Bose SoundLink Mini Red Light Flashing (Quick Fixes)

I recently upgraded from a generic speaker to a Bose SoundLink Mini. This wireless, ultra-portable speaker has everything you need in a Bluetooth speaker. It is compact and delivers deep, thundering bass despite its size. Besides, it offers multiple connectivity options and has a speakerphone with a built-in microphone for taking calls.

While the speaker has served me well for the time I’ve owned it, one day I noticed the Bose SoundLink mini red light flashing. This blinking red light was somewhat unusual since I’ve never had issues with this speaker. Fortunately, after calling support, I discovered how to resolve this problem. It’s a minor issue, and you’ll be surprised how easy it is to fix.

Here’s what you can do if your Bose SoundLink mini red light is flashing.

Key Takeaways

Fixing Bose SoundLink Mini Red Light Flashing Issue

Why Is My Bose SoundLink Mini Red Light Flashing?

The Bose SoundLink mini Bluetooth speaker has an LED indicator light that displays the battery’s current status. A green light means the battery level is 100%, while an amber/yellow light means you should recharge the battery soon since it is between 20-70% charged. A red flashing light indicates the battery is low and needs immediate charging.

However, a low battery percentage is not the only reason the LED indicator on your Bose SoundLink mini is flashing red. 

Bose SoundLink mini red light flashing might indicate issues with the charger, charging cradle, charging cable, or firmware. Jump to the next section to learn how to fix this problem.

How to Fix Bose SoundLink Mini Red Light Flashing?

Charge the Battery

The Bose SoundLink mini Bluetooth speaker is wireless and uses a rechargeable Lithium battery to play audio. Depending on usage and other environmental factors, the speaker provides 10-12 hours of playtime when fully charged. 

When not plugged into a charger, your speaker’s battery might discharge power quickly, especially when playing audio at full blast. Fortunately, you can tell the current battery status by checking the LED indicator light on the speaker. 

Charge your Bose SoundLink Mini to get rid of the red flashing light

The battery status will blink yellow while charging and turn green when fully charged. It will take 3-10 hours to charge the speaker to 100%.

Remove and Reattach the Battery

Bose SoundLink Mini red light flashing might indicate issues with the battery connection. There might be an issue intercepting the battery causing it not to connect with the speaker’s power terminals. Removing and reattaching the battery can help solve the problem.

Follow these steps to remove and reattach the battery:

• Unplug the power cord.
• Flip your Bose speaker and rest the button panel on a flat surface.
• Locate the imprinted pull indicator on the corner of the speaker’s base.
• Gently pull the rubber foot away from the speaker.
• Remove the screws using the supplied wrench.

• Pull out the battery.
• Check the terminals and wipe any dust or dirt.

Clean the terminals

• Re-install the battery.
• Tighten the screws back.
• Charge the speaker and check if this resolves the issue.

Check the Power Supply

If your Bose SoundLink mini Bluetooth speaker displays a red flashing light, the battery is low and requires charging. However, the problem might not disappear if you use a faulty charger or cable. 

Many people buy third-party chargers for their Bose SoundLink Mini speakers. However, these chargers might be incompatible with your speaker. The recommended Bose SoundLink mini speaker charger should have a power rating of 12V/0.833A.

Also, check the charging cable for issues. It could be defective or have bends, causing it not to supply enough current to the speaker. Try a different charging cable to determine if the first one is faulty.

Disconnect and Reconnect the Speaker to the Charging Cradle

Setting your Bose SoundLink mini speaker on a charging cradle ensures it stays charged and is ready whenever needed. However, the battery indicator might still flash red while the speaker is on the cradle. When this occurs, the speaker and the cradle’s metal contacts probably have no proper connection.

The quickest way to solve this problem is to disconnect and reconnect the speaker to the charging cradle. Properly align the speaker with the metal contacts to ensure it sits correctly.

Align the contacts on the speaker with the metal pins on the cradle to start charging it

Also, check the metal contacts for dirt or dust, and wipe the area with a soft cloth before reconnecting the speaker. You can clean the contacts with a small amount of alcohol to remove any corrosion. 

Bypass the Charging Cradle

Sometimes there could be an issue with the charging cradle, causing the battery status indicator on your Bose SoundLink mini to flash red. If this is the case, disconnect the speaker from the cradle and connect the cable directly to the speaker. Plug the other end of the cable into a different power source and check if the red light is still flashing.

Exit Battery Protection Mode

If you don’t connect your Bose speaker to a power outlet or use it within 24 days, it will enter protection mode to preserve the battery. 

However, if the speaker is in protection mode, it might not power on, or the battery status indicator might flash a red light. The only way to solve this problem is to exit protection mode.

Here are the steps:

Reset the Speaker

If you’ve tried all the above steps in vain, perhaps it’s time to reset your Bose SoundLink Mini speaker. A reset will restore the speaker to factory defaults, eventually correcting minor issues causing it to flash a red light. This fix will erase all custom settings, meaning you must pair the speaker with your devices afresh. 

Follow these steps to reset your Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth speaker:

• Press the power button to turn on the speaker.
• Press and hold the MUTE button until the LED lights start flickering.

Press and hold the mute button till the lights start blinking to reset Bose SoundLink  Mini

• Press the power button to turn your speaker on.
• Check if the reset fixed the issue.

Resetting Bose SoundLink Mini

Replace the Battery

Bose SoundLink mini red light flashing might result from a dead or faulty battery. If your Bose SoundLink is a few years old and you often use it, you may need to replace the battery. 

Bose speakers use rechargeable Lithium batteries. Even though these batteries are long-lasting, they cannot survive more than 500 charge cycles without requiring a replacement. You can purchase a genuine replacement directly from Bose or accredited retailers.

Once you buy a new battery, follow the steps in the previous section (tip 2) to install it on your Bose SoundLink speaker. Alternatively, take the speaker to a service center to have the battery installed so you don’t void your warranty.

Replacing the Battery on a Bose SoundLink Mini

Visit a Service Center

If the above tips do not resolve the problem and the status indicator on your Bose SoundLink is flashing red, it could be a technical issue that requires professional help. You can contact Bose support for more info on how to service your speaker or visit the nearest repair center. You can also opt to buy a replacement if your instincts tell you the problem is beyond repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Do not panic if you notice the Bose SoundLink Mini red light flashing. It might be a routine alert that your speaker requires immediate charging. 

However, it could also mean your charger, USB cable, or the speaker’s software have issues. Fortunately, you can quickly troubleshoot your Bose SoundLink speaker using my proven tips.