Why Does My Bluetooth Speaker Make A Busy Signal?
If you have a modern Bluetooth speaker, then you have the latest version of Bluetooth. The audio quality issues that most of these speakers had are no longer an issue with the latest Bluetooth versions. Today, you only need to make the connection and you are good.
One of the issues that you may face is a speaker that makes a busy signal when in use. What could cause this?
Why Does My Bluetooth Speaker Make A Busy Signal?
Your speaker’s battery is probably low, and you should connect the speaker to a power source. If that is not the case, then there may be signal interference from other devices that are requesting to connect. If your speaker makes the same sound even after charging, then you may need a new battery.
Bluetooth speakers produce different types of beeping sounds for different conditions. The most common beep is that of low battery or when the unit wants to connect to a Bluetooth device. If you have used your speaker long enough, you will know the kind of beep it produces when it is low on battery.
Below are some of the reasons why your speaker may be making a busy signal:
Battery Going Low
Bluetooth requires more power to operate. When either your audio device or the speaker has low power, the Bluetooth connections will either not go through or the speaker will produce a busy signal sound.
You can ensure this is not the cause of the busy signal by connecting your speaker to a power source and checking the battery level of your audio device. If your Bluetooth speaker is old, and it gives the same busy signal even when you charge it, you need to replace the battery.
If the busy signal continues even after connecting your speaker to a power source, you need to unpair the devices, forget the connection, and then re-pair the devices. This, in most cases, will solve the continued problem.
Interference from Other Bluetooth Devices
The busy signal may also be from interference from other Bluetooth or WiFi devices. If your neighbor switches on Bluetooth from your device, your speaker may detect the open Bluetooth and produce a beeping sound.
WiFi uses the same radio frequency as Bluetooth and there might be interference when the two are on at the same time. It can be frustrating if the interference is coming from your neighbor. If there are devices in your home that may be causing the interference, switch them off or switch them to 5.0GHz band.
The speaker may also receive interference from your microwave, your phone, and your TV. To limit the interference, ensure that the speaker is a distance away from these devices.
Distance Between the Speaker and Audio Device
Some speakers will produce a busy signal when the speaker and the audio device are longer apart than the Bluetooth connection can handle. Speakers have a long range, 20 or more meters, and this problem is not common. However, if your speaker gives this kind of a sound, and you are sure there are no other issues, then you should check the distance between the two devices.
Bring the speaker and the audio device closer together and see whether the problem persists. You can also ensure there are no barriers between the two devices such as walls. Although Bluetooth can connect devices in two separate rooms, these barriers will weaken the signal, and you need to ensure that there are as fewer barriers as possible.
Software Problems
If you try all the above steps to fix your speaker, but still nothing works, you should check that your audio device and your speaker app are up to date. You can try connecting to a different device and see if the problem persists. If the second device still makes the busy signal, then the speaker app may be the problem.
If the busy signal ends when you connect to a different device, then your audio device may be the problem, and you should check its software. In most cases, your speaker’s app doesn’t affect the audio quality and may not cause a busy signal. However, if there is an update, you need to get it as soon as it comes.
Your other audio device needs to be updated so that it gives the best audio quality without any static sounds. Updated software also gives the best audio quality.
Faulty Bluetooth Speaker Receivers
If your Bluetooth speaker has internal problems, they might make a busy signal. The sound might be an indication that the speaker is not receiving the signal as it is supposed to, and you should check the receivers.
The receiver in your Bluetooth speaker is prone to damages after many years of use. You will rarely have a damaged speaker, but if it happens, it can cause the speaker to make a busy signal. If you suspect your speaker is faulty, you should try connecting your device to a different speaker and see if it continues making the busy signal.
If the second speaker you connect to doesn’t work or makes the same sound, then you know the connection or the audio device is the problem and not your speaker. If the second speaker works just fine, then you may have a damaged Bluetooth speaker.
Check the Music App
The application you are playing music from may have an issue. If you are playing from your computer, ensure that the audio drivers are updates. If you are playing from your phone, ensure that you update the music app.
In some instances, you may need to uninstall the music app and download a new app. However, you should only try this step as the last resort once all the above troubleshooting steps fail. Uninstalling an app can lead to loss of your playlist.
If your app has an account that you can log into and access your playlist back, you should not have a problem uninstalling it. Music apps are developed with lines of code like other software. In case of interruptions in these lines of code, the app may not perform as it should, and this causes problems.
When you uninstall the app, all the affected lines of code go with the old app, and you will have a better running app. You can always get a new app from the App Store or Play Store.
Call the Speaker Manufacturer
If all the above troubleshooting steps do not work, you should call the manufacturer of the speaker and see if they can help solve the issue. May be the busy signal in your speaker is common with the brand and you only need to call and get help.
Most of the speakers we recommend such as the OontZ Angle 3 (3rd Gen), Braven BRV-Mini, JBL GO2, Anker Soundcore 2, and JBL Flip 5 among others do not have unique issues that you have to deal with. However, some brands may have unique issues such as a busy signal.
Most speakers come with a number that you can call when you need help, or you can check their customer support online and see if they can help. Calling the manufacturer can save you a lot of troubleshooting time and also save your speaker. If there are several other customers with the same issue as yours, you can get help with ease and get your speaker working again.
Unpair and Re-Pair
This simple procedure can solve so many problems. All you need to do is unpair the two devices, forget the Bluetooth device from your smartphone or computer, and switch the two devices off. After that, switch on the two devices and pair them and test whether the problem is solved.
Most software problems can be solved by a simple refresh, and you are good to go. This step should be at the top there as it is simple and doesn’t involve major changes to your software and your devices. If this doesn’t work, now you can try other more complex troubleshooting steps.
Closing Thoughts
As a rule of thumb, always go for the best Bluetooth speaker you can afford. Most of the problems you face with your speaker can be solved by upgrading to a good quality speaker. A speaker such as JBL Boombox 2 has the latest Bluetooth version, a better battery, and better connectivity features.
With such a speaker, you do not have to worry about range, unless you take your audio device really far. You also do not have to worry about the life of your battery, and you are also safe from minor connection issues.
You also need to ensure that the connection between your devices is strong enough to withstand interference from other devices. Start by getting a device with Bluetooth 4.1 or later, place the devices closer together, and ensure other open Bluetooth or WiFi devices are close.
If you try everything and your speaker still gives the busy signal, call the manufacturer. Maybe the problem is common with the brand and all you need is to get a new speaker from your warranty.