Is Bose Soundbar 900 Update Taking Forever? (Quick Fixes!)

bose soundbar 900 update taking forever

If your Bose soundbar 900 update taking forever, it’s probably stuck so, no point in waiting!  

The Bose soundbar 900’s update may last longer or get stuck indefinitely due to a problem with the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection

Nonetheless, this guide will help you decipher what went wrong causing the Bose soundbar to take so long to update, so let’s start! 

If the Bose soundbar 900 keeps updating to no avail, ensure your mobile is connected to the internet, power cycle the soundbar, and reactivate the update.

If the issue continues, apply the update over USB and factory reset the soundbar.

Let’s go through the solutions in detail!

Why is the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 Update Taking Forever?

bose smart soundbar 900 update taking forever

Here’s what can prevent the Bose soundbar 900’s update from finalizing:

  • Your Bose Music app’s version is outdated.
  • A power-related problem with the soundbar.
  • There’s an issue with the mobile connection.
  • The soundbar has lost its Bluetooth pairing.
  • The soundbar has a hardware/software issue.

That’s it, not much, but enough to cause trouble. So, let’s get your Bose soundbar 900 updated!

Bose Soundbar 900 Update Taking Forever – The Quick Fixes!

Things to Know:

  • Whenever a soundbar update is available, the Bose app automatically installs it.
  • If the soundbar is set to “Off” or unplugged, the update will resume after a reboot.
  • Activate the Bose Music app’s notifications to know when an update is available.

Now, let’s review the solutions!

1. Restart the Update via the Bose App

restart the update via the bose app

The standard method for updating the Bose soundbar 900’s OS is through the Bose Music app available for your mobile device.

If the update fails to initiate, takes too long, or freezes up in the middle of the progress bar, you can address the problem by restarting the update process fresh.

Before installing the update, you should know the following:

  • The soundbar must be connected to the Bose app to update.
  • The app can be minimized, but closing it cancels the update.
  • Your Bose must be within the Bluetooth range of your mobile.

Let’s learn how to restart the Bose soundbar 900’s update process through the app:

  1. Open the Bose Music app on the mobile iOS or Android.
  2. Optional: Tap on the “Newer Firmware” Bose notification.
  3. Next, tap “Install Update” once redirected to the Bose app.
  4. Follow the app’s instructions to finalize the update process.
Note: Heads up, the update may take longer than expected, so in the meantime, read through the following solution!

2. Inspect the Mobile’s Wi-Fi Connection

inspect the mobile’s wi-fi connection

You should note that updating the Bose soundbar through the Bose Music app requires a stable connection to the internet of your mobile device.

In case of fluctuations or drops in the connection, the ongoing soundbar update will freeze and resume whenever the signal is restored.

Here’s how to address issues with your mobile’s Wi-Fi connection:

  • Re-activate the “Wi-Fi” or “Cellular” feature within the settings.
  • Move closer to the Wi-Fi router or improve the wireless strength.
  • Restart and unplug the network router unit for up to 60 seconds.
  • Reset the network and Bluetooth settings of your mobile device.
Tip: You can track the cellular or Wi-Fi’s strength through the indicator on top of the screen!

3. Power Reset the Bose Soundbar 900

You can resolve underlying issues with the Bose soundbar by performing a power reset of the hardware.

It is a quick and efficient solution to address any issues with the soundbar’s software, clear the existing device cache, and eliminate any existing errors, including faults with updating.

power cycle remote & soundbar

Follow these steps to perform a power reset on the Bose soundbar 900:

  1. Disconnect the supplying A/C cord from the soundbar.
  2. Unplug the other end from your boss’s electrical outlet.
  3. Wait 60 seconds and reinstall the cable on both ends.

When ready, try updating again!

4. Update your Bose Application Build

The soundbar may be refusing to update due to an outdated firmware version of your Bose mobile app.

The Bose app is designed to automatically download the latest versions available for all of your products, but when the application itself is outdated, updates can’t come through.

So, updating the app might fix your soundbar update issue!

How to Update the Bose Music App On Android?

update the bose music app on android
  1. Open the Google Play Store on your Android.
  2. Next, tap on your profile icon at the top right.
  3. Tap “Manage apps & device” from the menu.
  4. Find your Bose Music app within the listings.
  5. Then, select the Bose app and press “Update”.

How to Update the Bose Music App On iOS?

  1. Open the App Store and press on your profile icon.
  2. Scroll down to “Pending updates and release notes”.
  3. Locate the Bose Music application from all the apps.
  4. Tap the “Update” button next to your Bose Music app.
  5. Wait until the software version of your app is updated.
Reminder: Your mobile must have a secure internet connection to update apps!

5. Update the Soundbar Over USB Link

update the soundbar over usb link

If your Bose soundbar 900 update stuck over and over, you should try updating the soundbar’s version using your computer device over a wired USB connection

While it takes longer compared to the standard way of updating, the USB method is one of the few ways that guarantee that your Bose soundbar will get updated.

Updating the soundbar over USB requires:

  • A computer connected to an internet service.
  • A functional USB-A cable for the connection.
  • An available USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 PC USB port.

Follow these steps to update the Bose soundbar 900 over USB:

  1. First, connect the USB-A end of your cable to a computer port.
  2. Plug the other end into the soundbar’s “USB-C SERVICE” port.”
  3. Navigate and btu.bose.com and download the Bose updater.
  4. Connect the Bose soundbar via USB to a port on the computer.
  5. Launch the updater and follow the instructions to their very end.

If this doesn’t work, here’s another way of updating!

6. Update Bose Soundbar via Update File

update bose soundbar via update file

Another robust way of updating your Bose soundbar is to download the latest update on your computer and, again, use a USB connection to your PC. 

So, get on your PC and follow the instructions:

  1. Connect your PC to the soundbar via a USB cable.
  2. Go to “worldwide.bose.com/support/SB900FW”.
  3. Save and don’t rename the “product_update.zip”.
  4. Verify your PC is connected to your Bose via USB.
  5. Reboot the soundbar and get your remote control.
  6. Press Bluetooth and Skip Back for 5–7 seconds.
  7. Next, go to “http://203.0.113.1:17008/update.html”.
  8. Click “Choose File” and pick “product_update.zip”.
  9. Finally, click “UPLOAD” to begin the Bose upgrade.

Well, if this method doesn’t work as well, there are even more ways!

7. Update the Bose Soundbar via Direct IP

update the bose soundbar via direct ip

For this method of updating to work, you need your soundbar connected to the Wi-Fi of your router and your soundbar’s IP address. 

The first one is easy, but how do you find the IP address?

Well, go to the Bose Music app, tap “Settings”, choose “My Bose” and select your soundbar.

Select “Technical Info” and go down to locate the IP and Mac address of the Bose soundbar.

When you’ve got this, here are the direct IP updating instructions:

  1. Connect a computer to the same router/Wi-Fi as the soundbar.
  2. Get the updated file “worldwide.bose.com/support/SB900FW”.
  3. Reboot the Bose soundbar and open a web browser on your PC.
  4. Type your soundbar’s IP address and add “:17008/update.html”.
  5. Example of IP and URL string: 192.158.1.38:17008/update.html.
  6. Press Enter, and if everything is correct you will see an interface.
  7. Select “Choose File” and upload your file “product_update.zip”.
  8. Finally, press “UPLOAD” and your soundbar must start updating.
Reminder: The update is completed when the light bar stops scrolling!

8. Restore the Product to Factory Defaults

restore the product to factory defaults

If you’re still unable to update the Bose soundbar 900 firmware, you should restore the system product to factory defaults.

The difference between a standard reset and a factory reset is that restoring Bose to factory defaults erases all settings and reverts them to their out-of-box state.

Note that the factory reset procedure is different if you have set up a voice assistant with your Bose soundbar 900.

So if you have a paired Alexa or Google Assistant, you must remove your soundbar from the Alexa app or Bose Music app before proceeding.

  • To factory reset your Bose soundbar, press and hold the “Power” and “Skip Forward” buttons for ~5 seconds.

When your Bose soundbar is reset, try updating by following the instructions from any method you prefer, that we’ve gone through.

If you still cannot update, get in touch with Bose Support.

Quick Recap

If the Bose soundbar 900 update taking forever, power reset the product’s hardware, restart the update, and try to upload the files manually.

If the issue persists, try the direct IP method of updating or resetting your soundbar to factory defaults.

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