If you’re finding that the volume on your Bose product has not been working, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with the sound on their Bose, which is why I have created this article to help you find a solution to any volume issues you may be having.
Bose volume control may not work if your software is out of date, the settings on your Bluetooth device are limiting the sound, the Bose sound is muted or turned down, or the volume buttons are malfunctioning. You can either rectify these issues, or try to reset your speaker to fix the issue.
I will go through each of these issues in much more detail below. You can also find different ways that you can control the volume on your Bose device.
Bose Volume Problems/Not Working
Bose offer some general troubleshooting tips for when your sound is not working on your Bose speaker. I will explain these before addressing specific issues below.
Restart the Speaker
Most Bose products will have an ‘On/Off’ button. For these devices, simply turn it off and on again to restart the system.
For those that do not have an ‘On/Off’ button, you may need to refer to the User’s Manual to work out how to turn the device off. As long as you can do this, you can restart the device. For example, Bose Frames turn off by placing them upside-down on a flat surface for a number of seconds.
Reset the Speaker
Below is a step-by-step guide to resetting each type of Bose device.
Speakers
Step 1: Hold the ‘Mute’ button for 10 seconds or until the speaker turns off.
Step 2: Turn the speaker back on.
Step 3: Re-pair your Bluetooth device.
Headphones
Step 1: Turn off your headphones.
Step 2: After 30 seconds, plug the headphones into a USB power supply.
Step 3: After five seconds, unplug the USB cable from the headphones.
Step 4: After one minute, turn the headphones back on to test them.
Earbuds
Step 1: Plug the charging case into a power supply.
Step 2: Put your earbuds into the charging case.
Step 3: Close the lid.
Step 4: After five seconds, open the lid again.
Step 5: Hold the ‘Bluetooth’ button inside the charging case for 30 seconds. You will notice the LEDs on the earbuds blink, glow white and then blink blue.
Step 6: Clear the Bose earbuds from your Bluetooth device’s Bluetooth memory.
Step 7: Re-pair the devices.
Ensure Your Device is Up to Date
Make sure you have the latest firmware installed on your Bose device. This will ensure that a=any firmware bugs are fixed. These bugs could be affecting the functionality of hardware such as the volume buttons, or the connection between other devices.
To update your Bose product, you can use the Bose Connect app or the Bose updater.
To use the Bose Connect app, simply open the app on your phone and the download icon will appear if an update is available. The update should automatically start downloading and then you can install it when you are ready and connected to your device.
To use the Bose updater, you will need to plug your device into your computer via USB cable (micro USB from the device). Once you have plugged it in, go to the Bose updater website and follow the prompts.
Bose Volume Control Not Working (Soft Controls)
You do not have to control the volume on most Bose devices using the remote or buttons on the device. You can also use the Bose Connect app or voice control, such as Amazon Alexa.
Bose Connect App
The Bose Connect app can control your volume. However, sometimes this will not move past a particular percentage. Even if you slide the volume up to 100%, it will slide back down.
This is likely because your phone has a maximum volume set. To fix this, go to your phone’s general settings, then select the music settings and find the volume limiter. Increasing this should allow you to increase your volume in the Bose Connect app.
Amazon Alexa
Amazon Alexa only works with the following Bose products; The QC35 II, Headphones 700, Home Speaker 300, Smart Speaker 500, Portable Smart Speaker, Smart Soundbar 300, Soundbar 500 and the Smart Soundbar 700.
Therefore, if you are trying to control a different device with Alexa, the technology will not be compatible and you will not be able to control anything, let alone the volume, of your Bose product.
If you have one of these products and it is still not working, there are a few things you can try.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on May 16, 2021.
· Restart all devices.
· Ensure the ‘Action’ button is set to Alexa. You can find this by following this pathway in the Bose Connect app: Settings > Action Button > Amazon Alexa.
· Connect your phone to Wi-Fi.
· Disconnect and reconnect to Bluetooth
You should also make sure you have the Amazon Alexa app installed on your device or phone.
In case it is a user issue, I have also detailed how to use Alexa voice control with these devices towards the end of this article.
Bose Volume Buttons Not Working (Hard Controls)
Although most Bose buttons are designed to prevent debris collection underneath, this is still a possibility for buttons that are not sealed, such as those on the headphones. If the button is stuck, you should try pressing it multiple times to unstick the button or dislodge the debris.
Alternatively, you can try the general troubleshooting methods outlined at the beginning of this article.
Some iPhones also have a ‘Shake-and-Shuffle’ feature, which can affect the function of your Bose device. If this is the case, turn this feature off to use your device normally.
Some Bose products, such as the earbuds, will need to have the volume control enabled via the Bose Music app (Settings > Control > Volume). This is a feature that helps limit the functionality of such a small product. Some people prefer to limit these functions to make the product easier to use.
Another basic cause would be that the button itself is broken. If no other troubleshooting methods are working, you may need to contact Bose for a replacement.
Bose Volume Not Loud Enough / Too Low
One possible reason why a Bose speaker may not be loud enough is due to obstructions blocking the path of the sound waves. To fix this, try moving the speaker to a different location where there are no objects in the way. This can help ensure that the speaker produces the desired level of sound.
There could be several other reasons why a Bose speaker is not loud enough. Here are some possible causes and solutions:
- Volume settings: Make sure that the volume on your device and the speaker are turned up to the maximum level.
- Distance: If you are too far away from the speaker, it may not sound as loud as it should. Try moving closer to the speaker.
- Obstructions: If there are objects blocking the path of the sound waves, the speaker may not be as loud. Try moving the speaker to a different location.
- Speaker placement: The location of the speaker can also affect the loudness. If the speaker is placed in a corner or against a wall, it may not sound as loud as it should.
- Speaker damage: If the speaker is damaged or faulty, it may not produce the desired level of sound. In this case, you may need to have it repaired or replaced.
If none of these solutions work, you may want to contact Bose customer support for further assistance.
Bose Volume Goes Up And Down / Fluctuates
Most Bose devices will dampen the sound when the connected device receives a notification such as a text message, email, etc. In this instance, you should hear the notification tone.
However, if your device volume is unmuted, but the notification volume is down to minimum, your Bose will seem to fluctuate in volume for no reason. To fix this, simply mute your Bluetooth device.
Some people have noticed this occurs when there is some form of chat software running in the background of their computer, such as Skype or FaceTime. Try closing all unnecessary apps or programs in the background to see if this fixes the issue.
If you are connecting you Bose to a computer, it may be a setting called ’Audio Enhancement’. The computer is trying to level out the sound by adjusting the volume, but this is sometimes noticeable and annoying. This is usually located in Settings > System > Sound.
Bose Volume No Sound at All
Some simple checks that you can run through if you have no sound on your Bose device are listed below.
· Make sure your speaker or headphones are not muted.
· Turn the volume to maximum on both devices. It may be turned right down on one or both.
· Ensure your Bluetooth device is within range of the Bose device. This is usually within 30 feet.
If your device is using auxiliary input, the cable may not be inserted correctly or may be faulty. Try a different cable or the same cable in a different device to check this.
You may also need to adjust the audio output settings on your device. If it is a TV or computer connected to your Bose device, the audio output should be set to the speaker or headphones, not the internal speakers.
How to Turn Up Volume on Bose Speaker Without Remote
The volume on your Bose speaker can be adjusted by using the Bose remote, a universal remote, Alexa voice control or your smart phone. You can also just use the volume buttons on the speaker unit, but some speakers do not have this option, such as the Bose SoundDock.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on May 16, 2021.
Using a Universal Remote
If it’s just a case of losing the Bose remote, you can teach another infrared remote to control the Bose speaker. To do this, you will need to have the Bose plugged into the HDMI-CEC port of the TV.
You should then follow the manufacturer’s instructions to program the remote. If you don’t like the idea of using a remote at all, you can use Alexa or your smart phone.
Alexa Voice Control
You can link Alexa through the Bose Music app. Once you have opened the app, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Select ‘My Bose’ in the top right.
Step 2: Select your product from the bottom right.
Step 3: Select Settings > Voice Assistant > Alexa.
Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to link your Amazon account.
Once you have set up voice control, you can set the volume to any value between 0 and 100 by saying the following phrase.
“Alexa, set the volume to [1-100]”.
Using your Bluetooth Device
Finally, you can use your Bluetooth device, such as the volume control on your phone, to turn the volume up or down. However, because the Bose remote will control the mater volume of the speaker, the volume must be a certain level for this to work.
If the speaker was turned to a low volume in the first place, and then the remote was lost, this low volume will then be the maximum you can reach. You can only fix this by buying a new remote.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on May 16, 2021.