Bose is a leading company famed for its high-end speakers, premium noise-canceling headphones, and innovative audio systems. The firm is always ahead of the game in producing top-quality sound systems.
You can always rely on Bose products to deliver beyond expectations. They are durable and can withstand harsh elements without wearing down quickly. It doesn’t surprise me that my Bose QuietComfort 35 headphones are still in top condition five years after I bought them.
As much as my Bose headphones rarely have issues, there are moments they act up, especially if they are old. Sometimes they fail to turn on. Other times they stay on and do not go off. I thought it was due to their age, but I discovered many factors could contribute to this problem.
Key Takeaways
- Bose headphones might not turn on or off because of outdated firmware. Install the latest software updates via the Bose Connect app or Bose Updater to get the best out of your headphones.
- A broken or malfunctioning power button can cause your headphones not to turn on or off. Visit a Bose service center or a professional technician to fix the issue.
- Your Bose headphones might not turn on because of a low battery charge. Recharge the battery for at least 30 minutes, then try powering the headphones on.
- Battery failure can cause your Bose headphones not to turn on. Replace the faulty battery with a genuine replacement from accredited Bose dealers.
- Bose headphones might have issues powering on or off because of software bugs and glitches. Resetting the headphones can help correct prevailing issues.
Why Are Bose Headphones Not Turning ON?
Bose headphones that won’t turn on can make you assume your headset is dead if you don’t have a reasonable explanation for this malfunction. Electronics such as headphones can fail unexpectedly, leaving you stranded.
Unearthing the common reasons your Bose headphones won’t turn on can help you fix the problem swiftly. Here are some tips you can use to troubleshoot your headset:
Low Battery
Your headphones operate using rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries. Depending on the make, your headset can provide 5-20 hours of listening time between charges. You may have to recharge the battery at some point, or it’ll drain to 0%, causing your headphones not to turn on.
Charge your BOSE headphones
A flat battery or low battery power is one of the main culprits of Bose headphones that won’t turn on. Check the battery status and recharge your headphones fully before turning them on.
How to Check the Battery Level and Charge Your BOSE Headphones
Ensure you use a compatible charger and confirm it meets the voltage requirements of your headphones. If charging from a computer, switch to an external power outlet. A PC can be slow and not produce sufficient current to recharge your headphones.
Battery Protection Mode
If you haven’t used your headphones for a while, or they are new and haven’t been used for a long time, they’ll automatically go into battery protection mode. This feature helps protect the battery from damage while the headphones remain unused.
When your headphones are in protection mode, they won’t turn on when you press the power button. To exit protection mode, recharge your battery for a few minutes.
Broken Power Switch
A broken power switch button can cause your Bose headphones not to turn on or off. Headphones are delicate and might break for several reasons. For instance, you might have accidentally dropped or stored your headphones improperly, causing some components to break. If the power button is defective, your headset won’t turn on or off unless you repair it.
Unless you are a professional technician, take your broken headphones to a service center for repairs. The pro may replace or repair the broken switch, restoring its functionality.
If you want to fix the broken button on your own, watch the video below.
Fixing the Broken Power Button on Bose QC 35
If you want to replace a broken power button on your BOSE QC 35 with a new one, you can order it from Joe’s Gaming & Electronics.
Defective or Dead Battery
As you know, Bose headphones use rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries. Although these high-capacity batteries are renowned for their prolonged battery life, they have a short lifespan. You may have to replace your battery after 300-500 charge cycles.
If the battery is defective, it might not hold a charge for long, causing problems when you want to turn your Bose headphones on. A dead battery is useless and requires a replacement to restore your headset.
Replacing a Dead Battery on BOSE QC 35 Headphones
Outdated Firmware
Your Bose headphones have an integrated operating system that controls their functions. Moreover, Bose regularly releases software updates and security patches to help fix bugs and correct minor issues. Although optional, failure to update your headset’s firmware can cause power and charging problems.
Updating your headphones’ firmware ensures it has the latest features. The new enhancements will help you to get the best out of your Bose headphones while correcting minor issues.
You can update your headset’s software via the Bose Connect app or through the Bose Updater on your computer.
Follow these steps to update the firmware of your Bose headphones via Bose updater:
- Open a web browser on your computer.
- Go to btu.bose.com.
- Download and install the Bose updater.
Download BOSE Updater
- Launch the Bose updater.
- Select your headphones on the app.
- Check for available updates.
Click on Update Now
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.
Updating BOSE Headphones
Technical Glitches
Software bugs and glitches can cause your headphones to malfunction and not turn on or off. The quickest way to fix this problem is to reset your headset. A reset erases custom settings that might cause errors in your headset. It restores your headphones to factory mode, allowing you to configure them afresh.
Instructions for resetting your Bose headphones depend on the model. Some headphones require you to press and hold the power button for a few seconds until the indicator lights up for a few seconds before going off.
Others need you to connect the headset to a wall outlet for 30 seconds before turning it on. If using earbuds, place them in their charging case to reset them. You can always check my previous posts or refer to your product’s user manual to reset your specific model.
Here’s a general way to reset Bose headphones:
- Disconnect your headphones from a USB charger.
- Plug a compatible USB cable and charger into a wall outlet.
- Press the power/Bluetooth button for about several seconds.
- While holding the power button, connect the USB cable to the headphones.
- The indicator will quickly flash twice.
- Wait at least two seconds before releasing the power button.
- Allow your headphones to reboot.
Resetting BOSE QC45 Headphones
Damaged Headphones
If your headphones cannot turn on or off, they might be defective or damaged. If so, the only way to fix them is to take them to a Bose service center or visit a technician. The tech will diagnose and repair your headphones.
Why Are Bose Headphones Not Turning OFF?
While Bose headphones not turning on is a common problem, a headset that won’t turn off is often unheard of. Your Bose headphones might have no issue turning on but stay on instead of going off when you want to switch them off. Follow these tips to troubleshoot the problem.
Incorrect Auto-Off Settings
Some Bose headphones have an auto-off feature that lets the headset automatically turn off if idle for a specified period. This function helps conserve power if you forget to turn your headphones off.
You can activate or turn off auto-off mode and set the standby timer via the Bose Connect or Bose Music app. Auto-off is usually set to Never by default. If auto-off mode is set to Never, your headphones won’t go off automatically. Adjust the standby timer if using the auto-off feature to fix the problem.
Stuck Power Switch
Sometimes your Bose headphones might not turn off because the power switch is stuck. Dirt, gunk, and debris can cause the switch button to become sticky and fail to connect to the power circuit board.
Inspect the switch for dust and sediments and remove them using a sharp pin or toothpick. You can also gently press the power button several times to dislodge foreign elements and restore your headset’s functionality.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: I can’t turn on my Bose headphones? What should I do?
- Answer: Your Bose headphones might not turn on when you press the power button because of battery or charging issues. The battery might be flat or defective, causing your headphones not to turn on. Charge them for at least 30 minutes to see if this solves the problem. If not, reset the headphones to factory defaults to help fix minor issues and glitches.
- Question: Why are my Bose headphones not going off?
- Answer: Your Bose headphones might stay on instead of powering off because of a damaged power button. Fixing the switch can help resolve the issue. If that doesn’t work, update the headphones to the latest version via the Bose Connect app. Outdated firmware can cause your headset to freeze and fail to go off.
- Question: Which button turns on the Bose headphones?
- Answer: Your Bose headphones might have several buttons, each serving a designated function. That said, some controls are multi-purpose and perform more than one function. The power button, for instance, also doubles up as the Bluetooth button. You can find it on the right earcup of your headphones. Pressing the button for several seconds will turn your headphones on or off.
- Question: Do Bose headphones turn off automatically?
- Answer: Some Bose headphones have an auto-off feature that lets the headset automatically turn off if unused for a specified period. This function helps conserve power if you forget to turn the headphones off. You can activate or turn off auto-off mode and set the standby timer via the Bose Connect app.
- Question: How do I force Bose headphones to turn off?
- Answer: The quickest way to turn off your Bose headphones is to press the power button for a few seconds until the headset goes off. If that doesn’t work, check if someone set the auto-off feature to Never on the Bose Connect app. If auto-off mode is set to Never, your headphones won’t enter standby mode when idle. Adjust the timer if using the auto-off feature. Updating the headset’s firmware can also help correct issues and fix glitches.
Conclusion
Dealing with Bose headphones that won’t turn on or off can be infuriating. It might take a long time before you discover what’s causing your headphones not to turn on or off. Fortunately, you can use this comprehensive guide to find possible solutions.
