Q. Even though our speakers and speaker wiring check out OK, we keep getting a “Protect” error message on our 2-year-old Sony STR-DG710 AV Receiver. Then the receiver shuts off. This happens when watching TV or a DVD. Is it just time for a new receiver? - Lynn, California

A. Paul Blizniuk offers this advice via CE Pro:

Check the speaker terminations on the back of the unit. The problem you described happens when the leads touch. It can be tricky to find, so pay close attention to how the speaker leads are terminated. Or simply unplug all speaker wires, shorten the exposed copper and reconnect. Good luck.

Ovidiu Ancuta adds:

Assuming that your speakers, wiring and speaker connections are OK by the way you describe the problem, I think that your receiver is over heating because it is installed in a space (cabinet, build-in, etc) without proper ventilation.

If you are not able to use the receiver for more then few seconds before it goes into protection mode and by removing all the speaker wires the problem is still there, however, then you need a new receiver.

And do not forget about ventilation. 80% of the problems that occur with receivers and amplifiers after more than 12 months of moderate usage are caused by poor ventilation.