JBL Charge 4 Charging Instructions

JBL Charge 4 packaging, back view.

Follow these instructions that show how JBL Charge 4 charging via its hidden DC input charging USB-C port, discussed below.

JBL Charge 4 Charging First Remarks

JBL Charge 4 power bank speaker, front view, charging from a JBL USB AC power adapter.

First, we suggest that you recharge the JBL Charge 4 with a full power USB 2.0 charger such as the JBL USB charger for Bluetooth speakers, sold separately.

JBL Charge 4 Charging, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is it Time to charge the Charge 4 JBL Speaker?

You know that it’s time to charge this speaker when the battery status gauge near the bottom on the front shows a single flashing light, or simply, when the speaker stops playing. 🙂

When you see that last light flashing, connect the black USB-C cable included with the speaker between the Charge 4 and your USB power adapter. Then, plug the supply into a working AC outlet, to keep the music going.

You can play the speaker while it’s charging. But the battery will recharge more slowly.

Finally after four hours or so, your Charge 4 fully recharges. Then, you can play it again for roughly twenty hours before it runs dead again.

What’s the JBL Charge 4 Charging Time?

This speaker fully recharges in approximately four and a half hours, depending on the state of the power bank battery when charging begins, and the charger used to juice it up. Smaller current AC USB chargers may take more time to fully recharge the speaker.

Why Does my JBL Charge 4 Keep Shutting Off?

An older battery often causes unexpected shutdowns, as it can no longer output the minimum current the speaker needs to work properly. Installing a new battery can solve this problem. We suggest though, that you get with a qualified electronics technician to install a new battery.

What Does the JBL Charge 4 Light Flashing Mean?

When you see the light blinking on the Charge 4’s battery status gauge, the battery has very little power left. So the speaker will shut off within an hour (roughly) if not recharged. Note that the gauge still flashes even when you connect a working charger. The flashing continues until the battery reaches full charge.

Why Won’t the JBL Charge 4 Charge?

If the JBL Charge 4 Won’t Charge, Check the Following…

The AC outlet that you plugged the charger into has power.
Your AC adapter supplies at least 5 volts at 2.3 amps. Smaller power supplies may recharge more slowly, or not at all.
Your USB-C cable is good. Try a different cable that you know works.
Otherwise, your speaker may need repair.

JBL Charge 4 Charging, Step-by-Step Instructions

1. For Best Results, Use a JBL Charger

As we said earlier, we use the JBL USB wall charger AC adapter that comes with other JBL speakers, although not with this one. See this power plug shown next. You can buy this adapter from JBL.

JBL AC power adapter, mains side view, Showing the safety labels.

2. Open the Port Door on Speaker Back

Pry open the port door flap on the lower back of the Charge 4, and pull it toward you to open all the way. This exposes the USB-A power out and USB-C charging input ports inside, as shown next.

The JBL Charge 4 wireless speaker, back view, showing the port access panel open.

3. Plug in the USB-C Power Cord to the Charge 4

Then, plug the USB-C connector end of the charge cord (the smaller end) into the matching port on the speaker, as shown next. Note that you can safely insert this plug either way. The USB-C port is the smaller of the two USB ports on this speaker.

The port door open and the USB-C cord plugged into the power input port.

4. Plug the AC Power Adapter into a Working Wall Outlet

Now that the Charge 4 and its AC adapter are connected, we plug the wall charger into a functioning AC outlet, as shown next.

The speaker charging from a JBL USB AC power adapter.

At least one of the battery status lamps lights up on the Charge Four when you apply power. There are five lamps on the JBL 4 that come on in succession as battery recharging progresses. You can see them in the above picture, reflecting off of the floor.

5. Let the JBL Charge 4 Recharge Until All Battery Power Lights Go Off

Battery charging is almost complete when all but the last of the battery status lights light solid. The last one continues to blink for several minutes more to top off the charge.

The battery recharge cycle finishes when all battery status gauge lights go OFF.

6. Unplug the USB-C Charging Cable from the Charge 4

7. Fully Push Closed the Water Resistant Port Door

Note that unless you fully close this power port opening flap, water could enter the input and output connector ports area, and likely damage the electronics inside. So, take care to correctly seat the port door on this speaker Then, you’ll get the full water resistance protection the speaker was built with.

See how this port door looks when fully closed and sealed in the next picture.

JBL Charge 4 Bluetooth speaker, back view, showing the port access panel door in the closed position, and the pedestal that the speaker sits on that prevents rolling.

8. Charging JBL Charge 4 Speaker Power Bank Done!

We have now fully recharged this Bluetooth speaker. Note that the battery status gauge just after turning on the Charge 4 following a full recharge. All gauge lamps glow, meaning that the speaker is indeed charged to full.

Repeat this recharging every twenty hours of music play to keep the battery power bank in ready-for-use condition. We charge ours when the battery status gauge shows just one lamp glowing. Keeping this speaker charged is important if you charge your phones / tablets from it.