JBL speakers are some of the best Bluetooth speakers available. They’re reliable, waterproof, and easy to use. However, one common issue that many users experience is random pausing while playing music.
This can be really frustrating, especially if it keeps happening.
Fortunately, it’s usually pretty easy to fix.
In this guide, we’re going to examine the common causes of this issue. We’ll then show you the best ways to fix this issue so that you can get back to enjoying your JBL speaker.
Why Does My JBL Speaker Keep Pausing?
Low battery
One of the most common reasons that a Bluetooth speaker will pause music is that it’s running low on battery. All Bluetooth devices such as Bluetooth headphones and speakers have indicators that will tell you when they have low battery.
If you don’t pay attention to the indicator on your JBL speaker then it may start pausing music to conserve its remaining battery life.
Before leaving the house with your speaker it’s best to fully charge it so that it won’t run out whilst you’re using it. Or, if you won’t be using it for long, make sure it has enough battery left to last as long as you need it.
Signal interference
Another reason that your JBL speaker might be pausing whilst playing music is that it’s receiving signal interference from other devices. Some JBL speakers are able to connect to more than one device simultaneously, which can cause interference.
There may also be another audio device that has previously connected to your speaker and is trying to re-establish a Bluetooth connection.
This is fairly common if you’re in a crowded area where there are lots of other devices also establishing Bluetooth connections.
Audio codecs
Incompatible Bluetooth audio codecs could also be the cause of the issue. The Bluetooth device and the audio source both need to have the same audio codecs. If not, they won’t communicate with each other properly which can cause random pausing.
Bluetooth audio codecs encode and compress audio data which is then transmitted from the audio source to the Bluetooth headphones or speaker. So, they both need to be running the same codecs to function seamlessly.
Versions of Bluetooth
It could be the case that your audio source and your Bluetooth speaker are running on incompatible versions of Bluetooth.
The latest Bluetooth versions have backward compatibility. This means that if your speaker is running Bluetooth 5.0 it can still pair with audio sources that are running Bluetooth 4.1, for example.
If you’re trying to pair your speaker with mobile devices that use dated versions, such as Bluetooth 2, then this will cause connectivity issues and result in pausing.
Defects
If your JBL speaker keeps randomly pausing music then it may be defective. To test this, try connecting it to several different devices and see if it still has the same issue.
If the problem persists then you will need to contact the manufacturer or a technician to repair or replace it.
Common Issues With Your Audio Source
Updates
If you use your computer as the main audio source for your JBL speaker then you need to make sure that the drivers are up to date. You should check that the audio and Bluetooth drivers are both updated before connecting to your speaker.
If the speaker keeps pausing after you’ve updated the drivers then you should try re-installing the drivers manually on your computer.
Background apps
Your tablet or smartphone is limited in how many apps it can run at the same time. If you’re listening to music from your speaker whilst also using multiple apps then this may be causing your speaker to pause.
Some apps will automatically try to pair with your JBL speaker which interferes with the Bluetooth connection to the audio source. This causes interruptions in audio and slows down the functioning of the speaker.
Range
Bluetooth connections don’t have as big a bandwidth as WiFi connections. The usual Bluetooth range for JBL speakers is less than a hundred feet, but this can decrease based on thick walls, wind, and other elements. When you start approaching or exceeding this range your speaker will lose connection and pause the music.
Some JBL speakers have more or less range than this so check the specs of your speaker to see what its range is.
How To Stop Your JBL Speaker From Pausing Music
Change positions
If the pausing issue is being caused by signal interference then changing your position should solve it. Try moving to an area where there are fewer devices that will also be trying to connect to Bluetooth.
Once you’re in an area with less cross-body interference the pausing issue should be resolved.
Basic troubleshooting
The easiest way to fix most pausing issues is to perform a factory reset of your JBL speaker. To do this, hold down the power button for 20 seconds until the device turns off. Then, turn it back on again and the issue will hopefully be solved.
*The exact reset method is different for different speaker models, so be sure to check the owner’s manual for the particulars of your speaker.
You can also try forgetting and reconnecting the devices that are usually connected to your speaker.
“Forget” Speaker on Other Devices
Sometimes, the issue is as simple as multiple devices trying to pair with the speaker concurrently. So, before getting too frustrated, make sure your roommate isn’t sitting in the next room with his phone also paired to your speaker.
In this case, simply turn off bluetooth on the device that you don’t want connected. Or access bluetooth settings and “forget” the JBL speaker.
*Note that sometimes a device will connect to a speaker via bluetooth even when it’s in “rest” mode. So, just because you aren’t using your Macbook at the moment, that doesn’t mean it isn’t causing the issue.
Close background apps
Another simple way to fix pausing issues is to close all of the background apps that you have open on your mobile device. Some of these apps will most likely be interfering with your Bluetooth connection.
Try a Different App
Perhaps this is obvious, but oftentimes the issue is with the app on your connected device, rather than being the fault of the speaker.
So, if your speaker keeps pausing on Spotify, try playing a Youtube video or Apple Music. If the speaker works flawlessly with these other music sources, now you know that the app is the problem. In this case, you can uninstall/reinstall the app, or at least proceed with troubleshooting the app rather than your speaker.
Stay in the signal range
It may seem obvious, but staying within the maximum range of your Bluetooth speaker is also necessary for it to function correctly. Most mobile devices are operating on dated bluetooth versions. This means that they work best when they’re a short distance from the speaker.
If you’re unsure what the maximum range of your speaker is, then check the user manual to see its full specs.
FAQs
Can I use the JBL Flip 5 to answer phone calls?
The JBL Flip 5 is a reliable speaker that can be used outdoors or even in the shower. However, it doesn’t have a microphone so you can’t use it to answer phone calls. If you’re looking for a JBL speaker that you can use for phone calls then you’ll need to purchase the Flip 4, rather than the updated Flip 5 or Flip 6.
Are JBL speakers any good?
JBL has been around for decades and they’re one of the most trusted brands in speaker tech. Their speakers consistently get excellent reviews and are some of the most popular Bluetooth speakers on the market.
Their speakers are high-quality with solid features, waterproofing, and very reliable performance.
How do you charge JBL speakers?
All of the latest JBL speakers are charged via a USB-C port. They come with a USB-C charging cable that has a USB 2.0 plug on the other end. You can use any charger to charge your speaker as long as it’s within a 5V/2.3A rating.
Final Thoughts
If you have a JBL speaker you’re probably used to it working seamlessly and reliably. So, it can be really annoying when it stops functioning correctly.
Pausing issues are one of the most common problems with all Bluetooth speakers, including JBL.
If you follow the advice we’ve laid out in this article, the issue should be easy to fix. Usually, there’s a fairly simple cause of pausing issues that’s not difficult to identify and resolve.
However, if the same issue persists after you’ve tried all of the fixes we’ve recommended then there may be an underlying issue with the speaker itself. In this case, you’ll need to have it repaired or replaced.
