FROM THE TROUBLESHOOTING LIBRARY
Bose QuietComfort Headphones F39 Fix (Error Code Guide)
Amazon links are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.
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
Affiliate links. This site earns a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. The links below open Amazon searches; check the exact model and part number before buying. Read the affiliate disclosure.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.