The JBL Charge 4 is an amazingly powerful speaker. It delivers deep bass and amazing sound quality. With all that power, the battery will eventually run low.
I’ve followed the Bluetooth speaker scene for years now. The JBL Charge 4 has a remarkable battery life compared to other speakers in its range. Figuring out how to charge it can be a bit tricky. Since it’s waterproof, it’s a little difficult to find the charging ports.
A fully charged battery will play your favorite music for a long time! Just make sure that you are charging the battery properly. I’ll help you understand how to find the charging port, the right charger and adapter to use, and when you should charge your JBL Charge 4.
Charging Your JBL Charge 4
When the battery gets low, you’ll need to plug your JBL Charge 4 into a power source. How do you do this? Read on to find out.
1. Find the Charging Port on the Charge 4
The first step towards charging your Charge 4 is to find the proper port. The JBL Charge 4 charges through the USB-C port found on the back of the speaker. This port is located inside a compartment on the back of the speaker, located near the bottom.
The door to the compartment may be difficult to remove, but that’s because the speaker is waterproof. It has a seal to protect the electronics from water.
There are three ports here. There’s a USB 2.0 port (for charging your phone or another device), a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB-C port. It’s the USB-C port that you need.
2. Plug the USB-C Cord into the JBL Charge 4
Plug the USB-C cord that came with the speaker into the USB-C port. This is the smaller port on the back of the speaker. It has a lightning bolt etched into the plastic underneath it.
You can insert the USB-C cord into the port either way – there isn’t a way to insert it incorrectly. Make sure that the cord is securely seated inside the port.
3. Plug the Other End into Your USB Adapter
The other end of the charging cord should be larger. The USB 2.0 side of the cable is rectangular, and there is only one way to insert this side of the cord. Plug this end of the charging cable into your USB wall adapter.
We recommend using JBL’s adapter, especially if you have another JBL speaker. While the Charge 4 does not come with this adapter, you can purchase it separately from JBL.
4. Plug The USB Adapter into a Wall Outlet
With the cord plugged into the USB adapter, it’s time to plug the adapter into a wall outlet. Make sure that the outlet you choose is on and receiving power. Then, simply plug the adapter into the wall.
You can also plug the adapter into a power strip. Just make sure that the power strip is on so that your speaker can charge.
5. Allow the JBL Charge 4 to Recharge Completely
Now, you must let it recharge completely. It takes the JBL Charge 4 about 4 hours to fully charge the battery. The indicator lights on the front of the speaker indicate the level of charge.
Once all five lights are illuminated, the speaker is completely charged and ready to go. One full charge of the battery will allow you up to 20 hours of use. Make sure to allow the speaker to charge completely before removing the charging cable.
6. Unplug the Charging Cable
Once all of the indicator lights are illuminated, it’s time to unplug the charging cord. Gently pull the USB-C charging cord out of the port on the back of the speaker. Take care not to yank too hard or pull it too much, as this can cause damage to the cord or the port.
Make sure to store the cord in a safe location, so that you know where it is. You’ll need to use this cable often to make sure that your JBL Charge 4 maintains battery life.
7. Push the Compartment Door Firmly Closed
This is the most important step in the charging process. After removing the charging cable from the back of the speaker, make sure that the compartment door is firmly closed.
This is especially important if you are planning to use your JBL Charge 4 in or near water. This door keeps the ports from getting wet, even when the speaker is submerged. If this is not firmly pressed into place, water may ruin your speaker.
With these steps finished, your JBL Charge 4 is fully charged! Now you can enjoy up to 20 hours of continuous music!
The Perfect Charger for Your JBL Charge 4
You may have noticed that the JBL Charge 4 doesn’t come with a charger. Thankfully, JBL sells the charger, or USB adapter, separately. However, if you don’t want to use the official charger, there are other options.
You can use just about any USB charger for your Charge 4. You may have an appropriate adapter already. You only need to make sure that the adapter matches the power rating listed in the device specifications.
For the JBL Charge 4, that’s about 5 volts at 2.3 amps. If your USB adapter has those numbers (or higher) written on the label, it can charge the JBL Charge 4 effectively.
The JBL Charge 4 charges via USB-C port. It even comes with a USB-C charging cable in the box. We recommend using the USB-C charging cable that comes with the device. This cable has a USB-C plug on one end and a USB 2.0 plug on the other end.
Using this method, you can get a full charge on your JBL Charge 4 in just about four hours. If you own other JBL speakers, you can also use their charging cables and adapters for your Charge 4.
You can plug the USB 2.0 plug into your computer or another device to charge. While this is a viable option, it will take the speaker a lot longer to charge.
When To Charge Your JBL Charge 4
Of course, you know it’s time to charge your speaker when the music stops. But how do you know when the battery is getting low?
There is a small indicator panel on the front of the speaker, near the bottom. These five lights are battery status lights. During use, these lights will go off one at a time, indicating that the battery is draining.
When you notice that there is a single illuminated light, it’s time to charge your Charge 4. If you want to listen for just a little bit longer, you can wait until the light is flashing. At this point, it’s imperative to charge the speaker. Otherwise, the battery will be completely depleted.
However, it’s important to note that you can still use the speaker while it’s charging. It will take longer to recharge this way, but it can help save your party or your listening session.
JBL Charge 4 Charging FAQs
Many users of the JBL Charge 4 need help with certain aspects of the speaker. Here are some questions that you may also have about your JBL Charge 4.
Will the JBL Charge 4 Charge When Wet?
It’s not recommended to charge your JBL Charge 4 when wet. While the speaker is waterproof, it’s important to completely dry the speaker before attempting to charge it. This means drying out the waterproof compartment if water has seeped in. Make sure that the area around and inside the charging port is completely dry.
Failure to dry the speaker before connecting it to a power source could lead to severe damage.
Make sure that the waterproof compartment is securely closed before using the speaker in water. This can reduce the amount of water that gets through to the delicate components inside.
Can I Use the JBL Charge 4 While It Charges?
Your JBL Charge 4 can be used while it’s plugged in. Just note that the battery recharges much more slowly when you are using the speaker. If you don’t use it, the JBL Charge 4 will recharge in about 4 hours. A full charge will give you 20 hours of uninterrupted playtime.
If you choose to use the JBL Charge 4 while it is plugged in, the battery may take up to 8 hours to charge completely.
How Long Does it Take the JBL Charge 4 to Fully Recharge?
A full battery takes about 4 hours of charging for the JBL Charge 4. There are a few factors that can influence charging time. Firstly, the Charge 4’s battery will recharge faster if you plug it into an outlet directly (using a power adapter).
You can plug the Charge 4 into the USB port on another device, such as your computer, but charging will take longer. You should also try to use an adapter with a higher current, if available. This can speed up the battery charging. It will also take the JBL Charge 4 longer to charge if you are using it while it charges, as we’ve discussed before.
What Does the Flashing Indicator Light Mean?
A flashing indicator light on the front of your JBL Charge 4 means that the battery is about to die. When you see the flashing indicator light, make sure to plug your JBL Charge 4 into a power source to recharge the battery.
The indicator light may also flash if your device is in pairing mode. This happens less frequently, however.
Why Won’t My JBL Charge 4 Recharge?
There are a few reasons why your JBL Charge 4 won’t recharge. First, you should check your wall outlet. Make sure that it has power. You can test this by plugging in other devices. If there is a wall switch that controls the outlet, make sure that it’s turned on.
If you have the charger plugged into a power strip, make sure that the power strip is on and receiving power.
You should also try a different USB-C cable. Change the cable out for another of the same type. If the device still doesn’t charge, the cable is not to blame.
The AC adapter may be to blame. A label on the adapter itself may tell you how much current the adapter uses. You’ll need an adapter that supplies 5 volts at 2.3 amps to power the JBL Charge 4 correctly.
If the adapter doesn’t provide at least this amount of charge, you should replace it with one that does.
Why Does My JBL Charge 4 Shut Off Repeatedly?
If your JBL Charge 4 has an older battery, it may be time to replace it. A worn battery can cause the speaker to shut down randomly. It won’t hold a charge for as long as it used to, and it may not display on the indicator correctly.
The good news is that you can install a new battery in the JBL Charge 4. However, we recommend getting a professional to do the installation. This is for your safety, as well as the speakers.
Buttons on the JBL Charge 4 Won’t Respond While It’s Plugged In?
This is a common problem when using the JBL Charge 4 while it’s charging. Sometimes, the button on the speaker will stop working. If this is the case, you should make sure that they work when the speaker isn’t plugged in.
If the buttons work fine while running on battery, your power supply may not be providing enough current. Make sure to check the numbers on the adaptor itself. You should be using an adapter that provides at least 5 volts at 2.3 amps. If it doesn’t, the speaker isn’t going to charge correctly.
Final Verdict
The JBL Charge 4 is a powerful Bluetooth speaker that delivers great sound, deep bass, and tons of other great features. It’s even waterproof! Thanks to 20-hour battery life, it can keep the party going for a long time before it needs to be charged.
When you do need to charge it, the process is fairly simple. As long as you have the proper cord, adapter, and power supply, you can keep the party going – even when the JBL Charge 4 is recharging!
