There are a few reasons why a JBL speaker keeps turning off, such as outdated firmware, overheating, auto-off function, and a broken charger port. Luckily, there are easy fixes for each of these issues.
My name is Donovan, and I’m a musician, producer, engineer, and all-around audiophile. I’ve used many different speakers in home studios and home theaters over the years and have first-hand experience troubleshooting issues with JBL models.
This post will highlight several different reasons why your JBL speaker keeps turning off. I’ll also provide you with an easy fix for each of these, so you can quickly figure out the problem and get your speaker up and running again quickly.
Let’s dive in.
Key Takeaways
- Overheating is one of the most common reasons for a JBL speaker to turn off unexpectedly. You can fix this by putting the speaker in a cooler location and waiting a while.
- Some JBL speakers require firmware updates, and outdated firmware is another cause for the speaker to turn off without reason.
- A broken charging port is a more severe reason for the speaker to keep turning off, which might not be easy to fix aside from purchasing a new speaker.
- Many JBL speakers also have an auto-off feature that helps save battery life. The speaker might shut off after a few minutes of inactivity but will stay on if audio is played.
6 Reasons Why JBL Speaker Keeps Turning Off
It can be frustrating when your JBL speaker isn’t working correctly. When it randomly turns off without explanation, you’ll want to find a solution quickly so you can keep listening to music, podcasts, or anything else you want to.
I’ll walk you through the most common causes for a JBL speaker to turn off here and then provide a fix for each of these issues. Go through the entire troubleshooting list to see if you can resolve the problem quickly and easily.
Typically, this problem has a simple solution, although it might take some trial and error to figure out exactly what’s happening. Other times, the speaker might be broken, and there isn’t any fix at all aside from purchasing a new speaker.
Reason #1: Auto-Off Feature
One of the most common reasons why your JBL speaker is turning off is because it’s designed to do so. Most JBL speakers have an automatic turn-off feature that will shut down the speaker after a certain amount of inactivity.
If your speaker turns off while music or other audio is not being played, this is the most likely cause. But if your speaker is turning off while audio is being played, you can go ahead and skip to the other reasons below.
This might seem like a frustrating issue, but it’s a battery-saving feature that will ultimately allow you to use your speaker for longer. It’s a nice feature to have because if you forget to turn the speaker off, it will automatically shut down after a while.
How to Fix It:
Since this issue isn’t really a problem, there isn’t an exact fix. But if you keep audio playing from the speaker, it will prevent the auto-off feature from activating while the speaker is in use. You just need to press play, and everything should stay on.
Reason #2: Overheating
An overheating speaker is another common reason why your JBL might turn off. Many electronic devices can overheat pretty easily and are designed to shut down when this happens to make sure nothing gets permanently damaged.
If you are using your speaker outdoors in the sun when it shuts off, overheating is likely the cause. But it can also happen indoors if the speaker is in a hot room or covered with items, like clothes or a blanket, that prevent it from cooling down.
Overheating issues can seemingly come out of nowhere. The speaker might be working just fine, and then suddenly, it will shut off.
How to Fix It:
You need to cool your speaker down for it to work again. This might take a while if the speaker gets really hot. Move your speaker out of the sun if it’s outdoors, or put a fan near it and turn it on. Remove any items on top of or around the speaker to allow it to cool.
Rather than letting your speaker overheat in the first place, keep this in mind during normal use. Try to keep the speaker in the shade or at least out of direct sunlight. There is no exact time to cool down, but it should happen in 30 minutes or less.
Reason #3: Outdated Firmware
Like other electronics, a JBL speaker uses firmware that needs to be updated occasionally. Using outdated firmware can cause issues with normal operations and possibly result in the speaker shutting down or turning off randomly.
Since speakers are not as interactive of an electronic device as items such as phones and computers, not everyone realizes that they require updates to keep working properly. But if you have a JBL wireless speaker, it uses firmware.
If you are using an older JBL speaker that isn’t wireless, this isn’t your problem. Older bookshelf-style speakers that don’t have Bluetooth and work using standard speaker wires do not have firmware.
How to Fix It:
Updating the firmware on your JBL is a quick fix for this problem. You’ll need to connect your speaker to a computer using a USB or other type of cable and then visit the JBL website. Then you can quickly download the update, and your speaker will be all set.
You can also do this wirelessly on some JBL speakers using your phone. Just refer to the owner’s manual or the JBL app for help on how to make it happen. You can also quickly search your speaker model and firmware update, which should link you directly.
Reason #4: Dirty or Damaged Charging Port
A dirty or damaged charging port will cause problems with your JBL speaker as well. This problem isn’t always easy to diagnose because it isn’t always easy to see, and it can go unnoticed.
A dirty charging port will prevent your charging cable from working properly because it won’t make direct contact with the charging points inside the port. Everyday use can cause this problem, and it will build up over time.
A damaged port will cause the same issue, but it isn’t caused by dust or debris. If the port gets damaged, it might look bent, or your charging cable won’t fit into it properly. It can also look normal and not be broken at all.
How to Fix It:
Cleaning a dirty port is pretty easy, and you can use a toothpick or cotton swab (if it fits) to clean out the port. Gently move the toothpick around to loosen up any gunk or grime, and then scrape it out using a sliding motion.
You can also blow into the port to remove the dirt and debris after it’s been loosened up. Compressed air will give you more air power than just using your breath, but either should do the trick.
A broken charging port does not have an easy fix. If it’s severely damaged, you’ll likely need to get a new speaker for it to work correctly again. But if your speaker is under warranty, you might be able to get a replacement option for free.
Another thing to consider with charging port problems is that your charging cable or block is broken, not the speaker itself. This has a much easier fix of simply replacing the charging cable, so try that before you purchase a new speaker.
Reason #5: Random Glitch
A random glitch with your speaker or phone can also cause problems. There isn’t always an exact explanation for these, and they can come out of nowhere. If you can’t determine any other possible cause, you might be dealing with a glitch.
How to Fix It:
Resetting your JBL speaker and/or your phone will likely iron out any glitches that are causing problems.
To reset your speaker, hold down the Play and Volume Up buttons simultaneously for about 5 seconds until the speaker powers down. Then turn the speaker back on as normal and check to see if it’s working properly.
Also, try resetting your phone if that doesn’t work. The exact process for doing this will vary depending on what type of phone you have, but sometimes it’s as easy as turning it off and back on again.
Reason #6: Low or No Charge
This reason might seem very obvious, but sometimes the simplest things cause the most frustration. If your JBL speaker has a very low charge or no charge at all, it will turn off on its own.
Most JBL speakers have a low battery warning of some sort. You might hear the speaker beep or a voice state that the speaker is running low and needs to be plugged in. If you don’t plug it in quickly, it will shut down.
You might be able to turn the speaker on again, and it will work for a few seconds or minutes and then shut off again. But the problem is still there and won’t resolve until you charge things up.
How to Fix It:
Luckily, this simple problem also has a simple fix. Plug your speaker in and let it charge to resolve things. If it’s completely dead, you might need to keep the speaker plugged in for a while, but it will operate as usual afterward.
FAQs
Here are a few quick answers to some of the most commonly asked questions related to why a JBL speaker keeps turning off and how you can fix it.
How do I fix my JBL turning off?
If your JBL speaker has an auto-off feature, it will likely turn off after a few minutes of inactivity. You can fix this by playing music or other audio through the speaker. Some JBL speakers will also turn off if the firmware is not current, and an update will fix the issue.
How can I reset my JBL speaker?
You can reset most JBL speakers by pressing and holding the play and volume-up buttons at the same time. Not every model can be reset this way, so refer to the owner’s manual for exact instructions on how to reset your specific speaker.
Why is my JBL randomly shutting off?
There are several reasons why it might seem like your JBL speaker is randomly shutting off. The most likely cause is because of inactivity, as most of these speakers have an auto-off feature designed to help you save battery life.
Why does my JBL keep cutting out?
The most likely cause of your JBL speaker to keep cutting out is that your source device is outside the range of the speaker. If you move your phone or other audio source closer to the speaker, you should be able to resolve this issue quickly.
Why does my JBL speaker keep turning off with a full battery?
If you know your JBL speaker has a full charge, but it keeps turning off, it’s likely because you need to update the firmware. It also might be caused by a corrupted charging port, which is likely if you notice physical damage on the port itself.
Final Thoughts
There is usually an easy fix when your JBL speaker keeps turning off. It can be as simple as resetting your speaker or charging it up. And remember that you also might need to update the firmware from time to time.
If your speaker seems broken and none of the troubleshooting tips in the post have helped, you should contact JBL customer service for additional assistance. They can direct you toward a solution or help you get a replacement speaker.
Have you ever had issues with your JBL speaker shutting off? What model was it, and how did you resolve the problem? Let me know in the comments below.
Julie
My jbl charge won’t stay powered on it turns on when I push the power button but turns off 2 seconds later. However my speaker is fully charged. What an I do?
Donovan
You should try restarting your speaker to see if that fixes anything. If not, you might be dealing with a faulty or broken battery. There’s not much you can do about a bad battery, so you might need to replace the speaker. But start with the reset and see if that fixes your issues.
Jerome Akpabla
My jbl xtreme 2 shows battery is full but goes off the moment I start to play music whiles the the charger is still connected to it, Please what can cause that? secondly what can cause it to stop playing even if its connected to a power source.
Donovan
Is the speaker battery dying or is the music just stopping? If the power light is still on but the music or other audio stops, the speaker is likely bouncing to another Bluetooth device. Turn off all other computers, phones, etc, and see if that fixes the issue. Also, try restarting the speaker to see if that fixes a glitch.
Ramiro elias Aviles
i just replaced my battery do to the problem that it wasn’t holding charge now i have it replaced and when i power it on it turns off right away.
Donovan
Did you do the battery replacement yourself and get the speaker service somewhere? If you did it yourself and it’s not working, my guess is you may have not done the install correctly, and some wires are not set up properly. I suggest taking the replacement battery out and starting again. But if that doesn’t work, it might be an issue with something other than the battery, and your speaker might need to be replaced. I know that’s not great news, but most JBL portable speakers don’t have replaceable batteries.