Yamaha HTR 5740 surround sound problem

Very easy to fix. Download htr5740 service manual.Locate speaker relays exchange the front speaker relay with the REAR ONE. If sound comes out from front left and right speakers but no sound comes from one of the REAR speakers. The defective component is front speaker relay.
Replace the relay will get it fixed. See service manual
P.82. Yellow circled is front speakers relays
When av-amp used more than four years, relay contactswill be oxidized, making bad contact.

Try users manual:
http://audio.manualsonline.com/manuals/mfg/yamaha/htr5930.html?idRes=237094

The signal that comes from most tv's via the optical output is a stereo signal only. That is what your receiver is reading. You would have to manually set your receiver to decode the signal into surround,.

Speakers don't connect to inputs. Have you looked at the manual?

Rear panel...
http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/EnlargedImage.html?CNTID=202147

http://www.retrevo.com/support/Yamaha-HTR-5740-Receivers-manual/id/1075bh240/t/2/

Consider the speakers as major contributors to the 'sound'.

configure ur PC (both OS audio and third party sound driver) for surround sounds. control panel- sounds and audio devices - speaker settings - advanced - speker settings. so this done. make sure u select the 6 input channel - the button is on the right edge near the volume knob. near the vol button there are two buttons for selecting input type with up down arrow. from that u can select the input type this will be indicated on the top front indicator. but with the 6 input channel selected all selections are preceeded. if u select stereo mode u will have left/ right audio only.
make sure u connect the input right. connect from computer to 6 channel input. main, surround, center and sub-woofer.  connect the spekers to main (L/R), rear(surround) (L/R), center and sub woofer to terminal marked sub woofer ouput. this done select like i said before the 6 channel button. that should do it.

have you tried putting it in a different program mode?

is there a switch in the back for surround on/off

follow the comcast instructions, then enter 30176 when you are to enter the 5 digit code.

The owner's manual should have a section on how to balance the system. I don't have one at the moment, but I believe that this model also has a setup tone generator option. Look in the owner's manual or online at Yamaha for a copy of it. This will contain the instructions for the setup.
Dan

I had the same problem, first you can download the manual online to see how to reset the speakers. next, make sure you have true digital audio input with a fiber optic or like connector. you should see little LED symbols of r/l/c/w/rr/rl etc. If you just see R and L, it is not getting a true signal.

But what worked the best was getting a better, devoted, CENTER speaker, not just a speaker in the center, but one devoted to dialogue.

good luck