What to do when your Android speaker is not working?
Check Basic Troubleshooting Steps
The first thing to try when your Android speaker is not working is to go through some basic troubleshooting steps:
- Check the volume settings on both your phone and the speaker. Make sure the volume is turned up on both devices and that neither is muted.
- Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your Android phone. Go into your phone’s settings to confirm Bluetooth is turned on.
- Try restarting both your phone and the speaker. Turn them off completely, wait 30 seconds, then turn them back on.
- Check for any available software updates for your phone and speaker. Install the latest updates which may contain fixes for connectivity issues.
As per the OuterAudio troubleshooting guide, following these basic steps will resolve many simple Bluetooth speaker problems. Start with these before trying more advanced troubleshooting methods.
Try Re-Pairing the Devices
One of the first troubleshooting steps to try when your Android speaker is not connecting is to re-pair the devices. This involves forgetting the Bluetooth connection on both your phone and speaker and then pairing them again from scratch. Here are the steps:
- On your Android phone, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Bluetooth. Tap the settings icon next to your speaker and select Forget.
- On your speaker, find the pairing or Bluetooth menu. Select the option to forget or unpair the device. Refer to your speaker’s manual if unsure.
- With Bluetooth enabled on both devices, go to your phone’s Bluetooth menu again. Select Pair New Device. Your speaker should show up in the list of available devices.
- Tap on your speaker’s name to pair it again. Confirm pairing on your speaker if prompted.
Once paired, try playing audio from your phone to the speaker to see if the connection is working properly. Re-pairing resets previous Bluetooth connection issues and essentially gives your devices a fresh start (source). If the problem persists, move on to further troubleshooting steps.
Check for Connection Interference
Bluetooth connections like those between Android phones and wireless speakers can sometimes suffer from interference, causing connectivity issues. Here are some tips to avoid interference:
Make sure the speaker and phone are within 30 feet of each other. The effective range for Bluetooth is usually around 30 feet without obstructions, less with objects in between. If the devices are too far apart, the signal can get weak and cause intermittent connectivity.
Move away from potential sources of interference like microwaves, wireless routers, baby monitors, and other Bluetooth devices. These can all emit radio frequency signals in the same 2.4 GHz band used by Bluetooth, which can cause interference leading to choppy audio or lost connections. Try turning other wireless devices off as a test. According to this Microsoft forum post, even structural items like large aquariums can interfere with Bluetooth in some cases.
Make sure there are no obstructions between the speaker and phone. Walls, appliances, and even people can attenuate the Bluetooth signal. Move the devices closer together and in line of sight if possible.
Reset Network Settings
One step that may help resolve connectivity issues with your Android speaker is to reset your phone’s network settings. This clears any errors that may have accumulated and resets your Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth settings. Here’s how to reset network settings on Android:
Go to Settings > General > Reset on your phone. On Samsung devices, go to Settings > General Management > Reset. On Android 12 or later, go to Settings > System > Reset options.
Choose the ‘Reset network settings’ option. You may need to enter your lock screen PIN, pattern, or password to confirm the reset.
Once your phone reboots, you’ll have to reconnect to your Wi-Fi networks and re-pair any Bluetooth devices. Try connecting your Android speaker again to see if the issue is fixed. Resetting network settings often resolves intermittent connectivity problems without needing more complex troubleshooting.
For more details, see this guide on resetting network settings in Android.
Check for Hardware Issues
One potential cause of Bluetooth speaker issues is a hardware problem with the speaker itself or the connected device. Carefully inspect both the speaker and your phone for any physical damage that could interfere with connectivity. Look for cracks, dents, or exposed wires that could be causing a malfunction.
If possible, try using different connecting cables between the speaker and device. A bad or worn aux cable can lead to cutting out or no audio. Switch to a different cable to rule out the connection wire as the culprit.
Additionally, test the speaker’s functionality with different source devices like another smartphone, tablet, or computer. See if the problem persists when paired to other electronics. This helps determine if the issue is isolated to your phone or a fault in the speaker itself.
As suggested in this Bluetooth speaker troubleshooting guide, hardware problems are often indicated by distortion, very low volume, or the speaker turning off unexpectedly. If you experience these symptoms, inspect the speaker and connected device closely for any physical explanation.
Update Speaker Firmware
One issue that can cause connectivity issues with your Android speaker is outdated firmware. Most speaker manufacturers will periodically release firmware updates to fix bugs, improve performance, and add new features to the speaker.
To update your speaker’s firmware, first check the manufacturer’s website. For example, JBL has firmware updates available to download for many of its Bluetooth speaker models.
Once you have located the latest firmware file for your speaker model, follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to complete the update process. This usually involves downloading the firmware file to your computer, connecting the speaker via USB cable, and using a utility program to transfer the firmware update to the speaker.
Updating to the latest firmware can often resolve connectivity issues, as well as improve the overall performance of the speaker. Be sure to read all instructions carefully before attempting a firmware update on your Android speaker.
Factory Reset the Speaker
If your Android speaker is still not working properly after trying the troubleshooting steps above, performing a factory reset can often resolve software-related issues. Resetting your speaker clears out any corrupted data and restores it to its default settings.
To factory reset, consult your speaker’s user manual for specific instructions. For many Bluetooth speakers like the JBL Boombox, you need to press and hold the power and Bluetooth buttons for 10-15 seconds until the speaker resets. For other models like the JBL Xtreme, hold the power and volume down buttons simultaneously.
After a successful reset, you’ll need to re-pair your Android device to the speaker and reconfigure any customized settings. This should resolve any software glitches and allow normal operation again. If the speaker still doesn’t work properly, further troubleshooting or replacement may be required.
Contact Manufacturer Support
If you have gone through all the troubleshooting steps and your Android speaker is still not working, the next step is to contact the manufacturer’s customer support team for further assistance. When you reach out to customer support, make sure to provide details on all the troubleshooting steps you have already attempted, like re-pairing devices, resetting network settings, updating firmware, etc. This will help the support team better diagnose the issue.
Here are some ways to contact popular speaker brands for support in the USA:
- JBL – Call 1-800-336-4525 or email [email protected] (Source)
- Harman Kardon – Call 1-800-422-8027 (Source)
- US Speaker – Call 1-877-732-5374 or email [email protected] (Source)
The customer support team can help troubleshoot further, or may need to facilitate a replacement if the speaker is defective and under warranty. Providing the model number and purchase date will help them look up your warranty status. With their assistance, you will hopefully be able to resolve the issue and get your Android speaker working again.
Consider Replacing the Speaker
If your speaker is old or damaged, you may need to replace it with a new one. There are many top-rated Bluetooth speakers available from retailers like Amazon1, Best Buy2, and Walmart3 that you can consider as a replacement.
Look for a speaker that fits your needs and budget. Consider factors like sound quality, battery life, connectivity, size/portability, and smart features. Read customer reviews to help narrow down your options. Investing in a highly-rated Bluetooth speaker can provide an easy solution if your current model is causing issues.
Summary
If you’ve tried the troubleshooting steps above and your Android speaker is still not working properly, it may be time to consider replacing it. Here’s a quick recap of the key troubleshooting steps we covered:
- Check for basic issues like power, volume, and connectivity
- Try re-pairing the speaker and your phone or tablet
- Check for any interference between the devices
- Reset your device’s network settings
- Inspect the hardware and connections
- Update the speaker firmware
- Do a factory reset on the speaker
- Contact the manufacturer for further support
If you’ve tried all of these steps systematically and the speaker still doesn’t work, it likely has a hardware problem or defect. Before replacing it, you may want to try testing it with a different Android device, in case the issues lie with your phone or tablet. Also remember that range, interference, and outdated firmware can affect connectivity and functionality. But if the speaker fails on multiple devices after troubleshooting, it may be time for a replacement.