Bose's short-battery guidance for headphones starts with the feature that costs the most: immersive audio needs extra processing, so run time falls from up to 24 hours to up to 18 hours on the QC Ultra Headphones, and switching Immersive Audio off gives the longer figure. Check the level with the voice prompt at power-on or the status light on the left earcup, or set the battery level as a shortcut in the Bose app. Make sure the headphones have a full charge before judging run time, and remember a 15-minute charge gives about 2.5 hours.
Bose recommends updating the firmware from a computer at btu.bose.com, and turning off unneeded notifications on the phone's sound menu. For the SoundLink speakers Bose adds that loud, bass-heavy music at high volume can cut playback to a few hours and that a speaker left on with no signal shuts itself off after 30 minutes. For earbuds the charging case is a second battery, so a case that will not charge the earbuds shortens use. If life is well below the rating after a full charge and a reboot, book a repair or replacement.
Differential
Likely causes of “Bose QuietComfort headphones and earbuds battery runs out too quickly”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Immersive audio is on
What separates it The battery life is eighteen hours instead of twenty four because Immersive Audio is on
How to confirm Set Immersive Audio to Off, and check the battery life again
- 2
The battery was not fully charged
What separates it The battery life is short after a quick top up because the battery was not fully charged
How to confirm Charge the battery fully, which takes up to three hours
- 3
Loud, bassy music at high volume
What separates it A speaker plays for only a few hours because of loud, bassy music at high volume
How to confirm Lower the volume, since loud bassy music drains the battery quickly
- 4
Outdated firmware
What separates it The battery level seems wrong because the firmware is out of date
How to confirm Update the firmware at btu.bose.com, and check the battery life again
- 5
A worn battery
What separates it The battery life falls despite your settings because the battery is worn
How to confirm Start a repair or a replacement with Bose, since a worn battery cannot be fixed at home
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether immersive audio and noise cancelling are on
- The time from full charge to empty
- Whether the firmware is up to date
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedCharge fully
ReversibleCharge fully, by leaving the headphones on charge for up to three hours, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Turn immersive audio off
ReversibleTurn Immersive Audio off, and test the battery life with it switched off, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the level
ReversibleCheck the level, using the power on prompt or the Bose app, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Update
ReversibleUpdate the firmware, by using btu.bose.com to install the newest version, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Time a full drain
ReversibleTime a full drain, and note how long the headphones play from a full charge.
Start a repair
ReversibleStart a repair if the life is short, and begin a repair or a replacement with Bose.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Rated life
- Bose: QC Ultra Headphones up to 24 hours with immersive audio off and 18 hours on.
- Immersive audio
- Bose says immersive audio needs extra processing and reduces battery run time.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the QuietComfort Headphones, QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, QuietComfort Earbuds II.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If life is far below the rating after a full charge and update, start a repair or replacement with Bose
- !If a cup or case is hot or swollen, stop using it and contact Bose
- !If only one earbud drains, replace it through Bose
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
24 and 18 hours, 15-minute charge and battery prompts.
Case seating and reset.
Updating at btu.bose.com.
Volume, bass and auto-off after 30 minutes for the speakers.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
How long should the QC Ultra Headphones last?+
Up to 24 hours with immersive audio off and 18 hours with it on.
Why is my battery draining fast?+
Immersive audio needs more processing, which cuts run time, per Bose.
How do I check the battery?+
Listen to the prompt at power-on, or check the light on the left earcup.
Does a partial charge matter?+
Yes, charge fully for the maximum life.
Do updates help?+
Yes, updates help, and Bose recommends that you update at btu.bose.com.
Does music volume matter?+
For the SoundLink speakers, loud bass-heavy music cuts playback to a few hours.
Do speakers turn off on their own?+
A speaker shuts off after 30 minutes without a signal.
Can I test a full drain?+
Charge to full and time it with immersive audio off.
What if it is short after all steps?+
If it is short after all of these steps, start a repair or a replacement with Bose.
How do I reboot the headphones?+
Hold Power/Bluetooth while connecting a USB cable to the left earcup; the light blinks twice.
Does a reboot erase my settings?+
No, Bose says the headphone reboot does not erase settings.
Which Windows entry gives full-range music?+
The Stereo (A2DP) entry rather than Hands-Free.