Why Is My JBL Speaker Blinking Red? (Explained!)
Since its establishment over seven decades ago, JBL has been a leader in the manufacture of audio equipment, including loudspeakers and headphones. JBL has a wide range of speakers to fit any budget and sound needs. Whether you are looking for a small portable sound system like JBL Go 2 that you can take with you anywhere, or a huge soundbox like JBL Boombox for your events, JBL has got you covered.
When shopping for a reliable, but portable speaker, JBL is one of the brands you should consider. I have had a good experience using JBL speakers. Some examples of speakers from JBL that I have personal experience which include JBL Go 2, JBL Flip 5, JBL Charge 4, and the premium quality JBL Boombox 2.
However, one common feature that the JBL speakers have is the LED indicator. This is the little status light used to indicate the various status and actions that the speaker is taking. Have you ever wondered why your JBL speaker is blinking red? In this article, we will learn more about that and more concerning the LED indicator light.
Why is My JBL Speaker Blinking Red?
A JBL speaker blinking red indicates a low battery level. This may vary from one model to the other, but it is usually an indication that your speaker needs to be charged. The intensity and frequency of the flashing LED will be different for every JBL model.
Here are more examples:
JBL Charge 3 Blinking Red – According to the manual, when your JBL Charge 3 blinks red, it means the battery is low and needs to be charged. When the light turns to solid blue, it means your speaker’s battery is fully charged and should be unplugged from power. It takes about three and a half hours to charge a JBL Charge 3 Bluetooth speaker fully.
JBL Go 2 – This is one of JBL’s compact and portable Bluetooth speakers. It only has one LED on its front that will indicate the status of the speaker. JBL Go 2 LED will blink red when it is running low on charge. When connected to the power unit, it will remain solid red and then turn off when it is fully charged.
JBL Flip 3 – comprises five LED lights or dots that show the battery level. If the speaker is charging, one of the LED dots will blink to indicate the battery level and charging status. When the battery is fully charged, all the LED lights will remain illuminated without flashing. When fully charged and the speaker is turned off, all the LEDs will go off.
JBL Flip 3 speaker will blink red on the first LED dot to indicate that it needs to be charged. In my experience, the charge lasts for ten to eleven hours. This is only with a full charge and playing music at half volume. You cannot replace the batteries for Flip 3, but if you have any problems, you can contact JBL authorized dealers.
This model comes with a USB cable for charging from your power bank or your computer. Since it uses a Micro-USB cable similar to ordinary smartphones, you can also charge it in the car using your standard USB adapter. All you have to watch out for is to ensure you always observe that only the recommended charging voltage is maintained.
Why the Charging Indicator is Important
It is very inconvenient to charge your speaker every hour. Consider what would happen if your speaker ran out of power after two or three songs. Therefore, battery life is an important consideration when shopping for a portable speaker. It is because of this that all JBL speakers come with an LED indicator and sometimes a voice command to notify you when it is running low on charge.
You would expect your speaker to last for around 24 hours, but this depends on the type of batteries used and the care you observe regarding charging your battery. Smaller speakers have small batteries and will be recharged every so often, for example, after about an hour or two.
Although larger batteries may have more extended playtime and can last for an entire day, the duration of service defines a speaker’s battery life, also known as the average battery life. A speaker, for example, can use up the battery quickly, regardless of battery size, due to the speaker’s loudness, as it will need more current in the process, leading to low battery life. Make sure you use the speakers to the point where they become fully discharged, as this will shorten the battery’s life in the long run.
To avoid completely discharging the battery, they are designed to indicate this using the blinking red LED. This will alert you about the right time to charge your battery without affecting its overall lifetime.
A USB port is also included on all JBL portable speakers for charging and networking. If you use your JBL Bluetooth speakers outside more often, you won’t be able to take an adaptor and cable with you all the time. As a result, the USB ports came in handy because they allow you to connect your speaker to a power bank, making it even more convenient. If a wall outlet is not accessible, attach it to any device to charge your JBL speaker. But always ensure that the power source has the recommended voltage.
Even More JBL Speaker Content
If you found this article helpful, be sure to check out a few of these other articles in our series on JBL speakers. There is a ton of content about JBL speakers here on The Gadget Buyer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the red light on the JBL Go speaker stay on while charging?
Yes, and when fully charged, the light will turn off automatically. For low battery indication, the red LED will keep flashing until you plug in a charger.
How do I fix my JBL Go when charging and the red LED light is on, but doesn’t charge?
If this happens, you should check your charging device. It may be faulty. To confirm this, try charging using a different charging unit.
Secondly, the lithium-ion battery can be charged hundreds of times, but the amount of charge it can hold gradually gets depleted with time. If this happens, it may indicate that it is time to replace your battery. Ensure you get your battery or micro-USB cable replacement from a JBL authorized dealer.
Can I use a JBL speaker while charging?
Yes. Most of the latest speaker designs allow you to continue enjoying your music while charging. However, this is not recommended since your battery will charge slower. Also, if you are not using a fast-charging unit, it may not reach full capacity since it is discharging simultaneously.
For longer battery life, it is recommended that you allow your battery to charge fully before using it.
How should I charge my JBL speaker correctly to have a longer battery life?
First, you should only use JBL-branded charging units. Right from the cables to the power adapter. Only charge your speaker using recommended OEM accessories. Secondly, do not charge your speaker while using it. Allow it to charge and use it off the power source.
Ensure your cables and accessories are correctly fitted to the source of power and that there is no debris or dust on the charging port or the micro-USB port. Lastly, ensure your charging voltage is never too high or lower than the manufacturer-recommended voltage.
Is it possible to overcharge my JBL speaker?
Not really. When your device is fully charged, it will cut off the charging circuit. However, it is recommended that you remove your speaker from the charging unit once it is complete. Especially when using a power bank. When the voltage drops on the power bank, there is a risk of the charge being drained from the battery to the power bank (in the opposite direction).
How long does a JBL Charge 4 take to charge, and how long can the battery last?
The JBL Charge 4 is designed with a built-in rechargeable Lithium-ion 7500mAH battery that can last up to 20 hours. The battery takes four hours to charge.
Conclusion
This will vary from one JBL model to the other. But in most models (except Flip), there is a row of five LED lights on the center bottom of the front. When all the lights are on, it means that your battery is fully charged. When the battery is running low, only one light will be on, and it blinks red.
These LEDs are not always on. But when you press a button when the speaker is on, they will light up. Also, when you turn on the speaker, they will all light up. The LEDs can also be used to indicate the percentage of charge remaining. When only five lights are on, that means that your battery is about 60 percent full.
Therefore, for many models, the LED lights will show red until the battery is fully charged. But for models like JBL Go 2, when the battery is fully charged, the LED will go off instead.