JBL Charge 4 Not Charging: A Step-by-Step Repair Guide

Struggling with a JBL Charge 4 that won't charge? Our troubleshooting guide walks you through easy fixes for common issues. Get your speaker back in action!


Updated on: November 14, 2023

Struggling with your JBL Charge 4 not charging? It’s less of a mystery than the Bermuda Triangle and definitely something you can solve. Your speaker won’t tell you what’s wrong, but with a little insight, you can figure out the issue and fix it.

Let’s dive in to find out why your JBL Charge 4 might be taking a break from charging and how you can get it back in action

How to Know JBL Charge 4 is not Charging?

charge 5 red light
(image credit: tomstek)

Keep an eye on the indicator light at the front lower portion of your speaker. A blinking red light signals a low battery. So, promptly plug it into a power source. When charging, this light should turn white. If it stays red, your speaker isn’t charging.

Why is your JBL Charge 4 not Charging, and how to fix it?

Faulty Power Source:

Surprisingly, the real culprit might be right under your nose – the power outlet. Yes, it’s not always the speaker at fault. If your JBL Charge 4 isn’t charging, consider a damaged, faulty, or dead power outlet as a potential reason.

Faulty Power Source

Fix: Resolving this issue is a breeze – no toolkit required! Simply switch to a different power source and see if your speaker begins to charge. You can also test the original outlet with other devices or use a voltmeter or voltage tester to check its status. If the problem persists, it’s time to consider other possibilities.

Charging Cable to Blame:

Got a working power outlet? Great! Next suspect: the charging cable or adapter. Tangled wires can lead to wear and tear, possibly damaging them and affecting the charge. Give your charging cable and adapter a thorough check for any damage.

AC adapter and charging cable of JBL charge 5

Fix: Rest assured, this is a fixable issue! Simply replace the charging cable and reconnect it to the power source to test. If that doesn’t work, try swapping out the adapter with a similar one. This should likely solve the problem, but if not, there’s another step to try

Depleted or Damaged Battery:

If the first two solutions didn’t do the trick, let’s consider another angle. Have you been using your Charge 4 for extended periods, or while it’s charging? This could be the root of the problem. Continuous use, especially during charging, may deplete the battery, leading to charging issues.

Depleted or Damaged Battery

Fix: While not as straightforward as changing power outlets or cables, replacing the battery isn’t too complex. Swap out the old battery for a new one and then try charging your speaker. If this doesn’t fix the issue, it’s time to move on to the next troubleshooting step.

Dirt and Debris can obstruct charging:

Living in a construction or industrial area means your speaker might get exposed to dust and debris. This can clog the charging port, potentially disrupting the charging process.

Clean JBL Charge 4 Charging Port

Fix: This issue is an easy fix – no need for NASA experts. Just use a cotton swab or a small, soft-bristled brush to gently clean the charging port.

Sneaky Software Bug:

Software bugs and viruses can be really sneaky damaging everything that comes in its way. So, if your speaker isn’t charging it might be because of some problem in the settings or a software bug

Fix: Factory Reset charge 4

If you suspect that a software bug is halting the charging process, you can resolve this issue by performing a factory reset. Here’s how you can do it. 

  1. Turn on your Charge 4 if it’s not on already.
  2. Locate the Bluetooth and Volume Up (+) buttons. Press and hold these buttons simultaneously for a few seconds. 
  3. Wait for the speaker to turn off automatically and release the buttons. 
  4. Press the power button to turn on the speaker.

Start charging the speaker and see if it works. If it’s still in the same time loop as Dr. Strange and Dormammu, you should proceed to the next step. 

Outdated Firmware:

Have you thought about updating your Charge 4’s software ever since you brought it home? 
if not, the issue may be due to outdated firmware.

Fix: You can fix this problem by updating the firmware. 
Stop, you don’t have to seek help for this. The steps are so easy that you can do it even with your eyes closed. Here’s how you can update the firmware. 

  1. Download and install the JBL Connect app on your phone from Google Play Store or App Store. 
  2. Turn on your JBL Charge 4 and put it in pairing mode. 
  3. Turn on Bluetooth settings on your phone and connect the speaker to your phone. 
  4. Launch the JBL Connect App, and grant permission to access your device’s Bluetooth and location services. 
  5. In the app, click on Add Devices. Let the app search for your Charge 4.
  6. Tap on the device name to connect it with the app. 
  7. Finally, click on the Charge 4 icon and see if there’s any update available under it. 
  8. Tap on the Update button, and wait for the completion of firmware Updates.
  9. Restart the speaker.

Put the speaker back on charge to see if the problem has been resolved. If it’s not, continue to the final step of fixing your Charge 4 not Charging issue. 

The Circuit Board gave up:

If nothing else seems to work, the problem might be a little serious. Your speaker’s circuit board might have given up or broken. 

Contact Customer Support:

In this case, you can’t do much until you’re a technician who knows how to fix broken circuits. Otherwise, try contacting JBL customer support. They will guide you through a call about the issue and how to resolve it, or they will send a professional to your home to fix the damages if your speaker’s warranty is still valid.

Get Ready to Party! 

Now that you have reached so far, you might have successfully resolved the issue with your JBL Charge 4. Just know that your speaker is not crazy to stop working all of a sudden. There must be a good reason behind the speaker’s behavior. 

So, instead of making impulsive decisions, be patient and follow the sequence to diagnose whether it’s a faulty power outlet, a depleted battery, or some other issue causing the problem.

Taking a systematic approach to troubleshooting can help you efficiently resolve issues with your JBL Charge 4. Now that your speaker is back in action, you might be curious about how it stacks up against the newer model. Check out our ‘JBL Charge 4 vs Charge 5‘ comparison to see if the latest features are worth exploring!”

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.

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