A friend came to my house with a SoundLink Color 2 Bluetooth speaker we would use on a camping trip the next day. To our dismay, the speaker was not charging, regardless of whatever knot we twisted the USB cable in. Before giving up, I decided to look for a solution online, and surprisingly so many more people had experienced the same problem.
We tried all the solutions we could find and finally the speaker was charging again. Below are the solutions we tried and some more that will hopefully get your SoundLink Color 2 charging if you are in the same predicament.
Key Takeaways
- Various aspects can impact the speaker and stop it from charging. They include poorly connected cables, faulty charging apparatus, system malfunction on the speaker, and worn-out batteries.
- Some users have stated that their speakers started charging after enabling ship mode and connecting the speaker to a power outlet.
- If the speaker refuses to charge after multiple troubleshooting processes, the charging port or battery could be damaged, and you should consult a technician.
- Avoid changing the battery on your own, as you could damage the speaker further. Also, you will void your warranty if the warranty is still active.
Bose SoundLink 2 Not Charging – Quick Fix
Reconnect the USB Cable
The speaker may not be charging because of a minor issue, such as a poorly connected cable.
It is, therefore, important to ensure that the USB cable is firmly connected to the speaker and laptop/ charger.
Once you realize the speaker is not charging, the first step should be disconnecting the cable, reconnecting it, and observing if charging has resumed. If not, try the other suggestions.
Try a Different Power Source/USB Cable
Sometimes Bose SoundLink Color 2 speakers can be choosey on which port or device they can connect to and charge. Some users have stated that their speakers began charging as soon as they shifted power outlets, USB ports, or chargers.
If you are charging the speaker through a laptop or desktop, try different USB ports and check if the speaker charges. If it does not charge, disconnect the cable from the laptop/desktop and connect it to a USB wall charger, then connect it to a working power outlet.
Try charging the speaker through different power outlets using the USB charger and if the speaker still does not charge, replace the USB cable. Your current USB cable could be the problem, so try a different one on various power outlets.
Remember that a charger’s power output is essential when charging the speakers. If you use a charger with a power output of 1600 milliamps (1.6Amps) or lower, the speaker will charge slowly and probably go off whenever you try to use it while charging.
It is, therefore, important to check the charger’s power output and ensure you use a quality USB cable, as cheap ones tend to malfunction.
PWR+ Replacement Charger for SoundLink Color 2 with a Micro USB Charging Cable
Reset the Speaker
Resetting erases the device’s settings and often clears any minor system bugs. To rule out the possibility that a system bug is stopping the speaker from charging, reset the speaker, then try charging it.
You can reset a SoundLink Color 2 speaker by ensuring it is powered on, then press and hold the power button for ten to fifteen seconds until the Bluetooth LED flashes and the speaker notifies you to choose a language.
Press and hold the power button for 10-15sec to reset your Bose SoundLink Color 2
You can then use the (+) and (-) buttons to select a language, then press and hold the multifunction button until the speaker makes a sound and states, “Ready to Pair.”
Then try charging it and if it is still not charging, proceed to the troubleshooting suggestion below.
Check for Firmware Updates
Firmware updates ensure the device performs in peak condition and is compatible with newer devices. Bose often provides updates for their products that fix common issues, thus ensuring the devices have improved stability.
If your SoundLink Color 2 displays issues such as not charging, it is probable that the firmware is outdated and should be updated soon.
Image credit – Bose Support
You can check for firmware updates by following the steps below:
- Visit btu.bose.com on a desktop or laptop.
- Select your country from the drop-down menu, then click Download.
- Select the circles behind terms of use, privacy policy, and Third-party software and notices, then click I Agree. This indicates that you have agreed to the terms of service.
- The Bose Updater installation file will be downloaded on your device.
- Locate the file and install the Updater, then launch the app.
- Connect your speaker to the laptop/desktop using a USB cable and ensure the speaker is powered on.
- If there is an available update, the Updater will notify you. Click the Update Now option and wait for the update to download and be installed on your speaker.
Fix Bose SoundLink Color 2 Not Charging by Updating the Firmware
Some users have stated that they could force an update by simultaneously pressing the A, D, V, Up, and Down arrow keys while on the Updater app, which forced an update on the speaker. Try this if the Update notifies you that the firmware is up to date.
Alternatively, you can wirelessly update the speaker using the Bose Connect App. To do this, launch the app, and you should see a downward pointing arrow on the image of your Color 2 speaker.
Tap the arrow to commence the download and when done, tap the Update option, then wait for the speaker to be updated.
However, the best way to update your speaker is to use a computer, as you are less likely to encounter malfunctions.
Activate Ship Mode
Bose speakers have a battery protection feature that prolongs the battery’s life. The feature is automatically activated when the speaker remains unused for a long time.
Bose suggests that SoundLink Color 2 users enable the feature and then connect the speaker to a power outlet if they notice the speaker is not charging.
You can activate ‘Ship mode’ by following the steps below:
- Connect the SoundLink speaker to a working power outlet.
- Press and hold the multifunction button for ten seconds while the speaker is on.
- Disconnect the USB cable from the speaker while still holding the multifunction button.
- Release the multifunction button the reconnect the speaker to the USB cable to exit ‘Ship mode.’
- Leave the speaker connected to the power outlet for more than an hour
You can now observe the speaker to see whether it is charging. Also, the ship mode does not erase any of the speaker’s settings, so you can try this method two or three times in case it does not work the first time.
Time for a New Battery
If the speaker still doesn’t charge, it could be damaged and requires a professional to look at it. In most instances, the charging port or battery is faulty, and a professional should replace both.
If the speaker’s warranty is still valid, you can contact Bose, and they will direct you to their nearest service center, where you can get the speaker looked at and fixed.
If you are inexperienced, do not attempt to replace the battery alone, as it requires soldering.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: How to reset my Soundlink Color 2 Bluetooth speaker?
- Answer: You can reset a SoundLink Color 2 by following the steps below:
- Press the power button to turn on the speaker.
- Press and hold the power button for ten to fifteen seconds.
- The speaker will be reset when the Bluetooth LED flashes blue, and the speaker asks you to select a language.
- Question: How do you know if Bose Soundlink Color II is charging?
- Answer: You will know the speaker is charging when you connect it to a power source, and the power LED starts flashing Amber.
The speaker is charging if the POWER LED is flashing AMBER
- The speaker will also emit a sound to notify you that it is charging. You will know the battery is full when the battery LED lights solid green.
- Question: How do I check the battery on my Bose SoundLink 2?
- Answer: Whenever you power the SoundLink Color 2 speaker, it announces the battery percentage and indicates the battery level using the battery LED.
- You can press and hold the power button if the speaker is already on while observing the power LED. If it flashes red, the battery level is below 10%. If it flashes Amber, the battery percentage is between 10% and 50%. A green flash means the battery is between 50 to 100%.
- Remember to release the power button after you see the color of the LED because if you continue holding, you will reset the speaker.
- Question: Where is the multifunction button on Bose Soundlink Color 2?
- Answer: The multifunction button is located between the Volume UP (+) and Volume down (-) buttons. It is labeled with three dots where the middle dot is bigger than the other two.
Conclusion
Bose SoundLink speakers are extraordinary speakers that make your listening experience seem like a live performance. Unfortunately, the speakers are bound to malfunction occasionally, and some issues are beyond your control.
Should your speaker stop charging, try the methods I have listed above, and if none work, it is best if you get a professional to fix the speaker.
