Panasonic SC-HTB688, SC-HTB498, SC-HTB488 Troubleshooting Manual

Troubleshooting

Before requesting service, make the following checks. If you are in doubt about some of the check points, or if the solutions indicated in the following guide do not solve the problem, consult your dealer for instructions.

To return to the factory preset.
While the main unit is on, press and hold [] on the main unit for more than 4 sec.
(All the indicators will blink until the system restarts)
If this system does not operate as expected, returning the settings to the factory preset may solve the problem.

• The remote control code will return to the code 1 when this system is returned to the factory preset. To change the remote control code.

General operation

No power.

• After connecting the AC mains lead, wait about 10 sec. before turning on the unit.
• Unplug the AC mains lead for 10 sec. before plug in again.
• After turning the main unit on, if the main unit immediately turns off, unplug the AC mains lead and consult your dealer.
• If the main unit does not turn on by turning on TV (HDMI CEC), turn on the main unit manually.

The remote control does not work properly.

• The battery is depleted. Replace it with a new one.
• It is possible that the insulation sheet has not been removed. Remove the insulation sheet.
• It may be necessary to set the code of the remote control again after changing the battery of the remote control.
• Use the remote control within the correct operation range.

The main unit is automatically switched to standby mode.
"Auto power down" function is on. The main unit will automatically switch to standby mode when no signal is input and no operation is performed for approx. 20 minutes.

HDMI

HDMI CEC related operations no longer function properly.

• Check the setting on the connected devices.
  • Turn on HDMI CEC function on the connected devices.
  • Select this system as the speaker in the TV's HDMI CEC menu.
• When the HDMI connections are changed, after a power failure or after the AC mains lead has been unplugged, HDMI CEC operations may not function properly.
  • Turn on all the devices that are connected to the TV with an HDMI cable and then turn the TV on.
  • Turn off the HDMI CEC settings of the TV and turn it on again. For details refer to the operating instructions for the TV.
  • While the main unit and the TV are connected with the HDMI cable, turn on the TV and then unplug the main unit's AC mains lead and plug it again.

Bluetooth^®

Pairing cannot be done.
Check the Bluetooth^® device condition.

The device cannot be connected.

• The pairing of the device was unsuccessful or the registration has been replaced. Try pairing the device again.
• This system might be connected to a different device. Disconnect the other device and try pairing the device again.

The device is connected but audio cannot be heard through this system.
For some built-in Bluetooth^® devices, you have to set the audio output to "SC-HTB688", "SC-HTB498" or "SC-HTB488" manually. Read the operating instructions for the device for details.

The sound is interrupted.

• The device is out of the 10 m communication range. Bring the Bluetooth^® device closer to the main unit.
• Remove any obstacle between the main unit and the device.
• Other devices that use the 2.4 GHz frequency band (wireless router, microwaves, cordless phones, etc.) are interfering. Bring the Bluetooth^® device closer to the main unit and distance it from the other devices.

If the above does not fix the problem, you may be able to fix the problem by reconnecting the main unit and the Bluetooth^® device.

Sound

No sound (or image).

• Turn muting off.
• Check the connections to the other devices.
• Make sure that the received audio signal is compatible with this system.
• Turn this system off and then on again.
• If the main unit is connected to the TV with only an HDMI cable, make sure that the TV's HDMI terminal is labelled "HDMI (ARC)". If not, connect using the optical digital audio cable.
• If the connections are correct, there might be a problem with the cables. Redo the connections with different cables.
• Check the audio output settings on the connected device.

The dual audio cannot be changed from main to secondary.
If the audio received from the connected device is not "Dolby Dual Mono" or the output setting is not "Bitstream", the setting cannot be changed from this system. Change the setting on the connected device.

The volume is lowered when the main unit is turned on.
"Volume limitation" is on.
If the main unit is turned off with the volume setting in the greater half (above 50), the main unit will automatically lower the volume to the middle (50) when the main unit is turned on.

The sound lags behind the image.
Depending on the TV, when this unit is connected to it via Bluetooth^®, the sound output from this unit may lag behind the TV image. Connect this unit and the TV with an HDMI cable/optical digital audio cable.

There is no audio.
The power of the main unit turns off automatically.
(When the main unit detects a problem, a safety measure is activated and the main unit automatically switches to standby mode.)

• There is a problem with the amplifier.
• Is the volume extremely high?
  If so, lower the volume.
• Is this system placed in an extremely hot place?
  If so, move this system to a cooler place and wait a few moments and then try to turn it on again.
• Does the "SURROUND" indicator keep blinking?
  If so, temperature of this unit is hot. Wait until its temperature becomes low and the blinking stops.

If the problem persists, confirm the indicator status, turn this system off, unplug the AC mains lead and consult your dealer. Please be sure to remember the indicator status and inform the dealer.

Active Subwoofer

No power.
Ensure the AC mains lead of the active subwoofer is connected properly.

After turning the subwoofer on, it immediately turns off.
Unplug the AC mains lead and consult your dealer.

No sound from the subwoofer.

• Check that the active subwoofer is turned on.
• Check that the WIRELESS LINK indicator lights.

The WIRELESS LINK indicator does not light.

• There is no link between the main unit and the active subwoofer.
  Check that the main unit is turned on.
• The active subwoofer and the main unit may not be paired correctly. Try the following operation.
  (Wireless pairing)
  • Turn on the main unit.
  • Press and hold [I/D SET] on the rear of the active subwoofer for more than 3 sec.
    (The wireless link indicator will blink.)
  • Press [MUTE], [SOUND]*, [MUTE]*, [HDMI (ARC)]* consecutively.
    * Within 3 sec.
    (" ", "OPTICAL" and "HDMI (ARC)" indicators will blink in rotation on the main unit.)

When the wireless pairing is successful, " ", "OPTICAL" and "HDMI (ARC)" indicators will turn off. Consult your dealer if the problem persists.