Receiver Shutoff My receiver shuts off when high frequency/high volume sounds occur during a movie. I have retested it and found once it reaches -30 volume for this specific sound, it shuts down. The receiver power light blinks on/off. What is going on? Any ideas, help. I also have an unusual item with the Left Rear Surround Speaker - I get a lower volume from that speaker and some coming out of the center channel. I have tried to adjust the volume setting for the speaker to the max, but still have problems. Thanks,

Follow the steps below to troubleshoot if the word PROTECT or PROTECTOR is flashing on the A/V receivers display.

1. Check the speaker wires and speakers for proper connections.
2. Reduce the volume level. IMPORTANT: If the receiver is played back at maximum volume level it may enter the protect mode. Maximum volume listening will cause the receiver to run very hot and may drain the output capacitors.
   
3. Disable the surround sound option if both the A and B speakers are being used simultaneously.
4. Ensure the top of the receiver has proper ventilation to keep it from overheating.
5. If the message only occurs when using a DVD player, the sampling frequency may be set too high. IMPORTANT: Some receivers provide compatibility with the higher sampling frequencies through alternate connections. Consult the owners manual for specific information.
   
6. Unplug the AC power cord for about 1 to 2 hours to reset the output transformers.

If the issue is still unresolved, service may be required.

I think this is the answer you are looking for.

Let me know if you need more help.

Knowledge Article C337191 Error: The message PROTECT or UNPLUG shows in the display.
Follow this procedure to troubleshoot when a PROTECT or UNPLUG error is displayed.
IMPORTANT: The top of the receiver must have proper ventilation to keep from over heating.

1. Reduce the volume level.
NOTE: If the receiver is played at the maximum volume level it may enter the PROTECT mode. Maximum volume listening will cause the receiver to run hot and drain the output capacitors.

2. If both the A and B speakers are being powered by the receiver at the same time, turn off the surround sound option.
3. If protect occurs only when using a DVD player, the sampling frequency may be set too high.
NOTE: Some receivers provide compatibility with the higher sampling frequencies through alternate connections. Consult the user manual for specific information.

4. Ensure the speaker wiring is not damaged and is properley connected to the back of the receiver and speakers.
5. If the issue is still unresolved after completing all of the troubleshooting steps, service may be required.

Created: Thu Sep 16 14:49 2004 | Last Modified: Wed Jan 11 09:02 2006
http://www.iq.sony.com/srvs/autoresponsev4.asp?id=337191

Follow the steps below to troubleshoot if the word PROTECT or PROTECTOR is flashing on the A/V receivers display.
1. Check the speaker wires and speakers for proper connections.
2. Reduce the volume level. IMPORTANT: If the receiver is played back at maximum volume level it may enter the protect mode. Maximum volume listening will cause the receiver to run very hot and may drain the output capacitors.
3. Disable the surround sound option if both the A and B speakers are being used simultaneously.
4. Ensure the top of the receiver has proper ventilation to keep it from overheating.
5. If the message only occurs when using a DVD player, the sampling frequency may be set too high. IMPORTANT: Some receivers provide compatibility with the higher sampling frequencies through alternate connections. Consult the owners manual for specific information.
6. Unplug the AC power cord for about 1 to 2 hours to reset the output transformers.

This sounds like the amps protector circuit has been activated due to thermal overload. switch it off for an hour or more to let it cool down, make sure your spkrs are connected properly, don't parallel. Try using a fan on the unit to get that heat away. Get a techie friend to give the insides a once over, and clear away any dust that has built up.

hope this is of some help,
Cheers Kimbo.

The reason why your receiver is going in protect is because there is a short circuit happening. This would either be on your speaker wires, speakers or receiver itself. What you want to do to check would be:
1. Unhook all sources and speakers from your receiver.
2. Turn on your receiver and crank up the volume to maximum, if your receiver does not shutdown or go on protect then the receiver is OK. If it does shutdown and go on protect then its an internal problem on the receiver and you would need to send that over to an authorized service center.
3. Hook up a source and 1 speaker. Play something from the source or the fm tuner, Crank Up the volume to about 46 or 47 volume. If the receiver does not shutdown, its good.
4. Hook up a second speaker and repeat the process until you encounter the pop and shut down
if for example you encounter the pop on the 4th speaker, try changing the speaker wires.
5. If the receiver still shuts down then it would be a short on the speaker itself and it would need to go to an authorized service center.

Follow the steps below to troubleshoot if the word PROTECT or PROTECTOR is flashing on the A/V receivers display.

1. Check the speaker wires and speakers for proper connections.
2. Reduce the volume level. IMPORTANT: If the receiver is played back at maximum volume level it may enter the protect mode. Maximum volume listening will cause the receiver to run very hot and may drain the output capacitors.
   
3. Disable the surround sound option if both the A and B speakers are being used simultaneously.
4. Ensure the top of the receiver has proper ventilation to keep it from overheating.
5. If the message only occurs when using a DVD player, the sampling frequency may be set too high. IMPORTANT: Some receivers provide compatibility with the higher sampling frequencies through alternate connections. Consult the owners manual for specific information.
   
6. Unplug the AC power cord for about 1 to 2 hours to reset the output transformers.

If the issue is still unresolved, service may be required. The Sony® eService Web site at http://eservice.sony.com/ can assist you in obtaining service from a Sony Service Center or locating a Sony Authorized Servicer.

you may be using an equalizer? try to pop-up the volume with all tone controls in flat mode. see if it still cuts off. if this is the first time youencounter this then something must be wroing with either your speakers or your amp. unless your ventilation is not good enoughg, you can also try placing a blower on top of your unit to cool it down

You might try connecting only one speaker at a time and see if you can locate a bad speaker OR bad output channel that way. If you find that you connect one speaker and the problem occurs then try another working speaker and see if it still does it. If it does, then you have an output problem. Good luck.

Several things can cause this: Loud signal passages can momentarily draw high currents at the mains, especially if you have unit plugged into power stripe with other equipment. Or if unit is plugged into isolation transformer, current draw may exceed output of transformer. Too many speakers hooked to output or if one is bad (partially shorted due to overheating)

Firstly check all your speaker wiring. Any damage can cause a short which will overload the system. You might not notice it, due to the fact that when you have the system on loud, vibrations move the wires on the cabinets or elsewhere. So make certain there are no loose wires near the speakers terminals into each one. If all that is good go to the next check.
Check If the amp is getting VERY hot when the overload occurs, then it might have a faulty part(s) on it. This might have occurred if you have been using speakers that never did match the amps requirements in the first place.