Chosen Solution

I bought my SL iii last month, and yesterday when I use it, it can not be charged and power on. When I connect the power cable, the power indicator blinking red always, and device can not be turn on. What’s the problem? Who can help me to solve it?

This is a bug with the firmware where the battery seems to get locked in low power mode if it runs down too far. I had this problem and tried every suggestion found online with no success. After much back and forth with BOSE support, the following finally worked:

  1. Plug your speaker into a computer using the USB cable.
  2. Go to btu.bose.com in a browser window. Download the software if you don’t have it and launch it.
  3. The webpage should change to show it has launched. If it says there are updates available then choose to install them. This should fix it.
  4. If it says the software is already up to date, then press the following keys in order: A,D,V,Up arrow, Down arrow. That should now give you the option to downgrade the software. Choose a downgrade and then Apply Changes. That is what brought mine back to life. You can upgrade the software again after that.

Try this first, if it fails, return it, it is covered under warranty.

  1. Make sure your speaker is plugged into a working AC socket.
  2. Check the connections between your speaker and the power adaptor.
  3. Make sure you are using the power adaptor supplied with your speaker upon purchase.
  4. If you are using a surge protector, check to see if it is working properly.
  5. If you still cant get your speaker to turn on you may have a faulty power adaptor.
  6. If your speaker is not charged or used within a 14 day period it with enter protection mode. Connect the speaker to the AC power adaptor to fix this issue.
  7. Make sure the battery has sufficient charge to power on the speaker.

Blinking Red indicates charge is needed. If the battery is drained it will continue to blink red while charging until there is enough charge. I would let it charge completely before trying to use it this time until the battery light turns green indicating battery is fully charged. If needed, you can do a SoundLink speaker reset, following these steps:

  • On the speaker, press and hold MUTE for 10 seconds; the LED will flash briefly -Press Power to turn the SoundLink back on If either of these answers do not help, you may need to exchange it. Good Luck and please let us know… John

I had this problem to red light blinking ,I downgraded and its working ! But before you start you have to download current update on your pc If the updater says that your device is up-to-date and you still have a problem, you can try to set it back to a former software version and do the upgrade again. When it says there is no update available, you need to type the following keys: [a], [d], [v], [up arrow], [down arrow]. After that, you should be able to select a former software version and start the upgrade.

I’m having same issue with my Bose Soundlink Mini-2, did reset by pressing Power button (>10 sec) or pressing Multifunction button (>10sec…), doesn’t work, then luckily find this website, tried to do downgrading the firmware at but.bose.com… The web page showing   

Trying to key in [A], [D], [V], [up arrow], [down arrow], but seems nothing happened, did I missed anything here? Please advise … thank you!

Had same problem - flashing red light. Tried reset (twice) no good. Removed battery (following ifixit guide) in preparation for replacing battery, but on a whim, reinstalled battery a little while later. Plugged in charger, and noted battery light now glowing (charging). All seems to be working again.

I took the suggestions and the last thing i tried was holding mute button. It turned on so i connected Bluetooth. It worked for a few seconds. Then completely turned off. I so give up. Does anyone know the address to return for repair/troubleshooting?? Tnks.

This update method didn’t work for my SL 3.-.-

my bose system is the soundlink wireless mobile speaker. It was unused for a few years, but later plugged in to only find out the battery maybe dead as the system didnt turn on and kept flashing red light. have tried it all but it doesnt work. The mute button brings it back to yellow Soild but soon starts flashing with red light. There are no firmware upgrades for my model. Now i have sourced a new battery but it still does the same. Left on overnight charge but in vain. Any solutions? Help needed

Bose Bluetooth sound link speaker series I/ii/iii -plunge into charger 30/60 minutes-leave plugged in-hold down all the buttons xcept speaker for thirty seconds until all lights flash 30 seconds release/unplug/repeat/=red or amber should come on -24 hour charge