Bose SoundLink Mini Won’t Turn On (Quick Fixes)

Bose produces quality audio products, and I have loved their portable speakers since I knew the brand existed. A few months back, I got the SoundLink Mini from a reseller, and the unit worked exceptionally. Unfortunately, that did not last long since the speaker would no longer power on, regardless of what I tried. 

To make matters worse, I discovered that the model was discontinued, which made getting help hard because most people had the SoundLink Mini II. 

After a tireless search, I found a solution that involved replacing the battery, which helped. 

So, I compiled all the solutions I came across to ensure other SoundLink Mini users keep their speakers intact since there is hope of reviving them.

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Key Takeaways

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Bose SoundLink Mini 2 Not Turning On – Official Troubleshooting Guide

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Before You Start

There are two versions of the SoundLink Mini: you should be able to tell the difference for easier troubleshooting. 

The Bose SoundLink Mini I has six buttons on the control panel, while the SoundLink Mini II has five buttons. 

Also, the SoundLiink Mini II has a multifunction button, but the SoundLink Mini I does not. 

The SoundLink Mini II firmware can be updated, while the Mini I cannot.

Why Won’t My SoundLink Mini Turn On

The main culprit when your SoundLink will not power on is the battery, assuming you use the correct procedure to turn on the speaker. 

It is usually because the battery is completely depleted, and recharging it can usually get the speaker to work.

Sometimes, the problem could be that the battery is depleted, and your charger is damaged or incompatible with the speaker. It could also be because the charger is not properly connected to the speaker.

The speaker could also have gone into protection mode because it has remained unused for more than twenty-four days.

Another issue could be that the battery is damaged or the speaker’s firmware is malfunctioning.

How to Get the Bose SoundLink Mini to Power On?

There are steps you can take to get the speaker working again. Most of these steps are easy to follow, and you can try them at home before determining that the speaker is damaged.

The solutions are:

Use the Correct Powering-On Procedure

You should ensure you are using the correct procedure to power the speaker. That is because some users long press the power button to get the speaker’s LEDs to flash and then go off. The speaker will not power on; you might think it is damaged or malfunctioning.

You should press then release the power button to power on the Bose SoundLink Mini. The speaker LEDs will go on, and you will hear a tone from the speaker to show it has powered on. 

How to Properly Turn On Your Bose SoundLink Mini

Connect the Speaker to a Charger

If the speaker does not power on even after following the correct procedure, the issue could be the battery is depleted and needs recharging.

So, connect the speaker’s charger to a power outlet and connect the charger to the speaker.

If you are charging the speaker using the cradle, ensure it is properly positioned and its charging contacts align with the cradle’s. 

The speaker’s battery LED will blink yellow to show that the speaker is charging and will turn green once the battery is full. The speaker can take between three and ten hours to charge fully. 

The charge duration depends on the speaker’s previous battery percentage and whether the speaker was used while charging.

Let the speaker charge for twenty to thirty minutes before powering it on.  

Connecting the speaker to a charger will also get it out of protection mode. This is essential since the speaker will not power on when using the battery if it is in protection mode.

The SoundLink Mini will go into protection mode if unused for twenty-four days. This is to prolong the battery life.

How to Charge the SoundLink Mini?

Use a Different Charging Method

If the speaker will not power on or if it does not show it is charging, use a different charging method. For instance, if the speaker was seated on the charging cradle, bypass it and connect the charger directly to the speaker. 

This will help you determine if the charger is the issue causing the speaker not to store power; thus, the speaker cannot power on.

If you shift from bypassing the cradle to using it, ensure the contact pins on the cradle and the speaker are clean and in good condition. 

If you charge the speaker directly without the cradle, ensure the charger is in good condition and properly connected. 

You can also use a different charger as long as it meets the speaker’s power requirements. Any charger that meets the 12 volts and 0.83 amps power rating should work with the speaker. However, Bose recommends using a 5V and 1.5 amps-rated adapter.

You will know the speaker is charging when the battery LED lights up yellow, and the speaker will play a tone when the charger is connected. 

Connect the Speaker to a Different Power Outlet

If changing the charger and charging method does not help you power the speaker, try connecting it to a different power outlet. This will help if the speaker does not power on and does not show any change when it is connected to the charger. 

If the charger was connected to a surge protector outlet, you could bypass it and connect the adapter directly to the power outlet. 

When changing power outlets, use an outlet in a different area, like a different room or floor, just in case nearby outlets have the same problem. 

Leave the Speaker Charging Overnight

When the speaker’s battery is depleted, the speaker will shut down, and if you leave it like that for an extended period, getting the speaker to power on will be difficult. 

In such cases, leave the speaker charging overnight or for approximately twelve hours before powering it on. That will give the speaker enough time to recharge even if the charging system is damaged and charges the speaker slowly. 

The battery will not overcharge since Lithium-ion batteries have a battery management system that will stop the speaker from charging whenever the battery is full. The feature will allow the battery to charge once it drops to a certain level.

Once the battery has stayed connected to the charger for the recommended time, try powering it on and see if it works.

Try Resetting the SoundLink Mini

The speaker can stop powering on because of a system malfunction that randomly occurs. 

You can solve such malfunctions by resetting the speaker; however, doing so when the speaker won’t power on can be challenging. 

You can still attempt a reset by following these steps:

Try powering on the speaker once you have reset it. If you suspect the reset was unsuccessful, disconnect the speaker from the charger and try resetting it.

Try the reset procedure a couple of times, which might fix it. 

How to reset the SoundLink Mini?

Move the Speaker to a Different Environment

Lithium-ion batteries are affected by extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold. That could be what is causing the speaker to stay off since it uses the said batteries.

So, gauge the temperature in the speaker’s environment and relocate it to a more suitable place. The ideal battery operation temperature is 15-35 °C; exceeding these limits will affect your speaker’s operation.

If the speaker is in a place that is too hot, move it to a cooler place and allow its temperature to stabilize naturally.

If it is too cold, move it to a warmer place and let the speaker heat up naturally. Do not use a heat source, which will further damage the speaker.

Try turning the speaker on once its temperature has stabilized and see if it works.

Power Cycle the Speaker

If the above solutions do not work, you can restart the speaker by power cycling it. Since you can’t turn it on and off by pressing the POWER button, you will have to get into the battery compartment, remove the battery, and then return it. 

Here’s what you need to do:

Bose SoundLink Mini Not Turning On – Cleaning the Battery Contacts

Replace the Speaker’s Battery

If the speaker doesn’t turn on up to this point, it could be that the battery is damaged and needs to be replaced. 

Fortunately, the SoundLink Mini has a replaceable battery, and you can replace it at home.

Simply remove the battery’s rubber cover, then use the screwdriver to uninstall the battery.

Once you have removed the battery, install the replacement the same way the original was installed, then tighten the screws.

Connect the speaker to a charger and check if it charges.

There are different versions of the SoundLink Mini battery, and replacing the original with a different version will cause issues like the LEDs on the speaker flashing red.

Therefore, check the battery’s serial number at the top left corner and note the first three digits.

If your speaker’s serial number begins with 061, the replacement’s serial number should also begin with the same digits. The SoundLink Mini has two battery versions, i.e., the 061xxx and the 063xxx.

You can get a replacement from various online vendors, but check their reviews to determine their credibility.

Alternatively, you can contact Bose and inquire if they have a replacement, especially since the Mini was discontinued.

Bose SoundLink Mini Battery Replacement

Conclusion 

Various issues can cause your SoundLink Mini not to power on, but fixing the issue is sometimes possible. If the solutions above do not work for you, contact Bose, and they will assist you further. They will also help you to determine if the speaker you have is defective and guide you on how to get a different model.

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Frequently Asked Questions