Have you ever been using your Amplifier, and it suddenly went into Protect Mode? Ever wondered why an Amplifier shifts into Protection Mode?
The most common reasons why an Amplifier turns into Protection Mode is due to voltage drop, wiring problems, or similar faults. However, for the best output, an Amplifier needs to be adequately powered. And shifting into Protect Mode can hamper the audio experience and lead to malfunctions as well.
Here’s more about the same.
However, first, let’s get quick insights into What is an Amplifier Protect Mode?
An Amplifier Protect Mode is a shutdown state where an amp enters during certain circumstances. The Amplifier shuts down itself and various other components of the stereo system in order to ensure damage protection. It lights up the protect mode light whenever the device enters this setting.
Besides that, an Amplifier turns into Protect mode as a result of an internal malfunction in the car. In other cases, an Amplifier stays in Protect Mode even when the audio system is completely turned off. It is because the Amplifier needs a while to cool down before it restarts again.
Though Amplifier Protect Mode is a useful setting, at times, it can also prove troublesome and may create certain complications. If your Amplifier often shits into Protect Mode, it can corrupt subwoofers and speakers. Both devices can later be fixed, but that would take another level of effort and time.
Reasons Why An Amplifier Goes Into Protection Mode
- Due to Poor Installation.
- Due to Over Heating.
- Due to Power Overload.
- Due to Interior Amp Failure.
- Due to Unfastened wires
- Due to Failed output transistors
- In case the Charging System has some issues.
How to get an Amplifier Out of Protect Mode?
If your Amplifier is constantly entering Protect Mode, you must be facing trouble. However, since the problem is reversible, there is nothing to worry about.
Initially, try the basic troubleshooting and check whether it helps bring Amplifier out of Protect Mode. For instance, Reset the Amplifier by turning the Power Off and On back, and the device will automatically come out of protection mode. Or, disconnect the ground wire from the Amplifier and turn the Power on and off again. This should bring Amplifier out of Protect Mode swiftly.
However, if the above methods didn’t help, here are some advanced ways that can prove helpful for you.
Method 1: Recalibrate the Amp’s Gain
If your Amplifier is shifting into Protect Mode constantly without any visible reasons, you need to recalibrate its Gain. Amplifier Gain, though, doesn’t have any association with Protect Mode, but under certain circumstances, recalibrating it can help. Recalibrating the Gain can help if there is no ventilation issue, the load is perfect, and the Protect Mode is still troubling you due to overheating.
To Recalibrate the Amplifier’s Gain, you must match the amp’s input with the receiver unit’s output.
Method 2: Check Amp’s Impedance Load
An amplifier can turn into Protect Mode if there is a heavy Impedance Load. Most of the time, the reason that comes out commonly is ‘Heating Up’. This Heating up often occurs due to impedance load misbalance, whereas sometimes due to extended use of the machine or even lack of ventilation.
As per professionals, upon connecting a sub with lower Impedance, the Amplifier increases its power load. It further works harder for matching with low Impedance. The recommended load, for example, is 8 ohms, but you are connecting the sub with 4 ohms, which is visibly lower Impedance. Here all you need to do is check and fix the Amplifier’s Impedance Load.
Method 3: Replace Malfunctioned Output Transistors
If your Amplifier is constantly getting into Protect Mode, the chances are high because of Malfunctioned output transistors. A blown-up output transistor can even send an isolated amp unit going into the Protect Mode.
Here all you need to do is replace either output transistor. Or get a car audio pro on board since it will be easier than the former solution.
Method 4: Check the Amplifier Manual
To do so,
- Firstly, turn off the Amplifier and remove the RCA cables.
- Now unplug the power wire from the Amplifier and wait until a few minutes.
- Next, plug in the wire and turn on the Amplifier.
- Lastly, consider connecting RCA cables and turning on the radio for music testing.
If the issue persists, consider disconnecting all the components and reconnecting them one after another to check which one is faulty amongst them. If any of the components is faulty, you need to replace them. However, if all the components are working fine, the chances of an internal fault in the amp are high, and at this stage, you might need professional help.
How to stop an Amplifier from getting in Protect Mode constantly?
Here are a few steps you can follow in order to prevent the Amplifier from getting into Protect Mode constantly:
- Always ensure that none of the wire connections is loose. The power and ground wires (red and black, respectively) must be firmly secure on both ends. Loose wires can lead to an intermittent connection which will directly force the Amplifier into Protect Mode.
- Simultaneously, match the Impedance between the Amplifier and Speakers. To do so, note down your Amplifier’s model number, your Subwoofer’s model number, and the number of subwoofers that are in use.
Here all you need to do is ensure that speakers and woofers match the final Impedance that’s going out from the Amplifier.
Suppose you have two DVC 2-ohm subwoofers that are wired in parallel down to a half ohm load. This further is wired to a 2-ohm stable mono amplifier. This given configuration can make the Amplifier run hot to a very high level. This heat built-up will further make the thermal protection kick in, resulting in sending your Amplifier into Protect Mode. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the total Impedance is compatible with the Amplifier.
- Another trick is to ensure that the positive and negative wires of the Speaker are not touching each other. This commonly happens when the Subwoofer is planted in an enclosed space.
- In addition, it is important to ensure that there is enough ventilation around the Amplifier. Ventilation allows the Amplifier to cool down and keeps it from entering Protect Mode.
- Check the Impedance at each terminal on your speaker, ensuring everything is up to specs. Or, check the Speaker with a 9V battery. To do so, take a speaker wire and run it out of Speaker’s positive terminal to the 9V battery’s positive terminal. Similarly, run another wire from the negative terminal of both devices.
- The voice coil is good if the Speaker makes a pop sound. Simultaneously, the cone should go up as well. Upon noticing no movement, the chances of the Speaker being blown up are high, which can result in sending the Amplifier into Protect Mode.
- Ensure that the car’s battery voltage is around 12.6V and the Amplifier’s voltage is around 10 to 16V. If the voltage differs by a high number, it can result in sending the Amplifier into Protect Mode.
- Also, make sure that the power and ground wire have the correct gauge for your system. Too small gauge wires can get hot soon and may burn up, and due to voltage drop in the terminal, it may send the Amplifier into protect mode intermittently. That is why using a thick gauge is necessary for smooth functioning and safety.
- Lastly, make sure the remote wires are connected correctly and there is no intermittent connection.
Conclusion
There could be several reasons that your Amplifier is getting into Protect Mode often. This is common for the device; however, neglecting these changes isn’t advisable. In the long run, Amplifier switching into Protect Mode can adversely affect both the Amplifier and another part of the Stereo system. That is why it is important to steer clear of any further possibilities so that you can save the devices from damage.
We hope that the article above has enough helpful information that can guide you out of this situation.