Onkyo TX-NR696 remote sensor inside receiver not working

[spacesphinx]

Stereo receiver folks:
How difficult is it to change out the IR sensor inside my Onkyo TX-NR 696? A visiting friend of mine checked the inside of my remote and said it looked fine and it was probably the IR sensor inside the receiver itself.
Would this be a difficult fix or is there a place that could repair this for a reasonable price in the Dallas Tx area? I play music and dumb tv sound through the system. I prefer not to have to walk over anytime I want to adjust the volume, especially when friends are over and I need to adjust volume for conversation, or to blast the best part of the song.
I was also having problems playing streaming music on my phone/connecting via bluetooth since I moved after I upgraded my wifi router. More recently I got fiberoptic and was able to move my internet modem and wifi router closer to my stereo (it was in the other room), so now I can easily plug into the ethernet port on the receiver. In a moment of frustration I cleared all the settings, but I cannot reset any of the settings without the remote working.
As an interim cheap fix, I bought an older Onkyo receiver on Ebay. I didn’t research it properly as I was very busy at the time. The first one I bought, a TX_NR609 didn't have phono inputs, the second, a TX-NR-709 JUST stopped making any sound at all (I read it might be the DTS chip and you can try heating that area but that didn't work for me and I don't want to burn the board up) but these older models don’t have readily available Bluetooth either (the one that stopped working did have an ethernet port, but now I'm back to the older one). I can stream music through the Roku connected to my television, but when entertaining or just feel like it, I like to both play music from my phone--for ease of control--and have different unrelated visuals on my tv. It doesn’t make sense to me to buy the onkyo proprietary streaming plug-in device which is expensive by itself.
I’d rather fix my original receiver. Even replacing it with the same one costs more than I paid for it new on sale in 2019. I’m not ready to plunk down enough for a new one or newer older ones.

 

[j_garcia]

Due to the age, it probably isn't worth it with shipping and hourly cost to have it fixed. Maybe an alternative is a semi-inexpensive workaround (this is the lower model, there are 2 above it; Plus and Ultra, if you want more features). And the best part, it can still be useful regardless of which receiver you use or upgrade to in the future:

Amazon.com: WiiM Pro Music Streamer to Upgrade Stereo with AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect | Upgrade Your Favorite Stereo with Hi-Res Streaming, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, and Whole-Home Audio Control : Electronics

Buy WiiM Pro Music Streamer to Upgrade Stereo with AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect | Upgrade Your Favorite Stereo with Hi-Res Streaming, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, and Whole-Home Audio Control: Wireless Audio Receivers & Adapters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[lovinthehd]

How did your friend test the remote? I'd hope it is more a remote issue as I suspect repair of the avr would be difficult/expensive, even if parts are still available.

 

[TLS Guy]

Stereo receiver folks:
How difficult is it to change out the IR sensor inside my Onkyo TX-NR 696? A visiting friend of mine checked the inside of my remote and said it looked fine and it was probably the IR sensor inside the receiver itself.
Would this be a difficult fix or is there a place that could repair this for a reasonable price in the Dallas Tx area? I play music and dumb tv sound through the system. I prefer not to have to walk over anytime I want to adjust the volume, especially when friends are over and I need to adjust volume for conversation, or to blast the best part of the song.
I was also having problems playing streaming music on my phone/connecting via bluetooth since I moved after I upgraded my wifi router. More recently I got fiberoptic and was able to move my internet modem and wifi router closer to my stereo (it was in the other room), so now I can easily plug into the ethernet port on the receiver. In a moment of frustration I cleared all the settings, but I cannot reset any of the settings without the remote working.
As an interim cheap fix, I bought an older Onkyo receiver on Ebay. I didn’t research it properly as I was very busy at the time. The first one I bought, a TX_NR609 didn't have phono inputs, the second, a TX-NR-709 JUST stopped making any sound at all (I read it might be the DTS chip and you can try heating that area but that didn't work for me and I don't want to burn the board up) but these older models don’t have readily available Bluetooth either (the one that stopped working did have an ethernet port, but now I'm back to the older one). I can stream music through the Roku connected to my television, but when entertaining or just feel like it, I like to both play music from my phone--for ease of control--and have different unrelated visuals on my tv. It doesn’t make sense to me to buy the onkyo proprietary streaming plug-in device which is expensive by itself.
I’d rather fix my original receiver. Even replacing it with the same one costs more than I paid for it new on sale in 2019. I’m not ready to plunk down enough for a new one or newer older ones.

I don't think we know where the problem is. It still could be the remote. You might be able to get a replacement remote at, remotes.com. I would try that first. If it is the receiver there are multiple possibilities and repair techs have pretty much closed up shop as gear is not generally repairable anymore. I note those receivers only had one production year 2019 to 2020. Manufacturers are required to keep parts for five years, but they frequently don't.

I would contact Onkyo and see if they still provide service for the unit. Chances are they don't, so it will be new receiver time. None of this is a good situation. Buying used receivers is very risky, unless you have right of return to the seller.

 

[j_garcia]

There is also AC4L who carry refurb gear with a warranty, but probably not as old or as inexpensive. I've bought a few items from there with no issue.

I agree with checking your remote again or picking up a spare cheap. It is far less likely for the receiver's IR receiver to go out than to have a problem with the remote. Maybe check to see if there is a factory reset for the remote itself?