Bose Soundbar Not Working? Here are the Top Causes + Fixes to Try

Every audiophile desires a clear and reliable sound system. So when you suddenly find your Bose soundbar not working, it’s only natural to try all the possible ways to troubleshoot it. 

If you don’t want to waste your time doing the guesswork and making things worse, here are easy fixes vouched by our sound experts. 

8 Reasons Why Your Bose Soundbar Isn’t Working Anymore

Reason #1: Extremely Low Volume

Some users think their Bose soundbar isn’t working, but the reality is it’s just a matter of low volume levels. You can easily troubleshoot this issue by turning up the soundbar directly rather than using a remote. 

It could also root from incorrect configurations, so checking your TV’s sound settings is recommended.

Reason #2: Many Bose Devices Connected to the Network

If you’re using multiple speakers and devices, network overload could be the main culprit of this issue. 

For such cases, our team recommends selecting a primary speaker. Instead of a wired setup, you can hook other devices via wireless connections like Bluetooth. 

Reason #3: Defective HDMI Cable

Checking the HDMI cable’s condition should be on top of your checklist when your Bose soundbar suddenly stops working. You can identify damaged wires by inspecting the cable closely. Optical cables could be another option if you don’t have a spare HDMI.

Reason #4: HDMI Connection Might Need a Reset

If the HDMI cables are working with other devices, the next step is resetting their connection. To do this, you must turn off and unplug both the Bose soundbar and the TV. 

Ensure the cables are disconnected and wait for at least 60 seconds.

Reason #5: Problems With Consumer-Electronics Control (CEC) Compliance

If your Bose soundbar isn’t compliant with the Consumer-Electronics Control [1] standards, it might cause some issues. To avoid this, you must turn off the CEC option on your TV. 

Reason #6: Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) Not Working

You may not know, but Bose soundbars aren’t equipped with eARC functions. Because of this, you should deactivate your TV’s eARC options, or it’ll interrupt your soundbar connection. 

Reason #7: Soundbar Needs a Firmware Upgrade

Any modern audio device has firmware that needs updating from time to time. If your soundbar isn’t up to date with Bose’s software upgrades, we suggest getting the firmware online and transferring it via USB. 

Reason #8: Soundbar Might Need a Factory Reset

Step #1: Disable Voice Assistant Features

You’ll need to disable any AI assistant feature equipped with your Bose soundbar. It could be Alexa or Google Assistant, which can be disconnected through an app or website. 

Step #2: Press the Power and Skip Forward Buttons

You must simultaneously press the power and skip forward buttons for five seconds. As the soundbar restarts, you’ll see a red light in front of the unit. It means that the speaker is working. 

Issue #1: Bose Soundbar Won’t Turn On

When your Bose soundbar refuses to turn on, it could stem from power issues. Here are quick solutions our resident audiophiles recommend.

Inspect the Breaker Box

The electricity flow in your soundbar can be interrupted with a single tripped breaker. You can easily put it back in line, but don’t forget to turn off the breaker before doing so. 

Receptacle

Your receptacle will need regular replacement to work properly. If you’re unsure about its condition, you can try plugging in other devices to see if it’s working. 

Power Strip

Regular usage could lead to power strip overload. So if your soundbar won’t turn on, try plugging it directly into the outlet instead of the power strip. 

Electrical Circuit Overload

Overloading electrical circuits with devices may not only cause power issues to your soundbar, but it can also pose dangers. We suggest unplugging other electronic equipment that’s not in use before trying to power your soundbar again. 

Issue #2: Bose Soundbar Keeps Flashing or Blinking

If you inspect your Bose soundbar closely, you’ll notice that it features multiple signal lights. Here is the meaning of these lights in their correct order from left to right. 

Wi-Fi Connection

The flashing light could mean the soundbar is currently connecting to the WiFi. If it blinks with a red light, it‘s an indication that the speaker has no WiFi connection.

TV Connection

If the next light flashes, it implies that your audio source or system is muted.

SoundTouch

If you see the middle indicator flashing, you can assume it’s connecting to the audio source. On the other hand, a steady white light indicates muted system, and the red light means that the skip limit has been reached.  

Bluetooth

Your Bluetooth indicator will only flash a blue light if it’s discovering other devices within its proximity. Once it flashes a white light, it means the soundbar is connecting to another device.

In the Process of Connecting

The next light is an indicator of the soundbar’s connectivity. If it flashes white, the connection is in process. If it’s red, there’s no connection established. 

Issue #3: Bose Soundbar Keeps Turning On

If you don’t like your Bose soundbar suddenly turning on, you must deactivate its auto-wake feature. Should the resolution prove ineffective, check the universal remote or update your speaker’s firmware.

Issue #4: Bose Soundbar Keeps Shutting Off or Not Turning On

Your Bose soundbar will automatically turn off if you keep it unused for 20 minutes. However, if it keeps turning off abnormally, here’s what you should do.

Check Connections

It could be a cable problem. Our best advice is to check if the cables are tightly plugged into the ports. If you see damaged HDMI cables, they should be replaced. 

Plug Directly into the Wall Socket

Your soundbar won’t work if it’s not getting enough power, so it’s wise to bypass the surge protector and plug your soundbar directly into the electric socket. 

Do a Soft Reset

Your last resort should be resetting your soundbar. This process can be achieved by unplugging all cables from the device and waiting for 60 seconds. 

When to Contact Support

If you did all the basic troubleshooting as well as proper soundbar setup and still end up with a Bose soundbar that’s not working, your last resort is to contact the brand’s customer support and seek assistance. 

Conclusion

Fixing a technical issue may seem easy, but it takes patience to get your Bose soundbar working again. 

Although these solutions often resolve audio concerns, our sound experts would like to remind you that basic troubleshooting won’t fix all issues. If all else fails, seeking customer support is the best option. 

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