There is nothing quite like the crisp, clean sound that comes out of a Bose soundbar. When it is not working, however, it can be a real disappointment. Fortunately, the fix is often easy and quick.
One reason why a Bose soundbar may not be working is due to an issue with the connection between the soundbar and the TV. To fix this, ensure that the cables are properly connected and that the correct input source is selected on the TV. If the issue persists, try resetting both devices.
As we look down through some of the possible reasons why your Bose soundbar is not working, it’s good to know that you are certainly not alone. Many people have experienced these problems, but they find that the fix is often easy to do.
Bose Soundbar Not Working
The first thing to check with your Bose soundbar is if it has stopped working altogether. Perhaps the Bluetooth works, but it doesn’t seem as if anything else is working. Here are some things to check and fix.
Low Volume Level
The volume level is a common reason why most people think that their Bose soundbar is not working. Perhaps your remote control needs new batteries or it may be that the sound settings on the TV are not connecting to the soundbar itself.
Try turning up the volume on the soundbar directly rather than using the remote.
When adjusting the soundbar volume level, be cautious of the volume level when it finally comes on. It could be very loud.
Multiple Bose Devices on Network
There can only be one Bose device on the network. If you happen to be a big fan of this type of product, you may have multiple devices in your home.
Typically, people will choose the primary device and put it on their network. This can be the soundbar and you may be able to tie in additional speakers using Bluetooth.
Bad HDMI Cable
If the HDMI cable between your soundbar and the TV is bad, it will not send a signal. You can try another HDMI cable. Perhaps there is another device that gives you easy access to a new cable.
There may also be other options rather than using HDMI. This could include using an optical cable. At times, you may even find that your sound quality increases as you change the way that it connects to the TV.
HDMI Connection Requiring Reset
If the cable is fine, you may need to reset the connection. This is done by turning off both the Bose soundbar and the TV and unplugging them.
Disconnect the HDMI cable and wait at least 60 seconds before reconnecting it. Reconnect the power to the television first and wait for it to fully reset.
Finally, turn on the power to the Bose soundbar. Remember that it may take up to a minute for the soundbar to reboot.
Incidentally, this is very similar to a soft reset of the soundbar itself. The only difference is that you are disconnecting the HDMI cable. It is usually good to do a full reset, including the cable just to make sure.
Consumer-Electronics Control (CEC) Compliance Issues
In some cases, it may be necessary to disconnect CDC on the television. Your Bose soundbar may not be fully compliant and it could be causing issues.
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) Functionality
If your Bose soundbar is not an eARC-equipped device, you may need to turn off eARC on the TV. At times, the eARC can act erratically.
Firmware Upgrades Needed
Bose may, at times, update the firmware to the soundbar. You can download the firmware online and transfer it to a USB stick. It can then be uploaded to the soundbar and after restarting, it may fix the problem.
Restore Factory Settings
This is typically the last choice, but it is one that can correct almost any problem. Here are the steps to perform a factory reset of your Bose soundbar.
Step 1. Disconnect Assistant
If you have Alexa, Google assistant, or another voice assistant associated with your Bose soundbar, you will have to disable them first. This is typically done through the app or, in the case of Alexa, through the Amazon website.
Step 2. Push Power and Skip Forward
On the remote, you will need to depress the skip forward and power buttons for five seconds. They must be pressed simultaneously.
As the product reboots, the light bar will glow a solid amber on the front of the soundbar. This will let you know that it is working.
If this doesn’t seem to work, make sure that the batteries to the remote are not dead.
Contact Tech Support
Bose tech support is known for being helpful. You can contact tech support directly but you may find it more helpful to work with the local store.
If possible, take it to the store and have a technician at the store look at the soundbar for you. If any more troubleshooting needs to be done, they can contact tech support at the store.
Bose Sound Bar Won’t Turn on
The most common reason why a Bose soundbar won’t turn on is that there is no power to the unit. Here are a few things to check:
Breaker Box
A tripped breaker will stop the flow of electricity to the entire circuit. Look for a breaker that is out of line with the others and may have a small red spot showing on the side.
Turn the breaker to the off position and back to the on position to reset it.
Receptacle
Although receptacles typically have a long lifespan, they do go bad from time to time. Check the receptacle by plugging in another device, such as a lamp to see if it works.
Power Strip
All too often, we overload a power strip and it can cause problems with the soundbar. Bypass the power strip by plugging the soundbar directly into a wall receptacle.
Overloaded Circuit
In some cases, we may be trying to run too many electrical appliances on the same circuit. Try unplugging some of the devices and see if the soundbar begins to work properly.
Another issue is for the remote control batteries to of died. Try turning on the power directly with the power button on the soundbar.
Unplug the soundbar and plug it back in. Did it make a tone? If it did, it is probably a problem with the remote control or the connection. If not, check the power options.
Bose Soundbar Won’t Turn Off
If the Bose soundbar is not turning off, you may need to re-sync it to the television controls. This can be done with a soft reset, which involves unplugging the television and soundbar for a minute and plugging them back in.
It might also be an issue with the buttons or control board. If that is the case, you will need the assistance of customer support. You can call them directly or go to a local store.
Finally, you can perform a factory reset using the remote control. Press the power and skip forward button simultaneously for a few seconds until the product reboots.
Bose Soundbar No Power
One reason why a Bose soundbar may not have power is because it is not getting enough power from the outlet. To fix this issue, try bypassing the surge protector and plugging the soundbar directly into the electric socket⁵. If this does not work, you may need to try other solutions such as resetting the soundbar or checking the power cable.
Bose Soundbar Keeps Flashing/Blinking
There are multiple lights on the Bose soundbar and each of them has its own meaning. Starting from the left to the right, they are:
Wi-Fi
A flashing light means that the soundbar is connecting to Wi-Fi or the system is muted. A flashing amber light means the soundbar is disconnected.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on September 29, 2021.
TV Connection
A flashing light means the source or system is muted.
SoundTouch
If a light is flashing, it means it is connecting to the source. An amber light means the skip limit is reached and white light may mean the source or system is muted.
Bluetooth
If a blue light is flashing, it is in discovery mode. If white light is flashing, it is connecting the source.
Connectivity
A flashing white light means it is connecting. A flashing amber light means the speakers are not connected.
Bose Sound Bar Keeps Turning on
If the soundbar comes on, seemingly on its own, it may be due to a number of issues. Sometimes, it is the auto-wake feature. Make sure the feature is disabled.
A universal remote can sometimes cause the soundbar to turn on, even a remote for a fan or another device may be the culprit.
Check for a firmware update. Download the update to a memory stick and plug it into the Bose soundbar to update.
Bose Sound Bar Keeps Shutting off
This may actually be normal behavior. The soundbar will automatically shut off if it is not in use for 20 minutes. If it shuts off inappropriately, consider the following.
Connections
Check all of the connections and wires, including the power cord and HDMI cable. Replace them if necessary.
Surge Protector
Bypass the surge protector by plugging the soundbar directly into a wall receptacle. Use the soundbar for a while to see if it works.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on September 29, 2021.
Soft Reset
Finally, you can perform a soft reset by unplugging the soundbar for 60 seconds and plugging it back in. That will often correct many issues.
A problem with a Bose soundbar not working is associated with the power supply. Check the breaker box, the receptacle, and the remote control. Try plugging the soundbar directly into a wall receptacle and bypassing the power strip.
Related Articles
Bose Bluetooth (Not Discoverable/Not Showing Up/How To)
Bose Keeps (Skipping/Cutting Out/Dropping Out/Stopping/Falling Out)
Bose Volume Not Working (No Sound/Not Loud Enough/Fluctuates)
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on September 29, 2021.