Car amplifiers are an essential component of any car audio system, as they help to increase the volume and clarity of your music. However, if your amplifier is not turning on or is going into protect mode, it can be a frustrating experience.

In this blog, we will discuss some of the common causes of these problems and how to fix them.

Why does an amp go into protect mode?


There are numerous functional components in amplifiers, and each one is either expensive or challenging to repair. Particularly the power transistors, as the amp would be completely useless without them. Any amp problems could also have a negative impact on your car stereo’s speakers. If the speakers undergo voltage changes, the voice coil will burst, leaving you with lifeless speakers.

As a result, amplifiers have a fail-safe to safeguard other parts of your sound system. The amp is turned off at the first sign of trouble, protecting your speakers, power transistors, and audio system. Your sound system may be malfunctioning if your amplifier constantly enters protect mode. The issue needs to be investigated and fixed immediately. Avoid ignoring it because it can worsen later.

The majority of amplifiers have a protect light that turns on whenever the system notices an issue. If it is dark, consult the handbook to determine whether the amplifier is in protect mode. The state of the amp can also be shown by the power LED. When the amp is turned on and operating, it is typically green. The amp is in protect mode if it is red or orange.

Keep in mind that depending on the model and manufacturer, the protect mode indicator can vary. To be certain of the amp’s condition, read the owner’s manual.

What causes an amp not to turn on or go into protect mode?

Car audio enthusiasts know how aggravating it can be when their amplifier won’t switch on or automatically goes into protect mode. The following are some of the most frequent causes of car amplifiers failing to activate, as well as solutions to these problems:

1. Blown fuse

One of the most common reasons why a car amplifier doesn’t turn on is a blown fuse. A blown fuse can occur due to a power surge or other electrical problems, and it prevents the amplifier from receiving power. To solve this issue, locate the fuse for the amplifier and replace it with a new one of the same rating.

2. Low battery voltage

Another reason why a car amplifier may not turn on is low battery voltage. This can happen when the battery voltage drops below the minimum voltage required to operate the amplifier. To solve this issue, check the battery voltage and ensure that it is above the minimum voltage requirement. You may need to charge the battery or install a new one.

3. Overloading

Overloading can cause an amplifier to shut down. This can occur when the amplifier is asked to produce more power than it can handle. To avoid overloading, make sure the amplifier is not producing more power than its specifications. You can reduce the volume or adjust the gain control to prevent overloading.

4. Short circuit

A short circuit can cause an amplifier to shut down. This can occur when the amplifier’s wires touch, causing a direct electrical connection. To solve this issue, locate the short circuit and repair the damaged wires.

5. Dirty or loose connections

Dirty or loose connections can also cause an amplifier to shut down. This can occur when the connections between the amplifier and other components in the car audio system are not secure. To solve this issue, clean the connections and make sure they are tight.

It is important to check the battery voltage, replace the fuse, turn down the volume, fix damaged wires, and clean the connections if your car amplifier won’t come on for any reason. Seek professional assistance if the issue persists to prevent further damage to the amplifier.

Troubleshooting the issue


When your amplifier isn’t doing its job, have a look as one of our specialists at Sonic Electronix walks you through some troubleshooting steps you may do. Checking the amplifier’s power and ground with a multimeter to ensure it is within its functioning power range is just one of the many troubleshooting steps he demonstrates.

If you’re looking for quick and easy fixes on how to get your amp out of protect mode, here are some that we can recommend:

Disconnect your speakers

When you unplug the speakers from the amplifier, you’re essentially giving it first aid. Remove the RCA cords and speaker wires. The only cables that need to be plugged into the amplifier are the power, ground, and remote.

Restart the amplifier now. You probably have a blown speaker if you were able to disable the safety features.

Currently, you should test each and every speaker. The amplifier may be sensing a connection that is prone to overheating and going into protection mode to prevent damage if one of them is blown or grounded to a metal portion of the vehicle.

Use a multimeter to evaluate the speakers’ electrical response. The speaker has a problem if the engine is running but the voltage is less than 12V.

Check your amp’s temperature

If your amp is too hot to touch, it is overheating. There are many things that can cause an amp to get too hot, like a mismatched load, blown or grounded speakers, or a bad power connection.

Move the amp to an open area. It’s possible that it’s just too hot because there isn’t enough airflow. If possible, put it somewhere with space on the sides, top, or bottom so it can breathe better.

Unplug the head unit

A faulty head unit or wire connecting the amp to the head unit would be evidenced by the amp powering up normally when disconnected from the head unit.

Check ground connection

In order to perform properly, amplifiers require lengthy power and ground wires. When playing heavy bass, if either cord is too short, the amplifier will turn off and go into protection mode.

If the amplifier isn’t supplied with enough juice, it won’t power up or will remain in “protect” mode.

Check cables

All cords should be fastened securely, which is, to be honest, rather obvious. One of the wires may be faulty if your amplifier enters protect mode when first turned on.

Check for frayed, corroded, or shorted wires.

Check your amp’s impedance load

Amps frequently fail because of a mismatched load. If you connect an amplifier that can handle 2 ohms to speakers that can handle 4 ohms, the amplifier will sense the low impedance and attempt to increase its output to compensate.

Overheating and shutting down occurs as a result of the additional power use. Make sure the amplifier can withstand the overall impedance load by testing each speaker and subwoofer.

Reset the amp’s gain

Your amplifier has an adjustment for gain. This piece of equipment links the amplifier’s input to the head unit’s output. Once the gain is adjusted, the sound is clean and full without any unwanted noise.

While this isn’t directly related, it’s important to note that improper gain settings might cause sound distortion and even speaker damage, which could cause your amplifier to enter protection mode.

Sonic Electronix always strives to be the premiere online shopping destination for car electronics and other consumer electronics. Our slogan is “The X-Factor When Shopping for Electronics” and it is our goal to be just that. We’re here to help you find solutions and great prices without sacrificing service.

Before trying to perform this procedure on your vehicle, consult our in-house experts first via email at support@sonicelectronix.com or call us at 1-502-200-8010! Here at Sonic Electronix, we want to make sure that we always recommend the best possible solution for all your car audio and electronic needs.