Front left view of the JBL Charge 5 BT speaker.

Factory Reset JBL Charge 5

This factory reset JBL Charge 5 routine lets you restore the original fresh-from-factory settings. Moreover, factory resetting the Charge 5 erases any earlier paired Bluetooth devices from memory. Plus, it stops the unit from pairing to any nearby Bluetooth devices afterwards. Also, do this it to get the Charge 5 ready for sale or re gifting.

Factory Reset JBL Charge 5: Step by Step

1. Turn on the JBL Charge 5

Press and release the Power button.  It should immediately light up solid white.

Picture of the JBL Charge 5 top, showing the -Power- button when the unit is OFF.
The JBL Charge 5, top view, showing the -Power- button when the unit is OFF.

Find the Power button, pointed at by the green arrow in the last picture above.

Then, the Power button comes on, as shown next. In our case, since we’ve paired the 5 with Bluetooth devices before this, it does not enter Bluetooth discovery mode. We know that because the Bluetooth button remains OFF, rather than blinking white.  Note the dark Bluetooth button, to the right of the glowing Power button in the next picture.

Picture of the -Power- button glowing.
The -Power- button glowing.

2. Wait for the Power Up Sound

The Charge 5 makes a rising electric guitar strum sound when it powers up. Then it is ready for factory resetting.

3. Press the Volume UP and Play-Pause Buttons Together

See the next picture to find the Play-Pause and UP Volume buttons.

Picture of the -Volume Up- and -Play-Pause- buttons on the JBL Charge 5.
The -Volume Up- and -Play-Pause- buttons on the JBL Charge 5.

The Charge 5 soon enters factory reset, as shown in the next picture. Note that both the Power and Bluetooth buttons and the egg shaped ring  that surrounds them.  All of these light up for a couple seconds during reset.  I.e. The ring and both buttons glow gray-white.

Picture of all lights glowing on the JBL Charge 5.
All lights glowing on the JBL Charge 5.

Then after a short pause, the JBL Charge 5 turns off. All lights go off, and it makes the power-down guitar sound.

The next picture shows the 5, powered down.  All buttons are dark.

Picture of all lamps dark.
All lights dark.

4. Check that your Factory Reset Did Happen on the JBL Charge 5

Next, power on the 5 again, as discussed in the first step above.  In short, press and release the Power button.

Now this time, after reset, our speaker instantly comes up in Bluetooth discovery mode, as shown next. We did not have to press the Bluetooth button first.  Note that the Bluetooth button blinks to let you know that the 5 has entered Bluetooth discovery mode. When this button blinks or is dark, the 5 is not currently in a pairing session. Indeed, we expect it not to pair to anything after a factory reset.

Picture of the -Power- and -Bluetooth- buttons lit up.
Tthe -Power- and -Bluetooth- buttons lit up.

5. Done with Factory Reset JBL Charge 5 !

The JBL Charge 5 factory reset is now complete. Thus you may now pack it up for sale, or pair it again with your favorite Bluetooth devices.

Now as noted prior, the Charge 5 no longer auto pairs with device after factory reset. So you’ll need to forget the previously paired Charge 5 in the Bluetooth devices section of your source device settings.  Then once you do that, you manually pair the 5 with that device again if you desire. Finally, after that, any time that both speaker and that device are in range, auto pairing occurs once more.

Other Posts About the JBL Charge 5

    1. JBL Charge 5 Won’t Turn On – How to Fix
    2. The Buttons on the Charge 5 Explained
    3. How to Put into Pairing Mode
    4. Does JBL Charge 5 Really Have Low Frequency Mode ?

References for Factory Reset JBL Charge 5

    1. JBL Charge 5 Official Home Page
    2. Where to Buy the JBL Charge 5