How to Fix a Bluetooth Speaker that Won’t Charge

If your Bluetooth speaker stops charging, there are two things involved; software issues or hardware issues. Software issues involve software bugs while hardware issues include an under-voltage lithium-ion battery, a bad micro USB cable, and a broken solder joint on the USB charging socket. Luckily, hardware issues can be repaired easily using simple electrical tools. So, before you toss out your old Bluetooth speaker, let’s try to fix it.

In this article we provide guidelines on how to repair the above faults. Read till the end, to identify the problem with your speaker and know how to fix it yourself.

How to Fix a Bluetooth Speaker that Won’t Charge

To fix a Bluetooth speaker that won’t charge, you will have to install software updates, replace the battery, buy a new cable, repair a cracked solder joint, replace the charging port, and replace the charging circuit.

Keep reading and I will walk you through each of these steps to help diagnose and fix your bluetooth speaker that won’t charge. Let’s get started…

Software Issues

Install Software Updates

Your Bluetooth speaker may have trouble charging because of software bugs, which compromise its charging abilities. To offset this hindrance, install software updates to ensure your device is running on the latest software.

Reset your speaker and see if charging resumes. For JBL Go and JBL Flip speakers, resetting the speaker is done by holding down the volume and Bluetooth buttons for up to five seconds. And to reset the JBL charge, hold the volume up and play pause buttons until the power button glows.

If this doesn’t help, then a hardware issue is likely to be the cause for the charging disruption.

Hardware Issues

Replace the Battery

Over time, batteries in electronic devices become less useful and their working-time is lowered. The same case happens to the lithium-ion batteries found in Bluetooth speakers that have run longer. This then restricts the charging of your speaker, leaving you with the choice of either replacing the speaker entirely or just the batteries. If the batteries are worn out, then replacing is a far better and inexpensive option.

To replace the batteries, turn over the Bluetooth speaker with the bottom facing upwards and tear off the anti-slip mat. Once that is done, remove the maintained screw and unscrew it. Using a soldering iron, heat the maintained screw to release the battery fixed to the audio motherboard.

Afterwards, solder new cables and matching plugs together and weld them to the audio motherboard. Fix the wire to the motherboard using a double-sided tape. This way, both ends of the Bluetooth battery are covered with tape.

You can now place the motherboard on the new battery. Put back the bottom cover of the speaker, screw in the screws, stick double-sided adhesives at the bottom, and stick the anti-slip mat as it was before.

Buy a New Micro USB Cable

If your charging cable is faulty, it will not charge your speaker. So before you start fumbling with opening your device, confirm if it is a cable issue. To find out if you are dealing with a cable issue, use the charging cable to charge your smart phone. If it charges, your Bluetooth device is the problem, but if it doesn’t, it is time for a replacement.

Another way to find out if your micro USB cable is the problem is to check the connector plating, which may be worn out. If you spot any chipping, then that tells you the cable is no longer useable.

Repair a Cracked Solder Joint

Again, the first step here is to open up your Bluetooth speaker to check if it will be an easy fix. If the USB charging socket is loose, it means the solder joint is either broken or cracked. Thus, it needs re-soldering.

Once you get past the hidden screws, anti-slip stickers, plugs, or sound grill, you are in. Use a magnifying glass to locate the bad solder joint. If your Bluetooth speaker is waterproof, be careful not to damage the seals.

After locating the cracked solder, bring in your soldering iron. A portable one may come in handy if you are far from a power outlet. Quickly touch the old cracked solder with the soldering iron to melt it again. For better results, make sure the soldering iron’s tip is clean and use fresh solder.

When the re-soldering of positive and negative terminals is completed, test the charge circuit before closing up. These steps can be replicated to speakers such as JBL, Bose, and Sony speakers.

Replace the Charging Port

A faulty charging port is another reason that a Bluetooth speaker may fail to charge. Charging ports are easily compromised by debris and force when removing the USB port. Debris usually gets in the way, preventing the cable from fitting into the USB port as it should. A thin needle can work effectively in fishing out the debris.

As for bent connector pins caused by force USB port removal, there is no other way around it other than replacing the port with a new one. For water damage, a hair dryer may help remove moisture.

Replacing the charging port is quite difficult, but doable if the right tools and right steps are followed.

Replace the Charging Circuit

The charging circuit plays the role of passing power to the battery. If the charging circuit is faulty, then the battery will not receive any power to keep it charging. Without the charging circuit, there is no way the battery will work.

Other issues affecting charging in Bluetooth speakers and how to fix them;

How to Fix a Bluetooth Speaker that Won’t Stay Charged

At times, the speaker may not hold charge as it used to. The issue here is the battery has surpassed its number of charge cycles. If your speaker has stayed with you for five years or more, its charging cycles are likely depleted.

Most Lithium-ion batteries are designed to hold about 300 to 500 charging cycles. The JBL Go, for instance, has a battery round of about 12 hours, which goes for multiple days. Depending on how often you charge, this speaker is meant to provide optimal battery performance for several years.

Therefore, if your battery is not lasting long, it is time to replace the batteries. Replacement batteries are reasonably priced and can add more years to your Bluetooth speaker.

How to Fix a Bluetooth Speaker that Won’t Fully Charge

For speakers that refuse to charge fully, the charging part could be the problem. It is common for metal connectors to bend over time, especially if force was applied to the USB cable.

Loose connection between the cable and USB port charging contacts could also cause the speakers to restrict full charging. In this case, the connector easily detaches whilst inside the port, it loses contact to the charging port and disrupts charging.

Micro-USB cables are particularly affected by this problem, which is why most speakers have shifted to the USB C, which is more durable, versatile, and can transfer data. If your speaker uses the USB C, check out for debris, which may be clogged into the USB port. Using a thin object such as a sewing needle, remove the debris.

Alternative Ways to Charge

If for some reason you can’t manage to fix the faulty parts of your speaker, there are alternative ways to charge it, including:

Wireless Charging

This option is only viable for Bluetooth speakers that support wireless charging. Bluetooth speakers such as the Anker Soundcore Wakey support wireless charging. With wireless charging, you will not require to get into lengthy procedures of fixing the charging port or replacing the charging cable.

Using a Power Bank

If your Bluetooth speaker does not hold charge as much as you need, you can go for power banks to keep your device charges when you need it. This is also a good option for Bluetooth speakers that can’t be connected via a USB AC adaptor that is connected to the rechargeable battery or an AC outlet.

Using your Smartphone

Smartphones that have the capacity to charge other devices can charge Bluetooth speakers that have issues with their chargers. Such phones can serve as power banks when on the road and keep you entertained the whole time.

Using a Mobile Charger

In the event that your Bluetooth speaker requires a new charger, you can use your mobile charger to charge it. Not only is it cost-effective, but it also works well.

When to Replace your Bluetooth Speakers

Every user wants their Bluetooth speaker to sound good, have a good battery life, and provide reliable wireless connection. While these aspects are achievable when the speaker is still at its prime years, over time, Bluetooth Speakers stop working optimally. Therefore, it is best to replace your speaker when:

Its Lifespan is Depleted

Bluetooth speakers have an estimated lifespan, but depending on how well you maintain it, it may last longer or stop working early on. A JBL speaker, for instance, can work optimally for five plus years. Once your Bluetooth surpasses its lifespan and starts causing problems then it is time for a replacement.

Shorter Battery Life

If your Bluetooth speaker used to retain its charge for several hours and is no longer able to do so, it may be time to toss it out. For instance, your speaker used to remain charged for up to 10 hours and now it is down to two hours only, maybe it is time for a new speaker. While you can brave it using a portable power bank, ultimately, you will need to replace it.

Loose Cables

If your Bluetooth speaker forces you to open it up every now and then to fix some loose cables, then you should buy a new one. This is because your overall experience is ruined with the constant failures. Instead of wasting time fixing the cables, invest in a new, affordable, and durable Bluetooth speaker.

Conclusion

Bluetooth speakers may stop charging because of either software issues or hardware issues. Following our simple tips, you can easily fix these issues yourself. You may also opt for alternative charging options if your battery is in good shape, and you do not have the time to start fixing. However, if your Bluetooth speaker is running beyond its lifespan and is causing problems, it is better to replace your speaker with a new one.