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

How to Factory Reset JBL Charge 5

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 JBL Charge 5: Step by Step

1. Turn on the JBL Charge 5

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

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

Picture of the -Power- button glowing.
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.

Picture of the -Volume Up- and -Play-Pause- buttons.
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.

Picture of all lights lit on the JBL Charge 5.
All lights lit 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 JBL Charge 5, powered down.  All buttons are dark.

Picture of the top front view of the JBL Charge 5 with all lamps dark.
Top front view of the JBL Charge 5 with all lamps dark.




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.

Picture of the -Power- and -Bluetooth- buttons glowing.
The -Power- and -Bluetooth- buttons lit.

5. Done with How to Factory Reset 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
    2. The Charge 5 Speaker Won’t Turn On – How to Fix
    3. JBL Charge 5 Low Frequency Mode
    4. JBL Charge 5 Buttons, Codes, Combinations, Meanings
    5. JBL Charge 5 Firmware Update Instructions

Related Posts to How to Factory Reset JBL Charge 5

    1. How to Factory Reset a JBL Speaker in General
    2. Factory Resetting the Echo Dot 3
    3. How to Factory Reset JBL Charge 3
    4. How to Factory Reset JBL Xtreme 2
    5. How to Factory Reset JBL Go 3

References for How to Reset JBL Charge 5

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

Revision History

    • 2021-08-06: First published.