Bose Smart Soundbar 700 How to Resolve No Audio After Bluetooth Pairing

A quiet room, a steady stream of music, and the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 humming in the background—yet suddenly there is silence after the Bluetooth pairing completes. The source is ready, the connection icon glows, but no audio pours out. For users who rely on the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 to elevate movie nights, gaming sessions, or simply the soundtrack of daily life, that empty silence can feel more like a glitch than a feature. This guide dives deep into the most common reasons why the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 stops producing sound after a Bluetooth pairing and walks you through clear, step‑by‑step solutions to restore audio.

Understanding the Bose Smart Soundbar 700

The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 is designed to be a modern, wireless audio companion for any home theater setup. Its key attributes include:

• Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth Dual‑Connectivity – enabling effortless streaming from a phone, tablet, or PC, as well as seamless integration with Bose’s proprietary Smart Control app.
• High‑Definition Audio Processing – up to 12‑channel audio support, Dolby Atmos‑compatible, and Bose’s proprietary proprietary software tuning for a surround‑sound experience.
• Multi‑Room Audio – pairing multiple Soundbar 700 units or compatible Bose speakers to play synchronized audio across a house.
• Alexa and Google Assistant Integration – voice‑controlled playback, volume, and source switching.
• Compact Design with Dedicated Subwoofer – a detachable subwoofer that can be placed behind or below the soundbar for deeper bass.

These features make the device powerful but also introduce layers of complexity that can cause unexpected audio issues, especially when Bluetooth is the chosen method of input.

How Bluetooth Pairing Normally Works

Before troubleshooting, it’s helpful to review the typical pairing sequence:

1. Enable Bluetooth on the source device (smartphone, tablet, laptop).
2. Enter pairing mode on the soundbar by pressing the Bluetooth button or using the Smart Control app. A flashing LED indicates pairing mode.
3. Select the Soundbar 700 from the list of available devices on the source. The icon typically appears as Bose Soundbar 700 or similar.
4. Wait for confirmation – a solid LED or on‑screen notification confirms a successful link.
5. Choose the audio source – the device may default to “Bluetooth,” “TV,” or another input; you must select “Bluetooth” to route audio through the soundbar.

When each step completes without hiccups, audio should flow. When audio stops, the problem usually lies in one of the layers that manage the connection, volume, or device settings.

Symptoms of “No Audio After Bluetooth Pairing”

Recognizing these patterns helps narrow the cause before diving into deeper troubleshooting.

Common Causes of Silent Bluetooth Playback

Each of these potential causes maps to a set of actionable steps that follow.

Step‑by‑Step Troubleshooting

1. Confirm the Correct Input Source on the Soundbar

The soundbar houses several input options: TV, Blu‑ray, Bluetooth, and Audio In. It is common for the soundbar to default to a different input after power cycling or firmware updates.

• Press the Source button on the remote or within the Smart Control app until Bluetooth appears in the on‑screen list.
• Alternatively, use the Smart Control app → Sound Settings → Input → select Bluetooth.

If Bluetooth is not selected, the soundbar will ignore the audio stream from the source device.

2. Double‑Check the Source Device’s Audio Output

Your phone, tablet, or PC might be sending audio to another output (like internal speakers or an external headset) even though it shows “Bluetooth” as connected.

• On iOS/Android: Swipe down (iOS) or up (Android) to open the quick settings panel. Tap the Audio Output or Sound Output icon and confirm Bose Soundbar 700 is chosen.
• On Windows: Right‑click the speaker icon → Open Sound Settings → Choose your output device → select Bose Soundbar 700.
• On macOS: Apple menu → System Settings → Sound → Output → select Bose Soundbar 700.

If a different output is selected, switch to the soundbar and play a test track.

3. Verify Volume Levels and Mute States

A common oversight is that the volume on the source or soundbar is muted.

• On the source device: Ensure the media volume is up and not muted.
• On the soundbar: Use the remote’s volume buttons to raise the level. If the LED indicator for volume remains off, the soundbar may still be muted. Look for a mute icon in the Smart Control app and toggle it off.

4. Re‑Pair the Bluetooth Connection

Sometimes the pairing link becomes corrupted.

1. Forget the device on the source: Go to the Bluetooth settings → find Bose Soundbar 700 → Forget.
2. Reset the Bluetooth module on the soundbar: Press the Power button and the Source button simultaneously for 5 seconds until the LED flashes red. This action resets Bluetooth but preserves the Wi‑Fi network.
3. Re‑pair by following the standard pairing procedure: Put the soundbar in pairing mode and select it on the source.

This process clears any lingering pairing errors that may block audio.

5. Check for Interference and Signal Range

Bluetooth operates in the 2.4 GHz band, which is shared with many household devices.

• Move the source device closer to the soundbar, ideally within 10–15 feet.
• Keep other devices that emit 2.4 GHz signals—routers, cordless phones, microwave ovens—away from the signal path.
• If the soundbar is near a Wi‑Fi router, try switching the router to 5 GHz band, as that reduces congestion on 2.4 GHz.

After repositioning, test playback to see if audio returns.

6. Update Firmware on Both the Soundbar and the Source Device

Bose frequently releases firmware updates that fix known Bluetooth bugs.

• On the soundbar: Open the Smart Control app → Settings → Software Update. If an update is available, download and install. This may reboot the device.
• On the source device: Ensure the operating system and Bluetooth drivers are current (iOS/Android automatic updates; Windows update; macOS update via System Settings).

After updates, re‑pair and test again.

7. Test with a Different Source Device

If you suspect the problem lies with the source rather than the soundbar:

• Try pairing a different phone or tablet to the soundbar and play audio.
• If audio plays correctly, the original source device has a configuration or hardware issue that needs further attention.

8. Examine the Bluetooth Audio Profile

Some older devices default to a low‑quality profile that the soundbar may not fully support.

• On Android: Go to Settings → Developer Options → Bluetooth Audio Codec → select Auto or a high‑bandwidth codec such as LC3.
• On iOS: While iOS usually selects the best available profile automatically, older iOS versions might default to AAC; ensure the device is updated.

After changing the codec, re‑pair and play audio.

9. Inspect Physical Connections (For Wired Alternatives)

If you’ve tried Bluetooth several times and still face silence, it may be worth checking the wired alternatives.

• Use the Audio‑In port on the soundbar with a 3.5 mm jack or optical cable. Connect to a TV or receiver that uses a different audio output.
• Test audio through the wired path. If it works, the Bluetooth module may be faulty, or the wireless path is the culprit.

10. Perform a Factory Reset (Last Resort)

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, a factory reset can clear any persistent configuration problems.

1. Backup any personalized settings or volume presets in the Smart Control app.
2. Reset: Press and hold the Power and Volume‑Down buttons simultaneously for 7 seconds until the LED flashes orange. The soundbar will reboot to factory defaults.
3. Re‑configure: Pair with your source device and set preferences anew.

Note that this action will erase all paired devices and custom settings.

11. Contact Bose Support

When hardware issues remain unresolved after troubleshooting, Bose support can help diagnose via remote diagnostics or arrange a repair/replacement.

• Visit the Bose website → Support → Product Support → Soundbar 700.
• Provide the serial number and a detailed description of the steps you’ve taken.
• Bose may request a firmware dump or diagnostic logs from the Smart Control app.

Most soundbar issues are resolved within a warranty period, especially if the product is relatively new.

Best Practices to Prevent Future Audio Loss

• Keep Firmware Updated – Enable auto‑updates for both the soundbar and source devices whenever possible.
• Avoid Interference – Maintain clear line‑of‑sight and avoid placing the soundbar near other 2.4 GHz emitters.
• Regularly Re‑Pair – If you frequently switch source devices, occasionally forget and re‑pair to ensure the connection remains clean.
• Use the Smart Control App – It provides diagnostic tools and easier configuration than the remote alone.
• Monitor Volume Levels – Keep an eye on mute states across all devices; a muted source can silently kill audio.
• Keep the Soundbar Clean – Dust or moisture can affect internal components, including the Bluetooth module.

By integrating these habits into your routine, you’ll reduce the likelihood of encountering a silent Bluetooth pairing in the future.

A Quick Reference Checklist

If all boxes are checked and audio still fails, proceed to the advanced troubleshooting steps or contact Bose support.

Wrapping Up

The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 is engineered to deliver premium audio through a combination of high‑quality hardware, intelligent software, and wireless flexibility. When Bluetooth pairing results in silence, it is almost always a software or configuration issue rather than a fundamental design flaw. By methodically checking the input source, volume levels, device connections, and firmware status, most users can restore audio within minutes.

The key is to treat the problem like any other troubleshooting scenario: isolate the variable, test each hypothesis, and systematically rule out possibilities. With the steps outlined above, you’ll regain the cinematic soundscape you expect from a Bose soundbar. If the issue persists, you’ll be armed with detailed logs and a clear diagnostic trail to share with Bose support, ensuring a swift resolution. Happy listening.