Bose Speaker Not Charging (How To Fix It)

Bose portable speakers are a trendsetter as the speakers have quality audio that improves the listening experience indoors or outdoors.

Many prefer these speakers, and if taken care of properly, they can serve you for a couple of years.

Unfortunately, the speakers also have a glaring drawback that interferes with the user experience. The speakers usually have a problem with charging, which can be frustrating.

After experiencing this problem with my SoundLink Mini speaker, I decided to compile different solutions to help owners whose speakers also stopped charging. These solutions apply to any Bose portable speaker that has charging problems. 

Bose Speaker Not Charging


Key Takeaways

  • Your speaker is not charging for one of the following reasons: a damaged cable, charger, or speaker, a poorly connected USB cable, a system malfunction on the speaker, or a defective power source.
  • You can remedy the situation by using a different USB cable or compatible charger, resetting the speaker, performing a firmware update on the speaker, using an alternative power sour, or asking a technician to fix the speaker.
  • Contact Bose if the battery needs to be replaced because the damage could worsen if you attempt it on your own.
  • Most Bose speakers are not user serviceable, so you cannot change the battery without some technical knowledge, such as soldering. 

Why Is My Bose Speaker Not Charging?

There are various reasons why your Bose speaker is not charging, and if you have a hint of why this is happening, it is easier to troubleshoot the speaker and get it functioning normally. 

Some of the reasons why the speaker is not charging include the following;

  • Poorly connected cables. If the USB cable is not firmly connected at the speaker’s or power source’s end, it will have charging issues.
  • An incompatible or damaged USB cable or charger can also prevent the speaker from charging.
  • A system malfunction can also cause the speaker to stop charging. 
  • Pending firmware updates and outdated firmware are also common culprits.
  • A damaged power outlet could be the problem. Sometimes the speakers just do not work with a particular power outlet.
  • The speaker’s battery or charging port could also be damaged

On the bright side, none of these problems are unfixable, and with a little resilience, you can get the speaker charging as it should. Below are ways you can get the speaker to charge again.

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Reconnect the USB Cable

Always ensure that the USB cable is firmly connected to the speaker and AC adapter. A loose connection will stop the speaker from charging and could even cause further unprecedented damage. 

Therefore, double-check that the cable is firmly connected by unplugging it from the AC adapter and the speaker, then reconnecting it. Once you reconnect, the speaker should make a sound if the problem has been fixed. Most Bose speakers will also flash the power LED in Amber, indicating that the speaker is charging. 

If the Power LED is flashing AMBER, the speaker is charging

If the Power LED is flashing AMBER, the speaker is charging

If none of the above happens after reconnecting the charger, then the problem is still there, so move on to the other troubleshooting solutions. 

Use a Different Cable/Charger

Like everything else, your speaker’s USB cable and charger can get worn out and stop working as they are supposed to. Also, if you use a different charger from the one that came with the speaker, it might malfunction. 

To overcome these issues, purchase a quality cable and use it with your speaker. Also, ensure you use the charger that came with the box, but if you do not have it, you can compromise and get a charger with the same power rating as your speaker’s original charger. 

If you use a charger with a lower power rating, the speaker will take longer than it should to charge or not charge at all. 

Bypass the Charging Cradle

Some Bose speakers have a charging cradle that makes the charging process easier. However, sometimes these charging cradles malfunction and stop charging the speaker, and it can take time before you notice because some people leave the speakers on the cradle and go about their day. 

Therefore, try ruling this possibility out by connecting the speaker directly to the regular charger instead of the cradle. 

If the speaker starts charging, the problem is with the cradle rather than the speaker. You can clean the metallic pins on the charging cradle and those on the speaker using a soft cloth and a small amount of isopropyl alcohol. 

charging cradle

If the cradle stops charging completely, consider getting a new one or consult Bose on how to get a replacement. 

Change Power Sources

A defective power outlet can also stop the speaker from charging. You should try different power outlets around you, and hopefully, one of them will work.

Avoid using damaged power outlets

Avoid using damaged power outlets (image credit – Reddit)

You can also connect a different device to a power outlet to determine if it is still working. 

Sometimes the speaker’s charger refuses to work when connected to certain power outlets, so you should switch power outlets. 

If you have connected the charger to a surge protector, ensure the protector works. If it does and the speaker still won’t charge, remove it and connect it directly to the power outlet. 

Has the Speaker Been in Environments with Extreme Temperatures?

If the speaker has been exposed to extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, it will malfunction. The speakers should be stored in a cool, dry place so if you forget it in the sun or the cold, let the speaker get to room temperature, then try recharging it. 

Try Factory Resetting the Speaker

If the speaker is not charging but still has some power left, switch it on, and factory reset it. That will clear any minor or stubborn bugs affecting the speakers charging. 

Different Bose speakers have different resetting procedures, so consult the user manual to reset your speaker. You can even restore the factory default settings on some speakers. 

You can access your speaker’s user manual through the product finder menu if you click the Speakers option > Portable speakers and select your speaker model. Then click the PDF Downloads option and select the English or Multilingual menu.

Check If There Are any Firmware Updates Available

Most Bose speakers receive occasional firmware updates to fix system malfunctions and introduce new features. If the speaker has any pending updates, ensure you download and install them, then check whether the speaker is now charging. 

The best part is that sometimes the update can still be sent to the speaker even if the speaker is off if you use the Updater. 

You can download the Updater on your desktop from btu.bose.com, launch it, and connect your speaker to the desktop using a USB cable. 

The Updater will immediately identify your speaker and notify you whether any updates are available. If there are any, click Download now and wait for the updates to download and install on your speaker. 

Updating Your Bose Speaker Could Fix the Charging Issues

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Use the Updater to Check for System Errors

Some Bose speakers can also use the Updater to identify and fix issues causing the speaker not to charge. 

You can activate this feature by launching the Updater, then connecting the speaker to your desktop and pressing O, P, T, up arrow, and down arrow to reveal the ‘Clear errors’ display and follow the on-screen instructions to erase any errors on the speaker.

Unfortunately, this method only works with some models like the SoundLink Revolve + and the SoundLink Revolve + II

Talk to Bose

If the speaker is still not charging at this point, that indicates that a component is damaged and needs replacing. It could be the speaker’s USB port or the battery. 

The safest way to fix the speaker and any damaged components is by placing a service request to Bose. 

You can also contact them for further assistance before settling on having the speaker opened up to be fixed. Be ready with your speaker’s serial number, as the Bose technician will require it to identify your device and offer relevant solutions.

You can find your speaker’s serial number at the bottom or back of the speaker.

Note: Replacing a battery on some Bose speakers (usually older models) is easier than on others.

Replacing Battery on Bose Soundlink Mini

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Question: How do you fix a Bose speaker that is not charging?
  • Answer: You can fix a Bose speaker that is not charging by checking for uninstalled firmware updates and using a different cable, charger, and power outlet. You can also reset the speaker or consult a Bose technician if the problem persists. 
  • Question: Can Bose battery be replaced?
  • Answer: Yes, you can get your speaker’s battery replaced by a qualified technician. Bose advises that users send the speakers to its nearest service center so they can replace them. This makes sense considering some speakers require specific battery models, and replacing a battery with any similar random battery will lead to further damage, or the battery will not work. Also, by replacing the battery at a Bose service center, you do not void your warranty if it is still active. The downside is it might cost more than most expect. 
  • Question: Why is the red battery light flashing on my Bose speaker?
  • Answer: If the battery/power LED is flashing, it indicates that the battery is below 20 or 10%, depending on your Bose speaker model. Therefore, you should connect the speaker to a charger.

flashing red power LED

  • A flashing red power LED might also indicate a problem with the speaker’s battery. You will know it is an issue with the battery if the LED keeps flashing even after connecting the speaker to a charger.

Conclusion

The best way to find solutions for getting the speaker charging is to conduct a google search, including the speaker’s model name. For instance, you could search ‘Why is my Bose SoundLink Mini 2 not charging’. This will help you get more accurate results specific to your speaker instead of general troubleshooting measures. 

However, try the solutions above as they have worked for various people, and you might be one of them. 

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