Expert: Steven L Smith - 12/17/2007

Question
My Pioneer stereo suddenly started playing at maximum volume.  I tried pushing each button on the stereo and none of them work.  The stereo is stuck at maximum volume.  This stereo was bought brand new in 2003.  It is a CD-RW player.  I cannot tell the model no. as the face is closed up.  Please help!!

Answer
Hi Carol-

If I had to take an educated guess, I'd say it's one of two things:
1.) Something is temporarily wrong with the stereo's built-in software (called firmware). If this is the case, it can often be fixed by disconnecting it from the power, waiting 5 minutes, and then reconnecting it. (This is called "power cycling")

2.) Most electronics actually have two sets of buttons. One set is external; these are the ones you see and press. But these bigger buttons end up pushing smaller, uglier buttons on the circuit board. Sometimes, a button can get off its track or, as I think is the case here, the internal volume button is being held down by the external volume button, which has gotten stuck.  You should be able to take a small flathead screwdriver and carefully pry the faceplate off the unit, or sometimes there are screws to remove first.  Much like power cycling, the simple act of removing and then replacing this area can sort-of reset things.  If you don't feel comfortable doing this yourself, a small, locally-owned repair shop probably won't charge you very much, since it takes like 5 minutes.