How to Fix Ultimate Ears Megaboom Not Charging

There are a handful of reasons why a UE Megaboom speaker might not be charging, including a very low battery, outdated firmware, a bug or glitch, or a broken charger. Most of the causes for this problem are easy to fix. 

I’m Donovan, an avid audiophile, musician, and producer. I’ve worked with many different types and brands of speakers over the years, like the UE Megaboom. I know through first-hand experience How to troubleshoot common issues with this speaker. 

This post will explain some of the most common reasons why a UE Megaboom is not charging. I’ll also provide you with a quick fix for all of these reasons to help get your speaker operating as it should quickly and easily. 

Let’s get rolling. 

Key Takeaways

• One common reason for the Megaboom not to charge is a broken charger or charging outlet. Attempt to charge it on another outlet to rule this out.
• Megaboom speakers can also get into a state where they don’t charge that is related to a manufacturer’s issue. You’ll need to plug in the speaker for a few seconds, then take the charger out and repeat this multiple times to resolve the issue. 
• Outdated firmware can also lead to charging issues with the Megaboom. Ensure you have updated firmware by checking for it with the latest app for your speaker. 
• Sometimes the speaker just needs to be reset because a glitch causes the charging issue. You can reset the UE Megaboom by pressing the Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously for about ten seconds. 

7 Reasons Why UE Megaboom Not Charging

The UE Megaboom is a pretty solid portable speaker – when it’s working correctly. But if you are dealing with charging issues, that convenience quickly goes out the window. A speaker that can’t charge isn’t much of a speaker. 

Luckily, it’s usually not that big of a deal when your Megaboom won’t charge. There is typically a quick fix for this issue, depending on what’s causing it. Most of the fixes can occur in a matter of minutes, allowing you to enjoy your speaker again quickly. 

I wrote this post to help troubleshoot some common charging issues that I’ve experienced with a Megaboom speaker. I like this speaker and want to ensure that you also get optimal performance from it. 

There is a method to the way I structure things below. Start with the first reason and fix on this list to see if that fixes your problem. If it doesn’t, move on to the next reason and fix. Continue to do that until you get to the end of the section. 

Chances are, I’ll be able to help you get your speaker working properly in no time. A few situations are a bit more complicated, and it is always possible that your speaker is broken. But that’s not a likely situation. 

Reason #1: Bad Charger

The most common reason by far for your UE Megaboom speaker not to charge is that you have a bad charger. Chargers can get damaged or go bad, and they won’t work properly or at all if and when they do. 

Both your charging cable and the charging block can go bad. So there are really two parts to this reason. Sometimes you can see visible signs of damage on your cable, like exposed internal wiring or a cracked or ripped outer layer. 

Your charging block might have gotten stepped on or dropped in water. You can maybe see visible signs of damage with this as well. But your charger may be bad without any signs of damage as well. 

How to Fix It: 

Replacing the charging cable and/or charging block is the quick way to deal with this fix. There’s a good chance you already have a replacement lying around the house. But go pick up a new one at a store or online and attempt to charge your speaker again. 

If you are going into an electronics store or anywhere else that sells replacements, I recommend bringing the bad cable or brick with you to get one that matches properly. UE cables are somewhat universal, but having it on you is always good.  

Reason #2: Bad Wall Outlet

A bad wall outlet is less common than a bad charger, but it results in the same thing – your speaker being unable to charge. A wall outlet can go bad if the power goes out, a breaker trips, or for several other reasons. 

If the power is out, it won’t be a surprise that you can’t charge anything. But if it’s still on and the wall outlet you are plugged into goes bad, there might not be any direct signs to indicate this is the issue. 

How to Fix It: 

Try to plug your speaker into a different wall outlet to see if it will start charging. And go to a different room, just in case it’s caused by the breaker. If the breaker goes, most or all of the outlets in the room will be out. 

If the power is out, there isn’t much you can do except wait until it comes back on. If you have a portable charger or generator, you can try plugging into that. If your speaker starts to charge in any other outlet or power source, you know you have a bad outlet. 

Reason #3: Glitch or Bug in Speaker

Glitches and bugs are another reason why your Megaboom might not be charging. These are common on many different types of electronic devices and can affect your speaker. A glitch might sound like a big deal, but it can be dealt with really easily. 

A glitch or bug won’t necessarily have an obvious explanation. Your speaker might be working just fine and then suddenly run into charging issues or other types of problems. You may not even realize it’s a glitch other than something not working as it should. 

How to Fix It: 

A quick reset of your speaker should fix any bug or glitch your speaker is dealing with. To reset your Megaboom, hold down the Power and Volume Up buttons simultaneously for about ten seconds until the speaker cycles through a reset. 

Depending on which model Megaboom you have, you might also hear the speaker make a tone when resetting after you hold those buttons down. This is normal and doesn’t mean that anything is wrong. 

Reason #4: Firmware Update Needed

Firmware issues can also lead to charging problems with your Megaboom speaker. Like other commonly used devices, like your phone or computer, your speaker needs updates to perform optimally. 

But unlike your phone or computer, your speaker isn’t going to tell you when an update is needed. It’s on you to figure out when to do this or to search for updates when they become available. 

How to Fix It: 

Updating the firmware is the quick fix here. If you haven’t already done so, you’ll need to first download the latest UE app or your speaker-specific app onto your phone or mobile device. You can’t update things without this. 

Once you have the app, you can connect to your speaker using Bluetooth or the in-app instructions. Tap More within the app, and you should see an update prompt that will allow you to get everything in order. 

Reason #5: Megaboom-Specific Charging Issue State

There is a Megaboom-specific charging issue that also might be the cause of your problems. This isn’t a super common issue, but it happens to enough Megaboom speakers that UE has a post dedicated to it. 

This is just one of those manufacturer issues that happen to particular products, and in this case, it’s your Megaboom speaker. It doesn’t happen to every Megaboom, but it’s worth trying if you’ve made it this far into the post. 

How to Fix It: 

This one has a few step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow. If you are dealing with charging issues follow these directions: 

1. Plug your speaker into the charger and a power source and wait a few seconds. 

2. If you don’t see the LED charging light blinking, take the charging cable out of the charging port on your speaker. 

3. Reconnect the cable to your speaker. If you don’t see the light blinking, repeat the steps above until you do. UE states that it might take as many as 25-30 times of pulling out the cable and plugging it back in for this to work, so stay with it. 

Reason #6: Damage/Dirty/Broken USB Port

A damaged, dirty, or broken USB port can also cause charging issues. If the port is dirty and gunked with dust or grime, the charging cable won’t fit properly and make a connection to get a charge. 

The port can also get bent or broken if the speaker gets damaged. This can also result in the charging cable being unable to establish a connection. The cable will still fit into the slot if it’s slightly damaged, but it might not fit in at all if it’s really broken. 

How to Fix It:

If you think the charging port is dirty, use a toothpick or cotton swab to clean it out. Just stick the small item in the port and wiggle it around to loosen up any dirt that is stuck on it. Be careful here so you don’t damage things, and don’t use water or a cleaning product. 

If the charging port is slightly bent, you might be able to bend it back open with small pliers. Again, be gentle here so you don’t cause any more damage to the speaker. It shouldn’t take much pressure or effort to bend it back into a normal shape. 

If your charging port is completely broken, there isn’t much you can do to repair it. Continue to the next section to figure out How to approach that issue.   

Reason #7: Damaged/Broken Speaker

The last reason for your Megaboom not working on the list is the worst one. Your speaker might be broken or damaged, and that’s why it won’t charge. This doesn’t happen that often, but a speaker can break or stop working after regular use. 

If you recently dropped your speaker or suspected any other damage and it’s not charging, it’s safe to assume it might be broken. But this can also happen without any real signs and be caused by a manufacturer’s defect. 

It’s bad news, and I haven’t had this happen on the Megaboom speakers I’ve used. But it is possible, so that’s why I included it hear. 

How to Fix It:

There isn’t much you can do to repair a broken speaker. The Megaboom isn’t designed with replaceable parts, so you’ll likely need a new speaker if it doesn’t work. 

But before you dish out the cash on a new speaker, contact UE customer support to see if your speaker is under any warranty. You might be able to get a new speaker for free if it is, or they can help you troubleshoot the problem more. 

FAQs

Here are a few quick answers to some of the most commonly asked questions related to the reasons why a UE Megaboom is not charging. 

How do I fix my Megaboom not charging? 

The first thing to check if your Megaboom is not charging is if your charger and the outlet you are plugged into are working. Switch chargers or plug the speaker into another outlet. If that doesn’t work, reset your speaker to deal with potential glitches. 

How do I reset my Megaboom? 

You can reset your UE Megaboom by holding down the Power and Volume Down buttons at the same time for about ten seconds. The speaker will either beep or cycle through the reset process. A reset can fix a number of random problems with your speaker. 

Why is the red light flashing on my Megaboom? 

A red light flashing on your Megaboom speaker can indicate that the speaker is running on a very low battery charge. You should connect your speaker to the charger and a power source to charge it back up, and everything should work correctly. 

What is the battery life of Megaboom? 

The UE Megaboom speaker has an average battery life of up to 20 hours on a full charge. But battery life and performance can vary depending on how the speaker is used and what temperatures it’s used in. 

How do I check my Megaboom battery? 

You can check the battery level on your UE Megaboom speaker by pressing the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons at the same time. These are shown as the + and – buttons on the speaker. Knowing your battery level will help you understand how long it can last. 

Can you replace Megaboom battery? 

While there are a few workarounds to replace a Megaboom battery, it’s not as simple as pulling out the old battery and putting in a new one. The Megaboom speaker is not designed with a replaceable battery, and if the battery fails, you’ll likely need a new speaker. 

Final Thoughts

You can usually fix the issue of the UE Megaboom not charging pretty quickly. Start with the small things, such as replacing the charger, switching outlets, and resetting the speaker. If that doesn’t work, follow the other potential fixes in this post. 

There is always the chance that your speaker is broken, but this does not happen that frequently. It’s always a good idea to reach out to UE customer support if none of the steps here helped you fix the problem. 

What is your favorite feature of the UE Megaboom? What’s your least favorite feature? Let me know in the comments below.