Reviving a Dead Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker

I thought the battery in my Bose SoundLink Color II speaker had finally failed...but as it turns out, there's a free and easy fix!
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Intro music by BoxCat Games (freemusicarchi....

[@Danim-nt6ht]

Following your instructions worked, I connected the USB to my ancient Lenovo laptop, went to Bose updater site and it's magic, it's charging. I thought there was no hope for it. Thanks so much.

[@jerryday8817]

I was about to throw out two of them after driving myself nuts trying to figure it out I'm on it now sounds like the same issue

[@angryshoebox]

I have one of these speakers, in turquoise, bought it in 2018. It sounds cool IMHO, really kicks out a ton of bass for its size. I had to do the firmware update. Same thing happened: it sat for a while, and wouldn't turn on.

[@polaris911]

I've had my Soundlink Mini II for probably 7 years and it still works great. It definitely changed my perception about Bose as a brand.

[@RERM001]

I watched this video with my OG Soundlink mini I got like a decade ago when they were brand new and it still rocks. Sure, it only lasts a couple hours, but man does it works well.

[@B9294141]

this worked out like a charm,thank you! just a note here: once you install the firmware updater and run it, you wont see a thing, so you need to go back to the page from where you downloaded it and from there, you will see your speaker was detected even showing up with its color, from there, you run the updater and it will update your speaker in 5 minutes

[@anotherronism]

Most amazing thing. I have exact device with exact problem. But I've never once searched for a solution. KZbin absolutely randomly showed me this video. All I can say is thanks.

[@nunzioification]

They deny that they have mind reading tech but

[@Dedubya-]

Well we all wanted a tear down but can't win them all!

[@JamesMoore-un3cu]

THANK YOU so much for this tutorial! I am in the electronics field and I can't overstate how important firmware updates are! I would have had no idea why my unit took a dump without getting on here and finding out what the bug fix was! Our unit was less than 2 years old and because it was always plugged in somewhere, we had never let the battery get down until this week, and that's where the problem appeared. Got it fixed with the F/W... thanks again!

[@dancircelli5331]

Exact same issue. Wouldn’t take a charge. Wife was really disappointed. She loves this speaker. Followed your steps and the device is revived. Happy wife, happy life!!

[@ugzz]

Nice, I have one of these! I found this fix about a year ago when my Blue colored one failed. I tried everything on here and more, and no go, ended up opening it and the amp was bad. But apparently this problem is somewhat common, so for those that didn't know, Try This First! .. Mine now has an external amp sort of hanging off of it like a parasite... But it works!

[@lucasrem]

You did not updated it, lol!

[@MikeSwidzinski]

Brilliant solution. It absolutely worked. It took about 5 attempts but the update download eventually shook hands with the Bose unit. Required disconnecting and reconnecting the speaker several times. Eventually the amber light started to wink.

[@Raventooth]

Ok. I am still getting the double wink then no wink after reconnection. 4.01 firmware update did take so I think it should be close.

[@endlessorbaggins8223]

Same here. Had to do multiple attempts. My device was unconnecting. But I ended up being able to do the whole software update. And then, it was not charging and had to disco/reco 3 times before the yellow flashing charging indicator light appeared.

[@bobcarlson7729]

Had the same thing happen. I found like a reset procedure for when this happens to wake it up on some random forum years ago. I like the speakers. I think they sound good and look good

[@07blackdog]

Mine is an older model than yours. It would work, but only if the charger was connected. I bought a battery and was preparing to replace it when I saw this video. I ran the update and it works perfectly; makes you wonder about these phones. There's a PCB jumping the battery posts in mine. It's crazy that a software update could fix this problem. Very grateful to you .

[@vktw13]

One more Bose speaker saved! I faced this issue after around 8 years of purchase! I was about to remove screws and see if there is any thing that can be fixed. Then stumbled on this video which saved my former from heading to landfill.

[@elchanfle20]

Dear Colin I tell you that for more than 2 years my Bose Speaker was not working because I did not know how to repair that failure. Thank you very much for your time and dedication to make this kind of videos. Kind regards from Mexico.

[@NicksStuff]

There should be some sort of penalties for a company that lets such a bug slips through

[@delindacurtis6344]

Thank you so much for your tutorial! It worked! I was a New York minute from thrifting it away. I had to download the update a few times before it was successful but alas, I have good vibes again!

[@bitdigital8052]

That speaker casing looks like the kind of material that turns into a sticky mess after while. Thanks for the info!

[@fgregerfeaxcwfeffece]

Shit, you are right, I have one of those. And I also have a MP3 player from the mid 2000s that partially turned into the goo you speak off. Really, really nasty, but I managed to clean it off it's just superficial. But really disgusting at first look. I was searching for anything that could have leaked liquid. But later colleague from work randomly brought up this topic and it clicked.

[@s8wc3]

It's more like a silicone skin than rubber coated plastic so it shouldn't happen to these. I think they do get a layer of grease on them after a long time which makes them look dirty but it cleans off and looks right again unlike the coated plastic that requires you to strip the coating off entirely.

[@MrRelevance02]

@@s8wc3 absolutely Silicon should not breakdown

[@LB-tw7gg]

I clean my with rubbing alcohol and it comes clean and is not sticky at all.

[@KavishKumarSrivastav]

It was my mom's gift from his brother....and she was very tensed due this prob....today I watched ur video and followed the same steps....and now its working.....My Mom is very Happy ❤😊...Thank You

[@guycresswell812]

I cant believe that actually worked, mine had no lights on it all, after about 5 attempts it took the firmware update and then started charging, its now lives, I was just about to throw it in the bin! Thank you :)

[@coolesiri]

I was in the middle of tearing this speaker apart and saw your video 100% on your call out and thank you for saving me the stress and for not destroying my speaker. Thank you Thank you Thank you.

[@safedriverspei8543]

I started searching KZbin for information on this problem almost 2 years ago. I found your video last week, and the fix worked. There were other similar videos on fixing the Soundlink Colour II, but nothing worked. I assumed it was likely a battery issue, but the battery is fine. My speaker was completely dead ( no lights ) but it’s working great now.

[@rjacobo1]

Thanks for this post! It’s charging! Will have to see what the battery life is like after it fully charges, but just happy it’s working again.

[@DanielCordone73]

I was ready to replace the battery inside and stumbled on this video. This actually worked after it had been a brick for a couple years. Currently charging it up. thank you.

[@kc0nnt]

I was ready to throw mine in the trash. I was looking for a new BT speaker online when I found this video. Looks like its charging now! Fingers crossed. THX

[@mjones3569]

Yesterday I found my speaker collecting dust. It worked for probably 3 months since I got it a few years ago and just stopped working. Looked up what could be wrong and saw this vid. Tried the firmware and it works. Thank goodness I held on to mine after all these years. Thanks.

[@zojojozo86]

We just thrown one of these out because of this issue! Too bad I didn’t know about this a week ago. It was a good speaker.

[@Hezy]

My school bought like 5 of these, and all 5 of them have this issue 😂😂. Thanks for sharing this.

[@garethsnaim8174]

Offer to fix them for a small fee...

[@PoisonStore]

Pay em all for cheap

[@Tkill14]

My soundlink color has been dead in a box for years. did this firmware update and its back to life! Thanks for the upload!

[@shellglow9679]

Thankyou for this! I have one with this same problem I called bose and the lady tried to get me to pay $80 AUD to send it off for repairs, and they don't sell that battery anymore so of they can't fix it I will still need a new one. I said that wasnt worth it for me, but asked if there was any troubleshooting tips she had so I can fix it. She kept saying no and to send it in for $80. Eventually she offered me this solution after 10 mins of back and forth and me adamant I won't pay her the $80 to send it in for a look. I then told her I was mad she didn't offer this solution first. I told her she is money hungry and provided bad customer service. I won't buy bose again simply because of this! Your video helps me, Thankyou 😃

[@stephencrumpler1419]

I was about to throw my speaker away. You saved it, and now I can continue to use my favorite speaker. Thanks for sharing the info.

[@j_mylne]

Worked for 1 of 2 dead Bose SoundLink bluetooth speakers, thanks for posting this

[@marcoluoma3770]

Thanks! I saw lots of "fixes" that involved holding down the power while plugging and unplugging which didn't work. This software update did. So thanks again.

[@NTMMFTS]

The Bose Updater revived my totally dead SoundLink Color model 415859 purchased in 2015. Thanks!

[@cbav8r]

Thank you for this. I happened across this when looking to see how to replace the battery! It's working again.

[@bobbarker3244]

Colin, thanks for this. First off as a fellow MN, hope the snow and cold isnt driving you nuts like it for me. I have a 1st gen of these and didnt even think to have checked for the firmware on this either. Glad i did and heck it updated with the same app on my mac. Thanks for this short vid but also one that is informative as well.

[@endlessorbaggins8223]

Thanks to people like you that takes time to upload a video such as this one! Your video helped me fixed the issue. Like you, I was also thinking about all the people facing issues with electronic stuff and throwing them away thinking its dead when it may be easily fixable. And most of the time its not worth paying an expert to see if they can fix it. Especially with older electronics where repair may cost more than the residual value of the gadjet without any guarantee that it will continue to work great for a long time.

[@darrinmc]

This brought my SoundLink II back to life! I was ready to recycle it. Works perfectly now. Thanks!

[@dennisjones5579]

Just completed the firmware update and lo and behold it seems the speaker has been resurrected! Thanks for the information- it was very helpful.

[@DanRotondo]

Pretty awesome to come across your video. Just finished following your recommendation and now the unit appears to be charging. Thank you!

[@sumitshakya4146]

I did the firmware update as it never made beep sound when power plugged and now it does. Thank you.

[@johnbeeler25]

Finally…here I was thinking my connection was faulty. Works like the day I bought it. Thx for the video.

[@rebeccabee6615]

Thank you!!! Just revived my original Soundlink that hadn’t been used in a couple of years! The Earth with its already overfilled landfills thank you also. 🤗

[@jrpiercejr]

All other ideas I could find didn't help. This fixed my Bose Soundlink Color 2. Thanks! ! !

[@69uremum]

Alot of consumer electronics in the old days used replaceable alkaline batteries, then they moved toward rechargeable batteries that were internal. They should have just switched to rechargeable batteries and kept the ability to replace them if they get old.

[@agenericaccount3935]

You know how it be. Can't sell you the new thing if you can just rebattery the old thing easily.

[@69uremum]

@@agenericaccount3935 true, greedy companies gotta squeeze out every last cent of profit.

[@inDepthReviewsMalayalam]

My bose also had the sme issue. And i used to repair the same way. Its because the speaker goes to Sleep mode when unused for long time. But by Color II has several other issues later too.

[@Letsplaydevilsadvocate]

Yay! It worked! I tried some other methods first, but they didn’t work. I did this one, then just let the speaker keep charging on the laptop. Thank you!

[@gregrm28]

I only had mine a month and only used it a couple times, I hope this works for me because I have had mine for years and very upset at Bose for this problem. My husband got me this for Christmas and I did not want to complain about his present.

[@ronlevon4294]

you are absolutely right, it is crazy how software control all our live, and how companies can if they want decide that product that we are using is no longer be working (like a new subscription model in a new Xbox).

[@ShannanWynn]

Thank You, I am not sure if the problem is fixed, But I had no idea I could update my speaker! I updated it, now waiting to see if it works like it should after a full charge. Very helpful!

[@vincentsann]

The firmware update also fixed my Revolve SoundLink. Thanks for the video.

[@Dan-oj4iq]

Had the exact same situation with my Bose Soundlink Flex speaker. Ran the battery completely dead and when I couldn't see any more life I sent it back to Amazon for a replacement.The bottom line here appears to be that Bose speakers do not like being entirely drained of battery life. They may or may not recharge again. Try not to run them till empty, unless of course you know about this firmware update.

[@ronnygonzalez7938]

Had the same situation, but, my computer doesn't recognize my Bose, so, I can not upgrade the firmware

[@endlessorbaggins8223]

@@ronnygonzalez7938 What about trying on a computer at work, familly or friends?

[@JDCarnin]

Don´t have the same one, instead the Soundlink Mini 2 SE, but better safe than sorry, there was an Update for mine available as well. So thanks for the Reminder!

[@DDubief]

I came to figure out how to take it apart... only to find out that I needed to update FW and voila... I see charging lights now. Note*, my light didn't turn on or show activity until after roughly 5 mins after the update. During the update it did not initially recognize or come online, show anything. But the updater tool showed connected and the new available update so I went for it. Thanks very much for the info, you've earned a subscribe and like.

[@scottandlindabarnes2931]

Thank you for this! My Sound link was completely dead and wouldn't charge until I plugged it into the computer and ran the update.

[@padawanmage71]

I’ll keep an eye out for this next time I go to Goodwill ;)

[@tuduleshiggins8832]

Thank you so very much, I am a year late; I followed your instructions and my BT speaker is working now.

[@alansanchez8876]

I was just gifted this speaker by a neighbor today, it’s still like new in the box with the purchase ticket from 2019, since she never used it she thought it had broken down because it would not charge, thanks to this video I could get it to charge 😎

[@beckyjohnson1]

Question is so you give it back to your neighbour now or keep it yourself 😅

[@endlessorbaggins8223]

Question is why someone would gift something to someone else thinking its broken and no longer working?

[@Groove1024]

nice video and i will add a little detail. a lot of BOSE SoundLink have that problem it's not only that specific model!

[@Cwitt002]

Thanks so much!! I was about to give away my speaker because I thought it was toast and now it's back to normal!

[@jenniferwinland343]

Thank you!!!! I’ve been putting off digging into a battery change and found your video and saved me!!!!!

[@troybrown5943]

Great and informative video. Tried two other videos before yours with no luck. My Bose SoundLink 2 was 5 years old and I thought it was dead, when I plugged it into my computer it started to charge. Still went to the Bose website and downloaded the update you suggested. It needed the update. Looks like it's going to work! Thanks again for your video.

[@nicolaspieuchot4340]

Saved my speaker, be blessed for this solution! Thank you!

[@simon5005]

I have the model before this one, so it's almost ten years old, and still works great! But thanks for the firmware update info!!!

[@vermontale04]

Thank you, I was about to throw it away, and it works perfectly after the update!

[@jeremyaconnell]

I had the exact same thing happen a couple of years back. I love that little speaker.

[@frankgatto2427]

Thanks I followed your instructions, and my speaker is now charging. Crossing my fingers!!

[@wesen345]

On the first Gen. of the BOSE SoundLink Mini Speakers, you could swap the battery very easily.

[@blakethesnake1555]

I have the 1st gen bose soundlink. How hard was it to change batteries. Any tips on soldering? Flux and silver solder? Any tips is appreciated. I’m about to swap batteries thanks

[@wesen345]

@@blakethesnake1555 Than you have the second gen. On the first gen you just had to losen four screws.

[@henrysanchez4069]

I almost put a sledgehammer to it. When you take them apart, they got some weird special screws to open them up. I'll try the update. 👍

[@brianfructuoso9681]

Couldn’t thank you enough! fixed the issue and it’s up and charging now

[@Markimark151]

Bose speakers are very expensive, but I find lots of used Bose speakers used at thrift stores that are a cheap in price!

[@TomSiddle-x1w]

Thanks for the advice i nearly went the landfill option thanks again.

[@nunzioification]

Happens to me once a year, color soundlink 2 has been my edc for almost 10 years I drag it all over, use it constantly in the house, I am on my second one and it’ll be obvious when the battery starts to really go.

[@annchristineponce]

Thank you! This video saved my Soundlink Micro. I was about to put it back in a box and return to the gifter :)

[@crownvalleytrans]

This process worked for me except for that initially the battery wouldn't take a charge. I attempted to place it into ship mode multiple times, different cables and charging blocks to no avail. By accident while I was trying to get my PC to recognize it via a USB cable I noticed that the charging indicator light started flashing signaling that it was finally accepting a charge form one of the USB ports on the front of my PC and after allowing it to fully charge I was able to complete the process in the video and update the firm ware, now it works like new.

[@casually.christina9008]

Omg thank you so much!!! I was about to throw away my speaker because I could not figure or why it wouldn’t charge. It’s not even a year old.

[@nedimgutosic1549]

Brother YOU ARE A LIVING LEGEND! Saved me money and resources!

[@somudhaka]

Thanks for the Guidance it helped me to start my Soundlink micro speaker.

[@miamiwax5504]

I sent mine back to bose and they fixed no problem. They have 5 year warranty so give it a try.

[@kellibenoit3162]

This worked! Thanks. I had 2 that I thought were dead, worked for both

[@Nicknin10do1989]

Awesome fix. I may want to try this with mine. The Bluetooth will NEVER connect, regardless of what device I try. I even sent away for repair and the same thing was happening. I just use the aux input with it, even though all my phones not longer have headphone jacks anymore.

[@RealGengarTV]

Give us a heads up if it worked

[@andrewlittleboy8532]

Why not just put a battery door on the bottom to replace the battery. I absolutely hate stuff like this. Extremely frustrating.

[@ErikaAliana]

Thanks for this! I just purchased this speaker at a thrift store for $5 and I’m not getting indicator lights turning on at plug in. I’m going to try this.

[@bobrubio5679]

Thank you so much for your video! I was about to open my BT Speaker but I can't take out the screw cover. My speaker doesn't charge much and it only last for 30 seconds but after installing the software update, it's been running for 1 hour now and it seems that it's not going to stop anytime soon.

[@kikiyweathers]

Thank you so much! I was about to throw mine out. Thank goodness for this video. I love my speaker--again!

[@carlh8256]

Be patient after updating. Mine didn't seem to work at first but then the power light started blinking. Thanks. 😊

[@stolmich]

Well done, we have to pay more attention to our environemt, good work.

[@07insomniacmusic]

Thank you for your video. I had the exact same problem, super frustrating!

[@iamadave]

yay, the update fixed my speaker... was worried, my Son let it die completely... was a bit miffed when it wouldn't turn on haha.

[@spinwtf]

Thank you thank you!! I just resurrected mine from the dead!! Thanks for this information.😊

[@Chris-yc3mm]

This annoys me. I've ran into a lot of firmware bugs that prevent charging. Thunderbolt in my experience is particualy flakey and prone to failing to charge that a software update will fix, but only if you can power the damn thing

[@darrenwendroff3441]

Wow another solve on youtube. Thanks so much, this fixed it right up!

[@JackWillson-p9u]

I really hate speakers that need firmware updates I understand that there may be bugs but if there are bugs send them out to reviewers wait a few weeks for bugs to come back in then fix them before actually releasing them to the public. It sounds tedious but could be very helpful

[@kevinwetsch5209]

At least those who actually bother to investigate the problem with their speaker hopefully found this video, and managed to solve it.

[@aniketramsurrun5651]

Tips: press/hold the control button if it does not switch on when connecting to the laptop

[@FarshidAlam]

I tried updating mine but the computer didn't catch my speaker... Won't charge either. Pleas please help...

[@6581punk]

Bose stuff belongs in the bin :) "Bose has been described by audio industry professionals as a litigious company."

[@lnxpro]

But someone would have to be buying one of these first... Doesn't BOSE stand for Buy Other Sound Equipment? :D

[@marianerx]

omg I was really close to buy a new one, Thank you!!!🎉

[@yonettenicola4466]

Thank you! I’m crying tears of joy!!!!😂❤❤❤So helpful, and clear instructions!!

[@mattb9664]

After the little fiasco with the Bose Sleep Pods, I just stay away from their products. I only used that product for 2 months and the batteries started to die off rather quickly. Thankfully they issued a full refund. We'll never know the reason why a lithium battery wasn't used in the pods, but I'd assume there were some standing concerns about having a battery in your ear lobe while sleeping.