How To Fix Broken Bose Quiet Comfort Noise Cancelling Headset

by The Weekly Flyer

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*We recommend using the The Platinum Card from American Express when purchasing these headphones, for its phenomenal purchase protection policy*

I mentioned the Bose Quiet Comfort has been a part of my travel gear for quite some time. (See newer version of the Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones here. In this post I’ll share how to fix a broken Bose Quiet Comfort noise cancelling headset. I upgraded to a new Quiet Comfort headset about 2 years ago and even earned American Airlines miles when purchasing the noise cancelling headset. But after about 2 years the headset audio cord was showing some wear. The wire became exposed and I have been concerned about the product ever since. This week I finally called Bose to see how they can fix the audio cord and what I found was surprising.

It was surprising because I apparently wasn’t aware of what the warranty covers. In addition, given how much these headsets cost I was surprised it broke after a little more than 2 years.

Fix Broken Bose Quiet Comfort Headset

Bose offers a 1 year limited warranty. If your headset breaks within the first year, call them at 1-800-380-4831 or contact them through their support website to request your headset be repaired under warranty.

But if your headset breaks after year 1?

Replace Broken Bose Quiet Comfort Headset

Screen Shot 2017-04-29 at 9.53.27 AM

You can’t get it repaired for free if you purchased the product more than 1 year ago. Bose will only replace the headset at a discounted price. Here are the prices that Bose quoted this week.

  • New Cord Replacement: 
    • Bose allows you to order replacement Audio cables at total cost of 16.20 a piece including tax and shipping
  • New Headset Replacement:
    • If you have a broken QC2 you can replace it with a QC 5 for $99
    • Or you can replace it with a QC3 for $199

My Thoughts On Bose

The Bose Quiet comfort noise canceling headsets are not cheap. In fact, I would say they are expensive. So when the audio cord on my Bose QC2 headset broke after only 2 years of use, I was quite surprised. Even thought it was only a small cost, I was more surprised by the fact that I had to pay for a replacement cord. So make sure you know what the costs are in the event of replacement or repair when you consider purchasing a Bose Noise Cancelling headset.

Would be very interested to hear your thoughts on other headsets you’ve used.

Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or suggestions expressed on this site are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed.

About The Weekly Flyer

The Weekly Flyer writes about travel from a business traveler perspective. He travels the world every week accumulating points and miles along the way.

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Comments

  1. I left my Bose QC15 in the rain and they became soaking wet. Are they toast now?

  2. I have a set of QC15 and they are absolute rubbish, after less than two years and maybe 10 flights the sound cuts in and out on the left side. DO NOT BUY QC15 or any BOSE product for that matter. Assembled in China no wonder! Look for a company that is not cutting corners on quality!!

  3. QC15s are great until they fail. Went in and they can’t / won’t attempt to fix but want me to spend another 199.00 or 129.00. I can’t justify that and it’s unfortunate but I will now stop buying bose. Not standing behind your product in today’s world I don’t feel is right and we have enough options as consumers not to support certain companies. 7 bose products in the house today and no more in the future all due to client service/ not standing behind products… Order

  4. My QC-2 are falling apart now. Littele pieces of black plastic falling off without any external violence.
    Judging from the experience of other users, Bose is not something that you travel with.
    Their marketing and design are very high class as are the prices.
    What’s the point of paying the price if the product just falls apart?

  7. I got a set of Bose noise-cancelling headphones (Retail $300) about 11 years ago and they worked perfectly until I left the battery in too long. I tried everything to clean the battery contacts and nothing worked, so I bought a set of ‘Sennheiser HD 202’ noise-cancelling headphones from for just $24. They work every bit as good as my Bose set and the Sennheisers don’t need a battery.
    has a ton of headphone choices – some as low as $5 a pair if you spend a certain amount on other products. I’m done with Bose headphones. They should be guaranteed for life.

  8. I got the Bose QC25 a little over a year ago. They randomly stopped working last week. There is no noise coming from the right side and the noise cancellation doesn’t work either so its not a cable issue. Since the warranty has finished I can only get them replaced. I used them with a lot of care and they still broke. Very disappointing.

  9. I loved my Bose qc25’s. I am just out of warranty and the noise cancelation won’t stay on. That’s $300.00 down the toilet. Planned obsolescence? Don’t buy these.

  10. I am on my second and last pair of Bose Quiet Comfort noise canceling head phone. The sound quality is exceptional, the longevity is horrible.
    My latest pair simply stopped working (green light is dead). I took them to local Bose dealer. They replaced the battery and then determined the headphones were “unrepairable” with no explanation of what went wrong. They did offer to replace at a discount. I can’t justify spending $300+ for headphones that only work for a few years no matter how good they sound.

  11. I called Bose today because the right ear stopped working though the noise cancelling still worked. I’ve been busy so I had been putting off calling. I had no idea it was just a one year warranty. Luckily, I had 2 whole days left on my warranty. I have to pay the shipping to send the broken pair in. When they receive it they will send me the brand new pair. This is my second and last Bose product that I will buy. I bought a Bose sound system about 10 years ago and it works well sometimes. These headphones should have a much better warranty especially since they can’t be repaired.

  12. I have the same problem with the Bose Quiet Comfort 15 going dead after about 2 years of very limited use. Bose have not replied to my request for advice. I am disgusted to find that the guarantee is only a year on this product. Won’t be buying again.

  13. Update to my last post. I should have been more patient. Bose (in Norway) HAVE now replied and asked me to send in the old pair with free postage, and seemingly offering to replace. So fingers crossed. Maybe after sales service has improved.

  14. The headline of this article is a tad misleading. I was hoping for.. How To Fix Broken Bose Quiet Comfort Noise Cancelling Headset. It was merely How To Contact Bose for a Replacement or Send Them The Broken Item.

    :/

    I have had numerous problems with Bose products in general btw. They can sometimes be repaired with precision tools and a lot of patience. But for the most part, they build in the case of replacing products, making it nearly impossible for repair. So just toss it into the landfill and buy another temporary happiness device.

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  23. I have a QC 3 and the right side ear piece is not putting out sound. Can these be repaired anywhere?

  24. First spray receptacle with electronics cleaner (Be sure says clearly for electronics, no residue) Then borrow another device to headset wire and try that.(I assume you have reproduced failure with several music sources).
    If no luck with these simple steps, Bose website has a support page. If it is in warranty they will replace quickly and easily (just had to use them for a smaller problem)
    If out of warranty then would use any electronics repair service if Bose doesn’t offer you an option you feel acceptable. Essentially it is most likely a broken wire or the speaker, both easy fixes. In theory, could be the noise cancelling unit. I would suggest putting a max amount you would pay.
    Personal experience with Best Buy geek squad has been 100% positive, albeit expensive.
    I have no affiliation with Bose, Best Buy or electronic repair or manufactering organization.

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  37. Big Bose Rip Off!!!
    My husband (who is ultra pedantic in looking after stuff) used his headphones 8 times and they stopped working. We took them to Bose, who said they’d take them in part exchange for a new pair!?!!! No thanks!!! Then I got my pal to fix them – apparently it’s an intentional design fault – the wire from the battery cover is too short, so over time it breaks! He’s just put in a longer wire!!!
    We will NEVER buy Bose again!!
    When you look at all the plastic waste in the world, and companies like Bose are designing products with the intention that they will break, it really infuriates me. Disgraceful Bose!!

  38. That is not to convey how the buyer will probably try to make the
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  39. I’ve had my Bose headphones for several years and only used them whenever my wife and I travel ( usually to the tropics). I had the headphones on our flight to Jamaica and when we arrived my wife noticed that my ears and neck was covered with some black substance. After further examination I discovered that the headphones rubber had dry rotted (apparently from moisture). While on the beach I had to put a scarf around my head to use them without discoloring my face. The sound was in and out depending on how deep the cord was in. $300.00 for 1 year warranty. Never again

  40. Wow, I thought the article would actually tell me how to repair a broken pair of Bose headphones.
    Silly me … 🙁

    Having been an electronic technician for numerous years in the past, servicing a pair of headphones isn’t the most difficult thing in the world provided parts are available at a reasonable cost from the manufacturer or a 3rd party source. Unfortunately, with specialty items like headphones the parts are often proprietary, and with the highly integrated design of most modern consumer electronics today one cannot perform component replacement. Add to that the labor costs, and the overall price is often too high to justify repair. I’m not trying to justify Bose’ policy, just trying to provide some understanding of the electronic service industry.

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  43. My Qc 35 three year old’s power switch is gone, the cushion pads around the years eroded, I only use them in my bed to watch movies, maybe took them in 4 or 5 trips. Very little use. Sound is great but this is quite a shock and dissappointment, I loved them until now, at this point I am not sure I should have bought them. Any tips to fix the switch issue?

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