JBL Xtreme 3 Won’t Turn OFF/ON (Troubleshooting Tips)

While the JBL Xtreme 3 is a fantastic portable speaker, it’s still just a piece of electronics, and as we all know, electronic devices tend to malfunction sometimes. One of the common issues users have with the Xtreme 3 is the inability to power the speaker ON or OFF. 

After using my Xtreme 3 for almost two years, I encountered the same problem two weeks ago. I couldn’t turn off my Xtreme 3. In fact, the speaker was completely unresponsive. It was on, but the buttons didn’t work. 

I tried all the standard troubleshooting steps (restart, reset, update), but nothing worked. Luckily, while searching the internet, I came across information about Xtreme 3 secret features. One of those features was the so-called Service Mode, which blocks the speaker buttons and prevents you from using the speaker. Once I disabled this feature, I was able to use my Xtreme 3 again and turn it off. 

One thing I noticed during my research was that you can’t find all potential solutions in one place. You have to read through a bunch of forums, watch a number of YouTube videos, and spend hours searching for the right fix. 

To help fellow users dealing with the same problem, I decided to make a compilation of all the potential fixes I found, including the one that worked for me. 

Read on as I troubleshoot JBL Xtreme 3 that won’t turn ON or OFF.

Key Takeaways

When your JBL Xtreme 3 won’t turn OFF, try the following fixes:

When your JBL Xtreme 3 won’t turn ON, try the following fixes:

Recommended Reading :

How to Turn Your Xtreme 3 ON or OFF – Quick Explanation

Why Is My JBL Xtreme 3 Not Turning ON/OFF

JBL Xtreme 3 not turning ON and JBL Xtreme 3 not turning OFF are two separate issues. Things like firmware glitches, outdated firmware, or broken/clogged POWER button can cause both issues. But there are also things that could cause only one of the two issues. 

For example, if the speaker won’t turn off, the battery is probably fine (it’s not dead). On the other hand, if you can’t turn it on, a dead battery is one of the potential culprits. 

The same thing applies to potential fixes. Some fixes will work in both scenarios, while others will only work in one.

The most common things causing JBL Xtreme 3 to refuse to turn OFF include:

The most common things causing JBL Xtreme 3 to refuse to turn ON include:

Now that you know the most common culprits, let’s find out how to deal with them.

Fixing JBL Xtreme 3 That Won’t Turn OFF

Disable the Service Mode

This was my problem. Somehow, I or someone else pressed the Bluetooth and PLAY buttons and activated the Service Mode. Or the speaker did it itself due to a firmware glitch. I don’t know… Anyway, the whole speaker became unresponsive (all buttons, not just the POWER button), and Bluetooth didn’t work. Only the power button was lit up.

Luckily, I found this post on Reddit, explaining all the secret features and button combos that were not mentioned in the manual. One of the features is the so-called Service Mode. Users also call it the Demo Mode or the Block Mode.

The only way to play music in Service Mode is via AUX connection while the speaker is connected to the charger. However, you won’t be able to control the volume, and the music will only play at max volume.

To exit the Service Mode, connect the charger and press the Bluetooth and PLAY buttons for about 15 seconds. 

While the speaker is connected to the charger, press and hold the Bluetooth and PLAY buttons simultaneously for 15 seconds to exit the Service Mode.

Try Pressing the Button Multiple Times

If other buttons are responsive and you can play the music via Bluetooth, the problem is most probably in the button itself.  It might be clogged with dirt or broken. Or, there might be something wrong with the button board located beneath the rubberized buttons. 

Start by pressing the button multiple times. I read on Reddit that some users managed to turn their Xtreme 3 off by pressing the button quickly 8 times and then pressing and holding for about 10 seconds. 

Pressing the power button multiple times (3-8 times) and then pressing and holding for 10 seconds might help you turn off your JBL Xtreme 3.

If this fix works for you, you should be aware that it’s not actually a fix. This might be an indication that the button board, particularly the power button on it, needs cleaning. But this is a good thing. Nothing is broken – you just have to open the speaker, remove the rubber cover with all the buttons, and clean the button board beneath it with isopropyl alcohol. 

The other option is that there’s something wrong with the button board (or the PCB), like a damaged or broken power button on it. This can’t be fixed with cleaning. You could try to somehow glue the broken part or replace the entire button board. 

One thing is certain – if pressing the POWER button multiple times helps you turn off your JBL Xtreme 3, your issue is most probably hardware-related. So, you can’t fix it by resetting the speaker or updating the firmware. You have to locate the exact source of the problem and deal with it. You may just have to clean the button board, but you may also have to replace it.

The Button Might Be Damaged or Dirty

I’m not sure if this is the best course of action since we still haven’t tried all the fixes that don’t require you to open the speaker. If you are still not sure that the problem is hardware-related, you should first try other fixes that don’t require you to open the speaker. Then, if other troubleshooting steps don’t help, return to this one.

I’m about to suggest that you open the speaker and clean the entire button board. Why? Because when I say the button is clogged with dirt or damaged, I’m not referring to those symbols you see on the outside. I’m actually talking about the contact pads on the button board inside the speaker. 

I have already mentioned the button board so many times. It’s finally time to find out what it is and what it looks like. The button board is located right beneath the control buttons. It connects to the PCB and sends electrical signals to the PCB when you press the buttons. 

JBL Xtreme 3 Button Board (Source – JBL Xtreme 3 Service Manual)

If the POWER button contact pad on the button board gets dirty (and there has to be some accumulated dirt over time), the pad will not react when you press the POWER button.  Consequently, the button board will not send the signal to the PCB, and the speaker will refuse to turn off or on.

Cleaning the contact pads with isopropyl alcohol might fix the issue. I’m not sure if this is an appropriate analogy, but I did exactly the same thing with my parents’ TV remote. They also had a problem with the POWER button – it was unresponsive. I opened the remote and used a cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol to clean the entire board and all the contacts. When I reassembled the remote, it worked flawlessly. The POWER button was responsive again. 

To get to the button board, you have to remove the speaker’s jacket, and then remove the protective rubber flap. There’s no need to remove other parts if you only want to clean the button board. 

First, you need to remove the jacket.

Use a pry tool or a flathead screwdriver to remove the silicone flap and get to the button PCB.

Remove the silicone flap to get to the button board.

You have finally reached the button board. Before cleaning the contacts, disconnect the flat ribbon cable connecting the button board to the PCB.

Consider disconnecting the flat cable that connects the button board to the PCB.

Now, the only thing left to do is clean the contact pads. Pay special attention to the POWER button. 

Check the contact pads for damage. If they all seem fine, clean the contact pads using a cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol. 

If you notice that the POWER button is damaged or broken, cleaning it will not make a difference. You could try to find the broken part and glue it back on, but I’m not sure if this is going to be a permanent fix. It would be smarter to search for spare parts on eBay, find a functional button board, and replace your button board with the spare one.

Reset Your JBL Xtreme 3

Every electronic device runs on some kind of firmware, and every firmware is susceptible to firmware glitches and bugs. Your JBL Xtreme 3 is not an exception. 

The standard steps to remove bugs and glitches include disconnecting the speaker from your device, forgetting the speaker from the list of paired devices, resetting the speaker, and updating the speaker.

Here’s what you need to do:

First, unpair the speaker from your phone. 

Then, forget JBL Xtreme 3 from the list of paired devices on your phone.

Now, assuming the speaker is turned on and you can’t turn it off, press and hold the VOL UP and PLAY buttons simultaneously until your JBL Xtreme 3 turns off and you hear the power-off sound. 

Then, if you manage to reset it, try to turn it on. If it works, your job is done! The speaker is fixed! To be sure, try turning it off once again. 

Press the PLAY and VOL UP buttons until the speaker turns off to reset JBL Xtreme 3. 

Another potential fix, if resetting doesn’t help, is pressing and holding the VOL UP, VOL DOWN, and PLAY buttons simultaneously. According to one post on Reddit, this action is supposed to simulate disconnecting the battery. Basically, you are forcing a restart. 

Resetting JBL Xtreme 3

Update Your JBL Xtreme 3

Updating the speaker is meaningless if the speaker misbehaves in more than one way. If you can’t turn off your Xtreme 3, but the speaker is working, you can stream music via Bluetooth, and the JBL Portable app recognizes the speaker, you could try updating it. There’s a slim chance the update might fix the issue.

Assuming that you already have the app and the speaker is linked with it, open it. If there’s an update available, there should be a message at the top of the screen, right under your speaker’s name.

Tap on this message and follow the on-screen instructions to update your JBL Xtreme 3.

If, instead of the notification, your app tells you the software is up to date, move on to the next troubleshooting step.

If you see this message, move on to the next tip.

Updating a JBL Bluetooth Speaker via JBL Portable App

Let It Play Until the Battery Drains

Some firmware glitches can be fixed by simply restarting the speaker. Since you cannot turn your speaker off, you can only leave it on until the battery drains out. If everything else works (you can stream music via Bluetooth), let it play until it turns off. 

If you can’t turn it off after trying all the previously suggested fixes, let the speaker play or leave it turned on until the battery drains. Then, try to turn it on.

Other Potential Fixes

If none of the previous fixes worked for you, your only option now is to open the speaker and check the internal components. First, try to clean the button board as explained above.

JBL Xtreme 3 – Teardown

Disconnect and Reconnect the Battery

While pressing and holding the VOL UP, VOL DOWN, and PLAY buttons simultaneously is supposed to simulate battery disconnection, it’s still not the same thing as actual battery disconnection. So, open your speaker and disconnect the cable connecting the battery to the PCB. Reconnect it after a minute. 

To do this, you don’t have to take everything apart. You just need to remove the speaker’s jacket, and then remove the battery compartment cover by unscrewing 8 screws. The battery compartment is located right under the charging port on your JBL Xtreme 3. 

JBL Xtreme 3 – Battery Compartment

After removing the battery compartment, gently lift the battery, take it out, and disconnect the cable. Wait for a minute before reconnecting it.

Take the battery out, disconnect the cable, wait for a minute, and reconnect it. Try turning on your speaker.

Replace the Button Board

If disconnecting and reconnecting the battery and cleaning the button board didn’t fix the issue for you, it’s time to consider replacing some internal components. Two primary suspects when you can’t turn on your speaker are the button board and the PCB. 

I have previously described how to get to the button board and disconnect it. You will have to find a new one (or rather a used one) and replace your old button board. 

JBL doesn’t sell spare parts for JBL Xtreme 3, but you can find used or damaged speakers on eBay or some other website, and buy them for parts. If you live in the US, you could also try visiting Joe’s Gaming and Electronics web store, and get spare parts for your JBL Xtreme 3 there. At the moment, you can order the button board from eBay for $30.

Replace the button board.

Replace the PCB

If even replacing the button board doesn’t help, the only option left is replacing the main PCB. To remove it, you have to take almost everything apart and disconnect all the cables going from different parts of the speaker to the PCB.

You can find a used PCB on eBay. Or, as suggested earlier, if you live in the US, order from Joe’s Gaming and Electronics web store. You can get it for about $65.

Replace the main PCB.

Fixing JBL Xtreme 3 That Won’t Turn ON

The number of things you can do without opening the speaker when it won’t turn on is very limited. To perform a reset, update the speaker, or disable the service mode, the speaker needs to be turned on. Still, that shouldn’t stop you from trying.

So, even though your Xtreme 3 won’t turn on, try pressing the VOL UP and PLAY buttons simultaneously and holding them for a few seconds. Also, try connecting the charger and then resetting your Xtreme 3. 

Furthermore, try disabling the service mode (with the speaker connected to the charger) by pressing the Bluetooth and PLAY buttons for about 15 seconds. 

In addition, try pressing the VOL UP, VOL DOWN, and PLAY buttons together for a few seconds to simulate battery disconnection. 

Finally, try pressing the POWER button multiple times. As explained earlier, try pressing the button quickly multiple times (3-8) and then pressing and holding. If this method gives results and you manage to turn on your speaker, you’re almost certainly dealing with a button board issue.

Check the Button Board

Follow the instructions given in one of the previous sections to open the speaker and get to the button board. Look for damages. If the power button contact pad is broken, you could either try to fix it (glue it) somehow or buy a replacement button board. It will cost you approx. $30. 

If the contact pad is not broken, try cleaning it with a cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol. 

Check the button board. Pay special attention to the POWER button. If it’s not broken, try cleaning it with isopropyl alcohol.

Fixing Firmware Glitches

The only way to fix a firmware glitch when resetting can’t be done is disconnecting and reconnecting the battery and other components. So, again, you have to open the speaker and disconnect everything from the PCB, then reconnect all components.

Start by disconnecting and reconnecting the button board and battery. If this fix doesn’t help, you could either try to take the whole speaker apart and reassemble it, or consider replacing the battery and/or the button board before going further. 

The Battery Might Be Dead – Replace It

Dead battery is actually one of the most common reasons a Bluetooth speaker won’t turn on. 

Before buying a new battery, you could just try disconnecting and reconnecting the battery, as explained above. If your JBL Xtreme 3 still won’t turn on, it’s time to look for a new battery. You can order a compatible battery from Amazon. When ordering, it’s important to look for the battery with the same specs (same power ratings). 

JBL Xtreme 3 battery (7.2V/5,000mAh/36Wh)

Replacing the JBL Xtreme 3 Battery

The PCB Might Be Dead/Damaged – Replace It

If replacing the battery doesn’t fix the issue for you, you could also try replacing the main PCB. To do this, you’ll have to take the entire speaker apart. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Not being able to turn your JBL Xtreme 3 ON or OFF can be extremely frustrating. Hopefully, this guide helped you fix your faulty speaker and make it work again. 

Let me know which fix worked for you. If you have some fixes I forgot to mention, feel free to share them with fellow users.