Bose remote not working? Here are 5 simple fixes you can try

There are a few things more frustrating than a remote control that doesn’t work.

If your Bose remote is experiencing issues and you’re unsure how to fix it, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered.

In this article, we’ll walk you through a few simple troubleshooting steps to help you get your Bose remote back up and running.

Why is my Bose remote not working?

There are a few reasons why your Bose remote is unresponsive.

Let’s look at some of the most common reasons why your remote may not function properly.

• The batteries are dead or low.
• Next, the remote is not within the range.
• There is interference from other electronic devices nearby.
• Your Bose Soundbar or Speakers needs to be reset or updated.
• The remote is defective and needs to be replaced.

READ MORE: How to reset a Bose soundbar

So if you’re experiencing any of the issues listed above, don’t worry. Read on for a few simple solutions that might work in your case.

But if you don’t have time and just need to order a replacement, you can order one here or click the box below.

How to fix a bose remote that’s not working: 5 simple fixes

Follow these steps in the given order as they are prioritized for the ease of troubleshooting.

Fix 1: Check the batteries and replace them

READ MORE: Bose Soundbar 700 won’t connect to the Bose app? Here’s how to fix it

The first thing you’ll want to do is check the batteries in your Bose remote. If they are dead or low, that may be why your remote is not working.

Simply replace the batteries with fresh ones and see if that does the trick.

Make sure that you are not using low-powered Zinc batteries, as they won’t work with your Bose remote. Instead, Bose prefers alkaline batteries.

A simple trick to check if the remote is responsive after inserting the new batteries is to open the camera app on your phone and hold the remote close to the camera.

The remote is working if you see a blinking light when you press a button.

Fix 2: Bring the remote within range

When your remote is not within range (20ft) of your Bose soundbar or speaker, it won’t communicate properly.

READ MORE: How to connect two Bose speakers together

Make sure the remote is close enough to your device, and try again.

Also, try removing the plastic sheet that comes with a new remote.

Also, remove any dirt that might have accumulated over the IR sensor of the remote.

Fix 3: Check for interference from other devices

If you have other electronic devices nearby that might interfere with your Bose remote, try moving them away from your sound bar or speaker. 

Try turning off the other devices and see whether that clears up the interference.

READ MORE: How to connect a Bose soundbar to your TV

Excessive light on your Bose soundbar’s remote sensor can also cause interference and makes it harder for it to detect IR commands from the  Bose remote.

If you’re using your Bose device in a brightly lit room or in direct sunlight, try dimming the lights to minimize interference.

Fix 4: Reset your Bose device

If your Bose soundbar or speaker is not responding to your remote, it may need to be reset.

You can either soft reset or power cycle the device or do a factory reset.

To soft reset, unplug your soundbar or speaker from the power outlet and plug it back in.

Once it’s plugged back in, wait a few seconds for it to power on. Once it’s turned on, try using your remote again.

A hard reset or factory reset is a bit more complicated, and we’ll have dedicated a separate post for this soon.

Fix 5: Update your Bose device

A firmware bug on your Bose device might also be why your Bose remote is sometimes unresponsive.

In this case, you’ll need to update your soundbar or speaker to the latest firmware.

You can check for updates by going to the Bose Music app, and a download arrow will confirm that an update is available.

Alternatively, you can install the Bose Updater, and connect your device to your computer to have it update the firmware for you.

Once the update is installed, try using your remote again.

Once you’ve tried all of the above steps and your Bose remote is still not working, it may be defective and need to be replaced. 

Again, if you need a replacement, you can order one here or by clicking the box below.

Wrapping up

We hope this article has helped you troubleshoot the issue with your Bose remote.

You can start with the batteries, move on to the range, and lastly, check for interference.

If all else fails, you may need to reset your soundbar or speaker or replace the remote.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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