Bose soundbars don’t come cheap, thanks to their superior quality. These wireless soundbars are exceptionally powerful and deliver an immersive sound. They also have an aesthetic look that can transform any space into a theater room or gaming den.
Like all other brands, your Bose soundbar might develop problems and stop working. Since Bose soundbars are among the most expensive in the market, it can be somewhat disheartening if your soundbar is not working. Fortunately, I have some troubleshooting tips to help you fix your soundbar.
Key Takeaways
- Your Bose soundbar might stop working because of a loose connection. Check your power connections at the mains and on the product to fix the issue.
- A defective HDMI cable can cause your Bose soundbar not to work. Test the cable and replace it with a known functioning one to resolve the problem.
- Your Bose soundbar might not seem to work because of incorrect audio settings or a low volume level. Adjust the sound settings and increase the volume.
- HDMI-CEC settings on your Bose soundbar can cause it not to work as expected. Select a different Advanced CEC option or turn the feature off to fix the issue.
- Minor glitches and bugs can cause your Bose soundbar to malfunction and not work. Resetting the soundbar can help resolve the issue.
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Why Is My Bose Soundbar Not Working?
Troubleshooting a Bose soundbar that won’t work can be hectic. Sometimes the soundbar might seem to receive power but won’t turn on. In other instances, the soundbar might power on successfully but not produce sound or connect to your TV. You may also experience pairing issues if you are using a wireless Bose soundbar.
As such, understanding why your Bose soundbar is not working can help you fix the problem quickly. Here are troubleshooting tips for fixing Bose soundbars:
Check Your Power Connections
The first step to troubleshooting a Bose soundbar that won’t work is to check your power connections. Even wireless soundbars draw power from an external source using a power cord. You must connect your soundbar to a wall outlet or extension via a power cord for it to work.
Loose power cable connection is a common cause of Bose soundbar issues.
If the connection is loose, your Bose soundbar might not turn on. Check your power connections at the mains and the back of the soundbar to confirm they are secure. Locate the “POWER” label above the power jack on your soundbar and plug in the power cord and the corresponding end into the AC outlet.
Inspect Your Power Outlet
Your Bose soundbar might stop working because of a defective power outlet. The issue might not emanate from the soundbar but from the external power source.
Inspect your AC mains outlet for signs of damage, such as burns, loose wires, and soot. If the socket produces sparks or has a crackling sound when you plug in your device, it is time to switch to a different outlet.
Do not use damaged wall outlets to plug in your soundbar.
Connecting your Bose soundbar to a defective power outlet can cause irreversible damage to your speaker. Switching to a working wall socket is the safest way to avoid issues. If using a power strip, consider bypassing it to see if there’s a difference.
Check Your Audio Connections
If your Bose soundbar supports wired connections, don’t hesitate to check if the connected cables are secure and firmly in the appropriate ports. You can unplug all interconnect cables and plug them back one by one to pinpoint the loose audio connection.
Check your audio connections – make sure the cables are secure and firmly connected to the appropriate ports.
Sometimes, your Bose soundbar might not produce sound because of low system volume. You may have accidentally muted your soundbar or reduced the volume to inaudible levels. Increase the volume via the remote control or the control buttons on the soundbar to solve the issue.
Try a Different HDMI Cable
A defective HDMI cable might cause your Bose soundbar not to work. It won’t produce sound from the source device until you replace the faulty HDMI cable.
Testing the HDMI cable is the only way to determine if it is the cause of the problem. Since most devices support HDMI connections, you can try it on your TV or Blu-ray player to see if it works. If it doesn’t transmit audio or videos, replace it immediately.
Signs of a Damaged HDMI Cable
Inspect the Buttons on Your Soundbar and Remote
Sometimes your Bose soundbar might not work or turn on because the control buttons are defective or work intermittently. They might become unresponsive because of gunk, grease, and dirt buildup, leaving you frustrated thinking that your soundbar is faulty.
Check the buttons on the soundbar, remote control, and the controls on the Bose Music app. If the buttons work on the remote control but not on the soundbar or vice versa, install new batteries in the remote, reboot the connected device, or reset your soundbar to fix the issue. In other cases, you may have to replace your remote control.
Check Your Network Connections
Modern Bose soundbars support Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to connect multiple speakers on the same network. However, connecting too many soundbars to the same network can cause an overload, causing your primary soundbar not to work.
In other cases, you might have selected the incorrect soundbar from the list of connected speakers. Go to the Bose Music app and choose the correct soundbar you want to control.
Ensure your Bose soundbar and paired phone are on the same network. If not, you won’t be able to control your soundbar via your smartphone.
The phone you are using to control the soundbar has to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the soundbar.
Check CEC Settings
CEC (or Consumer Electronics Control) is a function designed to allow users to control multiple HDMI devices with one remote control. The latest Bose soundbars support CEC settings. However, your connected source device might not support the feature, causing your soundbar not to produce sound.
CEC Explained
Sometimes the source device might have a CEC option, only that the feature is disabled. You must enable CEC on your Bose soundbar and the connected device to fix audio issues in your soundbar. Alternatively, turn off the function and use separate remote controls for your soundbar and connected device.
HDMI CEC has to be enabled on both – your TV and your soundbar.
Factory Reset Your Bose Soundbar
Most electronics, especially smart gadgets, develop minor bugs at some point. These software bugs and glitches can cause your Bose soundbar to malfunction and not work.
Fortunately, you can try rebooting your soundbar to see if it returns to normal functionality. If that doesn’t work, factory reset the soundbar to default settings and set it up afresh.
To reboot your Bose soundbar:
- Press the power button on the soundbar until it goes off.
- Wait a full 60 seconds.
- Press the power button again to turn it on.
Alternatively, do the soft reset (reboot):
- Press the power button to turn off your soundbar.
- Disconnect the power cord and all other connections.
- Wait for at least 30 seconds.
- Reconnect the power cord to the soundbar and wall outlet.
- The soundbar will reboot within 30 seconds.
- Reconnect the bass module and other accessories.
To reset your Bose soundbar to factory defaults:
- Go to the Bose Music app.
- Tap the My Account icon.
- Select Manage Products > Edit.
- Select your soundbar from the list, tap Delete, and then Confirm.
- Depending on your remote, simultaneously press and hold the power and fast forward buttons or the play/pause and volume down buttons for 5 seconds.
Depending on the model, you will have to press the PLAY/PAUSE and VOL DOWN or POWER and FAST FORWARD buttons.
- Release the buttons when the light bar on the soundbar blinks twice.
Resetting Bose Soundbar (300, 500, 700, 900)
Update Your Bose Firmware
Your Bose soundbar requires frequent software updates for improved stability and enhanced features. If you don’t update your soundbar, it might develop issues and not work.
The latest Bose soundbars support automatic updates. However, you may sometimes have to update your soundbar manually if automatic updates are unavailable.
To initiate a manual update:
- Press the Music button on your remote for 10 seconds.
- If a software update is available, a white light will glow across the light bar.
- Once the update process is complete, the soundbar will reboot.
Schedule a Repair Service
Physical damage or hardware failure can cause your Bose soundbar not to work. If you discover that your soundbar has a problem, the only option is to schedule a service request. Go to the Bose website for directions to the nearest service center.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: How do I set up my Bose soundbar to work?
- Answer: Setting up your Bose soundbar to work for the first time can be confusing. Depending on the model, the process entails more than just connecting the soundbar to a TV and power outlet. You require the Bose Music app to set up and control the soundbar. Install the app on your phone and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
Bose Soundbar 900 – Setup Instructions
- Question: Why has my Bose soundbar stopped working?
- Answer: Your Bose soundbar might stop working for several reasons. Possible culprits include a loose power connection, incorrect audio settings, a defective HDMI cable, a damaged power outlet, a faulty power cord, or network problems. Minor glitches, software bugs, and firmware issues can also cause your Bose soundbar not to work.
- Question: What do I do if my Bose soundbar won’t work?
- Answer: The first step to troubleshooting a Bose soundbar that won’t work is to determine the cause of the problem. Check your power connections for loose cables if your soundbar appears to receive power but won’t turn on. Sometimes the soundbar might turn on but not produce sound. Check the volume level or adjust the audio settings to fix this issue. You can also reset your Bose soundbar to correct minor glitches.
- Question: What mobile app does the Bose soundbar use to work?
- Question: Can my Bose soundbar work without a remote control?
- Answer: Yes. Your Bose soundbar can work without a remote control. Most Bose soundbars have control buttons on the speaker, allowing you to adjust settings without relying on the remote control. You can also convert your smartphone into a remote control via the Bose Music app.
Conclusion
Bose soundbars are notable for their excellent design and superior quality. However, they are also prone to issues like other soundbar brands. Fortunately, the chances of your Bose soundbar getting damaged beyond repair are minimal. Use these troubleshooting tips to fix your Bose soundbar whenever it has a problem.
