Bose QuietComfort Headphones F31 Error Code Guide

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What This Error Means

F31 on Bose QuietComfort Headphones means a firmware / internal control fault during start-up or update.
In plain language: the headphones try to boot, hit a software glitch, and either won’t connect, won’t play right, or keep flashing and dropping out.

Official Fix

  • 1. Check the basics first.
    – Make sure the headphones are dry, not just pulled out of the rain or gym bag.
    – Look for obvious damage to the earcups, headband, and USB‑C port.
  • 2. Give it a proper charge.
    – Turn the headphones off.
    – Plug into a known-good USB‑C cable and a wall charger (not a weak laptop port).
    – Let it sit at least 30 minutes. F31 often shows up when the battery is low and firmware can’t finish loading.
  • 3. Do the standard Bose reset.
    – Turn the headphones off.
    – Wait 30 seconds.
    – Plug into USB power for about 5 seconds.
    – Unplug the cable, wait a full 1 minute, then power them back on.
    – Watch the LED: solid white / green is good, crazy flashing plus F31 is not.
  • 4. Clear the Bluetooth list and re-pair.
    – On most QuietComfort models: slide or hold the Bluetooth / power control into the Bluetooth position for about 10 seconds until you hear the prompt that the list is cleared, or see the LED blink differently.
    – On your phone, forget the Bose in Bluetooth settings.
    – Reboot the phone.
    – Open the Bose Music app, put the headphones in pairing mode, and add them fresh.
  • 5. Run the official firmware update.
    – Open the Bose Music app with the headphones connected and stable.
    – If it offers an update, do it. Leave the headphones and phone side by side. Don’t walk away, don’t toggle power, don’t answer calls on them mid‑update.
    – Let the update finish completely. A half‑baked update is a classic way to get an F31.
  • 6. If F31 still shows, follow the manual’s last step.
    – Power cycle again after the update: off, wait 30 seconds, on.
    – If the Bose app still throws F31 or the headphones stay in a fault state, Bose’s official line is service only.
    – At that point it’s usually a bad board, corrupted firmware that won’t reflash, or a dying battery pack. You’re into warranty claim or paid repair territory.

The Technician’s Trick

  • 1. Force a deeper reset than the app tells you.
    – Turn the headphones off.
    – Plug them into a wall charger with a decent output (15–20W USB‑C brick, not a random USB port). Let them sit 10 minutes powered off while charging.
    – With them still connected to power, hold the power / Bluetooth control longer than usual (20–30 seconds). Ignore the first beeps or lights; keep holding until the LEDs fully cycle or go dark, then release.
    – Unplug, wait 1–2 minutes, then power on and try pairing again.
  • 2. Bypass the phone app and push firmware over USB.
    – Use a data-capable USB‑C cable, not a bargain-bin charge-only lead.
    – Plug the headphones into a computer, not a charger.
    – Use Bose’s desktop/web updater to check for and install firmware. This route often grabs a fresh image even when the phone app chokes with F31.
    – While it’s updating, do nothing else. No unplugging, no power flips.
  • 3. Clean the USB‑C port if charging is flaky.
    – If the cable feels loose or charging LED cuts in and out, the port may be full of pocket lint.
    – Gently pick debris out with a wooden toothpick. No metal tools.
    – Hit it with a short blast of compressed air. Then re-try charging + reset + update.
  • 4. Quick hardware sanity check.
    – Plug in the wired audio cable and play something from a phone or laptop.
    – If they sound fine on the cable but throw F31 when wireless, the amps and speakers are alive. You’re chasing a firmware/Bluetooth problem, not total hardware death.
    – If they’re dead even on the cable, or the LEDs never behave normally, you’re likely past DIY and into board/battery replacement land.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: Under 3–4 years old, still holds a decent charge, F31 only shows after a bad update or random glitch, and a reset + firmware push brings it back or Bose offers a low-cost warranty repair.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: Out of warranty, battery already fading, you rely on them daily, and Bose’s repair quote lands around 30–50% of a new QuietComfort or similar ANC set.
  • ❌ Replace: No power or audio even on the cable, F31 survives every reset and firmware attempt, casing or headband is cracked, or Bose wants close to new-headphone money for a main-board/battery swap.

Parts You Might Need

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See also

Got other gadgets throwing F-codes or random errors? These guides might save you another headache: