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JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement

Introduction

If your JBL Pulse 4 speaker is having problems like failing to power on, disconnecting, charging issues, or unresponsive controls, use this guide to replace the motherboard.

The motherboard is the hub of the speaker, responsible for controlling power, audio, connectivity, and lighting. A damaged or faulty motherboard can cause the device to malfunction or stop working entirely.

Before using this guide, try troubleshooting the speaker by performing a full reset or firmware update using the JBL Portable app. Also, confirm that the issue isn’t related to the battery, charger, or other removable components (if these are the issues, look at the JBL Pulse 4 page for those guides).

This guide will walk you through the necessary steps to safely replace the motherboard. Be prepared to handle delicate connectors and use caution when detaching components.

Before beginning, power off the speaker completely and disconnect it from any external power source.

What you need

  1. JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement, Casing Replacement: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Power off the device before doing any repairs.

    • Hold the power button for 3+ seconds to power down the device.

    Edit

  2. JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 3 JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 3 JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Remove each rubber end cap using a plastic pry tool.

    • Go around each end of the speaker slowly popping up a small section of the rubber cap until there is a gap on all sides.

    • Remove the top by hand.

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  3. JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 3 JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 3 JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the charging port cover using a plastic pry tool.

    • Remove the two 12.7 mm Phillips #1 screws.

    • Remove the charging port housing from the casing.

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  4. JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 3 JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 3 JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Disconnect the charging port connector by pulling the connector away from the port.

    • Disconnect the battery level indicator light by pulling the wire away from the lights.

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  5. JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the six 8 mm Phillips #1 screws from the end of the speaker with the grill that says "JBL."

    • Remove the plastic piece where the 6 screws came out of.

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  6. JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the six 9.5 mm screws using a Phillips #1 screwdriver.

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  7. JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 3 JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 3 JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • Flip the speaker to the other end.

    • Use a pry tool to pry between the casing of the speaker and the internals.

    • Go around the entirety of this end of the speaker slowly prying apart the two pieces.

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  9. JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • The casing is now fully detached from the internal components.

    • You can now replace the outer casing of the speaker.

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  10. JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement, LED Light Display: step 9, image 1 of 2 JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement, LED Light Display: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Place the speaker on the table with the button board side down.

    • Remove the three black 5 mm screws using a Phillips #1 screwdriver.

    • Remove the white casing by pulling it away from the button board.

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  11. JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1

    • Clip off the two zip-ties using the zip tie cutter.

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  12. JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1

    • Peel each LED strip off of the speaker using an iFixit opening pick.

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  13. JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the four black 5 mm screws using a Phillips #1 screwdriver.

    • Remove the white plastic piece that is held in place by the screws.

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  14. JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the red/white cable from the white connection.

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  15. JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the LED light display from the speaker.

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  16. JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement, Battery: step 15, image 1 of 3 JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement, Battery: step 15, image 2 of 3 JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement, Battery: step 15, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the three black 5 mm screws using a Phillips #1 screwdriver.

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  17. JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 2 JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 2

    • Unplug the cable connecting the battery to the motherboard.

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  18. JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 2 JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 17, image 2 of 2

    • Feed the wire out of the central housing unit.

    • Pull the battery out of the central housing unit.

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  19. JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 18, image 1 of 2 JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 18, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • Using the tweezers, gently unplug the three connections attached to the motherboard.

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  20. JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 3 JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 19, image 2 of 3 JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 19, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the motherboard out of the frame.

    • The only connection the motherboard has to the frame now should be the soldered-on black wire.

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  21. JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 3 JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 3 JBL Pulse 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 20, image 3 of 3

    • Desolder the wire from the motherboard.

    • Remove the motherboard from the speaker.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

with 2 other contributors

Austin Rhea

Member since: 02/25/25

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University of Kentucky, Team 1-6, Frey Spring 2025 Member of University of Kentucky, Team 1-6, Frey Spring 2025

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