When you first purchase the Bose SoundLink Mini, you’ll get a charger that comes with your speaker. Once you plug it into a standard receptacle, it’ll give your battery enough juice for a few hours of portable entertainment.
For most people, that setup is a straightforward way to ensure that your SoundLink Mini always has the power it needs. What happens if you end up losing the charger somehow?
We’ve all been there. A charger gets thrown into a big box of different cords and batteries when moving. Once you open that container to unpack it, the item isn’t there as expected.
Is it possible to use USB charging for your SoundLink Mini or Mini II? What is the best way to charge the device?
SoundLink Mini USB Charging
The Bose SoundLink Mini speaker series provides a USB for charging capabilities, but only on the Series II model. You’ll need to meet the power requirements for the battery’s capacity to receive a charge using this process, which is 12V DC power with 0.833A or better. Series I speakers don’t offer this feature.
If you’re still using the older Bose SoundLink Mini Series I speaker, the USB port on the unit is meant for data transfer only. You can use it to perform software upgrades and similar needs. It will not accept power in the same way that the Series II product does.
When you don’t have the SoundLink Mini charger, you’ll need to purchase a replacement option. There’s no other way to connect it to a power source so that it will charge. That’s why many of the Series I customers eventually upgraded to the Series II product.
If you lose the charger to the Series II, you can still use a compatible USB cord with a power source to get the battery charged.
Troubleshooting Guide for the SoundLink Mini
If you’re having trouble with your SoundLink Mini today, here are some of the solutions that can hopefully get your equipment up and running again.
Please remember that the batteries included with the Bose SoundLink series are considered consumable products. If you’ve been using your Mini consistently over the past 3-4 years, it might not be charging because it’s worn out.
In that circumstance, you’d want to contact the manufacturer directly to see if a replacement would be cheaper than an upgrade to the Series II model.
Here are some of the common questions that other customers have had with their Bose SoundLink Minis, along with the answers needed to solve those concerns.
▪️ Why Won’t My Speaker Turn On When It Is Connected to a Power Source?
In most situations, this issue is a direct result of an improper connection. You’ll want to make sure the SoundLink Mini is plugged into an active AC receptacle in your home.
It also helps to review the relationship between the power adapter and the speaker to ensure everything is functioning correctly.
If you’re using a surge protector, you’ll want to check to see if the switch is flipped to the “on” position.
Some receptacles might have loose connections or circuits that aren’t working. You might need to replace these items before the SoundLink Mini charges. If it works in another outlet, you’ll know that is the issue.
▪️ My Charger Is Plugged In, and Other Items Work, But Not My Mini
When your SoundLink Mini Series I isn’t taking a charge from a receptacle that is powering other devices, you might have a power adapter, charger, or cord that failed.
In this situation, your only recourse is to purchase a replacement or use a compatible alternative that you already have at home.
If you use a different charger, please remember to view the device’s specs before using it with your SoundLink Mini. Should the ratings be too high or low, you could damage the speaker by charging the battery that way.
You can also contact Bose’s customer support to see if they have additional ideas to offer in this circumstance.
▪️ My Speaker Doesn’t Turn On When Using the Battery
If you haven’t used your Bose SoundLink Mini in the last 14 days, the speaker enters into “protection mode.” That means it is in the default setting for the shipping and handling process from the factory floor.
The easiest way to correct this situation is to return the Series I or Series II Mini to a standard AC power receptacle.
This step returns the SoundLink to its previous state to run off of the battery once again.
In some situations, you might have a bad battery. This issue is becoming more prevalent with Series I users because of the product’s age.
You can also have the battery fail to engage if it isn’t appropriately charged. You’ll need to return the unit to an AC power source in that circumstance.
▪️ No Music Plays from My Bose SoundLink Mini
If you don’t have any music coming from the speaker even though it indicates a connection is present, there could be an issue with the Bluetooth® settings on your transmitting device. The Mini can remain unpaired even if the indicator shows that you’re connected.
If other devices are currently using Bluetooth, it might help to turn them off before trying to connect with your SoundLink Mini a second time.
Some devices have controls that allow for audio playback adjustments. If those settings are not in the correct order to transmit data for sound through the speakers, it will make it seem as if the Mini isn’t working.
Another issue could be that the Mini’s volume settings are too low. The speaker might be on mute. If you make an adjustment in these areas, the music might start playing again.
▪️ I’m Getting No Audio from My Bluetooth Device
If your Bose SoundLink Mini isn’t playing any music from your device, you’ll want to verify first that your speaker is at an appropriate volume.
Next, you can verify that the Bluetooth indicator shows a connection is active. If it does not, you can pair the speaker to your device to start streaming music.
If your SoundLink Mini Series I or Series II is outside of a Bluetooth signal’s standard range, it won’t play music from your device. You’ll need to move it back within range. Even if you’re only a few feet away, any walls or barriers could interfere with the signal.
Should there be a microwave in the area of your SoundLink Mini, its operations could interfere with the signal you receive.
Other outside devices could also interfere with the signal. Cordless phones, other Bluetooth items, and even your network router could be the problem.
You should notice a significant improvement once you move away from the potential interference.
▪️ My SoundLink Mini Won’t Pair to a Bluetooth Device
If you’re trying to pair your Series I or Series II Mini to a Bluetooth device and it isn’t working, several issues could be at fault for the situation.
For most people, the problem is the use of an older software version for the speaker. You’ll want to visit the Support link at Bose.com to search for any new updates that are available for your model.
If your software is already updated with the SoundLink Mini, you might need to do a simple restart to get everything working again. You can accomplish this step by pressing and holding the mute button for ten seconds.
The LEDs will flash for a few seconds, indicating that the process is working. Now press the power button to turn it back on.
You might have the Bluetooth feature turned off on your streaming device. Checking this issue is a quick way to see if you have an easily solvable problem.
You might need to restart your smartphone, tablet, or computer if the settings failed for some reason.
There are times when the Bose SoundLink Mini speakers will pair, but they don’t automatically connect. You might need to manually manage this issue to solve it.
If none of those options helped, you might need to clear the pairing list with your SoundLink Mini.
There’s a Bluetooth button on the speaker that you’ll need to press and hold for approximately ten seconds. You’ll hear a noise once you’ve reached the point where all devices get cleared from its memory.
Next, clear the list from your Bluetooth device. You might need to reference your owner’s support for your smartphone, tablet, or computer to have a successful experience.
If your device asks for a code when pairing the SoundLink Mini, you’ll want to enter “0000” and press the OK or CONFIRM button that appears. You’ll see when the pairing function is complete on the device, and your speaker will have the indicator remain on instead of blinking.
What If I’m Still Having Trouble with My Bose SoundLink Mini?
When you see the feedback from the Bose SoundLink Mini, you can tell that several customers have had a frustrating experience with this product. It helps to know that you’re not alone in this process if your battery won’t charge as expected.
If you have a Bose SoundLink Mini Series I product, you cannot use the USB port to charge your battery. There is no way to force that situation unless you open the device and reroute all of the internals to add this functionality.
Since the average user won’t have that knowledge, it’s an option that’s typically off the table.
When you have a Series II speaker, you’ll need a compatible USB cord to charge the battery. If you do not have a successful result, try switching the cable first. It could be an equipment failure problem instead of an issue with the Bose product.
Most people have had a successful user experience with the SoundLink Mini.
Although the original product has some limitations, it’s still one of the best ways to enjoy the trademarked Bose sound without needing to dip into your savings account significantly.