Denon Receiver Won’t Turn On? – Try These Solutions!

We understand how frustrating it must be when your Denon receiver won’t turn on, just as you are about to enjoy a movie night and relax.

Not to worry–your Denon receiver is likely not dead.

There could be several causes behind this issue, such as a loose power cable, a blown fuse, or even a problem with the remote control.

Here at ZontSound, we’ve prepared several expert solutions to jump-start your Denon receiver in less than 5 minutes, so let’s get started.

Denon Receiver Won’t Turn On – Fixed in 6 Expert Solutions!

Note: Have you tried turning on the receiver both through the remote and the built-in button?

1. Power Reset the Denon Receiver

One of the first things to attempt whenever the Denon receiver fails to power on is a simple hard reset, which temporarily suspends the electrical supply to the receiver.

This allows all the power to drain out, refreshing the system, which could eliminate underlying problems with the startup.

Here’s how to power reset the Denon receiver in easy steps:

While your receiver is disconnected, check if holding the “Power” button for any longer than ~30 seconds has any effect on the receiver’s functionality.

Additionally, check if the power adapter or any of the other equipment has sustained any damage. 

2. Check if the Receiver is Overheating

Well, overheating could often impair the functionality and startup of your Denon receiver, as high internal temperatures can activate the so-called “Thermal Protection” mode. 

While under “Protection” mode, the Denon receiver will not start up unless the thermal sensors have detected that the internal temperature has stabilized and is normal margin.

2.1 How to Check if the Denon Receiver is Overheating:

2.2 How to Prevent the Denon Receiver From Overheating:

Note: Keep checking the average temperature of the receiver by placing your hand on top!

3. Use the Receiver with a Different Outlet

The fault can be caused by an unreliable power outlet, which prevents enough electricity from reaching the Denon receiver.

So, ZontSound recommends switching to an alternative outlet in your home, preferably in a different room, and testing the receiver without connecting the HDMI.

How to Identify a Defective/Fluctuating Outlet:

Apart from suspending the electricity to your Denon receiver, a faulty outlet could be extremely dangerous to your electrical installation as well.

So, knowing about the condition of your outlet allows you to undertake preventive measures and/or seek help.

If the receiver successfully powers on while connected to a different power source, it is in your best interest to contact a qualified technician to inspect your installation for any discrepancies. 

Tip: Avoid using third-party power equipment in your AVR setup during these tests!

4. Reset the Denon Receiver to Defaults

If your Denon receiver shows no signs of life, a factory reset could eliminate any issues on the software end of your receiver, as long as all of the internal components are still intact. 

This reset process will erase all custom settings, so ensure you’re prepared to reconfigure the receiver afterward.

And don’t worry–the process should work even if the receiver won’t turn on.

Here’s how to factory reset the Denon receiver in easy steps:

Note: Do not release the buttons before reconnecting the receiver power adapter. 

5. Test the Receiver with an Alternative Adapter

It’s almost certain that the Denon receiver is not getting power if the factory reset didn’t work, so it’s time to check the power equipment.

A faulty power adapter could be disrupting the electrical supply of the Denon receiver, especially if there has been a recent outage.

Hence, testing the unit with a replacement adapter (standard D/C power supply used by most computers) allows you to check this one off the list.

So, ensure the replacement adapter has an AC power cord with an IEC C13 connector for the Denon receiver and a standard NEMA 5-15P plug for the outlet.

This matches the receiver voltage requirements, which are typically 120V, and allows you to test without endangering any of the internal components, especially the capacitors. 

Note: If the Denon receiver turns on successfully, then the old adapter is no longer functional!

6. Inspect the Denon Receiver HW Components

In certain scenarios, the reason why your Denon receiver won’t turn on is a complete failure of an internal component, rather than something simple, such as a faulty outlet or adapter.

Such faults may not immediately damage the receiver but can consistently prevent it from turning on.

⚠️Warning: Keep in mind that accessing (opening) the Denon receiver may void its warranty if it’s still under any coverage. 

For this inspection, you will need:

• A Phillips/flathead screwdriver unit.
• A clean, flat workspace for the device.
• Protective gloves for extra insulation.

Important: Unplug the AVR from the outlet and hold “Power” for 30 seconds to fully discharge the device!

How to Inspect & Repair Internal Components:

This inspection might be tricky for those without technical expertise, so if all of the components seem functional at first glance, consider consulting a qualified technician for assistance.

If your issue persists, then it is probably a matter for the Denon customer support, so get in touch now.

Why is My Denon Receiver Not Turning on With the TV?

Well, if your Denon receiver is not turning on with the TV, this is 100% because you have not activated the HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) function in the settings of your TV. 

As the name suggests, the feature only works for external devices connected over HDMI, by allowing them to turn on alongside your TV, using a single remote control.

So, here’s how to set up HDMI-CEC on the most popular TV brands:

TV	Setting Name	How to Activate
Samsung	Bravia Sync	Go to Settings → System → Bravia Sync → On
Sony	Anynet+	Go to Settings → General → External Device Manager → Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) → On
Vizio	CEC	Go to Menu → System → CEC → Activate
TCL	CEC	Go to Settings → System → Control Other Devices (CEC) → On
LG	SimpLink	Go to Settings → General → SimpLink (HDMI-CEC) → On

What’s Next?

– Now, power off your TV, wait for about 10–15 seconds, and check if pressing the “Power” button on the TV remote control turns on the Denon receiver as well.