JBL Xtreme 3 Waterproof Speaker No Power from NEW - Amazon Return Repair

In this video I attempt to fix an expensive speaker which is faulty from new. It is the JBL Xtreme 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker and was returned to Amazon due to No Power. Can it be fixed and what caused a new device to fail. Let's find out.
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Remember that this is just for entertainment and I am not an expert in these repairs. The processes in the video may not be the best way, the correct way or the safest way to fix these things. I do love fault finding and trying to fix broken things, so I hope that comes across in this 'Trying to FIX' series. Many thanks, Vince.

[@andersmmvfc.8376]

You know, I really like the old 3 hour videos but this is your greatest voice over this far. Perfect to hear your thoughts at the time rather the the result after the fast forwarding, that made this one better in my opinion! Greatwork! Thank you and take care of your family!

[@mw3awsome9]

It should be battery related sometimes it has very low voltage so it will only do it one time

[@mw3awsome9]

It doesn’t turn on when it’s plugged in because then you would know it’s the battery

[@mw3awsome9]

There are some very rare cases batteries can show the right voltage but still not have the right capacity to start something up

[@Mymatevince]

Thank you very much Anders, hope everything is going well for you and the family 👍👍

[@destruct61]

I've had a JBL Xtreme 3 before and absolutely loved it The thing is incredibly loud and very clear sounding

[@RadOo]

I have one too, ye it's a portable music weapon I can take everywhere.

[@speedwaynutt]

Awesome to see My Mate Vince at almost 850k subscribers.

[@TheSpotify95]

Glad to hear that you managed to get this fixed! What a strange fault indeed!

[@CorollaGTSSRX]

I just can't believe the issues you are able to find and fix .... I don't think I would ever suspect a cable like that without a kink or cut..... bravo

[@castlephoenixandsculptureg6467]

G'day Vince, Good find that fault. When I was a repair tech I would put my test probe fully or partially across one end of the ribbon and run the other one at a time rapid fire! Nice job love the vids!

[@wisher21uk]

Superb fix Vince, great testing procedure and well explained great for anyone who doesn’t know what they’re doing 10/10😊😊

[@Djs1256]

It needs to be plugged in for you to reset in and then hold the 2 buttons then hold Bluetooth and play button for up to 30 seconds and you should hear sound from the speaker I know that is what fixed my problem glad u could fix yours

[@pherman8852]

Fun fix Vince. We appreciate you so much.

[@sully9836]

I use to repair anything and everything at start it was hard to get customers because of my disability they was worried about if i could even fix it or do a good job as i did repairs people were so happy impressed they recommended me to everyone then i became so busy i had to work 247 i even had other shops coming to me to fix things they couldn't and i got burnt out lost passion but watching ur videos its really helping me and bringing back my passion and love for repairing its easy to lose the love and passion when you mastered the skill and you know exactly what the problem is and the fix is you don't get that same feeling as when you first start of and you get that happiness and rush by figuring out the problem and fixing it

[@user-no5ft5uu5f]

Keep on doing what you know how to do best buddy the sky will always be your starting point. How do I reach out to you I bought one of this in 2021 and in less than 4 months it just stopped outputting any sound all of a sudden but it comes on its been that way since 2021 and I’ll love to get it working again.

[@user-kp2mi9ww7i]

Fun fix Vince. We appreciate you so much.. Fun fix Vince. We appreciate you so much..

[@chrisstyles4630]

I've got a JBL Charge 5 & it's a fantastic sounding speaker it depends what music you play through it for someone like myself who is into metal it's fantastic & then there's the base music crowd who love it for the bass it puts out I use mine every night at work & it's never failed me yet but a good fix vince 👍👍👍

[@MarcStift]

Everyday is a good day when Vince uploads.

[@AndGoTinker]

Another great video. It's watching stuff like this that makes me want to bust out my tools and soldering iron and find some broken stuff to try and fix.

[@johnfranklin5277]

Just got mine today! Delivered by fed ex.. Works great, sounds fantastic! Gift from my employer. Thanks boss!

[@Yoldark34]

Very nice finding !! Good job

[@adrianbestboy98]

that's nice to see that you fixed the same model I fixed a while ago, my client dropped the speaker and it wasn't charging and if you can believe it was because of the ribbon cable that connect the charging board to main board it was disconnected after the drop so it was an easy fix I also added some hot glue to not happen again, it's interesting to see that yours had another fault

[@mrjsv4935]

Nice fault finding and fix. Have experienced myself a device with poorly installed cable at the factory. My HP Brio computer from 2001 and it's 3,5" disk drive worked only partially. Found out that the data cable was inproperly installed, as one pin was bent, and prevented the connector going fully in. Only part of the pins were connected. Amazingly, the disk drive still basically worked, so must've passed QC inspection, but for some reason, couldn't make Windows 98 SE startup diskette, until I found the problem and fixed it.

[@jrsc01.]

love a mymatevince fix!

[@shevshep]

Nice piece of kit saved from landfill. Good work Vince

[@Johadart]

Vince, gotta say love the outro music, great video mate, keep up the great work bud, got sent to you by Steve..🤙🏼🇦🇺 Joe from Australia 🤙🏼🇦🇺

[@BuyitFixit]

Well Done Vince 👍 Another nice repair. I don't think I would have suspected the ribbon cable either. I think the only failures I've had on them has been cause by someone else incorrectly inserting it, or damaging it. Keep up the great work 👍🙂

[@Mymatevince]

Thanks Mick 👍

[@smikee]

Nice fix Vince 🙂

[@darrenwardell3079]

Now thats a repair video Perfect many thanks👍

[@devttyUSB0]

An 'easy' fix, but hard to get to it. Cool that your bodge worked flawelesly with no shorts :D I have this device at home, working :), and i am quite pleased with it!!

[@patrickwieser7317]

I have repaird a jbl flip 5 with the identical fault. Was real fun to discover.😅

[@frozenfritz]

nice I would never find this failure! great work

[@thomasw6169]

Great repair. Hope your ceiling gets better soon

[@bradmarthafocker4285]

Well done, well done. You worked for that one.

[@andythomas7931]

Brilliant well done mate who'd have thunk it what the culprit was.

[@markshellard5894]

Perfect Timing 👍🏻

[@neilfoster814]

I have the JBL GO extreme travel speaker, and I must say they are really good Bluetooth speakers. I use mine with my tablet due to the internal speaker being so tinny and weak. The sound quality is really good quality. A good fix Vince!

[@PrawnCocktailBro]

Good job again dude 😀

[@GadgetUK164]

Well found and fixed Vince =D

[@jeremiebignet322]

Fixed my first electronic device today 😊 It was a button that says "No" when you press it 😅 Easy fix : there was corrosion on the battery thingy 😮 But thank you for the inspiration 🤟

[@Mymatevince]

Yay, well done. First of many hopefully👍

[@laurigardner6227]

Lovely bit of troubleshooting. Indeed, the JBL Xtreme 3 is more designed with the waterpoofing, portability and loudness than with any strong consideration for sound quality. Meanwhile B&O manufacture products with sound quality expressly focused on.

[@Audioshopindo]

your video is very helpfull, thankyou verymuch❤

[@Loudness84]

I really enjoyed this, especially the successful attempt to fix the ribbon cable. Btw. to whom it may concern. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 is heavily on sale in many online shops for almost a third of its recommended retail price, absolute bargain for this price. But it's not waterproof...

[@CannibalShadow]

Well done vince 👍🏽

[@Longplay_Games]

Nice repair! It's an underwhelming speaker, but you are right it's for a super specific use.

[@TheSpotify95]

Do you time travel? How can it be possible to write a comment 4 days ago from a video uploaded about 6 hours ago?

[@philtowle4683]

​@@TheSpotify95Patreon

[@zodiark2456]

@@TheSpotify95 that isn't the upload date that's when it went public date he uploads videos as private first for only patreon viewers then makes them public

[@dahger7]

Learned a lot about ribbon cables today.

[@Ea-Nasir_Copper_Co]

Just in time for my morning tea! ❤

[@DEmma1972]

good fix. Can imagine this foxing you for days when you had less experience

[@mardina1a]

just cleaning one surface of plastic cover on flexcable by sharp knave is enough you have been melted both side of plastic but somehow it worked.good job.thank you

[@mandragor85]

21:30 it was most likely to hard pushed in in the factory i have seen some ribbon brake (and i have braken a couple too) at exactly this spot, so i should have taken the ribbon out and tested that first before braking the waterproof seal :) love your videos keep on :)

[@Christopher_Hampton]

Great video!

[@user-qt2nf3bo9k]

Nice work I can fit tool that my work 😊

[@clintlipscomb7532]

I reaally enjoyed watching this fix. Having fixed a few speakers myself, maybe the sound quality is underwhelming because not only the speaker may no longer be waterproof, but may also be no longer completely airtight like that Bose soundlink mini 2 Bluetooth speaker you fixed had poor sound until you screwed down the battery. I would remove the cover and squeeze the passive radiators lke you did in the video. You then should hear if any air is escaping where it shouldn't be.

[@sk8element1919]

I had a JBL Charge 4 that worked for years then it gradually started to not turn off or on when I pressed the button. After a long time I decided to open it (it's designed the same way more or less) and i checked all the components around the button for voltage and one of the capacitors I tested turned it on and everytime I checked the one capacitor it turned either off or on. I put it back together and the power button has worked without a hitch every single time. It's been 4 months 😊

[@QsTechService1]

Nice fix Vince Looks like the ribbon cable was bent from the factory too much and the vibration from the speakers caused it to flex back-and-forth probably a common fault

[@kevingorton3971]

Hi Vince, love the channel. Would it be possible for you to show or list some of the tools equipment you use, for example the power supply, the hot air blower. As a newby I had no idea that things like this exist.Thanks , Kevin G

[@RimjobHimself]

I found one like this only it was the extreme 1. And after i had taken it all apart i also vame up to a broken ribbon cable and i just left it lying on the table because i was busy. Then now a month after here I am looking at your video and just found you 2 days ago. I will try the soldier iron myself. Or maybe you can point me to the exact cable i need. Thank you. Its the same cable as you have, but im not going to ever need 30 cabies like this.

[@AnonymousRepair]

great repair 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Mymatevince]

Thank you AR 👍

[@TheSkaldenmettrunk]

This was interesting. Never saw a ribbon cable fail from new either.

[@anthonylomberto4246]

Jbl speaker flip 5 has been one of the best speakers Iv owned and Iv had it for two years with nearly 5 days a week of use

[@Tim_3100]

Awesome its vince time ❤

[@ellisgarbutt1925]

It's my mate Vindaloo I mean Vince look forward to watching this video soon

[@jdhtyler]

Sew with copper wire --- 1980s my cousin bought a ZX81 kit computer and during the winter the room was so cold he snapped the ribbon cable... Sewed it back together with thin copper wire. On another occasion he came of the train to visit and the ZX81 was in his bag next to his SHAVING FOAM and it managed to poke in one of the connectors and fill it with foam, we cleaned if off and it smelt nice when it warmed up.

[@AcornElectron]

JBL … the name screams quality 😂 Keep up the good work and fighting the good fight fella and, as always, stay safe!

[@hackerjones5255]

Good video

[@vitor900000]

You can use sand paper to expose the wires on ribbon cables. 200~400 grit should do the job.

[@Mymatevince]

Good idea, cheers Vitor👍

[@frostiiiy]

Oh my lord, you're still going!? I haven't seen one of your videos in close to a decade!

[@dwindeyer]

Still rocking the OG Xtreme from 2015.. Power supply getting a bit touchy but its still going

[@621ELECTRONICS]

I got one of the older ones years ago from a second hand store in the box for like $10, made some decent money as it worked fine. I use to love trying to repair things like this, so would take a chance on stuff to fix. Was overall a decent little portable speaker. I think the only issue I found was the logo for the pairing button was missing for some reason, so people must not have been able to figure out how to make it work, but the button was still where it should be and worked perfectly, you just could not see it. This was in 2017 or so. Pretty sure I looked up the manual while in the store on my phone, seen where the pairing button was supposed to be, paired it and found it worked perfect before I even bought it, it was already charged up! Had its original box and charger and all that.

[@abdulvalimahomed5496]

Hi Vince, those Ribbon cables look very similar to the ones in PS4 controllers, you might wanna give that a shot. I’m pretty sure you have some on those knocking about

[@juggalotuz04]

Woo Woo Woo -My Mate VINCE, 2023

[@ford1546]

On the jbl xtreme series, jbl did something I didn't like if you ask me! With each new firmware update, the sound quality could change and it didn't always improve, but since people focused a lot on BASS, it was often the ones they got in each update. You never got an equalizer that you could adjust since it then goes beyond the sale of newer xtrem speakers. Extrem 2 and 3 was ONLY a firmware update! Xtreme 2 could have been as good as 3 if you had updated the firmware and adjusted the eq. correct! The Xtreme 1 does not have as good a tweeter as the 2 and 3 have.

[@kailumgg7736]

Xtreme 4 has just come out and it is also a stereo speaker all the Xtreme series are stereo

[@ford1546]

@@kailumgg7736 JBL xtreme is not made for the best possible sound! If you want the best possible sound and the flattest frequency, JBL is not for you. JBL offers no manually adjustable eq. AND JBL 3 and 4 Have too little sound improvement if you compare with xtreme 2, so there is little point in upgrading if you ask me!

[@keiranmussell5699]

Love your videos. I have a Bluetooth speaker that does not charge due to the USB being a bit broken, do you still accept at your PO Box?

[@mannixmd]

Damn it Vince you made me jump with that fly sound 🤣

[@ladyglittersparkle6451]

It had me in fits of laughter lol

[@gendragongfly]

This type of failure is not at all unusual on this type of 'flex' ribbon cable. They can be bent, but only around a radius of 4 times the thickness of the cable (this is absolute minimal radius for static bends). If a cable gets folded flat for instance because a gripper picks it up improperly, you get exactly this type of issue. The copper strands (or traces if you prefer) inside the cable break due to the bending force applied to create a flat small radius bend. The risk of this happening is often reduced by putting additional layers of tape, wrap or foil on the cable to prevent small radius bends from occuring even when under compressive load.

[@jkarakizi]

I can relate to this video. I had a JBL shower speaker that stopped working a few months back. When I pulled it apart, it had the exact same issue. The ribbon cable between the buttons and the main board had a kink at the fold and there was no signal being passed through. -- This seems like a design fault from JBL if you ask me.

[@UnCoolDad]

Well diagnosed!

[@tomabs8974]

I did a ribbon cable just with a flat head screwdriver scraping it down worked for me

[@retro_black421]

Yeah that is very weird I've never seen or had a faulty ribbon cable in anything I have ever bought brand new the only ribbon cable failure I've ever had was the PS2 controller port ribbon cable and that was caused over time because it was working then just randomly stopped working. You didn't scare me this time Vince but you did scare my TV it has the hiccups now

[@Boogie_the_cat]

An honest fault? Niiice

[@jimfarrell4635]

More of a UE boom guy myself, but that was a fun fix.

[@paulstimpson830]

Vince, have you downloaded the JBL app on your phone? The connected speakers often have DSP EQ built into the unit but it can only be tweaked from the phone. It might be worth having a play with the app or doing a factory reset to check the speaker wasn't been messed with on the app by the last owner before the cable broke or trying to play with the EQ to see if you can get it more to your liking

[@AlphaLimaTango]

I have one and the unit is amazing

[@seesikopter]

20:30 my poor heart oh my

[@dodgydruid]

Should of had that "Golden" song playing when you did the shower m8... the comedy just writes itself all the way :P

[@nicknicolaou8512]

Hey Vince, great video. I have the same model which is also a Amazon return. Can you provide the ribbon cable link or details so I can purchase the same? Thanks.

[@georgeblackwell9289]

Hello I am really enjoying your posts. Now I would like to ask a question that you might be able to help me with. I have a old radio that I keep in my kitchen, both the sound and tuning are very scratchy. I can gain access to both, what I would like to know, what switch or contact cleaner you think I should get to clean things up. A spray type is what I will need. If you can help thank you.

[@Mymatevince]

Personally I think I would probably use DeoxIT Fader F5 in spray form. Quite pricey though, but it should last a long time as a little goes a long way. You might want to confirm by doing a Google search on that product to make sure it is the best option as I am definitely NOT a professional on these things 😂👍👍

[@nickolaswilcox425]

a less aggressive way of doing that would be to use a sharp knife to scrape the surface off and expose the copper, it doesnt compromise the structure or allow for shorts like melting it does and it maintains the thickness of the ribbon allowing for stronger contact

[@6581punk]

Some of those Amazon sellers just order from RS/CPC and sent it on. Cheaper to order direct, although there is often a minimum order.

[@jbinary82]

I had a Jabra Solemate that failed suddenly, probably by a battery fault. I tried to open it but it was an absolute nope, it was fully designed to avoid service. This one is a bit better, but not far away.

[@nathanmoak1515]

i would never have guessed a ribbon cable! i would have guessed bad solder on a connection was more likely.

[@Karthor.]

15:36 I'm pretty sure the FFC cable you have there is 1mm my guess, and yeah i haven't seen any other than 1mm or 0.5mm yet

[@Omega_Mark]

10:57 Is that a metal thread in there? Possible short? Always try using compressed air to blow stuff out of these tiny connectors and then reinspect:). I also wipe the ribbon connectors with a touch of IPA to remove any finger grease from a possible sloppy assembler at the factory:).

[@johnakyle5908]

Would it have an app to adjust the sound ? I usually find the flat sound on these devices not great and have to add more bass

[@cuzminl]

how do you find these returns from amazon i would like to try geting into reairing some too

[@DarenPage]

Ngl, I was screaming internally to check the cable linking the boards. As you'd confirmed the charger was working meant that the boards were essentially good. Logic dictates that because the machine was never able to turn on, and electronic failures straight out the box are extremely rare meant that it was an electrical fault not electronic.

[@ChrisMelville]

2008 was FIFTEEN YEARS ago? Surely not: it was only yesterday. I am shocked to the core!

[@user-no5ft5uu5f]

How do I reach out to you I bought one of this in 2021 and in less than 4 months it just stopped outputting any sound all of a sudden but it comes on its been that way since 2021 and I’ll love to get it working again.

[@nhand42]

Regarding the audio quality its also because its designed for a younger audience, most likely scenario a beach party or a barbeque, listening to pop music with a strong beat for dancing, so the design will be more bass heavy. Your taste in music (which I like too) isn't the intended target for this kind of speaker.

[@309electronics5]

My jbl amp motherboard had a stm8 and dsp on it to generate the bass, pretty cool i managed to reprogram it to balance the bass and trebble and mid tones

[@dodgydruid]

Just added a couple newbies to the collection, original Casio 200m diver, still on its original rubber strap but the star of the show is I found a rare as rocking horse doings Pulsar Y182 which is the iconic 7T32 but with a different stamped top plate for Pulsar, Alba and I believe one Lorus had one, its a gold plated beauty that is in almost unworn condition too :) Only fly in ointment is Boris Johnson likes to wear a Pulsar chrono :( :( :( (might put me off the brand if it starts lying to me about the time and I catch it trying to lift my card out me wallet... :P)

[@kjellnilsson1615]

Ribbon cable kan sometimes repairs by a staple gun ! When you found the place its has a break !

[@gerrymichaud3851]

Would using a hair dryer make it easier to remove the taped down components?

[@ernestpenfold4316]

That nasty buzzy audio sounds very much like the speakers are blown. I've had one of these playing at a party and it sounded great.

[@Cova459]

What is the name of the the speaker with the iPod on it?

[@kjellnilsson1615]

To set the speaker in reset mode , take out the batteri and press all buttons , so all voltage in the Elektrolyt caps drains out !