Bose separates a reboot from a factory reset. To reboot the QC Ultra Headphones (any generation) disconnect any cable, connect a USB cable and charger to power without plugging it into the headphones yet, press and hold Power/Bluetooth, and while holding connect the USB cable to the left earcup; the power light blinks twice quickly; wait two seconds, release, and if nothing happens do it a second time. This does not erase settings. For earbuds Bose gives three levels. Reset: put the earbuds in the case, connect the case to power, and once the front light is on hold the button on the back until it turns off, then remove them.
Clear the pairing list: remove the earbuds from your device, open case with earbuds inside and hold the button until the light blinks blue, then white twice, and back to blue, up to 15 seconds. Factory reset: on a USB wall charger, hold the button until the case light blinks blue, cycles colors and turns off, up to 30 seconds; it then blinks white five times, glows amber and blinks blue, ready to pair. Before a factory reset remove the earbuds from your device's Bluetooth list and from your Bose account.
Differential
Likely causes of “Bose QuietComfort headphones and earbuds needs a safe reset or will not reset”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A frozen headset
What separates it There is no response because the headset has frozen
How to confirm Reboot with the USB cable while holding the button
- 2
A stale pairing list
What separates it The devices will not connect because the pairing list is stale
How to confirm Clear the pairing list on the headphones, and pair again
- 3
Persistent faults
What separates it Nothing else helps because the faults keep coming back
How to confirm Factory reset the earbuds, following the steps for the case
- 4
Selling or giving the earbuds away
What separates it The buyer needs a clean set because you are selling or giving the earbuds away
How to confirm Remove them from your account and factory reset
- 5
A failed pairing
What separates it Pairing loops because an earlier pairing attempt failed halfway
How to confirm Clear the list, and then pair the headphones again from the start
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which reset you have already tried
- The light patterns during the reset
- Whether the case is on a wall charger
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedReboot headphones
ReversibleReboot the headphones, by holding Power and Bluetooth while connecting USB to the left earcup.
Reset earbuds
ReversibleReset the earbuds, by putting the case on power, and holding the back button until the light turns off.
Clear pairing list
ReversibleClear the pairing list, by holding until the light blinks white twice and returns to blue.
Remove from your account
ReversibleRemove them from your account, in the Bose app, before any factory reset, so the reset does not leave a stale entry.
Factory reset
ReversibleFactory reset the earbuds, by holding the case button for up to thirty seconds on a wall charger.
Watch the lights
ReversibleWatch the lights, which flash white five times, then amber, and then blue, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Pair again
ReversiblePair again, by connecting the earbuds to your device once the reset is done, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Headphones versus earbuds
- The headphones reboot with the USB cable; the earbuds reset from the case button at 15, 30 and 40 seconds for different resets.
- Earbuds II
- Bose has a separate reset article for the QuietComfort Earbuds II with a 30-second case button hold on a wall charger.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, QuietComfort Earbuds II.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a factory reset does not produce the white and amber lights, start a repair or replacement with Bose
- !If the earbuds will not power on, replace them through Bose
- !If you are selling them, confirm they are removed from your account
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
The headphone reboot steps.
Earbud reset, clear pairing list and factory reset.
The 40-second case reset.
The same reboot in a no-audio fix.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I reboot the QC Ultra Headphones?+
Hold Power/Bluetooth while connecting the USB cable to the left earcup until the light blinks twice.
Does it erase settings?+
No, the headphone reboot does not erase settings.
How do I factory reset the QC Ultra Earbuds?+
On a USB wall charger, hold the case button up to 30 seconds until the case light blinks white five times, glows amber and blinks blue.
How do I clear the earbud pairing list?+
Hold the case button until the light blinks blue, then white twice, then blue.
Why a wall charger?+
Bose says use a USB wall charger, not a computer or laptop.
What about the case?+
Hold its Bluetooth button 40 seconds to reset the case.
Do I remove them from my account first?+
Yes, remove them from your account first, before any factory reset.
What if the lights do not appear?+
Repeat the reset, then start a repair or replacement.
Does the 2nd Gen reset the same way?+
The headphone reboot is the same.