Headphones power on automatically

[HAL9000]

An update from my side:

I have tried solving the problem myself. Disassembled my headphones as recommended here and reached the switch mechanism, but that was actually not the source of my problem like I assumed before. Although it actually gave me hope, because headphones worked after that for some reason. But it was a false hope. They died after 10-20 minutes. Also during this time I have realised battery was acting strangely - either failing or discharging really fast, went to 20%, then 10% and then died. Bose, is the battery meant to die after 10 recharge cycles? 😄 

Also, a very smart solution to make the battery irreplaceable and only offer customers buying new headphones instead, great job :).

Sorry for using the wrong thread, but maybe this would help other people who also mistakenly assume their issue is because of the switch (my problem is that headphones wouldn't turn on at all, or would turn on and immediately switch off, so first I assumed it was the switch causing this).

Anyway never ever in my life me or any of my friends are going to buy any other Bose product. Very poor support and treatment of customers. Quality is probably good generally, but then so many small things fail, design flaws or quality issues, which make headphones basically useless. Technical support basically is being a sales point (?), not offering you a solution, but rather offering you to buy a new pair of headphones.

Sorry for complaining too much, just feels like money spent in the worst way possible 🙂

[molnarp]

HAL9000,

Actually, you can replace the battery, iFixit has an excellent tutorial: https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Bose+QuietComfort+35+PARTIAL+Teardown/114932

You only need to open the left side, and you can solder in a new battery of similar specs.

regards,

Peter

[HAL9000]

Hi Peter,

Yes, I have reached the battery compartment yesterday, didn't realise the actual battery is hidden inside there. Thanks a lot for the guide!

I am not sure though whether the problem is with the battery itself. It could be anything like some capacitor failing or something. I'm not an electronics specialist, there is a high chance that it would just not work in the best case, or explode or burn in the worst case 🙂 (different currents/voltage/... needed and so on). Also, chances that problem is somewhere else are there. I will try reaching it to investigate and then might just ask for help of someone who specialises in electronics.

Thanks!

[banshee1971]

I have the same issue started this week. I notice my battery was empty, so i charge it. After use, i close it and notice that it power it self automaticaly after approx 30 sec.

So when i power down the switch... after 30 sec (sometime 1 min, sometime less), the headphone restart, and connect to my phone !

I have the latest firmware update !

I test the Reset, activate/deactivate the sleep (usually it's not active), no fix. The only thing seem to fix the issue, base on what i see on all thread, is to contact support and purchase another new set !

So look like to me that the Bose Headphone are like the iPhone, coded in the firmware to stop working after a certain period of time... Am i assuming right ?

[HAL9000]

Hi @banshee1971 ,

Sounds exactly like my issue. In which country did you try to reach support? I have afterwards contacted Bose through Twitter - they seem to be a bit more helpful there than on the local support and at least try to understand. Amongst other things, they have said the following:
"At this time we are unable to process or place any orders, exchanges or repairs for your region and as such please refer directly to support in Germany."

So I assume there are some regions/countries where replacements are possible and some, where they are not (maybe because of too many replacements, I don't know) :). 

Well, at least Apple products don't die on their own and don't become useless (usually). And most of the time it is posible to fix them somehow :).

If you are going to have any hints about this issue, please let me know.

The guide that was mentioned a few posts above describes how to change the battery. But there are no official battery replacements available, you would need to guess and buy a third-party one. And the whole process involves destroying some parts of your headphones and also a bit of skills. I have disassembled mine looked at things there and decided not to risk so far. First of all, problem might be somewhere else. And then even if hypothetically this is a battery issue, and you are successful at replacing it with some third-party battery, you might end up with something that might explode or burn next to your ear, unless you are 100% sure of what you are doing 🙂

[HAL9000]

Sorry, I misread and understood it wrong, it's a different issue that you have. Yours one must be with the switch, which should have the solution in this thread.

[banshee1971]

It's the same issue describe at the begining of this thread !

Here a video that describe exactly what happen...

Bose QC35 Is Turning On By Itself

[HAL9000]

Hi @banshee1971 ,

Check the pages 37-39 of this thread - there are some pictures and a video with instructions how to fix this issue. It is relatively easy to do.

If there is no chance of getting a replacement, that should help.

https://community.bose.com/t5/Around-On-Ear-Headphones/QC-35-I-is-Turning-On-By-Itself/td-p/106140/p...

[Robynconnor]

My QC 35 are turning on automatically. I called Bose and they said there was nothing that can be done. If this is a known issue, how can Bose do nothing about it?

[joelirwin]

It's their standard response along with an offer to exchange it for a price.  IGNORE THAT.  The problem as verified by many here is that the contacts in the on/off switch have shifted.  If you are a DIYer, there are instructions further back in this thread with pictures on how to fix it.  Everyone who has done so and shared here after the fact have said that the fix works.

If you don't like opening things up, call Bose and explain that you are part of the group with this problem.  Go through their troubleshooting steps which you know will not fix it, but humor them.  Then ask for a free exchange (even if you are out of warrantee).  If they say no, escalate to a supervisor.  If that doesn't work, call back and keep doing it until you get someone who will do it.  It is all about "persistence".  Those who have have received the free exchange.  If all else fails, ask to be connected to a support supervisor in Framingham, MA (Bose HQ) and if they refuse call the main Bose number in Framingham which you can get via Google.  Bose support people have not yet all been given consistent instructions on how to handle AND they have not determine the cause officially though the techies in this forum have shown conclusive evidence that its the contacts now for months.

P.S. - the techies here have also recommended you remove all wires and cables from the cover which some suspect is the cause of the problem by their putting pressure on the on/off switch.