Playing music out loud is fun. Jam speakers make this easy. Most Jam speakers connect without wires. They use something called Bluetooth. This guide shows you how to connect your phone or other device to your Jam speaker using Bluetooth. It’s a simple way to get your music playing fast.
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Getting Ready to Connect Wirelessly
Before you start, make sure you have your Jam speaker and the device you want to play music from. This could be your phone, tablet, or computer. Check that both devices are charged or plugged in. A low battery can stop the connection from working well. Find a place where both devices can be close to each other. Bluetooth works best when devices are not too far apart. Walls and other objects can sometimes block the signal. Try to have a clear path between your speaker and your music player.
Turning On Your Jam Speaker and Phone/Device
This is the first simple step.
Turn on your Jam speaker:
- Look for the power button on your speaker. It is usually on the side, back, or bottom.
- Press and hold the power button for a few seconds.
- You will likely hear a sound.
- A light on the speaker will turn on. This light tells you the speaker is on. It might be a solid light or a flashing light.
Turn on your phone or device:
- Make sure your phone, tablet, or computer is on.
- Unlock your device.
- Go to the main screen.
Both your speaker and your music device need to be on to connect.
Putting the Jam Speaker into Pairing Mode
This step is very important. Your Jam speaker needs to be in a special state. This state lets other devices, like your phone, find it. This is often called Jam speaker pairing mode. It’s how you start the Bluetooth pairing process.
How to enter pairing mode:
- After turning the speaker on, look for a special button. This button might be just for Bluetooth. It might have a Bluetooth symbol on it (it looks like a twisted B). Sometimes, the power button also starts pairing mode.
- Press and hold the Bluetooth button. If there is no special button, try pressing and holding the power button again for a few more seconds after the speaker is already on.
- You will likely hear a different sound this time.
- The light on your speaker will change. It will usually start flashing quickly. A fast-flashing light often means the speaker is in Jam speaker pairing mode. It is ready to be found.
Some speakers go into pairing mode right after you turn them on if they have not connected to a device before. But if your speaker has connected before, you usually need to press the special button to make it findable again. This is a key part of wireless speaker pairing.
Finding the Speaker on Your Device
Now that your Jam speaker is ready, you need to use your phone or device to find it. This is where you will connect device to Jam speaker.
Steps on your phone or device:
- Open the Settings app. Look for the gear icon.
- Find the section for Connections or Connected Devices.
- Look for Bluetooth. Tap on it.
- Make sure Bluetooth is turned ON. There is usually a switch or button for this. If it is off, turn it on.
- Your device will start searching for nearby Bluetooth devices. You might see a spinning circle or a list that is updating.
- Look at the list of found devices. You should see your Jam speaker’s name appear there. Jam speaker names often start with “JAM” or have the speaker’s model name (like “JAM Hang Up” or “JAM Chill Out”).
This step is where your phone finds the speaker name. Seeing the name means your device can see the speaker is in Jam speaker Bluetooth mode.
Confirming the Connection
Once you see your Jam speaker’s name in the list on your phone, you are close to playing music. The next step is to tap on the speaker’s name to make the connection. This is how you finally pair Jam speaker with your device.
Making the connection:
- In the list of Bluetooth devices on your phone, tap on the name of your Jam speaker.
- Your phone and the speaker will try to connect.
- You might see a message on your phone asking you to confirm or pair. Tap “Pair” or “OK.”
- You will likely hear another sound from your Jam speaker. This sound is different from the power on or pairing mode sounds. It often sounds like chimes or a tone.
- The light on your Jam speaker will change again. It will stop flashing quickly. It will usually become a solid light. This solid light means it is connected.
- On your phone, under the Bluetooth settings, the speaker’s name should now show as “Connected” or “Paired.”
You have now completed the Jam speaker setup for wireless music. Your device and speaker are linked using Bluetooth. This is the basic process for how to pair wireless speaker.
Starting Your Music
The hard part is over! Your Jam speaker is now connected wirelessly to your device. Now you can play anything you want and the sound will come from the speaker.
How to play music:
- Open any music app on your phone or device. This could be Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or any other app that plays sound.
- Choose a song, podcast, video, or any other audio.
- Press play.
- The sound should now play from your Jam speaker.
You can control the volume using the volume buttons on your phone or on the Jam speaker itself (if it has them). You can also usually skip songs from your phone. The connect phone to Jam speaker process makes your speaker work like an external speaker for everything on your phone.
Troubleshooting Jam Speaker Connection Problems
Sometimes, things don’t work perfectly the first time. If you have trouble connecting, don’t worry. Here are some common problems and how to try and fix them. This helps you troubleshoot Jam speaker connection issues.
Speaker Not Turning On
- Check the battery: Is the speaker charged? Plug it in using the cable it came with. Wait a few minutes, then try turning it on again.
- Check the cable and power source: Is the charging cable plugged in correctly? Is the wall adapter or USB port working? Try a different cable or power source if you have one.
- Press the button correctly: Make sure you are pressing the power button firmly and holding it long enough (usually 3-5 seconds).
Device Not Finding Speaker
- Is the speaker in pairing mode? Remember the flashing light? Make sure your Jam speaker is flashing its light quickly. If it’s a solid light, it’s either off or already connected to something else. Turn it off and on again, then put it back in pairing mode.
- Is Bluetooth on on your device? Go to your phone’s Settings -> Bluetooth. Is the switch ON?
- Refresh the Bluetooth list: On your phone’s Bluetooth settings screen, look for an option to Scan, Search, or Refresh. Tap it. Wait a few seconds to see if the speaker name appears.
- Are they close enough? Put your phone right next to the speaker. Make sure there are no big metal objects or thick walls between them.
- Turn Bluetooth off and on: On your phone, turn Bluetooth off. Wait 10 seconds. Turn Bluetooth back on. Then try searching again.
- Restart both devices: Turn both the Jam speaker and your phone/device completely off. Wait a minute. Turn them back on. Put the speaker in pairing mode again, then try connecting from your phone. This fixes many small issues.
- Clear old connections: If your phone has connected to many Bluetooth devices before, it might help to remove some old ones from the list. On your phone’s Bluetooth settings, tap on old device names and look for an option like “Forget” or “Unpair.” Then try finding the Jam speaker again.
- Check the manual: Sometimes different Jam speaker models have slightly different ways to enter pairing mode. Check the small instruction book that came with your speaker.
Connection Drops Often
- Distance: Are you too far from the speaker? Try keeping your phone closer, ideally within 30 feet (about 10 meters) with a clear view.
- Things blocking the signal: Large metal objects, thick walls, or even other wireless devices (like microwaves, Wi-Fi routers, or other Bluetooth devices) can cause interference. Try moving the speaker and your phone to a different spot.
- Speaker battery: A low battery on the speaker can sometimes cause connection problems. Make sure it is charged.
- Device issues: Try restarting your phone or device. If the problem continues with only one specific device, the issue might be with that device’s Bluetooth.
- Speaker issues: If the speaker keeps dropping the connection with all devices, the speaker itself might have a problem. Contact Jam Audio support.
Speaker Is Paired but No Sound
- Check the volume: Is the volume turned up on both your phone/device and the Jam speaker? There are usually separate volume controls. Turn both up.
- Check the source: Is the music or audio actually playing on your phone? Is it paused?
- Check the output on your device: On some devices (like laptops or computers), you might need to choose the Jam speaker as the sound output device in the system settings. On phones, if it says “Connected,” it should usually work automatically.
- Try playing sound from a different app: Does sound work from a music app but not a video app? Try a different app to see if the problem is with one specific app.
- Disconnect and reconnect: Go to your phone’s Bluetooth settings, tap on the Jam speaker name, and choose “Disconnect” or “Unpair.” Then go through the steps again to connect it fresh.
Pairing with a Second Device
Jam speakers usually connect to only one device at a time for playing music. If you want to pair Jam speaker with a different phone or tablet, you first need to disconnect it from the first device.
- On the first device: Go to its Bluetooth settings, find the Jam speaker, and choose “Disconnect” or “Unpair” (Unpair is better if you don’t plan to use the first device for a while).
- Put the Jam speaker back into pairing mode: Press and hold the Bluetooth pairing button until the light flashes quickly again.
- On the second device: Follow the steps above (Finding the Speaker, Confirming the Connection) to connect the second device.
Some advanced Jam speakers might have a feature called “multi-point” that lets them connect to two devices at once (usually for calls on one, music on the other), but most standard models connect one at a time for audio playback.
Tips for a Better Wireless Connection
Here are some extra tips to make your wireless speaker pairing experience smooth and reliable.
Keep Devices Close
Bluetooth works best over short distances. Try to keep your phone or device within about 30 feet (10 meters) of the speaker. Shorter distances mean a stronger, more stable connection.
Avoid Obstacles
Thick walls, metal objects (like refrigerators or shelving), and even water (like fish tanks) can weaken the Bluetooth signal. Place your speaker and device in a spot with a clear view of each other if possible.
Limit Interference
Other wireless devices use radio waves too. Try to keep your Jam speaker away from things like microwaves, Wi-Fi routers, cordless phones, or other Bluetooth speakers that are in use.
Charge Your Devices
Make sure both your Jam speaker and the device you are playing music from are charged. Low battery can sometimes make Bluetooth connections unstable or prevent them from connecting at all.
Keep Software Updated
Keep your phone or tablet’s operating system updated. Software updates often include improvements for Bluetooth performance and fixing bugs that might affect connections.
Restart Sometimes
If you use the speaker often, it can be helpful to turn both the speaker and your phone off and on again every so often. This can clear up small software issues that might develop over time.
Various Jam Speaker Models
Jam Audio makes many different portable Bluetooth speakers. While the basic steps to pair Jam speaker using Bluetooth are very similar for most models, the exact location of buttons or the look of the lights might be slightly different.
Here are some popular Jam speaker types:
- Jam Hang Up: Often small with a loop to hang it.
- Jam Chill Out: Compact and portable.
- Jam Zero Chill: A bit larger, often with bigger sound.
- Jam Double Chill: Like the Chill Out but might have different features.
- Jam Live Free: True wireless earbuds, but they connect via Bluetooth like speakers too.
No matter which model you have, the core steps of turning it on, putting it in Jam speaker pairing mode, finding it on your device, and connecting are almost always the same. Always check the small manual that came with your specific speaker model if you are unsure about the buttons or lights. The manual will give you the most accurate steps for your exact speaker for how to pair wireless speaker.
Why Connect Wirelessly?
Connecting your Jam speaker using Bluetooth offers great benefits.
Freedom to Move
Wireless connection means no cables! You can place the speaker where it sounds best in the room. You can keep your phone with you to change songs or answer texts without stopping the music or being tied to the speaker’s location. This freedom is a major plus of wireless speaker pairing.
Easy for Anyone to Use
Once connected, anyone can control the music from the paired device. It’s simple for friends and family to learn how to connect their own devices too, following the same easy steps for connect phone to Jam speaker.
Less Clutter
Wires can look messy. A wireless setup is clean and simple. It makes your space look tidier. The Jam speaker setup via Bluetooth is very clean.
Quick Setup
Connecting via Bluetooth is usually very fast after the first time. Your phone will remember the speaker and connect automatically when it is nearby and turned on. This makes playing music almost instant.
Keeping Your Jam Speaker in Good Shape
A little care helps your speaker last longer and keep its good sound.
- Keep it Clean: Wipe it with a soft, dry cloth. Don’t use harsh chemicals or lots of water.
- Avoid Extreme Heat or Cold: Don’t leave it in a very hot car or outside in freezing temperatures.
- Protect it from Water (Unless Waterproof): If your speaker is not waterproof, keep it away from spills, rain, or dropping it in water. Even waterproof speakers should have their charging ports dried completely before charging after getting wet.
- Charge it Right: Use the charging cable that came with it or one that is known to work correctly. Don’t leave it plugged in all the time if you don’t need to. Charging when the battery is low and unplugging when full is often best for battery life.
- Store it Safely: If you are not using it for a long time, store it in a cool, dry place. Make sure it has some charge before storing it for many months.
Taking care of your speaker means you can enjoy your wireless music for a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do I need a special app to connect my Jam speaker?
A: No, for basic connection and playing music, you do not need a special app. You just use the Bluetooth settings built into your phone or device. There might be an optional app for some models that adds extra features, but it is not needed for the initial Bluetooth pairing.
Q: Why does my Jam speaker connect to my phone automatically sometimes?
A: After you pair Jam speaker with your phone the first time, your phone remembers it. If Bluetooth is on on your phone, and the speaker is turned on and nearby (and not connected to another device), they will often find each other and connect again by themselves. This makes it very quick to play music after the first Jam speaker setup.
Q: Can I connect two Jam speakers together at the same time?
A: Some Jam speaker models have a feature to link two speakers together for stereo sound (left and right channels) or just louder sound (both playing the same audio). This is a special feature called “Stereo Linking” or “Party Mode.” It is not the standard Bluetooth connection and requires following specific steps for models that support it. Check your speaker’s manual to see if it has this feature and how to use it. This is different from just connecting one speaker via wireless speaker pairing.
Q: My speaker light is solid, but no sound comes out. What’s wrong?
A: A solid light usually means the speaker thinks it is connected.
* First, check the volume on both your phone and the speaker.
* Make sure music is actually playing on your phone and that the sound is directed to Bluetooth.
* Try playing sound from a different app.
* If it still doesn’t work, go to your phone’s Bluetooth settings, disconnect the speaker, and reconnect it. See the troubleshooting steps above for more help on this.
Q: How far away can my phone be from the speaker?
A: Bluetooth range is usually up to about 30 feet (10 meters). This distance can be less if there are walls, furniture, or other electronic devices in the way. For the most reliable connection, keep your device closer to the speaker. This is important for stable connect device to Jam speaker.
Q: What does the flashing light mean on my Jam speaker?
A: A quickly flashing light almost always means the speaker is in Jam speaker pairing mode. It is trying to be found by a new device. A slowly flashing light might mean it is looking for a device it connected to before. A solid light usually means it is connected. Check your manual to be sure about the lights on your specific model.
Connecting your Jam speaker wirelessly is a simple process once you know the steps. Just turn it on, put it in pairing mode, find it on your device’s Bluetooth list, and tap to connect. With these easy steps and troubleshooting tips, you’ll be enjoying your music out loud in no time. Happy listening!