What would cause my surround sound system to power off after 20 to 30 minutes?

Question

What would cause my surround sound system to power off after 20 to 30 minutes?

Answer 1

jims right! good answer.

Answer 2

Sleep mode, but that would be too easy.  

The system could be overloaded and is shutting down to protect itself.  

Reasons for overloading are too hot.  If a bunch of equipment is stacking on top or under it, it can't cool.  

Or if you have speaker that are pushing too low of an ohm rating.  

This can happen from using too many speaker in 1 output.

Or by using car speaker in a home audio system.  Car speakers generally draw 4 ohms and home audio draw 8, which makes the amp in the receiver work harder than it's rated for.

Answer 3

Yes if it is a predictable shut-down then follow Jim's advice.

Even though sleep mode is "too easy" check it anyways"

If the problem occurs randomly then check your speaker connections, there may be a short-out somewhere. (Frayed wires, wires hanging off and shorting to ground, wires touching other terminals, etc)

I second Jim (Don't use car speakers in a home system)

If you try everything, check the temps of the receiver. If it has a cooling fan, check to see if it is turning on when the system gets hot. If problems persist call the manufacturer or exchange the unit as a faulty