Bose Soundbar Not Working? (Common causes & solutions) (2024)

Are you struggling with your Bose soundbar not working as expected? You’re not alone. Many users face similar issues, and it can be incredibly frustrating when you’re all set for a movie night or a gaming session, and your soundbar decides to act up.

We understand how annoying it can be when your Bose soundbar doesn’t work properly. You might be missing out on the immersive audio experience that Bose is known for, or perhaps the soundbar isn’t connecting to your devices correctly.

As audio specialists, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you troubleshoot and fix common issues with your Bose soundbar. We’ve spent countless hours testing and researching Bose soundbars, and we’re confident that we can help you get your soundbar back up and running.

This guide is for anyone who owns a Bose soundbar, whether you’re a tech novice or a seasoned pro. We’ve made sure to include clear, step-by-step instructions that anyone can follow.

We know how much you value your audio experience, and we’re here to help. We’ve been in your shoes, and we understand how frustrating technical issues can be. That’s why we’re committed to helping you solve your Bose soundbar issues so you can get back to enjoying your favorite music, movies, and games.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything from the basics of setting up your Bose soundbar, to troubleshooting common issues, and even some tips and tricks to get the most out of your soundbar. So, let’s dive in and get your Bose soundbar working again!

How to Install a Bose Soundbar

Is the Bose soundbar not working? Learn how to Install a Bose Soundbar.

Methods of Connection

Surround sound is more difficult to connect to than soundbars. In this instance, connecting your Bose soundbar to your TV using HDMI eARC or HDMI ARC cables is the simplest and best option.

The setup is straightforward; all you have to do is find the port labeled as such on the back of your soundbar and the equivalent port on the back of your TV.

If your TV does not support HDMI eARC or HDMI ARC, our audio team recommends using digital optical as a backup. Locate the soundbar’s digital optical port, which is plainly labeled on the back, and securely insert the cable. Then, locate the appropriate port on the back of the TV and repeat the process.

On some models, analog connections like RCA or 3.5mm cables are available. They’re the red and white cords that go into the color ports on your TV and speaker. This type of connection does not handle digital transmissions and is, therefore, unsuitable for high-definition material.

Pairing Bluetooth Devices

Bluetooth Enabled connection is available on Bose soundbars for streaming material from external devices. To connect the soundbar, first press and hold the “Bluetooth” button on the phone until the soundbar’s warning light flashes blue.

You must first enable Bluetooth on the device you desire to connect to, then open the Bluetooth low energy list and search for your Bose soundbar. The soundbar should create a tone and the blinking light should turn solid white if the pairing is complete.

Using the Remote Control

You must first download the Bose Music app to use the included universal remote to control your soundbar.

Again when the app has been downloaded, open it and look for the image of your soundbar in the bottom right-hand corner, then select “Settings.” Select “Universal Remote,” then “Advanced,” and then “Pair New Device.”

After then, the soundbar should start looking for the remote. Simply follow the directions on the Bose Music app to complete the configuration after it has discovered it.

Connecting to the Internet via Wifi

Wi-Fi is another option for setting up a Bose soundbar wirelessly. Press and hold the “TV” and “skip back” buttons on the provided remote for three seconds. The indication light should then turn amber, indicating that it’s ready to use.

Activate the Wi-Fi settings on your output device and pick your Bose soundbar. After that, open a browser page on your smartphone and type “192.0.2.1” into the address bar.

Before clicking “Submit,” the Bose soundbar Wi-Fi setup page will appear, prompting you to select your home Wi-Fi network and enter the password.

Changing the Audio Output Configuration

If your soundbar isn’t producing any sound, you may need to adjust the audio output settings. Turn on your television, then go to the settings menu and choose “audio output settings.” Look over the options to make certain the one you choose is compatible with your connection.

Make sure your mobile phone and your Bose product are all on the same wireless network. Go to the Wi-Fi settings on the device that’s running the Bose app and make sure it’s linked to the same network as your product.

The app will not find your product if the device and the product are not on the same network. If you’re running iOS 13 or later, make sure the Bose app’s Bluetooth permissions are turned on.

When you initially install the Bose app on an iPhone or iPad running iOS 13 or later, you’ll be asked to grant the app Bluetooth rights. This is required for the app to function properly. On your iOS device, do one of the following to see if Bluetooth is enabled for the app:

• Activate Bluetooth access for the Bose app under Settings > Privacy > Bluetooth.
• Go to Settings, then pick the Bose app from the drop-down menu. Configure Bluetooth beneath Allow Bose Music To Access.

Make sure the app’s location and network permissions are enabled in your mobile device’s settings.

The Bose app uses location permissions to detect and control your product. The program will not function properly if location settings are deactivated.

Watch this video: Bose Soundbar Not Working? (Common Causes & Solutions)

For iPhones and iPads: (Bose soundbar not working)

• Ensure the Bose app is not disabled in Settings > Privacy > Local Network.
• Ensure Location Services is not disabled for the Bose app in Settings > Privacy > Location Services.

Touch and hold the app icon on an Android device, then tap App Info from the pop-up menu that displays. Tap Permissions on the App Info screen, then make sure Your location is allowed.

The Bose app should be uninstalled and reinstalled. If you’re having trouble with the app, uninstall it, download and reinstall it, and then try again. Use a different mobile device to test the app.

Download and install the Bose app on a different device if one is available to see if the problem is caused by the original device or its settings.

Bose soundbar not working? Restart the router.

Routers, like computers, may need to be rebooted from time to time. Wait for the router to start up and connect after disconnecting the power for 30 seconds.

(Note: During the reset, any device connected to the Web will be disrupted.)

Examine your network to check if any other devices are using bandwidth

Whenever a device is connected to your network, it consumes some of the router’s bandwidth. Streaming video, gaming, video conversations, data backups, and other tasks consume more bandwidth than others.

If certain functions are performed by devices, bandwidth for other devices may be reduced.Check if performance improves after turning off any devices or apps that are consuming a lot of bandwidth.

(Tip: If an Ethernet cable is accessible, use it to a height of the object devices to your network rather than Wi-Fi.) This helps free up wireless bandwidth for devices that require a wireless connection.)

Give each network a separate name if your router transmits several networks (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, Guest).

Multiple networks, such as a 2.4 GHz network, a 5 GHz network, and a guest network, are broadcast by many routers. When connecting a device to Wi-Fi, you may notice many networks with the same name. This indicates that some devices are not connected to the intended network.

Temporarily disable the 5 GHz connection as well as the guest network in your router’s settings. Rename the 5 GHz network and guest network to anything other than the 2.4 GHz network if the issue is remedied by using only the 2.4 GHz network (i.e. MyNetwork2G, MyNetwork5G, and MyNetworkGuest).

This will assist you and your devices in determining the proper network. (Tip: If you rename a network, any devices that were previously connected to it must be rejoined to the new network name in the device settings menu.)

Try bypassing a network extender (such as a repeater, powerline adaptor, or access point) if your Wi-Fi network employs one.

Extenders are commonly used for networks that span a broad area or to improve reception in regions where it is poor. Try temporarily bypassing or unplugging the extension to see whether the problem is due to it.

If you require the extension because your product is in a bad reception area, try moving it closer to the network router to see if it helps.

Turn the television on and off

Bose soundbars occasionally lose their ARC connection to the television. It occurs with some TV models, such as Samsung’s. Bose soundbar not working? It is not a major issue if the issue does not occur regularly. The simplest approach is disconnecting the TV for several minutes before turning it back on.

Look for wireless interference sources.

It’s conceivable that other wireless devices are interfering with your product’s wireless functioning. Look around your product for other wireless gadgets (i.e. another router, cordless phone, wireless printer, smart TV, etc.). Unplug a device’s power cord or turn off its Wi-Fi to see if it’s interfering.

If the problem goes away when a certain gadget is removed, consider moving it as far away from your product as feasible. Also, if your device has a wireless channel setting, try a different one.

Firmware Upgrade

Everything may appear to be functioning normally until a connectivity problem arises. If the Bose soundbar not working, updating can help you. Updates to the operating system can also cause problems. Keep in mind when it began if you updated anything recently.

Check to see if both the Television and the soundbar have the most recent firmware. You can contact their support team if any update has produced an issue.

Using an Optical Cable to Connect

When ARC is accessible, no one wants to connect through the optical fiber cable. It could, however, be a viable option if the ARC connection is lost after exhausting all other options.

Restart the television

Bose soundbar not working? Restart the TV. There may be a problem with TV settings if your soundbar works fine with your phone. You must first reset your television and re-establish a connection with it.

The soundbar should be reset.

If the Bose soundbar not working and still doesn’t connect using HDMI ARC after resetting the TV, you could also try to reset the speaker.

Examine the HDMI cable

If the power failure occurs, it may be difficult to connect. If another cable is accessible, you can swap it out or test that on another system.So examine the HDMI cable.

Bose soundbar not working? Final solution

If none of the previous options work, try this last one.

• Ensure that the software on your Bose soundbar 700, 500, or 300 is up to date. Also, look for your television.
• From the Bose Music App, disable CEC on your soundbar.
• Unplug the power cords after turning off the TV and soundbar.
• Remove the HDMI cord from the television.
• Allow 1 to 2 minutes for the process to complete.
• Connect the TV and soundbar’s power wires.
• Enable CEC in the Bose Music App, which we disabled in the previous step.
• Plug the HDMI cord into the TV and use the Bose Remote to choose “TV Source.”
• At this point, your soundbar and television should indeed be linked. Check to see if the soundbar is producing audio.