The JBL Flip 5 is a portable speaker known for its long battery life, IPX7 waterproof qualities, and its PartyBoost pairing feature. But, sometimes, the speaker won’t turn on. Why does this happen and how to fix it?
JBL Flip 5 won’t turn on if it has a faulty battery, software bug/issue, another faulty hardware (e.g. charging port), or is in lock mode. To fix it, exit lock mode, re-charge the battery, reset factory settings, try button combinations, force power on, replace the battery, or clean the charging port.
Specification of JBL Flip 5:
- Dimensions: 181 x 69 x 74 mm (7.1 x 2.7 x 2.9 inches)
- Weight: 540 grams (1.19 pounds)
- Output Power: 20 watts
- Transducer: 1 x 44mm x 80mm (1.7″ x 3.1″) full-range driver
- Frequency Response: 65Hz – 20kHz
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >80 dB
- Bluetooth Profiles: A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile), AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile)
- Bluetooth Range: Up to 10 meters (30 feet)
- Battery Capacity: 4800mAh
- Playtime: Up to 12 hours (varies depending on volume level and audio content)
- Charging Time: 2.5 hours (5V/3A)
- Water Resistance: IPX7-rated (can be submerged in water up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes)
- Speakerphone Function: Yes
- PlayBoost Support: Yes
Contents
Why Isn’t JBL FLIP 5 Turning ON?
The main reason JBL Flip 5 won’t turn is a faulty battery. JBL Flip 5 uses a lithium-ion polymer battery that has a certain number of charging cycles. The lithium-ion polymer battery will experience a decrease in overall capacity and performance once it completes its charging cycles.
A software bug/issue or another faulty hardware part will also prevent the JBL Flip 5 from turning on. A software bug will happen if you have an old firmware version or from compatibility issues, while faulty hardware will happen if you drop the speaker or expose it to high temperatures.
To fix a JBL Flip 5 software bug, upgrade firmware to the latest version or reset the speaker. Unfortunately, you must send the speaker to an authorized repair center to fix a faulty hardware part.
How To Fix a JBL FLIP 5 Speaker That Won’t Turn On?
To fix JBL Flip 5 speaker that won’t turn on, do the following things.
1. Exit Lock Mode
JBL speakers have a lock mode that disables all the buttons so no one can interfere with the audio. If the speaker somehow turns off while in lock mode, turning it back on is hard. When in lock mode, the speaker will turn on (only if connected to a charger) but will disconnect after removing the charger.
To exit lock mode or unlock the speaker, do the following things.
- Connect the JBL Speaker with a charger.
- Press and hold the Bluetooth and Play/Pause buttons for 10-15 seconds.
- The speaker will restart.
- Remove the charger, and press the power button one time.
- The speaker will turn on and work normally.
2. Re-Charge The Battery
The JBL Flip 5 portable speaker won’t turn on if it doesn’t have enough charge on the battery. Lithium-ion batteries will self-discharge over time even if not used, according to the “Relaxation Effects in Self-Discharge Measurements of Lithium-Ion Batteries” study by Thomas Roth. So, the battery may not have enough charge if you didn’t use the speakers for a long time.
Press the power button once and check the LED lights under the speaker to know how much charge your JBL Flip 5 speaker has. Each light powered up indicated 20% of battery charge. The battery is almost drained (low) if the LED light is flashing (blinking) red.
To charge JBL Flip 5, do the following things.
- Insert the USB-C into the charging port of your JBL FLIP 5.
- Insert the other end of the charge (USB-A) into a wall charger.
- The wall charger should have a power output of less than 3A.
- Insert the wall charger into a power outlet
- Wait 2.5 hours until the JBL speaker is fully charged.
- Unplug the charger, press the power button, and turn ON the speaker.
3. Reset Factory Settings
A hard reset will restore the original factory settings, fix software bugs/issues, remove previously saved devices, and clear the internal memory of the speaker. If the JBL Flip 5 isn’t turning on because of a software bug/issue, a hard reset will fix it.
To reset JBL Flip 5, do the following things.
- Connect the speaker to a charger (since it won’t turn on).
- Press and hold the Volume Up (+) and Play/Pause buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds.
- Release the buttons when the speaker powers up.
4. Try Button Combinations
- Press and hold all the speaker buttons for 10-15 seconds. Release the buttons, wait 3 seconds, and press the power button once.
- Press the power button repeatedly 5-8 times.
5. Force Power on
A “force power on” refers to a method of turning on a device that is unresponsive or not powering on through regular procedures. To force power on JBL Flip 5, press and hold the power button for 30 seconds.
5. Replace The Battery
A faulty, old, or swollen battery will prevent the JBL Flip 5 from turning on or working properly. The JBL Flip 5 uses Lithium-ion polymer batteries that have a certain number of charging cycles (300-500 charging cycles). A charge cycle refers to the process of discharging the battery from 100% to 0% and then fully recharging it back to 100%.
If you had your speaker for more than two (2) or three (3) years, there’s a high chance its battery has completed its charging cycles. The battery will experience a decrease in battery capacity and performance and will keep its charge for less time if it has completed its charging cycles. The more you charge the battery after it completes its charging cycles, the more capacity it will lose until it won’t work at all.
The Lithium-ion polymer battery will also get damaged if you store the speaker improperly, expose it to high temperatures, or experience physical damage.
To fix this, you must replace the battery with a new one. Send the speaker to an authorized repair center (if you still have a warranty) or to a local electronic repair shop and they will replace it for you.
6. Clean the Charging Port
The JBL Flip 5 speaker won’t get charged and therefore won’t turn on if the charging port is damaged (or dusty). Clean the charging port with a soft brush to remove accumulated dirt and debris inside. Once cleaned, connect the speaker with a charger, wait 5 minutes, and try to turn the speaker on.
The battery won’t accept charge if the charging port is deformed or damaged or if the circuit board is faulty. If that’s the case, you must replace the charging port and the circuit board.
Related Read: JBL Speaker Won’t Turn OFF
FAQ’s
How To Know if the JBL Flip 5 Battery is Faulty?
To know if the battery is faulty, check the LED light indicators when charging the speaker. The battery is faulty if the LED lights won’t power up after connecting the charger. You can also send the speaker to an electronic repair shop and they will test the battery capacity for you.
How To Know If the JBL Flip 5 Power Button Isn’t Working?
To know if the power button isn’t working, inspect it. If the power button is loose or has dirt inside, it won’t work properly. A faulty power button will also prevent the speaker from turning on. Connect a charger to your JBL Flip 5, if the LED lights power up but the speaker won’t turn on, then the power button is faulty.