Troubleshoot a CDJ or DJM Issue

No sound, Cue problem, missing waveform, black screen or equipment that no longer responds? Find the main solutions below.

The steps described here apply to the CDJ-3000s and DJM mixers installed in our DJ studios, which you can book by the hour.

No sound from the speakers

First check that the tracks are actually playing on the CDJs.

If you still have no sound, check the following:

  1. Check that the speakers are powered. Look at the front LEDs and check the rear switch and power connection.
  2. Check that the volume controls on the back of both speakers are set to about 1/4.
  3. Check the input selector on the DJM channels:
    • LINE if you are playing directly from USB drives on the CDJs;
    • A or B if you are using a computer, depending on the DJM USB port used.
  4. Check that the CDJ audio outputs are connected to the DJM LINE IN inputs with the red and white RCA cables.
  5. If only one speaker works, check that Balance is centered.

Cue or Hot Cue does not work: an old track loads

First disable A CUE by holding the Auto Cue button until “A CUE” disappears from the screen.

Then:

  1. open the CDJ menu;
  2. select Auto Load Hot Cue: OFF.

To reactivate Auto Cue, hold the Auto Cue button again until A CUE appears in red on the screen.

The track stops when you touch the jog wheel to scratch

Check the jog wheel mode.

The Jog Mode button should display VINYL, not CDJ.

The track skips or stutters when you press Cue or Pause

Check that the CDJ is in VINYL Jog mode.

The upper CDJ screen is completely black

Unplug and reconnect the CDJ power cable, making sure it is fully inserted.

The DJM does not respond

The DJM may be in standby mode.

Check the Wake Up button on the right side of the DJM.

If it lights red after you turn on the DJM, press Wake Up to leave standby mode.

The waveform does not appear on the CDJ

This can happen when the USB drive has not been prepared with Rekordbox or when the export was incomplete.

Prepare your USB drive again with Rekordbox on a computer.

View Rekordbox help →

Reset a CDJ or DJM

A reset can solve certain problems. The procedure depends on the model.

Reset a CDJ-3000

  1. Make sure the CDJ is powered on.
  2. Hold MENU.
  3. Press SYSTEM on the left side of the screen.
  4. Press DEFAULT on the right.
  5. Confirm with OK.

Reset a DJM-A9

  1. Turn off the DJM-A9.
  2. Turn it back on while holding QUANTIZE/UTILITY (WAKE UP).
  3. The FACTORY RESET screen appears.
  4. Turn the TIME knob in the Beat FX section to select YES.
  5. Press TAP.
  6. Turn the DJM-A9 off and then back on.

Reset an AlphaTheta CDJ-3000X

  1. Turn on the player.
  2. Press MENU.
  3. Open GLOBAL or Utility, depending on the software version.
  4. Select All Reset Settings.
  5. Confirm with OK.

Reset an AlphaTheta DJM-V10

  1. Turn off the mixer.
  2. Hold MIDI START/STOP (WAKE UP).
  3. Turn the mixer back on while holding the button.
  4. The FACTORY RESET screen appears.
  5. Use the TIME knob in the Beat FX section to select YES.
  6. Confirm with OK on the touchscreen.
  7. Turn off the mixer to complete the reset.