How To Connect Bose Soundbar To Wi-Fi? (Step-By-Step Instructions)

Bose is a leading manufacturing company renowned for its top-of-the-line audio systems, headphones, and speakers. It has a legacy of over 50 years and has developed a reputation as arguably the world’s fastest-selling commercial audio system brand.

Bose soundbars support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to enjoy a cinematic sound experience without wires or cables. 

These smart wireless soundbars have impressive features such as Voice4Video technology that lets you control your TV, gaming, and home entertainment systems with your voice. You can also control the soundbar with your smartphone or pair it with multiple devices.

But first, you must connect your wireless Bose Soundbar to Wi-Fi to enjoy all these features. Here’s where so many users face challenges. After all, adding a Bose soundbar to your Wi-Fi network is not as straightforward as it seems.

This step-by-step guide explains ways to connect your Bose soundbar to Wi-Fi for an exceptional audio experience. You’ll also learn how to troubleshoot Bose soundbar Wi-Fi connectivity issues.

How To Connect Bose Soundbar To Wi-Fi


Key Takeaways

  • You must first set up your Bose soundbar by pairing it to your mobile phone via Bluetooth before connecting it to your Wi-Fi network.
  • You must download the Bose Music app on your Apple or Android device to set it up for Wi-Fi connections.
  • Your Bose soundbar can only work with devices on the same Wi-Fi network lest it will develop connectivity issues.
  • You can connect the Bose soundbar to your wireless router via an Ethernet cable to set it up for Wi-Fi connections. The soundbar will find the device running the Bose music app as long as they are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Bose Smart Soundbars

Bose Smart Soundbars

Connecting Bose Soundbar to Wi-Fi

It is important to note that your Bose soundbar won’t connect to Wi-Fi automatically. You must first set it up to add it to your wireless network.

Here are the steps: 

  • Place your Bose soundbar in front of your entertainment device, such as a TV.
  • Connect the power cord to the power port at the back of the soundbar.
  • Plug the other end of the cable into an AC outlet or wall socket.
  • Your Bose soundbar will automatically power on.
  • The light bar will turn amber, and you’ll hear a tone as the soundbar enters setup mode.
  • Download and install the Bose Music app on your Android or iOS device (the app is available on Google Play Store and the Apple App Store).
  • Enable Bluetooth on your smartphone.
  • Launch the Bose Music app on your mobile device.
  • Create a My Bose account or log in if you already have one.
  • If prompted, allow Location, Local Area Network, or Bluetooth permissions on your mobile device.
  • Once logged in, tap Set Up New Product.

Set Up New Product

  • On the next screen, select Speakers & Soundbars.
  • Your mobile device will automatically start searching for your Bose soundbar.
  • Once your soundbar appears on the screen, tap Add.
  • Tap your Wi-Fi network name.
  • Enter your Wi-Fi password when prompted.

Connect

  • Tap Connect to add your Bose soundbar to your Wi-Fi network.
Wi-Fi network
  • On the Sharing screen, tap Yes if you want other Bose music accounts to use your soundbar, or No Thanks to limit access to only one account.
  • Your Bose soundbar is now connected to Wi-Fi.

Setting Up Bose Soundbar 600

Bose Smart Soundbar 600 – Unboxing and Setup

Troubleshooting Bose Soundbar Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues

Even after following the correct steps, you might experience issues after connecting your Bose soundbar to Wi-Fi. 

Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues

Your soundbar might not stream your songs or not connect to your wireless network in the first place. Sometimes, the Bose Music app might not find your soundbar when adding it to your Wi-Fi network.

Here are a few tips for troubleshooting Bose soundbar Wi-Fi connectivity issues:

Check for Interference

Your Bose soundbar might have connectivity issues because of signal interference. Wi-Fi connections are prone to interference from physical obstacles and electromagnetic waves. Switch off wireless electrical devices such as smart microwaves, baby monitors, and Bluetooth speakers before trying again.

Disable Wi-Fi Assist on Apple Devices

Wi-Fi Assist is a feature on the latest smartphones that switches your device between Wi-Fi and cellular data. Your soundbar might not connect if you enable this function on your device. Consider switching it off to add your Bose soundbar to your Wi-Fi network.

How to Disable Wi-Fi Assist (iPhone)

iPhone iOS 14: How to Enable/Disable Wifi Assist

Enable Wi-Fi

Sometimes, your Bose soundbar might not connect to Wi-Fi because you don’t have an active internet connection. In some cases, you may not have enabled Wi-Fi on your smartphone. Ensure you have an active connection and Wi-Fi is enabled on your device.

Make sure Wi-Fi is enabled on your phone

Make sure Wi-Fi is enabled on your phone

Enable Bluetooth on Your Device

The Bose Music app uses Bluetooth to detect, set up, and control various soundbar models. Your soundbar might have Wi-Fi issues because the Bluetooth function is off. Fortunately, you’ll get a notification alert on the app instructing you to turn on Bluetooth on your device.

Bluetooth has to be enabled on your phone

Bluetooth has to be enabled on your phone

Reboot Your Smartphone

Restart your smartphone if you still cannot connect your soundbar to Wi-Fi. A simple reboot can help resolve various connectivity issues affecting your mobile device and soundbar. It clears minor bugs and glitches, helping restore your connection.

Allow Location and Network Permissions

When setting up your Bose soundbar, you may be required to accept location, local area network, and Bluetooth permissions on your device. The Bose Music app uses these permission settings to detect and control your soundbar. Be sure to enable them before proceeding with the setup process.

Reload the Bose Music App

Another quick way to fix your soundbar Wi-Fi connectivity issues is to restart the Bose Music app.  Go to app management on your device and select Force Stop or its equivalent to close and reopen the app.

The application might have developed bugs causing it to malfunction. Sometimes, it could be corrupted or outdated, requiring a fresh install or an update. Download and install the app afresh or update it accordingly.

Check the Power Cord

If your soundbar does not connect to Wi-Fi, check if it is on in the first place. Inspect the power cord to confirm it is firmly in the correct port and has no visible damage. If the power cable is faulty, the only solution is to replace it.

Check Your Wi-Fi Network

Your soundbar might not connect to Wi-Fi because you selected the incorrect Wi-Fi network. Confirm your Wi-Fi network name and enter the correct password to set up your wireless soundbar. If the SSID is hidden, unhide it to allow the Bose Music app and soundbar to find your wireless network.

Bypass Your Wi-Fi Range Extender

Wi-Fi repeaters and range extenders extend coverage throughout your space. However, these networking gadgets can cause connectivity issues since they usually create a second virtual wireless network. Consider bypassing your Wi-Fi repeater, booster, or extender when setting up your Bose soundbar for the first time.

Update Your Device Firmware

Firmware issues can cause your Bose soundbar not to connect to Wi-Fi. Ensure your smartphone has the latest version of its Android or iOS software. Before trying again, update your mobile device with the latest firmware and security patches. Set up automatic updates to stay updated with new software versions.

Use an Ethernet Cable

Most soundbars have an Ethernet port for wired connections. Consider using an Ethernet networking cable to connect your soundbar to your router if it cannot connect to Wi-Fi after several attempts. This method will ensure the Bose Music app detects the soundbar so long as they are on the same network.

Troubleshooting Bose Smart Soundbar’s Wi-Fi Connection

Bose Smart Soundbars – Will not connect to Wi-Fi or Bose Music app

Reset the Soundbar

The last resort is to reset the soundbar and start the setup process afresh. Fortunately, resetting a Bose soundbar isn’t complicated. Here are the steps:

  • Turn off the soundbar.
  • Unplug the power cord from the soundbar and wall outlet.
  • Disconnect all connected accessories.
  • Wait for about 30 seconds.
  • Plug the power cord into the soundbar and power outlet.
  • Allow the soundbar to reboot.
  • Reconnect the previously connected accessories.
  • Try to connect your soundbar to Wi-Fi.

Alternatively, factory reset your Bose soundbar to default settings using these steps:

  • Load the Bose Music app.
  • Log in to your Bose Music account.
  • Tap My Account in the top right corner.
  • Tap Manage Products.
  • Tap Edit.
  • Select your Bose soundbar.
  • Tap Delete to remove your soundbar from your account.
  • Grab your Bose soundbar remote control.
  • Press and hold the Power and Skip forward buttons for 5 seconds until the light bar blinks twice.
  • Allow the soundbar to reboot.
  • Configure your soundbar afresh.
  • Try to connect your soundbar to Wi-Fi.

Resetting Bose Smart Soundbar

How to reset a Bose soundbar (700, 500, 900 & 300)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Question: Does the Bose soundbar use Wi-Fi?
  • Answer: The latest Bose soundbars support Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to control the product, adjust audio settings, and access streaming music services. However, you must download the Bose Music app on your Android or Apple device to connect your soundbar to Wi-Fi. The app is available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
  • Question: How to engage pairing mode on my Bose soundbar?
  • Answer: Bose soundbars support Bluetooth connectivity, and you must put them in pairing mode to connect them to your smartphone, tablet, or laptop computer. To pair your soundbar with your mobile devices, press the Bluetooth icon on the soundbar’s remote control. The Bluetooth icon on the soundbar will start blinking blue to indicate it is in pairing mode.
  • Question: Why is my Bose not connecting to Wi-Fi?
  • Answer: Your Bose soundbar might not be connecting to Wi-Fi for several reasons. First, you must download the Bose Music app on your smartphone to connect your soundbar to Wi-Fi. Ensure there are no obstacles between the soundbar and your wireless router before trying again. If this doesn’t solve the problem, restart your smartphone or reset your Bose soundbar.
  • Question: Why is the Wi-Fi light flashing on my Bose soundbar?
  • Answer: Your Bose soundbar has several LED lights that indicate its current status. If the Wi-Fi light continuously flashes white, your soundbar is currently connecting to your selected Wi-Fi network. If the light flashes red four times, it means you don’t have an active internet connection. A solid red light indicates a system error.

Conclusion

Connecting your Bose soundbar to Wi-Fi might be overwhelming during the initial setup, especially if you are not tech-savvy. You must download the Music app on your smartphone and create an account to add your soundbar. 

You can use this simple but detailed guide to get things rolling and enjoy a cinematic audio experience. Try it out today and see how easy it is.

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