When do I reset the microprocessor?
Although you'll rarely need to "initialize the microprocessor" under normal operating conditions, there are a few cases the microprocessor may temporarily freeze or lock up. When this happens, simply follow the guidelines in your owner's manual to "reboot" the microprocessor and restore normal operation.
If you experience some unusual behavior -- a channel that's suddenly silent, "forgotten" level adjustments, some eccentricities in your unit, this could be a sign you may need to reset the microprocessor. Of course, you should check all connections carefully first. If you've eliminated connection and setup errors as a source of potential problems, you may need to go through the initialization process.
The procedure will be listed as "Initialization of the Microprocessor", "Resetting the Microprocessor" or "Factory Reset" as each unit has its own individual protocol for reset. The reset procedure is usually listed towards the rear section of the owner's manual or may be in the AVR's GUI (menu) if you have a newer model, but you will see exactly what page this procedure can be found on by looking at the Table of Contents in the front section of the manual.
There are several issues that can cause a unit to improperly work or freeze up, such as a jolt of static electricity or an electrical surge through an input. When you do initialize the microprocessor, please remember that this erases any saved settings you may have previously programmed into the unit. As a tip, if you write down your preferred settings BEFORE you reset your unit's microprocessor, you'll have an even easier task of setting up the unit after the reset occurs. With Networked models, you can use the Web (Browser) Control feature to back up your settings by saving a configuration file on your hard drive. This feature is also listed in your owner's manual. For this feature, we recommend using Internet Explorer as the browser.
On newer models, you can use the Save/Load GUI (menu) option to save your settings. This is found in the GUI under General - Save/Load. This method also saves your Audyssey calibration(s). You would save your configuration using a compatible USB drive.