JBL Flip 5 Buttons Not Working

When the JBL Flip 5 buttons are not working, this likely means one or more things. Now your Flip 5 may be defective. Or its battery no longer recharges due to age. Or you accidently put the Flip 5 into service mode. So, assuming that all the hardware and software in your speaker is still okay, we’ll cover here the last possibility. Thus, we describe below how to get your JBL Flip 5 out of service mode, and restore proper operation.

JBL Flip 5 Buttons Not Working: Service Mode May Be Active

First, when in this (often called ‘weird’ or ‘secret’) mode, the Flip 5 does not power ON without the charger. Thus, it will not run on the internal battery while in Service mode.  Furthermore, when you do apply outside power, it powers up without you pressing the Power button.  So it comes ON as soon as you connect the charger.

Further, you cannot turn off the Flip 5 while in Service mode. Not without the charger. And then, when you disconnect the charger, it powers off without pressing the Power button.  So when this service mode is active, the Power button appears to not work.

Indeed, none of the buttons seem to work in Service mode, except for the ones needed to exit service mode.  E.g. The Flip 5 won’t pair with any devices.

How to Turn On Service Mode

This is what you may have done by accident at some point just prior to your speaker’s buttons not working… To turn on this Service mode, power up the Flip 5 first. Then press the Bluetooth and Play-Pause buttons at the same time. Hold them in until the speaker powers OFF. So this usually takes ten seconds or so.

Find these buttons pointed out in the next picture. Note that you can enter this mode whenever the Flip 5 is ON. It doesn’t matter whether the charger is present or not.

JBL Flip 5 Buttons Not Working: How to Fix

Now you can restore proper operation by deactivating this mode. But note that when this Service mode is ON, then you must connect the charger to turn it OFF. Why?  Because when in Service mode, the JBL Flip 5  won’t come on without outside power. Yet you can’t change modes without powering up the unit first.  So, you need a USB-C power adapter to make this fix.

1. 1. So, connect your speaker to external power. Next, the speaker comes on.
   2. Then, with the speaker Power button glowing, press the Bluetooth and Play-Pause button combo. Then hold for ten seconds or so, until the Flip 5 powers off.
   3. Finally, normal speaker operation returns the next time you power it on.

Finally, at this point, all buttons should work again, whether or not you connect the AC adapter.

Other Posts About the JBL Flip 5

1. 1. JBL Flip 5 Volume Control Explained
   2. JBL Flip 5 Factory Reset Instructions
   3. How to Reset JBL Flip 5
   4. Restart the JBL Flip 5
   5. How to Bass Boost the JBL Flip 5

References

1. 1. JBL Flip 5 Official Product Page
   2. Where to Buy the JBL Flip 5