Watching a movie with subpar audio can be grating, much like an off-tune serenade from a well-meaning neighbor. You recall your Bose soundbar, ready to enhance your viewing experience with rich sound. But when you connect and attempt to power it on, nothing happens. Before you give in to frustration or resort to the old ‘slap and hope’ technique, remember that a methodical approach is needed to troubleshoot your silent soundbar. Stay calm, and let’s spend the next few minutes tackling the possible causes and solutions to revive your Bose soundbar.
Ready? Let’s dive in.
Reason 1: Faulty Power Connection
A faulty power connection could be the culprit behind your Bose soundbar’s lack of response. It’s not always an issue with the soundbar or remote.
Fix
Test the power outlet with a voltmeter or plug another device into it to ensure it’s functioning. If that’s not an option, try powering the soundbar from a different outlet. If the soundbar turns on, the problem was with the original outlet. If not, it’s time to investigate further.
Reason 2: Depleted Remote Batteries
If the soundbar doesn’t turn on and the power outlet is fine, the remote’s batteries may be the issue, as the soundbar lacks a physical power button.
Fix
Replace the old batteries in the remote with new ones. After changing the batteries, attempt to turn on the soundbar again. If this doesn’t solve the issue, move on to the next troubleshooting step.
Reason 3: Remote Not Sending IR Signals
The remote controls the soundbar through infrared (IR) signals. If the soundbar won’t turn on, the remote’s IR emitter might be faulty. For a more detailed guide on troubleshooting this and other issues, you can visit our in-depth article here.
Fix
To check if the IR transmitter is working, point the remote’s end at a phone camera and press a button. If you see a light flashing through the camera, the IR signal is functioning. If not, the IR emitter may be the issue.
Reason 4: Check For Loose Connection
A loose power connection might prevent your Bose soundbar from turning on.
Fix
Ensure the power cable is firmly connected to the soundbar. Disconnect and reconnect the cable securely. Additionally, consider the HDMI connection; a defective HDMI cable can also cause your Bose soundbar to malfunction. It won’t produce sound from the source device if the HDMI cable is faulty. Therefore, make sure to check the HDMI cable and replace it if necessary. After securing both power and HDMI connections, try to power on the soundbar. If it remains unresponsive, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
Reason 5: Problem With Settings
If you have not properly set up your Bose Soundbar or there’s a problem with the Soundbar’s setting, it may result in the Bose Soundbar not Turning on.
Additionally, an outdated firmware version or a software bug could also be causing the issue.
Fix# 1
You can fix the settings issues of your Bose Soundbar with a Factory Reset. Now, resetting your soundbar is a piece of cake; you don’t need to call technicians from NASA to Factory Reset the soundbar.
Following are the simple steps to soft reset your Bose soundbar.
- Turn off the Bose Soundbar and remove the power cable from the power source.
- Disconnect all the devices connected to your soundbar.
- Wait 30 seconds, and plug the power cable back into your soundbar.
- Wait a minute for your Bose soundbar device to reboot
Turn on the Bose soundbar to see if the issue is resolved. Otherwise, go for the Hard Reset.
Here’s how you can hard reset the Bose Soundbar.
- Turn on the Bose Soundbar.
- Now find the power and skip forward buttons on the remote.
- Press and hold these buttons simultaneously for about 5-10 seconds.
- The soundbar will start to reboot. Wait until the lightbar on your Bose Soundbar turns solid, Amber. It indicates that your Soundbar has been successfully reset.
Fix# 2
Another way to fix the Bose Soundbar not Turning on issue is to ensure that the firmware update you have installed is suitable for the specific model you’re using. Furthermore, if there’s a bug in the setting, a firmware update will remove that.
Here’s how you can update the firmware of your Bose soundbar.
Through mobile:
- Install the Bose Connect App on your phone.
- Connect your soundbar to the mobile by following on-screen instructions.
- Launch the app check for the available updates for your Bose Soundbar, and tap on the download icon next to it.
- Once the download is complete, you’ll receive a notification about installing updates.
- Click on the Update button and wait for the Firmware update to install.
Through PC
- Connect your Bose Soundbar to the PC using a USB cable.
- Open to the Bose Updated website.
- Look for your Bose Soundbar model and the updates available for it. Download the Updates file.
- Once downloaded, you may run the file to install the updates in your Bose Soundbar.
Reason 6: Hardware Issue
If nothing else has worked for you so far, the problem might be with the circuit board or the hardware of the soundbar or the remote.
Fix
The only way to fix this is by contacting customer support. If your Soundbar’s Warranty is still valid, they will repair or replace the soundbar as required. They will also guide you through the steps to resolve the issue with the soundbar.
You can try using another remote as well to resolve the issue.
Conclusion
A Bose soundbar that won’t turn on can usually be fixed with a few simple steps. From checking the power connection to updating the firmware, most solutions are straightforward and can be done without professional help. Remember to check the basics like the power cable and remote batteries before moving on to more complex issues like settings or hardware problems. With patience and a methodical approach, you can often get your soundbar up and running again, ensuring you return to enjoying high-quality audio for your movies and music. If all else fails, Bose’s customer support is a valuable resource for resolving any lingering issues.
I’m Shaun Conroy, an audiophile & founder of HiFi Audios. Holding a Bachelor’s in Sound Engineering, I bring deep expertise in audio devices and offer insights & recommendations to fellow enthusiasts.
