the wires!

How to Locate the Control Board On Onkyo?

With the Onkyo receiver’s rear panel removed, have a close look at the upper compartment, where the control board must be laid. 

There should be a total of 3 or 4 wires connecting straight with the pins on the surface of the board, most of which will be red or black.

You can use the following cable for an easy identification of the internal wires:

Wire Color	Wire type	Average Voltage
Black (thin)	DC ground (GND)	0V (Ground wire)
Yellow	DC positive wire	+24V / +12V / +5V
Red	DC positive wire	+24V / +12V / +5V
Blue or Brown	AC neutral wire	0V (relative to live)
Black (think)	AC live wire	110V or 220V AC
White / Gray	Signal/Logic Control	Between +3.3V and +5V

We recommend testing each of the wires connecting with the main and mother control boards to determine if there’s current flowing through.

• The black, brown, and blue wires are the live AC power wires that can potentially cause a problem with the supply of your Onkyo receiver.

Note: If you can’t identify the problem on your own, we advise seeking professional assistance!