Bose smart speakers with Alexa or Google Assistant built-in combine premium audio with voice control. This guide covers common connectivity and control issues.
Speaker Won't Connect to WiFi
Initial setup problems:
- Bose Music app: Use the Bose Music app for initial setup
- Bluetooth first: App connects via Bluetooth to configure WiFi
- 2.4GHz or 5GHz: Most Bose speakers support both bands
- Factory reset: Hold buttons (varies by model) for 10 seconds
- Router reboot: Restart router if speaker won't discover network
Voice Assistant Not Responding
When Alexa or Google won't respond:
- Microphone mute: Check that microphone isn't muted (button on speaker)
- Account linked: Verify Amazon or Google account is linked in Bose Music app
- Wake word: Say "Alexa" or "Hey Google" clearly
- Internet connection: Voice assistants require active internet
- Re-link account: Sign out and back into voice service if issues persist
Audio Drops or Stuttering
Playback quality issues:
- WiFi strength: Move speaker closer to router or add mesh node
- Interference: Move away from microwaves, baby monitors, other 2.4GHz devices
- Try 5GHz: Switch to 5GHz if available for less interference
- Firmware update: Check for updates in Bose Music app
- Reduce streaming quality: Lower quality setting in music app if bandwidth limited
Multi-Room Audio Issues
For Bose speaker groups:
- Same network: All speakers must be on same WiFi network
- Group in app: Create speaker groups in Bose Music app
- Sync issues: Restart all speakers if audio is out of sync
- AirPlay 2: Can also group with other AirPlay 2 speakers
Bluetooth Connection Problems
Pairing and playback via Bluetooth:
- Pairing mode: Press Bluetooth button until LED blinks
- Clear pairings: Remove old devices if having trouble pairing new ones
- Distance: Stay within 30 feet for reliable Bluetooth
- One device: Bluetooth connects to one device at a time