JBL Link 20 Speaker Activation

[Bilkar713]

Hello,

Apparently I one of "a few Pixel users" that are not able to set up my JBL Link 20 speaker (with Google Assistant). 

My old router died and I got a new one, went to set up the speakers to new network but they are greyed out.

Message below them says they need to be "activated" - but I can't figure out how to do that.

I reset the speakers, deleted/reinstalled my G-Home app - still no joy.

I only have Pixel phones and don't have any friends.

Old suggestion was to download a Device Utility App - but it is no longer available in the USA.

TIA !

Bilkar713

[Bilkar713 · Accepted solution]

Ok - I was successful

Factory reset ONE speaker and cycle it off and back on after reset

Let it come back into pairing mode (wifi light flashing)

Turn on wifi and let it settle in so you see the speaker as a network device and connect to it (it won't have internet access)

Open the Device Utility App

Let it turn off wifi and start searching for the speaker.

Quickly turn wifi back on and it will connect to that speaker and ask if you want to activate it - say yes - and watch it crash a couple times.

Took me four times on one speaker and three on the other but I am back in business !

Good luck

[Bradf12345]

I have the same issue here and no non-pixel devices. I've had the speaker for 3 years and somehow only now is this an issue. Google can you fix this issue or offer a solution?

[Bilkar713]

I was able to install the Device Utility App last week while out of the country in a work trip.

But that didn't help.

It sees the speakers but is not able to connect to them.

This really stinks !

[Bilkar713 · Accepted solution]

Ok - I was successful

Factory reset ONE speaker and cycle it off and back on after reset

Let it come back into pairing mode (wifi light flashing)

Turn on wifi and let it settle in so you see the speaker as a network device and connect to it (it won't have internet access)

Open the Device Utility App

Let it turn off wifi and start searching for the speaker.

Quickly turn wifi back on and it will connect to that speaker and ask if you want to activate it - say yes - and watch it crash a couple times.

Took me four times on one speaker and three on the other but I am back in business !

Good luck

[Bradf12345]

I'm glad you got yours working! I think this is Google's way of making things obsolete as there's no way for me to "activate" this device because the Device Utility app is not available in the US. Not sure what to do next but I'll keep trying because jbl hadn't even heard of that issue and Google is no help at all. Thanks for sharing, I'll see if I can use a VPN and get the app

[Bilkar713 · Accepted solution]

I spoke with "audio specialists" at JBL (Harman actually). 

They actually were the most helpful.

It is all a result of this Sonos lawsuit and the way Google has to work around the speaker AI interface. 

I will say that I feel it is odd that Google has not come out with a fix for Canada & the USA.

The Device Utility App looks like it is a Google product. It should be allowed to the "handful of Pixel users who are affected".

[Princesss]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for visiting the Community.

We're sorry to hear that you're having trouble about activating your device. You can check this post for more info about this.

Best,

Princess

[Princesss]

Hi everyone,

Due to inactivity, I'll go ahead and lock this thread in 24 hours. If you have other questions regarding this, let's continue working on this post.

Best,

Princess

[Bilkar713]

Thank you !