JBL Headphones Not Turning On: Causes & Fixes

JBL headphones are often seen as all-rounder products. They do not only stop at sound quality but also offer a lot in terms of hardware durability. However, JBL headphones are not perfect. A few users have reported having an issue with turning on the headset. You press the power button but it is not just turning ON.

In this blog post, we will look into why your JBL headphones are not turning on, plus some quick DIY fixes that can help.

JBL Headphones Not Turning On: 6 Common Causes

The reason why your JBL headphones are not turning is most likely due to a battery/power problem or a software glitch. However, there are a couple of other reasons. We’ve highlighted them here:

1. Battery Issues

As obvious as this may sound, you should confirm whether there’s any charge on your JBL headphones. This is because the lithium-ion batteries in your headphones can drain themselves out if you don’t use them for a period of time.

If not, the batteries may have gone extremely weak due to repeated usage. Your JBL headphones won’t turn on in both cases for safety reasons. In extreme cases, you may have to change your battery.

2.  Faulty Power Button

A defective power button can cause your JBL headphones not to turn on. You can double-check this by feeling the buttons. If they get pressed too easily or feel loose or stuck, then the issue may be with the button not being in contact with the chip.

3. Software Glitch or Bug

If the headphone software has gotten corrupted by a bug or glitch, it will develop issues like this one. Fortunately, you can always reset them and get the bugs away at the same time.

4. Faulty Chip

Issues with the power-management chip or components can also cause your headphones not to turn on. Water or some liquid might have gotten into the headphones.

A short-circuit might have occurred, and this can be confirmed if you notice an unusual odor of burning plastic, metal, or other materials coming from within your headphones’ ports. In this case, your JBL headphones need a replacement.

JBL Headphones Not Turning On: 5 DIY Fixes

Now you’ve had a glimpse of the causes, below are some DIY fixes that can help.

1. Charge it until Full

The LED light may flash several times to indicate that the battery is too low. If it doesn’t flash, your headphones might be dead. You should plug them in, confirm they are charging, for 2 to 3 hours. Then, try turning on.

If for some reasons the batteries are completely drained out, your headphone won’t indicate charge immediately. You should charge them for a prolonged period of time, or overnight. 

Another possible reason is a faulty charging cable or adapter. The battery will indicate charging, but it is not actually charging. You should use another cable and power adapter in this case. If still doesn’t charge, you should replace its batteries.

2. Troubleshoot the Power

Most times, it’s a fault in the power supply that’s not making it turn on. Before you come into this conclusion, be sure to troubleshoot the power buttons. To do that, follow these steps:

1. Press and the power button for 15-20 seconds
2. Connect the charging cable (while plugged into power) while still pressing the power button. 
3. Then after 5 seconds, disconnect the charging cable and then release the power button. 
4. Now turn it on normally.

It should turn on, if not double-press the power button 3 to 5 times non-stop. Now, if any of these doesn’t work, move to the next line of action.

3. Repair the Buttons

We already mentioned that if your power button is loose, stuck or moves too easily, it may be that they are broken. Most times, just wiggling it can help it get unstucked. Otherwise, you should proceed to repair them.

1. Find the power buttons. It is usually on the left ear cup.
2. With your hand, remove the ear padding or cushions wrapped around the left earcup.
3. You will find some screws underneath. Unscrew, and open.
4. The switch or spring below the power buttons might have moved away
5. Set it back and re-assemble.

If you don’t find doing this comfortable, take the headset to a hardware shop to get it repaired. But if it still has a warranty, the JBL support team can help you replace the product or offer you a fix at subsidized rate.

4. Leave Headphone to Rest

It’s simple. Like many headsets, the JBL headphones may not turn on immediately after plugging it out of its charger. So, you should leave them to rest for a few minutes to cool it down and stabilize its battery before booting them.

5. Reset your JBL headphones

Resetting the headphones is another reliable way by which you get your headphones to turn on again. And it’s easy to do. All you need is hold the volume up and volume down buttons, until you hear a sound or see the LED light. If it does not turn turn on, repeat the reset process 3 to 5 times.

Wrap-up

By following these steps, you should be able to restore the functionality of your JBL headphones. If you still could not turn them on, you should contact JBL’s support team.