When a Bushnell Wingman won’t charge, check the cable, power source, and port, then reset and charge with a 1–2A USB charger.
If your golf speaker refuses to take a charge, you don’t need a bench full of tools to sort it out. This guide walks you through fast checks, deeper fixes, and safe care—so you can get back to yardages and music without replacing gear that still has life left in it.
Wingman Not Charging? Fast Checks That Work
Start with the easy wins. Most charging problems come down to a tired cable, the wrong power adapter, a dirty port, or a frozen device state. Work through the list in order; you’ll rule out common culprits in minutes.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| No lights when plugged in | Dead cable/adapter or bad outlet | Try a new USB cable and a known-good wall adapter; avoid USB ports on laptops for testing. |
| Red light never turns green | Low-power charger or flaky cable | Use a 1–2A USB wall charger and a short, data-rated cable; charge for 3–4 hours undisturbed. |
| Charges, then drops to 0% | Loose plug or debris in the port | Inspect the port with a light; remove lint with a soft brush or a puff of compressed air. |
| Stuck light / unresponsive buttons | Frozen device state | Do a long press on the power button (10–15 seconds). On View models, use the pin reset near the USB port. |
| Slow or no charging outdoors | Cold or hot battery | Bring the unit indoors and charge at room temperature; resume charging once the case feels cool/warm—not hot or chilly. |
Use The Right Cable And Charger
Wingman models don’t all use the same connector. The original cylindrical speaker charges through micro-USB and is designed to accept a 1A or 2A USB wall charger; the indicator ring turns green when it’s full (owner’s guide). Newer variants, like the screen-equipped unit, use USB-C (model manual).
Best practice is simple: pair the correct plug type (micro-USB or USB-C) with a quality 5V USB wall adapter rated 1–2A. Skip high-voltage “fast charge” bricks and the random port on a computer for diagnostics—wall power removes guesswork.
Adapter Tips That Save Time
- Short cable, big results: a 3-foot cable drops less voltage than a long, thin lead.
- Look at the connector: if the plug wiggles, the device may charge intermittently; try another cable.
- One port, one job: avoid daisy-chain hubs while troubleshooting.
Clean The Charging Port The Safe Way
Golf gear lives in carts, cup holders, and range bags. A tiny tuft of pocket lint can block the plug just enough to stop charging. Power the speaker off. Aim a small flashlight into the port. If you see fuzz, loosen it with a soft, dry brush and blow it out. Don’t poke with metal; you can bend the connector. After cleaning, seat the plug fully and try another charge session.
Reset And Power-Cycle Steps
When LEDs freeze or the speaker ignores the button presses, a reset usually clears it.
Long Press Reset (All Models)
Disconnect the cable. Hold the power button 10–15 seconds until the lights change or the unit powers off. Wait 10 seconds, then charge again.
Pin Reset (Screen Model)
On the screen version, there’s a tiny reset key next to the USB-C port. With the cable unplugged, press the pin switch gently for ~2 seconds, then reconnect power (manual page).
Charge At A Comfortable Temperature
Lithium-ion chemistry doesn’t like extremes. If the speaker sat in a hot car or a winter trunk, let it reach room temperature before charging. That simple pause protects the pack and often restores normal behavior. Keep the charging session indoors, away from direct sun or a freezing garage.
Watch The LED Or Screen Cues
On the original cylinder, the top ring glows green when the pack is full per the manual. The screen model shows a battery icon on the display. If the light stays red for hours, you may be under-powering the charger, the cable may be failing, or the port could be loose. Swap parts and retest to isolate the fault.
Update The App And Reconnect After A Full Charge
Once the battery takes a charge, open the Bushnell Golf app and reconnect the speaker to confirm normal operation. The app also supports device setup and updates for supported models (Bushnell Golf app).
Deep Fixes When Basic Steps Don’t Help
If the unit still refuses to charge, move into controlled tests. These checks pinpoint whether you’re dealing with a cable, a power brick, the port, or the battery.
Rule Out Power And Cable
- Try two separate wall adapters marked 1–2A at 5V.
- Try two data-rated cables of the correct connector type.
- Plug into a different room outlet to avoid a tripped strip.
Seat The Plug And Test For Intermittent Charging
Gently press the plug forward while the unit is connected. If the charge light flickers, the port may be loose. Keep the unit stationary while charging to reduce strain on the connector.
Give It An Uninterrupted Charge Window
After resets and cable swaps, leave the speaker on the wall charger for 3–4 hours. Don’t play audio during this session; you want all power going into the pack.
Try A Soft Power Cycle After Charging
Unplug the cable, wait ten seconds, then power the speaker on. Pair with the app and confirm the battery level.
Model And Charging Differences You Should Know
The family has a few variants. Matching the connector and cues to your unit avoids a lot of confusion:
| Model | Charge Port & Adapter | Charge/Full Indicator |
|---|---|---|
| Cylindrical Speaker (no screen) | Micro-USB; use 5V, 1–2A wall charger (owner’s guide) | Top ring shows charging; ring turns green when full |
| Screen Version | USB-C; use 5V, 1–2A wall charger (model manual) | Battery icon on screen; low-power tone when near empty |
| Compact Variant | USB-C; 5V charging via wall adapter (reference manual) | LED status next to port; follow on-screen/app prompts |
Safety Notes For Battery Health
- Charge on a hard surface, away from flammables.
- Don’t cover the unit while charging; heat needs to dissipate.
- Avoid car chargers for first-time diagnostics—the voltage can be noisy.
- Stop using any cable with melted jackets, bent plugs, or scorched contacts.
When The Port Or Battery Might Be Failing
If you’ve confirmed the outlet, cable, and charger, and the device still won’t take a charge, the charging socket or the internal pack may be at fault. Symptoms include obvious looseness at the port, charging that only works at a specific angle, or a unit that drains from full to flat within minutes. At that point, document what you tried, keep your proof of purchase handy, and reach out to support.
How To Talk To Support Efficiently
Sharing a clear checklist speeds up warranty help. Include:
- Which model you own and which connector it uses (micro-USB or USB-C).
- Exact adapter specs you tried (5V/1A or 5V/2A) and two cable brands.
- What the lights or screen showed during a 3–4 hour wall-charge test.
- That you performed both the long press reset and, if applicable, the pin reset.
Support teams rely on the same manuals linked above, so including those details helps them green-light a repair or swap without back-and-forth.
Care Habits That Prevent The Next Charging Headache
Keep The Port Clean
Store the speaker in a pocket of your bag that doesn’t collect turf and grit. Close the rubber port cover fully—especially on the screen model—to preserve water resistance (care guidance).
Charge Smart Between Rounds
If you run nine holes and the battery lands near half, top it up on a proper wall adapter that evening instead of waiting until it’s completely flat. Partial charges are fine for modern lithium-ion packs.
Mind Temperature
Don’t leave the unit on a cart in summer heat or a trunk during a cold snap. Let the device normalize indoors before you plug it in. That single habit extends battery life and avoids charge refusals caused by thermal limits.
Step-By-Step: The Fastest Path To A Fix
- Bring the speaker indoors; let it reach room temperature.
- Inspect and clean the charging port.
- Use a 5V, 1–2A wall adapter with the correct connector (micro-USB or USB-C).
- Swap in a second known-good cable if the first attempt fails.
- Perform a long press reset; on the screen model, try the pin reset.
- Charge undisturbed for 3–4 hours; watch for a green ring or full battery icon.
- Open the Bushnell Golf app and reconnect once charged.
- Still stuck? Gather your notes and contact support with the details above.
FAQ-Free Bottom Line
Most charging failures come from simple things you can fix in minutes—wrong adapter, tired cable, dusty port, or a frozen state. Match the cable to your model, use a solid 5V wall charger, reset the unit, and give it an uninterrupted session. If the port wiggles or the charge light flickers with every bump, it’s time for repair.
Manual sources for charger specs and indicators: the original cylinder’s guide confirms micro-USB with 1–2A charging and a green ring at full, while the screen model manual confirms USB-C charging and on-screen battery status (owner’s guide, model manual). You can also manage setup and device updates with the Bushnell Golf app.