There is a lot to like about Bluetooth speakers. Not only do they let you listen to your favorite songs and albums wirelessly, but the latest models have long-lasting batteries and rugged exteriors, so they are ideal for just about any social situation.
While the Bluetooth technology that makes these speakers so unique certainly offers plenty of advantages over traditional plug-and-play speakers, pairing your Bluetooth device can sometimes be a little bit tricky, especially when you want to switch from one audio source to another. There can be many reasons why you struggle to pair your speaker with a compatible Bluetooth device. One of the easiest ways to fix the problem is to reset your system preferences.
Resetting your Bluetooth speaker will disconnect it from any paired device and allow you to connect it to another. If you are not sure about the general steps to follow to reset your wireless speaker, we can help!
Below, you will find the steps you should follow for how to reset a Bluetooth speaker.
Resetting Bluetooth Speakers in General
Before we get into our step-by-step guide, it is important to recognize that each Bluetooth speaker will be slightly different. If you still have the owner’s manual for your specific wireless speaker, it is a good idea to read through it, as the guide should have a troubleshooting section that will explain how you can address common Bluetooth problems, such as pairing issues.
However, if you no longer have possession of the owner’s manual, you can usually perform a factory reset by performing the following steps:
Step 1. Make Sure That Your Bluetooth Speaker is On
Many people think their Bluetooth speaker is not working when it is off or the internal battery is drained.
Given that most wireless speakers only have a small LED light lighting the small Bluetooth icon to indicate when they are on, it can be easy to make the mistake of thinking that your speaker is not working properly when, in reality, it is turned off. This is particularly common outdoors, as bright sunlight can make it difficult to see the status of the power indicator light.
In some cases, you can resolve Bluetooth issues by simply charging your speaker. If the speaker is low on power, it may struggle to locate and pair with nearby devices. If you suspect that your Bluetooth speaker could be low on power, simply recharge the battery and try to pair it with your preferred device as it charges.
Step 2. Disconnect Any Devices That are Currently Paired to the Bluetooth Speaker
If you are using your smartphone as an audio source, open it and pull down the settings or device control menu. From there, press and hold the Bluetooth symbol, which should be in the top right-hand corner.
You should get a drop-down Bluetooth menu of all of the devices your phone is currently paired with as well as available devices in the area. If you see your Bluetooth speaker listed as a paired device, simply click the device name, which should unpair your phone from your speaker.
If you are with other people that have previously paired their phones with your Bluetooth speaker, have them make sure that their phones are not currently paired with the speaker by following the same steps.
Step 3. Press and Hold the Power Button and the Bluetooth Button on Your Speaker
You must make sure that you are pressing and holding both buttons simultaneously. With most Bluetooth speakers, you should only have to do so for a few seconds.
For just about every Bluetooth speaker out there, pressing and holding the power button and Bluetooth button simultaneously will force the speaker to reset. After you have given it a little bit of time to fully work through the reset cycle, you should be able to pair it with your chosen device and start listening to your preferred audio.
While most speakers will reset this way, some models will reset if you press and hold the power button alone. If you tried holding both buttons and nothing happened, try pressing and holding the power button on its own.
What Should You Do If You Still Have Problems with Your Bluetooth Speaker?
Compatibility Issues:
If you have performed a reset but your Bluetooth speaker is still not connecting to your preferred device, you could have a compatibility issue.
Bluetooth technology has advanced significantly since it was first introduced. In some cases, an older Bluetooth version or device will not pair with a newer Bluetooth speaker and vice versa. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do if this is the case, as the two electronic devices are simply incompatible.
Interference:
Another issue that can impact Bluetooth speaker performance is interference. To maintain a strong connection with a paired audio source, you must ensure the signal isn’t blocked. Walls, trees, and even people can get between a device and the Bluetooth speaker.
To ensure that your speaker has a strong, secure Bluetooth connection with the device it is paired with, try to place them together in the same room. Some people will pair their speaker with their phone, which they keep in their pocket. Even if you maintain a relatively close distance to the speaker, objects and people can get in the way and cause interference as you wander around.
Interference can also result from too many Bluetooth devices in the area. If you own more than one Bluetooth speaker, it can help to make sure that the one not being used is turned off while you are listening to the other.
Final Thoughts
While each Bluetooth speaker will be different depending on the speaker’s age and the manufacturer, most have the same basic design. If you are having trouble pairing your Bluetooth speaker with an audio source, the quickest and, in most cases, the easiest way to fix the problem is to reset your system preferences.
Follow the steps outlined above, and you should be able to reset your Bluetooth speaker in as little as a minute or two. Once reset, your speaker should perform just as well as the day you first took it out of the box!
