Free repair guide

One Channel Is Dead: A Logical Check Sequence

Swapping known-good items is the safest way to find out whether the problem follows a speaker, cable, source, or the stereo itself.

Safety: This is general educational information, not a substitute for the exact service documentation or qualified repair. Unplug equipment before inspection.

Swap, do not guess

Turn the system off and swap the left and right speakers at the amplifier end. If the problem moves with the speaker, focus on the speaker or cable. If it stays on the same amplifier channel, continue with source checks.

Try a different input source and, if appropriate, headphones. A missing channel on every source is meaningful information; a missing channel only on one source points elsewhere.

Confirm balance is centered and speaker selectors are set correctly.
Test low-level inputs before assuming a power amplifier failure.
Do not open or probe the unit while it is connected to mains power.

Write down the result

Note which inputs work, whether headphones show the same fault, and whether moving a particular control changes it. This prevents unnecessary parts orders and helps a repair professional find the fault quickly.

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