Why won't my SoundLink Color turn on?
My speaker won't turn on when it is not plugged in, even after charging it for hours. What should I do to fix this?
Is this a good question?
Score
53
312294
20 Answers
Chosen Solution
Rep: 951
6
3
2
Bose SoundLink Color Troubleshooting
Speaker will not turn on when connected to AC power
Applies to: SoundLink Color Bluetooth® speaker
Please try the following to resolve your issue:
Make sure your system is connected to a working AC (mains) outlet
Make sure you are using the Bose power supply that shipped with your speaker. While the speaker can be physically connected to other USB power chargers, the Bose power supply is recommended for best results
If you are using a surge protector, try plugging directly into a working wall outlet
Make sure both ends of the power supply cable are firmly connected
Was this answer helpful?
Score
11
Speaker will not turn on when using battery
Applies to: SoundLink Color Bluetooth® speaker
To resolve this issue, please try the following:
Connect the system to AC power. If the system is disconnected from AC power and unused for 14 days or more, the system enters a protection mode to preserve battery power. This is typically the case with brand new systems just being removed from the box. It is then necessary to connect the unit to AC power to reactivate the system
The battery may not be sufficiently charged. The battery must have some charge in order for it to power up the system
Have the same problem. I fear the Battery is shot. Factory reset isn't working and leaving it to charge with the proper AC Adapter does nothing but aggravate. No indication that it's charging and I have ensured the charger and cables work fine. I've even tested a few other known adapters and nothing.
Is this a common problem?
Mine croaked after 9 months!
f***k not working
No, that is just what it says on the Bose website. Completely useless. It is putting itself in protection mode. You hold the mute button/ 3 dots for 10 to 12 seconds on it should turn on if it doesn't try pressing the power button while holding down the 3 dots button. Thank you to Cameron Marquez for this answer.
Most Helpful Answer
Rep: 1.7k
1
2
2
Bose Soundlink Color plugged into wall but not turning on and no charging light visible?
If you don't have the "three-dots" button, try this - it puts the Soundlink into shipping mode and returns it to normal:
- Plug soundlink in to wall charger
- Hold down the play/pause button for 15 seconds.
- Then, BEFORE releasing the play/pause button, unplug the charge cord from the unit.
- Release the button
- Plug the unit back into the wall charger.
- Press the power button, and your unit should power on.
Was this answer helpful?
Score
56
This worked immediately for me. I have the original soundlink color (not the soundlink color II...so it does not have that three dots button)
The battery drained completely while it was in use and when I got the cable to charge it, none of the indicator lights came on. It acted as if it was completely dead. But when I plugged it into my computer, the Bose updater tool could see it and read the firmware (which was up to date) so there had to be some life left in there. However, even after trying to charge it for several hours, using the supplied bose cable and wall charger in a known working wall outlet, I still wasn't getting any lights to indicate it was even attempting to charge and still would not power up.
Immediately after plugging it back in after putting it in this shipping mode, the yellow battery light started flashing to indicate it was charging!
THANK YOU! Would be nice if Bose had this on the product troubleshooting page. Especially if it's a known issue.
Worked, thank you very much!
it worked so thank you very much!!
Awesome tip dude. Thank you!
It worked for me thank you!
Rep: 157
1
1
1
Well...I'm suggesting that someone up vote this as the answer...and not the copy and pasted solution from the product manual, which wasn't working.
I went to Bose' support forum and found this:
https://www.soundtouch.com/CommunityDeta...
"We had identified an issue with the original software which may have caused the issue you are experiencing with the charging and power on.
If you update the system with the latest software version, you should then be able to power on the speaker without issue. For details and instructions on how to perform that update, visit the link below:
"
Fix:
Was this answer helpful?
Score
13
John Hawkins did the update work for you?
It did. I had to install the update tool on my surface and reconnect the speaker via micro usb a Couple of times before it saw it, but once it did, it offered the update right away, which took about 3 minutes and then I was able to power it on and it gave me the proper indicator lights....no issues since.
I’ve been on the phone with Bose Tech support numerous times for this problem. This update only works for a short period of time and the problem comes back. They’ve had me reset the unit over and over. But it will never charge when this defect happens, you’ll know because the charge light won’t blink and unit won’t turn on. Bose promised me 3 months ago to replace my unit and every time I call they say it’s shipping in a few days. Obviously, many others are having the same problem. Obviously, Bose is not the quality it used to be. The unit seems great until it constantly is not working. THE FIX: Just don’t ever buy Bose again; there are plenty of better electronics companies and products. MY Bose color sound link is now a great paper weight, HEY HEY Bose makes the best paper weights.
Did you get a new unit?
Bose Soundlink Color plugged into wall but not turning on and no charging light visible?
If you don't have the "three-dots" button, try this - it puts the Soundlink into shipping mode and returns it to normal:
- Plug soundlink in to wall charger
- Hold down the play/pause button for 15 seconds.
- Then, BEFORE releasing the play/pause button, unplug the charge cord from the unit.
- Release the button
- Plug the unit back into the wall charger.
- Press the power button, and your unit should power on.
Rep: 73
1
1
Downloaded the update software that covers all Bose products. http://btu.bose.com/#section=device
3 minutes to install and it now powers on and pairs on battery power only. As long as I don't let the battery get too low that I get a warning the settings hold and the issue does not repeat itself.
Charge the battery after any extended use.
Was this answer helpful?
Score
6
Having the same problem! software update site said my unit was up to date
I had the same issue where the device wouldn't turn on or show any lights. However, the updater performed a software update and it powered on and paired immediately after that.
same it’s a good fix
Rep: 25
1
Plug it into you laptop or PC and download the Bose updater and it will recognize and update the speaker to the latest firmware and it will work like new.
Was this answer helpful?
Score
2
Rep: 37
1
Have you tried updating the speaker? That solved all of my recurring issues. Plug into a computer and go to btu.bose.com. :)
Was this answer helpful?
Score
2
Rep: 13
1
So nothing worked for me, holding the power button , play/pause button etc. So, I connected the speaker to the laptop and updated the driver, while the driver was updating the light started to blink. What a relief, I thought it had become a brick.
Thanks everyone.
Was this answer helpful?
Score
1
Went back to the previous state for me after working one time post this method.
Rep: 37
1
That’s so frustrating! I’m sure you’ve already done it, but can you restart your computer, hard reset the Bose (or even wait for it to die and then hard reset) and then try the updater again? I had to try updating a couple times to get it to work, but once I did I was set.
Was this answer helpful?
Score
1
I had the same problem and was getting really frustrated after it not charging or turning on, turns out I was using a generic USB cable and needed the Bose USB charging cable. It's charging/working fine now.
Was this answer helpful?
Score
0
It worked! Had to hold down the power and mute button together several times and it finally turned on. Thank you!
Was this answer helpful?
Score
0
Rep: 750
11
11
1
Sounds to me like the battery is bad if it cannot stay on when not plugged in.
Was this answer helpful?
Score
0
Straight to the wall without a PowerBar and power button worked for me.
Was this answer helpful?
Score
0
I have the same problem and I found how to fix the problem by myself I had hold the mute button (3 dots) and power button (at same time) immediately turn on !!!
Was this answer helpful?
Score
0
This worked immediatly!
Was this answer helpful?
Score
0
i had the same turning on issue , until when i install the new firmware which has done well, but after some days the problem occurred so i then plug it to my system to do the update which was fine and it started working again, but now the speakers has stop working, i cant power it on. i’ve done several updates, i did the A”D”V AND ARROW UP + ARROW DOWN to see if i can get options for the previous version with no prevail. but the system is showing that my BOSE COLOR SOUNDLINK IS UP TO DATE, and i did the shipping mode too am still it waiting for an HOUR to see if my speaker will come up after this shipping mode method.
Thanks BOSE nice work i enjoy that speaker hoping it will come back to life again, cos is a good product i love.
Was this answer helpful?
Score
0
I have same issue that the SoundLink Power can’t On. But it can charging, the yellow blinking light and green light are On when charging. I have already done play/ pause button holding method. But device can’t On. I have updated the driver to the new updation using laptop. I have noticed only blinking the charging light. But the device in the same position also. Its not working my device. Power button not working untill now. Can anyone help me to get fix my device.
Was this answer helpful?
Score
0
Did you find a solution to this?
Also try holding the M(mode) button,while charging ,then disconnect the speaker while holding the button (15sec).
I had tried also the mute button and the Mode button, but nothing happened , THEN, The next day before i threw it into the garbage ,Gave it one more Try, Suddenly was ALIVE, IT WORKED.I cannot explain why it took so much to reset the processor.
SoundLink Mini. Owner
Was this answer helpful?
Score
0
Rep: 13
3
Soundlink Color 1. I replaced the battery, and still the same problem. Will not power up, no lights whatsoever.
I tried all the tricks that were mention and still nothing.
Was this answer helpful?
Score
0
Rep: 13
3
Yes, tried the updater, it stopped after 31%. Tried like over 10 times. Charged it over night on wall a/c plug.
Was this answer helpful?
Score
0
Rep: 13
3
Carolann, Thanks for your response! How do I hard reset the Bose? Last nite I plugged the Bose to wall outlet to charge. There were no lights , when I plugged it in. Also this morning, Bose still dead. I tried the hold power button for 15 secs, also the pause and play button for 15 seconds. I went and tried updater, as I mentioned it stopped at 31, but at about 28 I heard loud beep and a light for just a second or so. but no further than 31%. Also how would one just let it drain out? Thanks for your input.
Was this answer helpful?
Score
0
Just tried the updater again after 31% I get message We lost connection to your product, try unplugging your product and then plugging it back on.
By the way, my Bose is Color 1
Correction my Bose is just the Color not 1 or 2. Since I am a Electronic Technician. I opened mine up, and found a few Bad Capacitors, on the Charging side of the Unit. And many cold solder joints. I am just waiting for the parts, and will install, then see if my Unit fires up?
Did your unit fire up? How can you tell if a capacitor has gone bad?
122 Comments
i have the same problem but i looked it up and found how to fix your problem so you hold the mute button/ 3 dots for 10 to 12 seconds on it should turn on if it doesn't try pressing the power button
by cameron marquez
I did and works , thanks very much
by almas66
This just happened to me also, and the solution worked. Thanks.
by Stefani Ford
Mine dont work at all .no sign of live
by mgiovanni911
Bose will not aswer my question to how to get a new battery
by mgiovanni911
Show 117 more comments