JBL Flip 6 Charging Issues

Most JBL Bluetooth speakers, including the Flip 6 model, offer truly portable operation via their lithium ion batteries inside. And when said battery dies, you can recharge them with an AC or car adapter. We see no mention of wireless charging capability in the Flip 6 in our manuals. Sometimes though, you may notice that the JBL Flip 6 has charging issues. You may notice it not charging fully, or at all.  And this can occur even when you connect the adapter.  So to solve this, we offer information here to help.

JBL Flip 6 Charging Issues: How to Identify Problems

You can tell that the Flip 6 is not charging by reading the battery gauge. So this meter changes from white to pulsing red during play. This means that the battery is running low. It also shows the amount of charge remaining by displaying various patterns of white.

But there’s a problem if this flashing keeps going, even when you attach the charger.  Why?  Because the battery gauge should change at this point though, to blinking white, when you apply power.  When the gauge stops flashing red, this means that the speaker is getting some juice from the adapter. But if the red blinking continues, then correct recharging is likely not occurring.

You can also feel the power supply’s case ten or fifteen minutes after connecting it to the speaker.  Then, it should feel warm.  The same with the speaker too.  The speaker itself indeed heats up a little during correct recharging also.  But if you detect no warmth, then again, you have an issue here to investigate.

Also, the battery gauge normally shows battery recharging status.  I.e. As long as charging continues, one of the progress lights in the meter blinks white.  And, as mentioned, the gauge fully darkens when charging wraps up.  But if the meter still blinks after several hours on the charge, then chances are, recharging is not working correctly.

Thus when the speaker does not charge, check out why. Then figure out how to fix this problem. So in this piece, we offer several reasons. Then we give possible solutions to help.

JBL Flip 6 Charging Issues: Reasons and Resolutions

As we stated above, it’s normal that the battery status meter pulses red when the battery is about dead.  But again, the light should switch to a blinking white when you connect the charger.

Normally though, this gauge stays dark except for just after you press any button when unit is ON.  In that case, the gauge lights white when the battery is not near dead.

Or, the meter goes dark during normal operation.

But the meter light may not change to flashing white when you connect the charger. If not, then several issues might cause this. We list these below thus.

1.The Power Outlet May Not Be Hot

The Problem

The charger adapter may not output any energy because it is not receiving any to begin with. This can happen due to a defective circuit or a tripped breaker. A blown fuse, faulty wiring, or general power failure, could also be the cause.

The Fix

Check that your outlet has power by plugging in a test light or other device.  Then, reset circuit breakers if tripped. And if the outlet has a light switch that controls it, then flip that switch ON.  Or simply try a different outlet.

2. The USB Adapter is Defective or Too Small

The Problem

This issue can also happen because the adapter is outputting SOME but not ENOUGH amperage.

Now as these adapters age, their output energy can fall off over time. So this power supply might not deliver the correct amount if it is very old.   So you may see the speaker’s battery gauge start flashing white. But it never goes dark, as you would expect it to do when charging finishes. Note that this speaker needs 3 amps at 5 volts (15 watts) to recharge in the 2.5 hours spec time.  Yet charging will likely happen more slowly if the charger does not deliver on these specs.

The Fix

Replace the adapter. Get one with a USB-C plug that delivers at least 5 volts at 3 amps. Most common USB-C chargers meet these requirements. But be clear that the one you plan to buy definitely does.

3. The USB-C Cable Being Too Long, Too Thin, or is Faulty Can Cause Charging Issues

The Problem

The USB-C cable can reduce the charging current too much, even if your power supply is working well.  This can happen with very long or thin cables.

The Fix

To resolve this, use as short a cord as you can. Or, switch to a thicker, higher current cable. So keep cord lengths to six feet or shorter, and select a cable certified to carry at least 3 amps.

4. The Battery in the JBL Flip 6 Has Expired

The Problem

As lithium ion batteries age, they lose their ability to fully charge. Furthermore, the characteristics of the current they draw changes with age as well.  Normally, as a battery recharges, it draws less amps as it fills. But when cells fail, it may draw too many or too few amps. So this can confuse the charging circuits. As such, they may act like no charging is occurring.  So the battery meter shows that. It either never stops red blinking. Or it never changes to white when you connect the charger.

The Fix

To address this issue, replace the battery. But understand that you likely will not easily get the old one out of the Flip 6. Indeed, changing the battery means that you must take the speaker apart, and this can be a daunting effort.

Also note that doing this likely breaks the moisture seal.  So the Flip 6 will no longer be safe to use, should you later expose it to excess moisture.

Breaking this seal may alter the sound quality as well. So get someone to replace the battery who knows how to pick the right replacement. They should also be able to restore the seal to as it was, as they reassemble the speaker. A good battery should fit well inside the speaker and provide 3.6 volts at 4.8 amp hours, or 17.28 watt-hours. But we suggest using only JBL certified batteries for this speaker.

5. The Speaker Might be Defective When You Have Charging Issues

The Problem

Even if you have the proper adapter, the current reaching the battery may be too low or excessive.  This can happen when the battery management system inside the Flip goes amiss.  Note that these circuits read the battery status, and switch off the charging current when they deem the battery full.

But when they go askew, the battery might see no power at all.  Thus, the speaker never recharges.  Again, in this case, the battery gauge might continue blinking white and never stop. You may also see that the speaker doesn’t play as long before running dead. Or it may not play at all, until you connect the charger. Or it might not play even with the charger.

The Fix

The best answer here, is simply to get a new JBL Flip 6.  Why?  Because the electronics in this Bluetooth speaker are quite small.  So unless you can replace the system board(s) yourself, or know someone who can, just buy another speaker.

Other Posts About the JBL Flip 6

1. 1. JBL Flip 6 Firmware Update Routine
   2. JBL Flip 6 Low Frequency Mode Explained
   3. Flip 6 Speaker Charger Details
   4. JBL Flip 6 Charging Time
   5. How to Put JBL Flip 6 in Pairing Mode

References for JBL Flip 6 Charging Issues

1. 1. JBL Flip 6 Official Product Page
   2. Where to Buy the JBL Flip 6