How to Fix Bose QC 35 Headphones Automatically Turning On when Power Switch is Off

[@aevenstar100]

This worked perfectly, thank you so much for the excellent guide!

[@conniehubbard9055]

I appreciate the video but it did not work for me. The link for the more involved fix is unavailable.

[@zonaa.me.]

Thanks Ziping. I did what you said, minus taking off the earpiece and cloth since I was able to just pull the cloth back to reach the screws, and now my Bose headphones work! You saved me $$$.

[@Archangel76]

This worked so well. Thank you for your time putting this together. To echo what someone else said, it wasn't necessary to peel off the soft speaker covers; just had to lift them up a bit to get to the screws. Thank you!

[@guysarussi]

Fixed my Bose!!! THANKS !!! BTW, no need to remove the inside padding (the one with the letter R on it) you can work around it if you like.

[@julianpluas9010]

With a computer tool kit and some q tips, I was able to take a part my headphones, clean the power switch, and put them back together. Now my headphones are working perfectly. Thank you so much for this tutorial. You helped me save some money.

[@ricbanks131]

Thank you for sharing this. My QC35i started doing this at the beginning of the week. In its communities Bose acknowledges it as a hardware defect; but if your warranty expired then SOL. As I saw someone else mention, Bose's solution is that you can replace your headphones for $209.... Ridiculous. This is a design issue, not "wear and tear." This video and the instructions you provided worked perfectly. I was hesitant to try it, as I didn't like the idea of tearing the speaker pad off & having to re-glue it back on. I'd suggest modifying the vid and showing how you can simply fold that pad down from the top & up from the bottom to expose the screws, as others suggested, w/o tearing it offThis video and the instructions you provided worked perfectly. I was hesitant to try it, as I didn't like the idea of tearing the speaker pad off & having to re-glue it back on. I'd suggest modifying the vid and showing how you can simply fold that pad down from the top & up from the bottom to expose the screws, as others suggested,. Took just over 10min to do all this - and a good 3-4min of that was dusting/cleaning the switch housing & its cap. Re-charged the headset & it's working like it should now, by STAYING off when I turn it off. I'll have to see how frequently this becomes "necessary" to do (I've had the headphones just over 2 yrs before they started doing this): if this needs to be a frequent thing then I'll be shopping for headsets that I can expect to be more reliable than Bose.

[@tomnash4126]

Finally figured this all out. As someone noted elsewhere, the case seemed to be a problem in causing the set to turn itself on. By using the case , it pushes the button in and this causes the leads in the micro switch to splay out. There are four posts that connect to the micro switch, that these leads go to. By pushing the button in, the leads hit the wrong posts. By removing the switch and bending them back up this seems to correct the problem. Bose really should be supplying an easy fix. Taking the switch apart is not easy. If I have this problem again I will just bend the leads back up. If they break new switches can be purchased, but some close soldering will need to be done.

[@hotfiama]

My sound keeps cutting out. So I think you fix May work for me. I removed the switch. The switch has a plastic prong that moves with the switch. There are two buttons below the plastic piece that makes contact with. One is “off” contact one is the “on” contact. The “on” contact side is shorter. Maybe the pressure of the case chipped it or ground it down by compression. Do you know how I can fix it?

[@tomnash4126]

@@hotfiama I took the pronged switch out and bent the legs in a bit. By the way, mine has worked perfectly for over a year. Just don’t lose the spring.

[@ryangeometric2884]

Could you please post a link to the more difficult process? Thank you!

[@MrROVHER]

Thank you Liu, I haven't tried the procedure yet, but you gave at least one option to solve the problem. Bose just refused to accept its mistake with its headphone model QC35. As most of subscriber's comments bellow, I am banning Bose from my list of trusted audio produtcs.

[@kare2718]

I just tried your fix and IT WORKED BRILLIANTLY. Followed your instructions to the letter, made sure charge had completely gone. Whoever you may be working for, I sure hope they recognize your worth and are paying you accordingly. YOU ARE A GENIUS. Thank you, thank you and thank you again.

[@ZipingL]

Dude, opening up electronics is fun It's like legos. It's ok, I'm about to sue tech companies that don't let you open up tech phones, right FUCKING NOW. sorry, just me and tech companies due they are very weird.

[@Buster842]

Thanks for this tutorial! I didn't have the Automatic Turn On problem, but rather I couldn't get the pairing to work. Similar problem, just the other side of the switch. Followed the instructions and it worked like a charm.

[@brazilbeyondtheheadlines]

Your post on the bose community forum is great, thank you so much for taking the time and sharing all of the pictures and resources! This is very helpful.

[@JeffreyP-id1tm]

This is fantastic! I followed your step-by-step instructions, and within less than 30 minutes, the headset problem was fixed. It truly worked. Thank you once again for your help. I was about to go for a new one, but I'm glad I gave it a try. Haha!

[@gzant1180]

I was scrolling through this video to get to the solution and I saw the alcohol on the swab then the switch being put back and forth. I did not take mine apart, but I firmly and quickly switched the on-off switch a dozen times and this fixed my issue.

[@KasperMoreaux]

My Bose did not turn on. Flipping the switch 30 times real fast fixed it for me.

[@ZackriaDawood]

You are a super genius ! It works like a charm ! Bose support cannot fix it, Service center cannot fix it ! I fixed it in 10 min, your Solution Works !

[@Blimpie1000]

Wow! I did not even bother to take apart my QC15; I just sprayed some contact cleaner into the switch, the battery compartment and the receptacle for the cord and miraculously the headphones worked. Thanks

[@JamiePittsSCM]

Letting the battery drain is no problem; the damn thing is drained everytime I go to use it thanks to this problem... Thank-you for the fix! Now I'm off to find some rubbing alcohol.

[@haidaigia102]

your video saved my 7 years old QC35. My power button acts up after 7 years and I used Acetone instead of rubbing alcohol and it worked like a charm. I was changing over the pad anyway so it was no problem for me to remove the ear cloth. Will see how it holds up and update you guys.

[@ChrisWatts-l9n]

I followed your excellent video to fix my Bose head phones. They keep turning themselves on during the night. The only thing that I think you should mention is the tiny sized screws inside the headphones. It took me longer to find a screw driver to unscrew them than fixing the problem. By the way, my Bose headphones are now 7 years old. But problem fixed, many thanks.

[@BarnacleBilltheSailor]

Hi Liu, I have a pair of Bose QC35 that have had this problem for a long time. BOSE knows the fault is in the poor quality switch and they don't want anyone to know about it because they want to sell you a new headset. I watched your video and repaired my BOSE QC35 headphones to new function in 5 minutes. I used 99.99% Isopropyl alcohol to flood the switch and that worked fine when I blew out whatever trash was in the switch with my air can. Thank you so much, my great headphones are functioning normally now.

[@dadav218]

Worked out perfectly, thanks. I went for the full taking apart the switch and cleaning it and bending the connectors back and the issue is gone. Thank you

[@Edwin-zt7je]

Thank you for sharing this video. The alcohol cotton swap didn't work for me. I want to share how I resolve the automatic on/off issue. From 4:35 in the video, do the following: Carefully pop off the silver metal cover that holds down the black toggle switch with a small flathead screwdriver. It should come off after two or three tries (be careful). Once the silver metal cover is off, remove the silver spring and assemble it in order without the spring. Guess what? The issue is a faulty spring! This method fixed my headphones, and the auto on/off problem is gone.

[@ovidiuchereches]

Thanks, managed to get the headphones working by removing the spring as you recomended. Are you still using the headphones without a spring or did you replace it? If you're still using the headphones one year later that is.

[@Toaster808]

The method you linked to in your description worked like a charm for me. And it wasn't at all difficult. Super tiny philips and flat head screwdrivers (get a cheapie jeweler's screwdriver kit), q tip to clean the pads inside the switch, some tweezers to get everything back in place, and it was done. Like 10 minutes tops. Thank you.

[@bechelbarger]

Thanks for the video. I actually never considered that the switch might just be dirty. My headphones are 3 years old and I just encountered the same problem. Before taking the whole thing apart though, I hit the switch with some compressed air and that fixed it. No assembly (or dis-assembly) required. Cheers!

[@Mimi-Lili]

Yes you’re right same with tv remote control when is dusty it moist and won’t function, as so as tv contact switches, I always use lighter fluids to clean, then calibrate it or there’s a spray name contact cleaner

[@chase1258]

Compressed air fixed my issue! That should be the 1st fix anyone should try

[@Pengquy]

@@chase1258 tell me some instructions?

[@Kenny4PresidentFTW]

But you had to take off the Cover didnt you?

[@babyfishm0uth]

Thank you for saving me from taking my headphones apart!

[@quin2840]

I have the same issue with my QC 35 S1 which I bought few years ago. I called Bose and they replaced with QC 35 SII . Very good customer service from Bose.

[@pgarrod8713]

Did this at same time os replacing soft pads. It worked well and they no longer turn on by themselves. Thank you.

[@mikebernard6177]

Hi - it looks like the link in your description is just going to a generic help page at Bose. Would love to get your info on the more involved fix. Thanks

[@christinejohnson-eldridge1246]

Ditto. Link no longer works, and I need that info/instruction!

[@kykaszanka]

could you share the complex method again? the link doesn't work, might be outdated or so :)

[@airbill1793]

My QC35s headphones have been on for months. This solution worked perfectly! I absolutely love these things. Thank you very much!!

[@fbarielnh]

The method in the description TOTALLY worked.. but I can see how it would be very easy to mess up and make the headphones not work anymore

[@jasongeiger2742]

Great vid, just tried what one of the comments said about blowing some compressed duster air into the switch and now they shut off perfectly 👍👍 def try this first

[@rlowle1228]

I have these headphones and use them quite a lot. Have not had the issue yet. I also saw the switch breaks on occasion. Nice to know these problems can be solved with a tiny screwdriver and some alcohol. Thanks

[@mriley4955]

Another successful repair. I chose to go right to the switch disassembly and cleaned the contacts as well as bent the switch prongs. Working great so far. If you don't hear from me, it has fixed the issue. Right now I'm waiting to see if it turns itself on.

[@SelvinKelly]

Hi, are they still working?

[@lorenzbruckner189]

Thanks man! I just repaired mine during a train ride ^^ Thankfully I had my swiss knife with me!!! 🙏🙏🙏

[@matchlessmediaco]

Just got done doing this with a pair of Bose QC 35's I got from a thrift recently. I thought they were toast, but you just saved em'. I followed this method exactly, worked the alcohol into the switch and then let it dry. Charged them up and they're finally staying turned off! THANK YOU!

[@sahelmohammadiqbal5857]

Thanks a lot, my friend. I was starting to hate my headphones after this thing started, but now it's back to normal. Never buying a Bose again, that's for sure.

[@MartinKoss]

Thanks for this video. After many years of Bose QC35 use mine started turning on while switched off. I love them and use them a lot indoors. I also have several other Bose headphones and AirPods Pro but love the QC35.

[@ross__C]

Amazing! You are an absolute life saver! My Bose Headphones started doing this about a year ago, turn them off..... then a few minutes later they would mysteriously turn themselves back on and the battery would drain. This issue basically makes these headphones unusable, I paid over £350+ for these new so its pretty disappointing after just a couple of years use. I contacted Bose and they told me 'out of warranty so can't help' they suggested I buy a brand new pair at a discount!? yeah right! I didn't have any isopropyl alcohol so I just went straight to the instructions on the Bose forum and took apart the whole switch and bent the prongs back and gave the switch a quick blow, put it all back together and they are now working perfectly!! Fantastic. As the post below on the forum explains it looks like the issue is caused from pressure being applied to the switch when you have the 3.5mm cable and charging cable in the little stretchy storage bit of the box with the headphones. This is how I've always stored them so it all adds up. Thanks again!

[@patrick_yuan]

Thank you, I followed your instructions exactly, and my headphone works perfectly now. 🎉

[@hellojowo]

This seemed to work for me so far. No more random turning on by itself. I used 99% Isopropyl Alcohol. Thanks so much for this helpful video.

[@fireblast3273]

Cleaning the switch , updating to the latest firmware and clearing Bluetooth list seemed to fix it . Thanks Mate

[@rakans1133]

Works perfectly, just also for a quick fix as I'm traveling soon have no time to drain the battery to use the alcohol, I just dry cleaned using a blow brush and cotton pad which worked perfectly fine and issue was fixed 👍🏼

[@loufig9948]

I would like to thank you for this video. The power switch is the problem. I had to take the switch apart and clean and align the contacts back into place. I caution anyone going past the procedure posted here and trying to take the switch apart, it is a nightmare. There is a tiny spring that if you drop or it takes off you will never find it. Kiss that switch good bye. Again thank you for this video, It was very helpful i had to go a little further to repair my headset. Good luck to anyone trying to fix their head set. PS I will never buy another set of Bose headphones. Great sound head set but for a 300+ headphones they really could have used a better quality on and off switch.

[@wrightguyz]

Hi - can you share the more extended process? The link to the bose site is no longer active. The steps in this video unfortunately didn't work

[@giselaortiz9040]

Thanks for sharing. What if the little square that enters into the button is broken? How can I fix that?

[@preetam404]

I had to do the factory reset in order to solve this problem and it worked, otherwise the customer care were asking me to replace my old headphones with new ones with some discount price, which I don't wanted to do it. I never expected that this problem exist in the bose

[@waynengo1316]

Followed your more involved method in description. Works great so far! Thank you

[@alexisestevez8705]

Seems fixed! My issue was intermittent, so I could be calling it a victory too soon. But the switch is now working OK! Thanks for posting this.

[@kkrraatt]

The link in the description is no longer available. Any other place I can find this ? Thanks

[@jczepiga]

Thank you! I just did this and it seems to have fixed the problem. Saved a $300 plus pair of headphones. Thanks again!

[@fiftyfiftyone]

I've had my QC35 headphones since 2017 and they've been great. I updated to the latest firmware and then started to get this phantom power on issue thinking it was a firmware update. Turns out it's just some shitty manufacturing that Bose is known for. Their noise canceling is damn good but they use low quality parts across the board. In all their products. Glad I found this video, the alcohol trick seemed to work like a charm. I used 70% IPA and a hair dryer on the low setting because I've noticed the 90% will sometimes melt plastic and I didn't have time to wait for the 70% to evaporate. Interestingly enough, the problem got worse when I dabbed the IPA in there and I've never spilt anything on my headphones so I guess it's just left over manufacturing gunk that is shorting out the pins. Thanks for the video, it made me not hate my QC35s any more!

[@DragonProtector]

here i am not updated mine past 2nd firmware release and had mine since 2017 i believe to. My brother same headphones different color

[@nathansmith1328]

My QC35's do not turn themselves on automatically. However mine will switch on if I hit the volume up, or volumee down button. Is this a related issue ?

[@williamsoragna1306]

Same issue here. The solution here did not fix this issue for me.

[@declanoneill8337]

My QC35s from 2016 have started turning on and draining the battery. I looked up some videos and followed the instructions as seen in this video and many others. I took them apart and cleaned out the switch with an air duster can. Was no dirt at all as they’ve always been kept in case and look like brand new. Put back together and fully charged. Checked today and they were on again after being turned off. The green battery light was on and the battery drained 50% in less than 24 hours. Any advice how I can fix this? TIA

[@asgardianaviary6179]

The link in the description seems to be dead. Do you have another link to it please?

[@nafiulahasan4271]

Thank you very much, followed ur instructions on the second method listed on the Bose forums, fixed the problem right up.

[@notforever123]

Hi, the link in the description is broken

[@ac41201]

Worked like a charm for me. 1 month and still working. Thank you!!!! Very disappointed in BOSE though. How do you make a product that turns on spontaneously by itself???

[@tinananaa]

I am THRILLED to have found this method - it worked on the first try! I will mention the screwdriver you need is very small - think the size you use to take apart your laptop. Very easy. I also did not have to pull off the black foam, as someone mentioned below. THANK YOU!

[@_BangDroid_]

Do you know about fixing the creaking sound that comes from the ear cup pivots?

[@jjbravesfan]

Fixed my headphones, thanks for the detailed instructions!

[@LCgzb11]

This method didnt work for me and the link for other method is not accessible. Can you please update the link for second method

[@jussmeet9179]

what kinda screwdriver is that? i mean what size 1:45

[@Izanami968]

Hi guys i have problem with my QC35 II when i lil bit flick power button when it's turn on goes turn off how can i fix it is this

[@almondeye-a9950]

i broke the switch button the place where u rubb the thing it came off...what to do?

[@ljmbxo]

I need help, i accidentally put my bose quiet comfort 35 headphones in the washing machine, the pairing switch doesn’t work, or any of the 3 menu buttons. it only turns on and off. what should i do?

[@YVONNEANDJAMIE]

The link in the description no longer works. Any chance that you could update it?

[@johnmellyn2700]

Great advice about the magnet , I for one would have definately got the screws sucked into those holes and probably would have damaged the headphones trying to remove them

[@joycesun7293]

Thank u for this❤ it helped with another issue i had - bluetooth list kept clearing itself

[@NYCCamper]

Bose told me they would give me another headset for $200 with the return of my headset.(out of warranty). Here's my new solution, Sony WH-1000XM3🤔

[@NYCCamper]

update; Sony wh-1000xm3 for making calls suck, although the noise cancelling is really good.

[@maxmouche]

having the same issue. Been buying Bose for over 10+ years and got many family members to get some Bose headphones. The quality + customer service has steadily been going down over the years. Never again...

[@likestoospooge]

I chewed em down to $100. My solution after that was buying a pair of AirPods Pro. Money wasn't the issue. I treated these headphones like they were the crown jewels. They couldn't look more brand new if they were brand new. There's no denying the qc35s sound great, but f*ck them.. If you don't stand behind your product I'm out.

[@HeTookThem]

Damn why don't you try knocking the power button even you are not opening it I always try that and it always works

[@JewiMacca]

@@HeTookThem because that's just a temporary fix. Eventually it WILL fail. This is a very common problem.

[@hotfiama]

I tried you first fix. It dint help. My problem is a loose connection somewhere. The sound keeps cutting in and out. I can’t see any problems when I looked inside. Help!

[@NeiRauniSantos]

Mine is the 35 II and stopped the right side via Bluetooth only. via cable both works. This means that is not the speaker right? any solution you could point?

[@malcolmcowe]

Thanks for the video. I opened up and used a good spray of specialist wd40 contact cleaner, followed by a blast of cold air from the hairdryer to ensure all dry. Works perfectly and doesn't turn on itself now. After Bose saying they can't repair headphones due to all the small parts.... Ha!

[@saxxton7]

Did what was told but now the headphones won’t charge at all. No lights turn on when plugged in. I didn’t do anything different so I don’t know what happened. 😞

[@KingLmfa0]

I honestly didnt think this was going to work! Thanks man.

[@lolpwnt123]

Hi Ziping, the link to the article in the description is no longer working. I have used it before to fix my QC35, and the same issue is happening again. Is there any way I can access the information in that article again?

[@rudyramirez3829]

What kind of screwdriver did you use ?

[@usturakemal7]

That works for me as well. With a new pair of ear pad hope my qc 35 will work few years more so I can skip qc 45 :) thanks for the great video.

[@carlamannon4974]

hi mine after draining about 40% turns off now and stays off after I dissembled. I have put it back together. I thought it was fully drained but was wrong. because I didn't have it paired seems to goes into maybe sleep mode? does anyone know? should I just go ahead and use alcohol on it at this point just in case nothing has changed if charged fully? I also have servisol electric clean and lube. would that be even better?

[@shootinbruin3614]

It worked! My wife’s QC35s were having this issue and this video helped me solve the problem. Thanks for posting this and sparing me from having to deal with Bose’s horrendous warranty service!

[@beanant7571]

So where does the debris inside the switch go? I mean, if you don't actually wipe it *out* of the switch, as its compartmentalized, it wont go anywhere.

[@hhyperdd]

Thank you so much for all your help. I tried the more complex fix yesterday and seems like it worked perfectly.

[@cmclight]

I've used this method about a year ago and it worked - so thx for sharing this. However, a week ago the problem returned and I couldn't solve it. So before throwing these headphones away I thought I'd give the more complicated repair a chance, but the link you provide no longer works. Could you please update your entry with a link that works - thx! 🙏

[@SlightlyTired]

Thanks! This solved the problem with my headphones. I didn’t have to pull off that black foam and could work my way around it to get the screws out. There was so much dirt inside my headphones.

[@CrzyAsianGuy]

@@henryyonarto about 2 years for myself I also never put my headphones in its protective case, I would throw it around in my backpack

[@tommytexter4054]

刘兄，不知道你是否说中文。谢谢你的教程！我的qc35第一代就是最近发现没发关机。试了你的方法就好了！的确不用把胶水贴着的那一层撕掉，它只是贴在中间，四周都是空的。可以直接卸螺丝。我用了酒精擦拭之后，又用压缩空气吹了一下，把灰尘都吹掉。Hi, brother Liu! Thanks for the tip! I had the exact same issue on my old QC35 1st gen. This shit won’t stay off. It turns itself back on right after I switch it off! I didn’t have to rip the layer that got glued to the headphone. It only glue at the middle. The surrounding are wide open I can lift it to remove the screws!! I used compressed air on top of alcohol to blow some dusts off! Work like a charm! THank you so much!

[@SimonMak-b6h]

Thank you very much for your advise, seems like it solve the problem, it had been couple of weeks, it seems like it happen less and less often. Really appreciate your information.

[@jimfowler6779]

Will this work on a Bose QC25 ?? The off-on switch lights (red & green) blink off/on, off/on like maybe a loose wire.

[@WillTech105]

What size screwdriver do you need?

[@aarondevink8910]

Thanks for sharing that. I had a problem with my volume automatically turning down on my headset. I used rubbing alcohol cleaning everything especially around the the volume control. It worked and fixed the problem. Others had had the same problem in the bose website posts but they don't let us post comments on how we fixed the same problem. Maybe you can share a video on that since bose only solution was resetting the software or take it to one of their shops. ug

[@ZipingL]

very nice! yes any button needs cleaning once in a while, that goes with ANY electronics you use

[@ericoppel5698]

It would be great to see a teardown of the Bose A20 noise cancelling aviation headsets to see how they work and are assembled.

[@pentagonperry]

i did this but the switch got really sticky like i got rid of the "lubricant" that was in the switch or something.

[@tanuvir87]

I did not believe it will fix the issue but i was so annoyed that i thought couldn't hurt to try, and voila it does work, i can finally turn off the headphone and it still has battery next day ! Also I did not remove the pad it was easy to open the screws without doing that.

[@pradeepv760]

My qc35 mic is not audible from 2 days and is very low for others..tried connecting to phone and Bluetooth.. but same issue.can you suggest a solution

[@RANDassociatesinc]

Just did this replacement. Easy as pie. Thankfully. Thanks!!!

[@Keithoweneducation]

Mine have been doing the turning on thing for a while ,rang Bose no help there ..... I could buy new ones apparently ...Not what you want hear when you've spent nearly £300 on them !! Will give this a go and see what happens .Thanks for posting

[@goofy955]

Did it work?

[@bek6698]

I had the exact same issue, and I called Bose, and they wanted me to pay $400, to return my headphones not even in my state! Did this method work for you?

[@NYCCamper]

@@bek6698 they offered me a headset for 200 dollars.

[@NYCCamper]

@@henryyonarto close to 2 years.

[@NYCCamper]

@@henryyonarto yes

[@jamesm9577]

I'm trying to do the repair in the description, but I can't get the metal cover off. Any tips on what to do to dislodge it? I can't even get it to budge. Is there a video of anyone doing it by any chance?

[@CaptnMooCow]

This is the trickiest part. I managed to do it by using a very small Phillips head and wedging it under the gap on the side of the spring. Carefully bend the metal cover up until you create space on the side of the metal cover and then stick another Phillips head into the side. Keep wiggling until the metal cover pops off.

[@visortgw]

Very easy fix for annoying issue. Thanks for heads-up about magnetic area...

[@silvertongues2]

This didn't work for me, and neither did dismantling the switch and bending the legs.... What I have done is buy a new switch, dismantle both old and new switches, and rebuild the old switch using the new switches spring & contacts/legs..... at the same time I also used deoxit contact cleaner to clean the two tracks inside the switch base. so far so good on this solution but only time will tell.... The switch certainly feels more robust now. Thanks for the video, as it went a long way to explaining the problem and tear down.

[@stevezb]

You’re going right into fixing problem without telling what the problem is. Does this fix works for all Bose headsets or any specific ones I didn’t catch you saying

[@ChrisHalden007]

I know this is long ago. But the link in your description is broken ((( interesting video anyway. Thanks