A Bose QuietComfort Headphones reset is the step to try when the headphones will not turn on, will not pair, behave oddly or refuse to connect after a firmware update, and it is quick and safe because it removes the pairing memory and restores the settings without harming the headphones. These are Bose's standard over-ear noise-cancelling headphones with Bluetooth 5.1 and a rated battery of up to 24 hours. Like most Bluetooth headphones they keep a list of paired devices and some settings in memory, and a corrupted entry can cause strange behavior that a reset clears.
The checks in more detail
Start with a lighter step: a restart. Switch the headphones off, wait ten seconds and switch them on again; if they are unresponsive, plug in the USB-C cable for a few minutes, since a flat battery looks like a fault. If the problem remains, do the factory reset described in the Bose guidance for this model, which is carried out with the headphones on or off by pressing and holding a specific combination of buttons for several seconds until the voice prompt or the light changes.
The usual combination is the power key and one of the volume or noise-control keys together, and the headphones announce that they have reset. Check Bose's instructions for your model, since the keys differ between models. After the reset the headphones forget every paired device. On your phone, open Bluetooth settings and remove or forget the headphones, then put the headphones in pairing mode by holding the power key until the voice says ready to pair, and connect again.
Open the Bose app, check for firmware updates and reset your preferred noise-cancelling level. If the headphones still will not power on after a reset and a long charge, or the reset does not complete, the battery or the board may have failed, which is covered by Bose's warranty period; contact Bose with the serial number. A reset does not delete your listening history or music, which are on your phone.
Differential
Likely causes of “Bose QuietComfort Headphones needs a safe reset or will not reset”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A corrupt pairing entry
What separates it The headphones will not connect
How to confirm Reset and re-pair
- 2
A flat battery
What separates it The headphones will not power on
How to confirm Charge by USB-C for a while
- 3
A firmware glitch
What separates it Odd behavior after an update
How to confirm Reset and update in the app
- 4
A mismatch between settings
What separates it Noise cancelling or voice prompts behave strangely
How to confirm Reset to defaults
- 5
A failed battery or board
What separates it The reset does not help
How to confirm Contact Bose
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- What the headphones do when they fail
- Whether they power on after charging
- Whether they appear in Bluetooth settings
- The serial number
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedRestart the headphones
ReversibleOff for ten seconds.
Charge by USB-C
ReversibleFor a while.
Do the factory reset
ReversibleHold the keys the manual names.
Forget the headphones
ReversibleOn the phone.
Pair again
ReversibleAnd update the firmware.
Contact Bose
ReversibleIf it will not reset.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Memory
- The headphones store pairings and settings.
- A restart first
- It is the lightest step.
- The factory reset
- It clears pairings and settings.
- Charging
- A flat battery mimics a fault.
- The app
- It restores your preferences.
- Bose help
- Quote the serial number.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Do not open the earcups
- !Do not use a damaged charging cable
- !Contact Bose if the headphones swell or get hot
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I reset my Bose headphones?+
Hold the key combination in Bose's guidance until the headphones announce a reset.
Does a reset delete my music?+
No, it only clears the headphones' memory.
Will they forget my devices?+
Yes, pair again.
Will a reset fix a flat battery?+
No, charge them.
Is a reset safe?+
Yes.
When do I contact Bose?+
If a reset does not help.