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For the Bose Portable Smart Speaker, hold Play/Pause for 10 seconds to restart it without erasing its settings. A factory restore is different: it erases the speaker’s settings, requires account and voice-assistant cleanup first, and uses Bluetooth + Volume + for 10 seconds. These button sequences are model-specific, so identify your speaker before trying them.
First, identify your Bose speaker model
The steps below apply to the Bose Portable Smart Speaker, not to every Bose smart speaker. Bose lists that model as sold from 2019 on its Portable Smart Speaker reset support page. Bose’s app compatibility information also names products such as Home Speaker 300 and Bose Smart Speaker 500, but that does not mean they use the Portable Smart Speaker’s reset controls. See Bose’s model-specific support guidance and Smart Soundbar setup and compatibility page; if your product name differs, find its own Bose support instructions before pressing buttons.
This distinction matters: even two portable Bose products can use different controls. For example, the documented SoundTouch Portable temporary reset uses AUX for 15 seconds, while its factory restore uses Preset 1 and Volume Down for 10 seconds. Those controls are not for the Portable Smart Speaker. See Bose’s SoundTouch Portable support page.
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Restart the Bose Portable Smart Speaker without erasing settings
Use this reset for a minor issue, such as a temporary processor error. Bose says the reset retains settings unless otherwise indicated.
#1 Best Overall
- ROOM-FILLING PERFORMANCE: The most flexible home speaker ever from Bose, for incredibly immersive, deep, and clear sound in any and every room.
- ADJUSTABLE EQ: Match the sound to the moment with Adjustable EQ. Quickly tailor your audio for different genres or moods, from crisp highs and clear vocals to rich, full-bodied bass within the Bose app or with voice commands.
- VERSATILE SETUP: Use one wireless speaker with a compact design that fits easily in a kitchen, den, or bedroom for room-filling sound, pair two for stereo, or connect multiple speakers throughout your home for seamless multiroom listening.
- EASY CONTROL: Enjoy complete control by touch, app, or voice commands. Making it easy to play, pause, and personalize your surround sound from anywhere in the home.
- VOICE CONTROL WITH THE ALL-NEW ALEXA+: Control your entertainment, manage your smart home, and gain access to a ton of helpful services with just your voice.
- Press and hold Play/Pause for 10 seconds.
- Watch for the light ring to pulse white at the top and bottom while the speaker reboots and reconnects to Wi-Fi.
Because this is a restart rather than a factory restore, it is the less disruptive option to try first. Bose’s reset instructions for the Portable Smart Speaker describe the button sequence and light behavior.
Factory-reset the Portable Smart Speaker
A factory restore erases the speaker’s settings and returns it to its out-of-box configuration. Afterward, open the Bose app to configure the speaker again. Before using the buttons, remove the product from your Bose account and follow the additional steps for any voice assistant you configured.
Rank #2
- ROOM-FILLING PERFORMANCE: The most flexible home speaker ever from Bose, for incredibly immersive, deep, and clear sound in any and every room.
- ADJUSTABLE EQ: Match the sound to the moment with Adjustable EQ. Quickly tailor your audio for different genres or moods, from crisp highs and clear vocals to rich, full-bodied bass within the Bose app or with voice commands.
- VERSATILE SETUP: Use one wireless speaker with a compact design that fits easily in a kitchen, den, or bedroom for room-filling sound, pair two for stereo, or connect multiple speakers throughout your home for seamless multiroom listening.
- EASY CONTROL: Enjoy complete control by touch, app, or voice commands. Making it easy to play, pause, and personalize your surround sound from anywhere in the home.
- VOICE CONTROL WITH THE ALL-NEW ALEXA+: Control your entertainment, manage your smart home, and gain access to a ton of helpful services with just your voice.
If you did not add a voice assistant
- Remove the speaker from your Bose account in the Bose app.
- Connect the speaker to power and wait for any pulsing white lights to stop.
- Press and hold Bluetooth + Volume + for 10 seconds, until the light ring fills with white.
- Wait for the ring to blink twice as the speaker reboots. Two steady amber lights indicate setup mode.
- Open the Bose app and configure the speaker again.
If you configured Alexa
Before the button procedure, deregister the Bose product in the Alexa app, remove Alexa from the Bose account, and remove the product from the Bose account. Then carry out the factory-restore button procedure above. Follow Bose’s complete Portable Smart Speaker instructions for the account steps.
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Before the button procedure, remove Google Assistant from the Bose account and remove the product from the Bose account. Then carry out the factory-restore button procedure above. Refer to Bose’s complete support instructions for details.
Rank #3
- Fill any room with impressive wall-to-wall stereo sound from a single speaker
- Millions of songs at the tip of your tongue with Alexa voice control built in
- Play integrated Wi-Fi music services like Spotify and Amazon Music, or connect over Bluetooth to play anything from your phone or tablet
- Experience superior voice pickup from a custom-designed eight-microphone array that hears you over loud music or across the room
- Control comes easy, with three different ways to manage what you hear: voice, tap the top controls, or the Bose Music app
Which reset should you choose?
| Product and action | Buttons and hold time | Effect and next step |
|---|---|---|
| Bose Portable Smart Speaker: reset/reboot | Play/Pause for 10 seconds | Reboots and reconnects to Wi-Fi; settings are retained. Bose says the light ring pulses white at the top and bottom. |
| Bose Portable Smart Speaker: factory restore | Bluetooth + Volume + for 10 seconds, after required account and voice-assistant cleanup | Erases settings; configure the speaker again in the Bose app. Two steady amber lights indicate setup mode after reboot. |
| Bose SoundTouch Portable: temporary reset | AUX for 15 seconds | Different model-specific control; follow Bose’s SoundTouch Portable instructions. |
| Bose SoundTouch Portable: factory restore | Preset 1 + Volume Down for 10 seconds | Different model-specific control; follow Bose’s SoundTouch Portable instructions. |
If resetting does not fix the problem
If the Portable Smart Speaker continues to show a hardware error after a reset, stop repeating the procedure and check Bose’s LED guidance or contact Bose support. The LED guidance says the product may need service; that is not a guarantee that service is the only possible remedy for every symptom.
Bose’s available guidance establishes procedures for the Portable Smart Speaker and SoundTouch Portable, but not a complete current button sequence for every Bose smart speaker model. For another model, use its corresponding official support page rather than trying either sequence here.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Powered by a 47% faster processor, the next-gen dual-tweeter acoustic architecture produces detailed stereo separation while a 25% larger midwoofer deepens the bass.¹
- Place this speaker anywhere and everywhere you want to listen. The compact design fits beautifully on your bookshelf, kitchen counter, desk, or nightstand.
- Stream from all your favorite services over WiFi. Pair a Bluetooth device with the press of a button. Connect a turntable or other audio source using an auxiliary cable and the Sonos Line-In Adapter.²
- Go from unboxing to unbelievable sound in just a few minutes. Simply plug in the power cable, connect your phone or tablet to WiFi, and open the Sonos app.
- With a tap in the Sonos app, Trueplay tuning technology analyzes the unique acoustics of your space and optimizes the speaker’s EQ. So all your content sounds just the way it should.
Rank #4
- MUSIC CALLS: The Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Bluetooth Speaker (2nd Gen) packs big, bold sound in a portable size that’s perfect for sharing tunes and good times anywhere on your travels
- SOUND THAT TAKES YOU PLACES: Take advantage of the surprisingly powerful performance of this Bose wireless speaker with its clear, balanced, high-fidelity audio and deep bass that is easy to take with you
- PERFECTLY PORTABLE, WITH BATTERY LIFE TO MATCH: This Bluetooth speaker is small enough to fit in your hand or clip onto a bag using the utility loop, plus it has up to 12 hours of battery life* so you can focus on the fun at the beach, hikes, or pool
- TOSS IT, DROP IT, IT’S ALL GOOD: This IP67 rated Bose portable Bluetooth speaker is waterproof and dustproof and is wrapped in a durable, silicone-wrapped body to withstand drops, shocks, and rust
- STEREO ON THE GO: Amp up the adventure with more sound when you link two compatible Bose speakers, choose Stereo Mode for left and right channels, or go for Party Mode for even bigger, bolder sound
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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