How to Turn On Sony XB 21

We explain how to turn on the Sony XB 21 desktop speaker here. Now most Bluetooth speakers have a Power button that Sony prominently places on the unit so it’s easy to find. Indeed, this speaker is no exception to this, as we find its Power button on the top of the XB 21, near the right edge of the buttons panel, as we see next.

The -Power- button on the Sony XB 21. — Sony XB 21 -Power- button.

There’s also a status lamp, just behind the Power button, that begins glowing white when the speaker powers up, as we point out next.

The glowing -Power- light on the Sony XB 21. — Sony XB 21 -Power- lamp glowing.

But this lamp is dark when the XB 21 is OFF.

And, there’s also the Bluetooth status lamp just to the right of the Play-Pause button that flashes or glows steadily blue, depending on whether or not the speaker pairs with a nearby device upon booting.

Picture of the glowing -Bluetooth Status- light. — The -Bluetooth Status- lamp glowing.

To switch ON the XB 21, press the Power button. Then release after a quarter second or so. Also, you needn’t hold it in for too long for the unit to see your press and then turn itself on.

When the speaker comes on, the Bluetooth status lamp starts blinking or glowing, and the unit may or may not beep. It will sound a ding-dong sort of beep pattern if it does pair to a Bluetooth device. But if it does not, then it makes no sound.

But if pressing the Power button does not turn on the XB 21, or if the CHARGE light blinks orange, it could be that you need to recharge your speaker.

Picture of the -CHARGE- light glowing. — The -CHARGE- lamp glowing.

So if the unit won’t come on, try connecting a USB charger to it. Yes, you can indeed play the speaker as it charges.

Now with a charger supplying power, this speaker should always power on when you click the Power button. If not, then the unit may not be getting any juice from your adapter. So check that the receptacle for the power supply is live, that the adapter works, that the cable between it and the XB 21 is not damaged, and that the charger plug is fully seated in the speaker’s micro USB port.

But if after all these checks the speaker still does not turn on, then the unit itself may be broken. So in that case, get a new one.

References

1. Official XB 21 Support Page
2. Where to Buy the Sony XB 21

Revision History

- 2023-04-14: First published.

How to Turn On Sony XB 21