The basic connection depends on your speaker model and device type
Altec Lansing speakers connect in one of three ways: a 3.5mm audio cable (the thin jack), a USB cable, or Bluetooth wireless. Most Altec Lansing speakers sold today use Bluetooth, which means you pair them once and they reconnect automatically. Some older or larger models use a cable instead. The first step is checking what ports your speaker actually has — look at the back or bottom for a small round jack, a USB port, or a Bluetooth button.
The connection process takes less than five minutes. You will need your speaker, your device (phone, tablet, or computer), and either a cable or the ability to turn Bluetooth on. If you are using a cable, you also need to know where the audio output jack is on your device — on phones and tablets this is usually gone now, but on computers and some older devices it is a small round port on the side or back.
Key Takeaways
- Check your speaker's ports first: Bluetooth speakers have a button or light, cable speakers have a 3.5mm jack or USB port on the back.
- For Bluetooth, turn the speaker on, hold the Bluetooth button until the light blinks, then select the speaker from your device's Bluetooth settings.
- For a cable connection, plug one end into the speaker's audio input and the other into your device's headphone jack or audio output.
- Once paired or plugged in, test the sound by playing music or a video at low volume first.
Connecting a Bluetooth Altec Lansing speaker
Turn on the speaker by pressing the power button. You will usually see a light turn on — often blue or white. Look for a button labeled Bluetooth or a symbol that looks like a Bluetooth logo (two triangles pointing at each other). Press and hold this button for three to five seconds until the light starts blinking rapidly. This means the speaker is in pairing mode and looking for a device to connect to.
On your phone, tablet, or computer, open the Bluetooth settings. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and turn it on. On Android, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Bluetooth. On a Windows computer, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & Other Devices. On a Mac, go to System Settings > Bluetooth. Wait a few seconds and your Altec Lansing speaker should appear in the list of available devices — it will show the model name, often something like "Altec Lansing Boom" or "Altec Lansing Jacket."
Tap or click on the speaker name to pair it. Your device may ask you to confirm the pairing — if so, select "Pair" or "Connect." The light on the speaker will stop blinking and stay solid, usually blue. This means the connection is complete. The next time you turn on the speaker near this device, it will reconnect automatically without the pairing step.
Connecting an Altec Lansing speaker with a cable
Locate the audio input port on your speaker. This is a small round jack, usually labeled "Audio In" or "Line In," and is typically on the back or bottom of the speaker. The port looks like a headphone jack but is the input side rather than output. Plug one end of a 3.5mm audio cable into this port.
Plug the other end of the cable into your device's audio output. On a computer, this is usually a small round port on the back or side, often with a headphone symbol next to it. On older phones or tablets, it is the same type of port. If your device does not have a headphone jack, you will need a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter or a Lightning to 3.5mm adapter, depending on your device type. Plug the adapter into your device first, then plug the cable into the adapter.
Turn on the speaker. You should hear sound when ready when you play music or video on your device. If you do not hear anything, check that the volume on both the speaker and your device is turned up. Many Altec Lansing cable speakers have a volume knob on the back or side — turn it up slowly until you hear sound.
Connecting via USB
Some Altec Lansing speakers, particularly larger desktop models, use a USB cable for both power and audio. Plug the USB cable into a USB port on your computer or a powered USB hub. The speaker will turn on automatically. On Windows, the speaker should appear in your sound settings within a few seconds. On Mac, it may appear in System Settings > Sound.
Once connected, set the speaker as your default audio output. On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in the system tray, select "Open Sound Settings," and choose your Altec Lansing speaker from the "Output" dropdown. On Mac, go to System Settings > Sound and select the speaker from the "Output" list. Test the connection by playing music or a video at low volume.
Troubleshooting when the speaker will not connect
If a Bluetooth speaker will not pair, turn it off completely, wait ten seconds, and turn it back on. Then hold the Bluetooth button again for five seconds. If it still does not appear in your device's Bluetooth list, restart your device's Bluetooth by turning it off and back on in settings. If the speaker appears but will not connect, "forget" it from your device's Bluetooth settings and try pairing again from the beginning.
For cable connections, check that the cable is fully inserted into both the speaker and your device — a loose connection will produce no sound or very quiet sound. If you are using an adapter, try a different adapter if you have one available, as adapters can fail. Make sure the speaker is powered on and the volume is turned up on both the speaker itself and your device.
If you hear sound from your device but not from the speaker, your device may still be set to play through its own speakers. On a computer, check your sound settings and make sure the Altec Lansing speaker is selected as the output device. On a phone or tablet, swipe down from the top to see the audio output options and select the speaker from there.
Testing your connection and adjusting volume
Once connected, play a song or video at a low volume first. This prevents sudden loud noise if the volume is already turned up high. Gradually increase the volume on both your device and the speaker until you reach a comfortable listening level. Most Altec Lansing speakers have a volume control on the back, side, or bottom — some use a knob, others use buttons labeled + and −.
If the sound is distorted or crackling, the volume may be too high. Lower the volume on your device slightly — aim for around 75 percent rather than maximum. If the sound is still distorted, lower the speaker's own volume control as well. Distortion usually means the speaker is being pushed too hard and is not a sign of a broken connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pair my Bluetooth speaker every time I use it?
No. Once you pair a Bluetooth speaker to a device, it remembers that pairing. The next time you turn on the speaker near that device, it will reconnect automatically. You only need to pair it once per device, unless you unpair it or the speaker's memory is reset.
Can I connect one Altec Lansing speaker to multiple devices?
Yes. A Bluetooth speaker can be paired to several devices. However, it can only play audio from one device at a time. If you want to switch which device is playing through the speaker, disconnect the first device's Bluetooth and connect the second one.
What if my device does not have Bluetooth?
Use a cable connection instead. If your device has a headphone jack, plug the cable directly in. If it does not, use a USB-C or Lightning adapter to add a 3.5mm port, then plug the cable into the adapter.
Why is my Altec Lansing speaker not showing up in Bluetooth settings?
Make sure the speaker is powered on and the Bluetooth button is held down until the light blinks rapidly. If it still does not appear, restart your device's Bluetooth by turning it off and back on in settings. If the speaker has been paired to many devices, its memory may be full — check the manual for how to reset it.
Can I use both a cable and Bluetooth at the same time?
Most Altec Lansing speakers will only play from one input at a time. If you have both a cable plugged in and a Bluetooth device connected, the speaker will usually prioritize the cable. Disconnect the cable if you want to use Bluetooth, or disconnect the Bluetooth device if you want to use the cable.