Bose QuietComfort Headphones F39 Fix (Error Code Guide)

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What This Error Means

F39 on Bose QuietComfort headphones = internal fault / firmware failure.

Translation: the headphone’s electronics try to boot, hit a fault, and block normal use (Bluetooth / ANC / controls may all be dead or unstable).

Bose does not publish a detailed breakdown of F39, but in the real world it usually shows up after a bad update, low-battery crash, or random firmware glitch.

Official Fix

Do what Bose support will walk you through, step by step. Stick to this order:

  • 1. Hard power cycle
    • Turn the headphones off.
    • Wait at least 30 seconds.
    • Turn them back on and see if F39 still shows up (voice prompt, app, or LEDs misbehaving).
  • 2. Bose reset procedure (no app needed)
    Use this on most QuietComfort models:
    • Turn the headphones off.
    • Wait 30 seconds.
    • Plug them into a wall USB charger (not a laptop) for about 5 seconds.
    • Unplug the USB cable.
    • Wait another 1 minute.
    • Turn them back on and test.
  • 3. Clear all Bluetooth pairings
    • On the headphones: use the Bluetooth / power switch combo to clear the pairing list (exact method depends on model; check the print manual or Bose app).
    • On your phone / laptop: remove or “forget” the Bose QuietComfort from the Bluetooth list.
    • Reboot the phone / laptop.
    • Re-pair the headphones from scratch.
  • 4. Update or reinstall firmware through Bose software
    • Install the correct Bose app for your model (Bose Music or Bose Connect) on your phone.
    • Connect the headphones by USB or Bluetooth as the app requests.
    • Let it check for updates and fully complete any firmware update. Do not unplug or power off during this.
    • If the app offers a “reinstall” or “repair” firmware option, run it.
  • 5. Rule out power/charging issues
    • Try a different USB cable.
    • Try a different wall charger (5V phone charger is fine).
    • Leave the headphones on charge for at least 2 hours, then retry the reset.
  • 6. If F39 still lives: it’s service time
    • Find the serial number on the inside of the earcup or in the Bose app.
    • Check warranty status on Bose’s site or by phone.
    • If under warranty: do not open the headphones. Go straight through Bose for repair/replacement.
    • If out of warranty: ask Bose what their flat-fee exchange will cost and compare to the price of a new QuietComfort.

The Technician’s Trick

This is the stuff a bench tech actually tries when the “official” script fails and warranty is over.

1. Deep battery drain + clean reboot (sometimes clears a stuck firmware state)

  • Turn the headphones on and let them sit, even if they throw F39 or act weird.
  • Leave them alone until the battery is stone-dead and they will not power on at all (can take a few hours).
  • Once dead, wait another 30 minutes.
  • Plug into a known-good wall charger with a good cable and charge for at least 2 hours without touching buttons.
  • After charging, run the official reset sequence again, then test.
  • If F39 was just a corrupted state, this often brings them back.

2. Use them as wired-only headphones to dodge the error

  • This does not fix F39. It just gets you sound while you decide what to do.
  • Turn the headphones off (don’t hold power, just make sure they’re not on).
  • Plug the Bose audio cable (2.5 mm into the headphones, 3.5 mm into your device).
  • Play audio from your phone / laptop. The headphones act like a dumb wired headset: usually no ANC, no app, no F39 popping up.
  • If audio is clean in wired mode, the speaker drivers are fine. The issue is in the logic / Bluetooth side, not the sound hardware.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: Headphones are under warranty or Bose offers a flat-fee swap well under the price of a new QuietComfort, and you rely on ANC / Bluetooth daily.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: Out of warranty, repair or exchange is around 50–70% of a new pair, but the set is otherwise mint and fits you perfectly.
  • ❌ Replace: F39 survives resets and firmware updates, pads and headband are already worn, and Bose’s quote is close to new-price territory.

Parts You Might Need

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See also

Dealing with more than one stubborn gadget tonight? These error code guides might save you some time: