I love JBL speakers mainly because of their audio quality. The portable speakers make outings so much fun since we listen to endless music wherever we are.
My JBL Flip 6 has been around for two years, and it never failed me even once until recently. This happened when I took it out of storage since we had not used it for two months and realized that it was not taking in power.
Although I struggled with it, I finally got it back to normal functioning. As I was looking for a solution to my problem, I realized so many people have the same challenge.
Their speakers would be working fine, and the charging system would stop working out of nowhere. Below are all the plausible causes for this phenomenon and how to solve them.
Key Takeaways
- Ensure the power outlet connected to the speaker has power before trying other troubleshooting measures.
- Start with the fundamental solutions before trying the more advanced ones.
- If the outlet has power, ensure the charger is connected correctly and is in good condition.
- If the ports on the speaker or charger are dirty or wet, then charging the speaker will be challenging.
- Also, ensure the USB cable is in perfect condition without any breakages.
- If the speaker goes long without being charged, it will take some time to indicate it is charging.
- Also, ensure the speaker is in a cool and dry environment since extreme temperatures can interfere with the battery and charging process.
- Sometimes, a software malfunction can stop the speaker from recharging.
- You can check for firmware updates, and factory reset the speaker to rule out the possibility of a misconfiguration in the speaker.
- The battery could be damaged, so it is not taking in power.
- On the other hand, it could be a malfunctioning component within the speaker.
- If the problem is a hardware issue like a spoilt battery or charging port, check if the warranty is still valid.
- If it has expired, contact a qualified technician near you to take a keen look at the speaker.
Recommended Reading :
Is My JBL Flip 6 Speaker Charging?
There are various ways to tell whether your JBL Flip 6 speaker is charging. This is important because sometimes the battery LEDs on the speaker could malfunction and show it is not charging, while in the real sense, it is.
Your JBL Flip 6 speaker is charging if:
- The battery indicator LEDs (the LED bar) will turn on when you connect the speaker to a power outlet. This LED bar is located between the Bluetooth button and the charging port.
The LED bar will light up when you connect the charging cable, indicating battery level and charging progress.
- The LEDs will progressively light up as the speaker charges, approximating the battery percentage.
- Once the speaker is fully charged, all battery LEDs will light solid white and go off.
- Another indicator the speaker is charging is that the charging adapter and the area around the speaker’s charging port will feel warm after about fifteen minutes of charging.
How to Charge JBL Flip 6
If your speaker does not present any of these signs when connected to a power outlet, the battery is not charging.
You can troubleshoot the speaker and get it charging by using the tips below.
Ensure the Power Outlet has Power
If the speaker has been charging okay and stops suddenly, it could be because of a power outage or the power outlet is faulty.
Use a different power outlet to charge your speaker, especially if other electronics in the home are powered on and working as expected.
If other electronics in the home are also not charging or powering on, then it is likely that there is a power outage, and you should wait for power to be restored.
Never use a power outlet that is in lousy condition, i.e., does not hold firmly to connected adapters, produces sparks whenever anything is plugged in, and produces a burnt plastic smell.
Such outlets can electrocute you or result in life-threatening fires.
Never use damaged power outlets.
Check the Charging Adapter and USB Cable
If there is electricity from the outlet and the speaker refuses to charge, it could be because the USB cable is damaged or of low quality.
USB cables are prone to wear out fast, mainly if frequently utilized.
Keenly observe the adapter and cable to ensure they are in perfect condition. Check for cuts, weird bends, and naked wires.
Additionally, the cable or adapter could be damaged internally, so try using a different cable and adapter.
If this works, know the issue was with the charger, not the speaker.
Try using a different charging and a different charging cable to rule out adapter and cable issues.
Dirt or Water Inside the Speaker’s Charging Port or Charger
Lint and other debris habitually find their way into charging ports and other tight spots.
If the dirt accumulates, it will eventually interfere with the speaker charging since it will prevent the charger from connecting to the speaker properly.
So, if you observe any dirt pile up on the speaker’s charging port or the charger, clean it off using a soft bristle brush or a compressed air can.
Inspect the charging port and clean the accumulated dirt if there is any.
You can use any appropriate tool to clean the ports as long as it does cause any damage to the other components of the speaker.
Also, the JBL Flip 6 speaker has a unique feature known as USB-C charging protection. The feature will notify you whenever you connect a wet USB cable coated in dust or chemicals to the speaker.
So, if you hear a tone whenever you connect the speaker to a charger, ensure the ports on the speaker and charger are dry and clean.
Note that you can use a blow dryer set to low heat to dry the speaker if you notice it is wet. If you use too much heat to dry the speaker, you will damage it because it is not built to withstand extreme temperatures.
Remember that even if the Flip 6 is waterproof, its charging port is not, and if foreign substances get into the port, the speaker will not charge.
How to Clean a USB-C Port on Your Devices (Phones, Speakers, etc.)?
Use a Charging Adapter that Matches the Speaker Power Requirements
All chargers might look the same, but they have different properties. Therefore, finding a charger that can supply the speaker with the power it needs is vital.
The power requirement of the charger to efficiently charge the speaker is 5 Volts and 3 Amperes.
The recommended charger rating for JBL Flip 6 (image credit – JBL Flip 6 user manual).
Using a lower-rated charger will either charge very slowly, making you believe it is not charging at all, or it will just not charge the speaker.
If you have a low-rated charger and cannot access a compatible one, leave the speaker charging while it’s off. After two to three hours, the speaker might have some power in it. But know that the solution is to get a compatible charger.
Also, get an adapter if you charge the speaker through a USB port from your computer or TV. Some of the said ports do not meet the needed power requirements to charge the speaker’s battery.
If you continue using a low-rated charger, it will adversely affect the speaker’s battery in the long run. You can get an authentic and compatible adapter from JBL’s authorized dealers.
Leave the Speaker Connected to the Charger
If the speaker’s last user completely drained its battery and stored it without recharging, the speaker might have problems when you want to charge it.
This is especially common if the speaker has stayed with the dead battery for an extended period.
Leave the speaker connected to a power outlet for two to three hours, even if it does not show it is charging. If you are lucky, the next time you check on it, you will see that it works as it should.
If the speaker hasn’t been charged for some time, leave it charging for a few hours, even if it doesn’t show it’s charging. This might kick-start the battery.
However, if this does not work, you might be having a problem with the speaker’s hardware.
Restore the Speaker to Factory Settings
The speaker could be having problems charging because of a software bug. Bugs prevent systems from working as they should, and one way they can manifest themselves is by controlling the speaker from charging.
If the suggestions above do not charge the speaker, it is time for a factory reset.
The reset will erase all custom settings on the speaker and restore the speaker’s settings from the manufacturer.
The speaker can eliminate any system bugs preventing regular operation by clearing custom settings and restoring the default ones.
The steps below describe how to factory reset the JBL Flip 6 speaker:
- Forget the speaker from any device that it has been connected to before. You can do this by going into the Bluetooth settings.
Forget your Flip 6 from the list of paired devices.
- Power on the speaker by pressing the power button, and you will hear a strum, and the power LED will light up solid white, indicating the speaker is on.
- Next, press and hold the Play/pause and Volume Up buttons for six seconds.
Pressing and holding the PLAY/PAUSE and VOL UP buttons will reset your Flip 6.
- The speaker will play a tone and power off to show a successful factory reset.
- Then, power it back on by pressing the power button and see if it charges.
Check for Pending Firmware Updates
Outdated firmware on the speaker can malfunction and prevent essential processes like charging.
Firmware updates are important because they also bring new features to the speaker and solve any problems affecting the user.
To update the firmware of the Flip 6, you need a smartphone, the JBL portable app (available on Google Play and the App Store), and the speaker.
Once you have the app, connect the smartphone to your speaker via Bluetooth, then open the app.
Then, accept any prompts the app will present during the setup process, and the app will automatically detect the speaker once you are done setting up.
If a firmware update is available, the app will notify you, and you can follow the prompts to complete the process.
The JBL Portable app will notify you when there’s an update available.
If prompted to connect the charger, just connect it, and hopefully, the app will let you update. If not, skip the update and try the other troubleshooting measures.
Updating JBL Flip 6 Firmware – Step-by-Step Guide
Ensure the Speaker Is Stored in a Cool and Dry Place
The JBL Flip 6 speaker is not built to withstand extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold. If exposed to such an environment and you try charging the speaker in that environment, it will not charge.
For instance, the Flip 6 specification sheet states that the speaker can withstand a maximum operating temperature of forty-five degrees Celsius.
Therefore, move the speaker to a cool and dry area if it is in a place with extreme temperatures.
Then, wait so that the speaker’s temperature stabilizes, i.e., it’s not too cold or too hot, then try charging it.
Your Flip 6 is not designed to withstand extreme temperatures.
The Battery Could Be Worn Out
JBL speakers use Lithium-ion batteries, which are great, but the batteries usually die after a few years. They have limited charge cycles before holding little to no power.
If you have had the speaker for two or more years, it is likely that the battery is worn out, hence why the speaker is not charging.
Unfortunately, there is no remedy for a worn-out battery apart from getting a replacement.
The battery inside JBL Flip 6. You should look for a replacement with the exact same ratings.
When getting a replacement, get it from a JBL-authorized dealer to avoid counterfeit and substandard replacements.
Remember to check whether the speaker is still under warranty to reduce the battery replacement cost.
Also, go to the JBL store or authorized dealer, even if the warranty is expired, if you wish to get a replacement. This will be a bit costly, but it will be worth it.
A third-party technician unfamiliar with JBL speakers can cause further damage and break the speakers’ waterproof seal.
When getting the replacement, ask them to ascertain that the battery is the only issue; otherwise, you might spend more than it would have cost to get a new speaker.
JBL Flip 6 Battery Replacement
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: Why is my JBL 6 speaker not charging?
- Answer: Several factors could be stopping your Flip 6 from charging. They include the following:
- No power from the power outlet.
- A wrong adapter or USB cable.
- Extreme temperatures, i.e., hot and cold.
- A system malfunction.
- A dirty or wet charging port on the speaker.
- The battery could also be worn out.
- Question: How do I fix my JBL Flip 6 speaker not charging?
- Answer: Here’s a recap of the most effective troubleshooting steps:
- First, ensure the power outlet has power.
- Then, ensure the charger and USB cable are in good condition.
- Clean the charging port, removing dust or lint stuck in the crevices. Also, do this for the USB cable.
- Ensure the speaker is not exposed to too hot or cold temperatures.
- Update the speaker’s firmware, or factory reset the speaker.
- Question: How do I reset my JBL Flip 6?
- Answer: Follow these instructions:
- Power on the speaker by pressing the power button, and the LEDs will light up.
- Forget the speaker on previously connected devices that are nearby.
- Press and hold the Play and Volume Up buttons for six seconds.
- Release once the speaker plays a tone and the LEDs go off.
- Power on the speaker, and it should be in pairing mode after the reset.
- Question: Why does my JBL Flip 6 beep when I plug it in?
- Answer: The speaker has a feature known as USB-C charging protection that notify you whenever the speaker detects dirt, chemicals, or water on the charging port.
- The feature is essential in prolonging the speaker’s life and enhances its waterproof capabilities.
- Question: How long does JBL Flip 6 take to charge?
- Answer: The speaker will be fully charged in two and a half hours if you use a 5V/3A charger. The battery can then last you for up to twelve hours.
Conclusion
JBL speakers are my all-time favorites, but their batteries are often a letdown after a few years of use. I can take the console in for now, knowing I can always get a replacement should my speaker stop charging again.
Always take delicate care of the battery, as it is among the factors that make JBL portable speakers remarkable products.
You can contact the JBL customer support team for further queries or clarification. Their customer service is commendable, so there is nothing to worry about.
