Guitar Amp Turns On But No Sound From Speakers [Reason & Fix]

Your guitar amp turns on but no sound coming from speakers is a common problem especially if you are a beginner. Even professional musicians also face this problem. If your guitar amp has power and if still it is not working then surely you have problems to deal with.

But before that, you have to identify the problem first. You have to inspect why there is no sound. The problem is either in the speaker or in the guitar amp. Or, you might have not followed the right method while operating.

If there is no sound but you can hear a hiss, hum, reverb crash, or anything identical to them, then surely the speaker itself is the problem. But if the no-audio sound is coming then it may be the fault of the amp.

Whatever the problem, let us help you to find out the problem. We will also provide you with solutions to have a smooth hearing experience from your guitar.

Why There Is No Sound from Speakers [Fixing Guide]

If there is absolutely no sound, then you have to check on the amp’s power. Are you sure you have turned on the amplifier?

There must be a pilot light glowing and indicating the device is running. However, if you see the amp has power and still speakers are not producing sound then check on the signals.

Generally, amplifiers are supposed to enhance the quality of sound. Later, the device transfers the quality of sound to the speaker. Finally, the speaker makes the sound audible. Well, blown speaker maybe?

Well, this can be a reason for your amplifier malfunctioning. Your first doubt should be on the speakers when the guitar amp buzzes with no sound. Clear your doubts if the speakers are still working. Plug them in with another amp and see if it is making a sound.

Wow, the speaker is working? Well, then it must be the amplifier itself!

However, there can be many causes that are responsible for your solid-state guitar amp providing no sound. Before getting to them, make sure the following are checked:

• You have plugged in the amp
• The amp has power
• The standby mode is not open in the amp
• The amp is properly wired with the speaker
• You haven’t pressed the mute button accidentally
• The volume of the amp is up to proper audibility
• Check the plug in both ends
• Required electricity

Now that you have checked on the things above, you are good to go looking for the main problem. Let’s get to the probable ones.

1) Overheated Amp –

An overheated amp might stop sending sound to the speaker. It happens when the amplifier is running for hours continuously. Enough air cannot go into the device to cool it down. An overheated amplifier makes the sound distorted.

However, in extreme conditions, your amp might not work at all. There could be some other reasons as well for your amp being overheated. Like a faulty circuit or failed cooling system or keeping the amp near a source of heat or direct sunlight.

Well, some of the best amps have built-in protection modes. The device goes to protection mode automatically to protect it from being fused. During functioning in this mode, the amp does not send any audio signals to the speaker. Therefore, in this case, many tube amps turn on but there is no sound from the speakers.

Overcurrent and overvoltage cause a blown amp. They make the solder joints of the amplifier lose and open up. Therefore, they disconnect themselves. However, this problem is solvable.

How to Fix:

• When the amp starts to overheat, power off it by unplugging it from the supply.
• Also, disconnect the plugs from speakers or other devices to dissipate the heat.
• Replace your amplifier device with a shady and cool place.
• When the amp cools down properly still give it some time to process the internal construction.
• After an hour or more, turn on the amplifier again and check the sound. Hopefully, this time your amp will work.
• When the amp gets warm, remove the chassis and inspect the solder joints.

2) Wrong Settings of Your Device –

Beginners out there face this problem with their guitar amp. Are you sure you have allowed your amplifier to transfer sound to the speakers?

Most probably, no! You did not enable the subwoofer to produce sound. This may be because you do not know the exact process. Well, let us enlighten you.

How to Fix:

• First, go to the setting option of your subwoofer to select the option speakers.
• Second, press on the option where speaker SP is written.
• Finally, enable the sub at the .1 or .2 end of the speaker pattern.
• Remember, if you see the speaker has a .0 ending pattern then it is not enabled. Again, if you wrongly set up the cut-off frequency set then it is not going to receive all frequencies. You have to set the cut-off frequency to the highest level to solve this problem.

Again, do not forget to turn off the speaker’s standby mode. The LED light can still glow even when the standby mode is turned on. It is a bit deceiving. So, you have to check and turn it on. Only after that, the speaker will be able to accept all the frequencies.

3) Wrong Connection of Cables –

Yes, this is a common reason why even your fender amp turns on but transfers no sound. If everything seems fine but it is still not working then there must be a wrong connection between the cables of the amp and speakers.

You have to connect both the positive terminals of the amp and the speakers to each other. And the negative terminal of the speaker has to be connected with the negative one of your amplifier.

It is important to match the polarity. Any single mismatch in the polarity, voila, your amp is not going to do what it does. Consequently, there will also be no sound from the speakers.

Again, due to layers of dust in the cables, even though they are connected firmly but do not work. Moreover, the ports can also save dust in them that actually inhibits the proper connection of the devices.

How to Fix:

• Connect the cables of your guitar amp and speakers to match the polarity.
• Also, connect the cables firmly. If there is any loose connection then it will not work.
• Again, by unplugging all the connected cables you can clean up the dust from cables and ports. And again, connect them firmly and then see the result.
• Inspect the cabling continuity with the help of a continuity tester to check if the cables are running well.

Nonetheless, to clean off the dust you can use a toothbrush with a soft bristle. Also, blowing air can help. Then again, sticky tack or microfiber cloth can also help you in cleaning the dust. After cleaning, when you connect the cables back, the sound should come.

4) Oxidation on Jacks –

Oxidation in both output or input jacks of your amp is a crucial reason for no sound or intermittent sound from speakers. It also causes distortion in the amps.

So, it is important to take care of the jacks of guitar amplifiers regularly. Severe oxidation on jacks might not function anymore.

How to Fix:

• If needed, exchange the old jacks of your amplifier with clean and new jacks without oxidation.
• Remove its chassis and then unscrew the old jack with the help of a screwdriver and then set the new one.
• You can get both output and input jacks online or in any local music store.

5) Inconsistency in Impedance –

A mismatch in the impedance of the amplifier and speaker is also another reason. Even if the power is on, yet amp will not work. Amplifiers require a specific impedance in a speaker. Otherwise, it will not perform.

Speakers with very low or high impedance compared to an amplifier will not get along or function. They will fail to perform. So, if you are using a 3 ohms impedance guitar amplifier then you should also get a speaker that will share the same impedance.

How to Fix:

• Make sure the guitar amplifier and speaker share the same impedance.
• Check out the user manual guide of your amplifier before getting a speaker. The guide must include the required impedance of the speaker for an amplifier.

Well, ensuring matched impedance is important to stop your amp to go under protect mode without letting you know.

6) Fault in Power System –

Right, many amps develop a faulty power system after several uses. The power system is considered the core part of an amplifier. Hence, for any fault in this system, there will be no sound from the speakers.

Generally, a faulty power system will not enhance or transfer audio toward the speaker even if the power is on. However, voltage issues might also be a reason for a faulty power system.

How to Fix:

• Check and scrutinize the power system of the guitar amp.
• Measure the voltage with the help of a multimeter.
• Check if the fuse is blown out already.
• Let not affect the amps due to a short circuit or a power surge.

7) Cracks in Tube Guitar Amp –

Most tube guitar amp has this problem that affects the speaker to produce sound as well. Damaged or cracked tubes will not light up when you plug in the amp. Again, dead tubes show milky stains on the glass surface inside the tubes.

To identify the damaged one, tap all the tubes with the help of a pencil and hear the sound. Any tube that is sounding unusual from the rest of the tubes is the root of no sound from speakers.

How to Fix:

• Identify the damaged or cracked tubes of the tube guitar amp.
• Replace the damaged ones with new tubes.
• After replacing, plug out all wires and reconnect them.
• Recheck the sound.

Always, replace a tube with an identical one. If the replaced tube does not share the same amp rating, then the amp will never work. Also, it will damage your setup only.

Final Words:

Running a guitar with an amp is like a goddamn experience for a passionate guitarist. Yes, it is joyous until he or she discovers the guitar amp turns on but no sound from the speakers. Well, that is a problem but now you know the possible causes with solutions.

So, help yourself out by following our fixing guide whenever you face this kind of problem with your guitar amp and speaker. Now, you have a solution the Guitar Amp turns on but no sound from the Speakers.

FAQs –

Question: Why does my guitar amp have power but no sound?

Answer: The main reason could be the complete-blown of your subwoofer or speaker. Again, a faulty output transformer and loosely connected speaker jack are also the reason why your guitar amp has power but no sound.

Moreover, rusted jacks, detrimental wiring, and other functional issues in an amplifier are also included.

Question: Why is my amp on but not working?

Answer: You might have missed checking if the wirings are okay. Proper and firm wiring is a must to make your amp and speaker work. Again, check your power supply.

Last Updated on March 9, 2023 by Perry Garner