My pioneer receiver powers on but the volume doesn't work. Why is that??

SOURCE: pioneer vsx-d307

You have a flashing "mute" on the display?...accordianman

SOURCE: PIONEER VSX-D411 RECEIVER

Here's a link to the owners manual:

http://www.manualnguide.com/manual-get/6009/

SOURCE: Pioneer VSX-D411 receiver "Amp Error" message

Hello,
Unfortunatelly your receiver has failed. The front panel is telling you one of the power modules is probably bad. Not an DIY type of repair. These parts are near $40.00, plus cost of replacing.
Look at options to replace your trusted receiver with a new one.
Good luck

SOURCE: Pioneer VSX-816

With the receiver off, press ENTER + ADVANCED SURROUND keys continuously for 2 sec. and it will tell you the fault it encountered. Even if it has a short, it will still protect the speakers; however, it is still a good idea to disconnect all speakers before doing this.

SOURCE: Pioneer Amp VSX-D409 Volume

I have a VSX D508 Looks just like the VSX D409. Had the same prob with the volume control when I bought it. I first tried the cleaner. Better than what it was but didn't compleatly solve the problem and before long it was getting worse again.
It does have a rotary encoder instead of the traditional varible restance volume control. I finally broke down and removed it from the board and lightly sanded the contacts with fine sandpaper.
This involves removing the whole face from the main board and chassis. Not that bad, a couple screws and some ribbon jumpers and latches and it's off.
Next carefully pull the volume control straight off the shaft, remove the nut under it and lay it face down on a soft surface. Remove the screws that hold the circuit board to the face and slowley seperate the too, you'll have to release some latches also to sepperate them.
If you replace the volume control with a new one or clean the old one you have to go this far because it's soldered to the front side of the board. Yes, it has to be de-soldered from the board.
This control was not designed to be dissassembled but I was able to carefully open it and remove the shaft to totaly expose the contacts for a complete even couple of passes with the sandpaper.
I did have to use some 5-minute opoxy when I put it back together because I couldnt get the metal tabs to close as tightly as they were before it was opened.
I soldered in the volume control, put it back together and it's worked perfectly ever since. I don't know how much pioneer wants for a new one but I can tell you they wanted $69 plus shipping for a new remote for my receiver. And with this style of volume control you might be at their mercy as far as finding one from another source that fits.