Top view of the JBL Charge 5 speaker, showing the -Volume Up- and -Play-Pause- buttons.

How to Factory Reset JBL Charge 5 BT Speaker

Here, we show how to factory reset the JBL Charge 5 Bluetooth speaker.  Factory resetting puts the unit back into its default factory state. Plus, it deletes any earlier paired Bluetooth devices from memory.  Thus, factory resetting stops the speaker from connecting to any nearby Bluetooth devices afterwards. Also, you should factory reset the speaker to get it ready for sale or re gifting.

How to Factory Reset the JBL Charge 5

1. Turn on the Speaker

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

Top view of the JBL Charge 5 power bank speaker, showing the -Power- button when the speaker is OFF.
The JBL Charge 5 power bank speaker, top view, showing the -Power- button when the speaker is OFF.

The green arrow points out the Power button in the last picture above.

Then, that button comes on, as shown next. Here, since we’ve paired the speaker with Bluetooth devices before this, it does not enter Bluetooth pairing mode by itself. 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.

The JBL Charge 5 speaker, top view, showing the -Power- button glowing.
Top view of the JBL Charge 5 speaker, showing the -Power- button glowing.

2. Wait for the Power Up Sound

The speaker makes a rising electric guitar strum sound when it powers up, and is ready for factory resetting once this sound finishes.

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

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

Top view of the JBL Charge 5 speaker, showing the -Volume Up- and -Play-Pause- buttons.
JBL Charge 5 speaker, top view, showing the -Volume Up- and -Play-Pause- buttons.

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

Top view of the JBL Charge 5 speaker, showing all lights lit.
JBL Charge 5 speaker, top view, showing all lights lit.

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 JBL Charge 5, powered down.  All buttons are dark.

Top front view of the JBL Charge 5 Bluetooth speaker.
Top front view of the JBL Charge 5 Bluetooth speaker.




4. Check that your JBL Charge 5 Did Factory Reset

Next, power on the speaker again, as we did in step 1 above.  In short, press and release the Power button.

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

Top view of the JBL Charge 5 wireless speaker, showing the -Power- and -Bluetooth- buttons lit.
JBL Charge 5 wireless speaker, top view, showing the -Power- and -Bluetooth- buttons lit.

5. Done with How to Factory Reset the JBL Charge 5 !

Factory reset is now done. Thus you may now pack the speaker up for sale, or pair it again with your favorite BT devices.

Since, as noted earlier, this speaker will no longer automatically pair with any previously paired, in range Bluetooth device in pairing mode, you’ll need to forget the previously paired JBL Charge 5 listed in the Bluetooth devices section of your source device settings.  Once you do that, then you may manually pair the 5 with that device again if you so desire. Then, any time that both speaker and that device have Bluetooth turned on, pairing with automatically take place once more.

Other Posts About the JBL Charge 5

    1. JBL Charge 5 Specs and Features of this BT Speaker
    2. The Charge 5 Speaker Won’t Turn On – How to Fix
    3. JBL Charge 5 Low Frequency Mode
    4. Charge 5 BT Speaker Buttons, Codes, Combinations, Meanings
    5. JBL Charge 5 Firmware Update Instructions

Related Posts to How to Factory Reset a JBL Charge 5

    1. Factory Resetting the Echo Dot 2 Smart Speaker
    2. How to Factory Reset Google Home Original Speaker
    3. Factory Resetting the Wonderboom BT Speaker
    4. How to Factory Reset a JBL Speaker
    5. Factory Resetting the Echo Dot 3 Talking Speaker

References for How to Reset the JBL Charge 5 Speaker

    1. JBL Charge 5 Bluetooth Speaker Official Home Page at JBL.com

Revision History

    • 2021-08-06: First published.