Skip to Content

JBL Subwoofer Not Working

Black subwoofer below the flatscreen tv

JBL speakers are generally of excellent quality, as you would expect from an innovative company that has been around since 1946.

Their parent company is Harman International, which is in turn owned by Samsung Electronics, a powerhouse in the domestic and professional electronics industry.

However, just like all consumer electronics, JBL’s subwoofers can have a few problems.

To troubleshoot JBL subwoofers, switch off all equipment. Check that the cable connections are secure. Inspect all wires for damage and replace them if worn or broken. If the power LED doesn’t come on, check all the power cables and subwoofer fuse. Check the settings on the amplifier or receiver.

Once you have checked that all the connections are tight and secure, that the power cables are undamaged, and that the power LED is on, verify that the menu settings are correct. Confirm that the fuses are intact or replaced with new ones.

It is then time to try to play some music.

Make sure that all the equipment is switched on and that the correct speakers are selected in the amplifier or receiver menus. Ensure that the sound levels are set to their lowest setting before playing any audio through the system.

Using a test track that includes plenty of base tracks, gradually increase the sound levels to see if the subwoofer is working.

If the subwoofer is still not operating properly then it may be permanently damaged and require replacement.

JBL Subwoofer Not Turning On

Black subwoofer below the flatscreen tv

When you have a problem with a JBL subwoofer not turning on, it’s fairly simple to check to see what the problem is.

When your JBL subwoofer isn’t turning on, check that the power cord is plugged securely into a power socket. Check that the cable is undamaged and it is switched on. Then switch on the subwoofer. If the LED is not on, you may have a blown fuse. You’ll need to open the speaker to check the fuse.

Follow these steps to troubleshoot your JBL subwoofer:

  1. Check that the power cable is undamaged.
  2. Make sure that the wall socket is working and switched on.
  3. Switch the subwoofer on using the power switch on the back of the speaker box.
  4. Check to see if the power LED is on, showing that the unit is receiving power.
  5. If the speaker fails to switch on then check the fuse inside the back panel.
  6. Unscrew the panel and lift it out.
  7. Unplug the wires so that you can lift the PC board out of the case.
  8. Check the glass fuse on the edge of the board and replace it if it is blown.
  9. Check the capacitors to see if they show signs of leakage.
  10. Check the shape of the capacitors. If they are rounded with a domed shape at the top, then they have likely blown. It is clearly apparent if the capacitors have swelled up.
  11. Check the rating on the capacitors and buy a replacement for the ones that are blown.
  12. If you know how to solder, then remove the broken capacitor and replace it with a new one.
  13. Reconnect the wires and check that the power LED comes on when you switch on the power.

If the steps above do not work, then the power transformer may have failed.

This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 07/02/2022

JBL Subwoofer Not Pairing

Black subwoofer below the flatscreen tv

Despite the JBL subwoofer and soundbar pairing process appearing simple, it can be difficult to get right if you do not follow the steps exactly.

To pair the JBL subwoofer with a soundbar, switch all the power off and disconnect all the connections except the power cables. Switch on the subwoofer first and then switch on the soundbar. Hold the pairing button on the subwoofer until it flashes white. Then press and hold the dim display button.

After holding the dim display button for 5 seconds, you can release it. Then press up and down buttons on the base and the pairing should be complete.

If the process does not work, you can hold down the following three buttons, the “-“, “+” and,  “source” on top of the sound bar, until the reset message appears on the LCD.

Follow the steps above again and your subwoofer will pair with the soundbar.

JBL Subwoofer No Power

Black subwoofer below the flatscreen tv

While JBL has a good reputation for producing innovative products, their subwoofers are known to develop problems within about 2 years.

The cause of these problems is narrowed down to substandard quality materials and a lack of insulation on components that can heat up.

JBL subwoofers with no power can be fixed by checking the power cable for damage and making sure the plug is securely in the socket. The PC board has a fuse on it that can be replaced if it blows. The power supply may burn out or the capacitors may fail. These can be replaced by soldering new ones.

To gain access to the PC board, unscrew the back panel after switching off and unplugging the unit.

A glass fuse is easily visible on the edge of the PC board and the capacitors will have swelled up and have rounded tops if they are blown.

The power supply is securely fastened to the PC board and requires that you unscrew it and solder new leads.

Here are some of the JBL subwoofers that may have power supply problems:

  • PB10
  • JBL SCS145.5
  • JBL CVSUB50
  • JBL e150
  • 3635. Cinema Subwoofer System
  • 4641. 4641 Single 460 mm (18 in.) Subwoofer System.
  • 4642A. 4642A Dual 460 mm (18 in.)
  • 4645C. 4645C Single 460 mm (18 in.)
  • 5628. Ultra Long Excursion
  • 3181F. PROFESSIONAL
  • 4281F. PROFESSIONAL

JBL Subwoofer No Sound

Black subwoofer below the flatscreen tv

If your JBL subwoofer has no sound, then there are a few things you can do to fix the problem.

If a JBL subwoofer has no sound, then check that it’s switched on and the LED is green. Then make sure that all the wires are connected correctly or that the subwoofer is paired with the soundbar. Check the amplifier or receiver menu to ensure the subwoofer is connected and the sound levels are set.

Make sure that the volume settings are all turned to the lowest level and then increase them gradually to see if the subwoofer will play any sound.

Often, a damaged or broken speaker wire or cable is the reason there’s no sound. Carefully check each wire for any damage. Replace any wire that is worn or damaged.

A blown capacitor may also cause the subwoofer to not play any sound. To check the capacitors, you must remove the rear panel and access the PC board.

This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 07/02/2022

JBL Subwoofer No Signal

Black subwoofer below the flatscreen tv

Trying to isolate the problem of a JBL subwoofer with no signal can be tricky.

If your JBL subwoofer is not receiving a signal, then check that all the wires are properly connected to the correct ports. Ensure that the audio-out on the amplifier is connected to the audio-in on the subwoofer. The main amp inside the subwoofer may have blown if the LED is on but there’s no sound.

If the subwoofer hasn’t overheated to cause it to shut down, you should also check the line level.

No signal is a known problem with the following JBL speakers:

  • JBL PRX518S subwoofer
  • JBL Venue SUB
  • JBL S990
  • JBL SCS 200/230

JBM Subwoofer Not Connecting to Soundbar

Black subwoofer below the flatscreen tv

The process of connecting the subwoofer to a sound bar is straightforward but can be a little tricky.

Make sure the subwoofer and the soundbar are turned off. Then turn on the subwoofer first, followed by the soundbar. Press the pairing button on the back of the subwoofer and then press and hold the dim display button on the remote control for 5 seconds. Press the up and down buttons on the base.

Once the up and down buttons have been pressed, the subwoofer should pair with the soundbar.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on July 2, 2022.

If the soundbar refuses to pair with the subwoofer, press the plus, minus, and source buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds.

The display will show that the soundbar is reset and you can then follow the pairing instructions again.

What to Watch Out For to Avoid Problems With Your JBL Subwoofer

Black subwoofer below the flatscreen tv

While JBL subwoofers are quite robust, they need to be treated carefully if you don’t wish to damage them.

Be careful to handle your JBL subwoofers with care as dropping or bumping them can cause the electronic components to fail. Avoid playing the subwoofer at maximum volume as they can burn out as their build quality is not always the best. The capacitors and fuses can blow and require replacement.

The most common problems with subwoofers are cables that are damaged and capacitors that blow. You can solder in new capacitors to replace blown ones.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on July 2, 2022.

Regularly check the wires and cables to ensure that they are in good condition.

Related Articles

How to Reset JBL Soundbar

JBL Headphones Not Connecting/Pairing (How to Fix)

JBL Speaker Keeps/Not Turning Off/On

JBL Speaker Won’t Charge or Stay Charged

ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on July 2, 2022.

JBL Go Speaker Not Charging (How To Fix)