soundbar keeps switching to bluetooth input by itself in the middle of watching tv.

Diagnosis

The JBL Bar 500 is designed with a "Priority Input" logic that automatically switches the audio source when it detects a valid Bluetooth pairing request or a "wake-up" signal from a previously paired device. This issue occurs because the soundbar's Bluetooth receiver remains in a high-sensitivity standby mode even while HDMI eARC is active. When a paired device—such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop—accidentally triggers a connection request or performs a background scan for known peripherals, the soundbar interprets this as a user intent to change the source and overrides the TV audio.

This is often exacerbated by "aggressive" Bluetooth power-saving settings on modern smartphones (especially Android devices with "Scanning" enabled in Location settings), which send out periodic pings to identify nearby devices. If your soundbar is positioned near a wall shared with a neighbor or in a room with multiple Bluetooth-enabled smart home devices, the receiver can be tripped by external signals that mimic a pairing handshake, causing the abrupt switch from HDMI to Bluetooth mode mid-movie.

How to Fix It

To stop the soundbar from automatically hijacking the audio source, you must clear the internal pairing cache and disable the auto-connect handshake. Follow these precise steps:

1. Power on the JBL Bar 500 and ensure it is currently set to the Bluetooth input mode.
2. Locate the Bluetooth button on the remote control. Press and hold this button firmly for exactly 5 to 8 seconds. You will hear a specific descending tone and see the LED indicator on the front of the bar flash rapidly, indicating that all previously paired devices have been purged from the memory.
3. Turn off Bluetooth on any mobile devices in the immediate vicinity (within 30 feet) to ensure no new handshakes are initiated during the reset.
4. Switch the input back to HDMI eARC using the source button on the remote.
5. Perform a hard power cycle: Unplug the power cable from the wall outlet, wait 60 seconds to allow the capacitors to discharge fully, and plug it back in. This forces the firmware to re-initialize the input priority list, placing HDMI eARC as the primary stable connection.

If That Didn't Work

• Disable "Bluetooth Scanning" on Android Devices: Go to Settings > Location > Location Services > Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Scanning. Toggle "Bluetooth Scanning" to OFF. This stops your phone from sending the background pings that trick the JBL Bar 500 into switching inputs.
• Update Firmware via JBL One App: Connect the soundbar to your home Wi-Fi and open the JBL One app. Navigate to Settings > Software Update. Ensure you are on the latest firmware version, as JBL released a patch specifically to address input switching stability and HDMI-CEC handshake bugs.
• Isolate HDMI-CEC Conflict: Some TVs send a "Wake on LAN/CEC" signal that can confuse the soundbar's processor. In your TV's audio settings, ensure "HDMI-CEC" or "Anynet+" (Samsung) / "Bravia Sync" (Sony) is enabled, but disable any "Auto Power" settings that might be triggering redundant signals to the soundbar.
• Physical Interference Check: Ensure the soundbar is not placed directly on top of a Wi-Fi router or a mesh node. 2.4GHz interference from routers can sometimes mimic the signal noise that triggers a Bluetooth "search" mode in the soundbar's receiver. Move the router at least 3 feet away from the bar.

Heads Up

• Pairing Caution: Once you clear the pairing list, you will need to manually re-pair any devices you actually want to use. Do not pair more than three devices; a crowded pairing list can increase the likelihood of input switching glitches.
• HDMI Cable Quality: Always use a High-Speed HDMI cable with Ethernet (Category 2) for the eARC port. Low-quality cables can cause momentary signal drops that the soundbar interprets as a loss of input, prompting it to jump to the next available source (Bluetooth).
• Avoid "Auto" Mode: While the "Auto" input setting seems convenient, manually selecting "HDMI" on the remote provides a more stable lock and prevents the device from hunting for other active signals.