One Xiaomi headphone does not charge in the case – what to do?

Did you get Xiaomi headphones out of the case, and one of them is discharged to zero, although the second one is charged normally? The problem when one headphone does not charge in the case, is found in models Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earbuds, Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro and others TWS-Brand headsets, often to blame for contaminated contacts, damaged cable or synchronization failure, but sometimes it is a hardware malfunction.

In this article, we will analyze all possible reasons why one Xiaomi headphone stopped charging in the case - from banal (dust on the "legs") to complex (unbalanced batteries). You will learn how to diagnose a problem in 5 minutes without disassembling the device, what manipulations will return performance, and when it is time to carry the headset into service.

1.Contact check: why one earbud "can't see" charging

The first thing you need to do is look at the contact groups on the earphone and inside the case, and 60 percent of the time, the problem is right here, and the contacts -- the metallic legs on the earpiece and the pooches in the case nest -- eventually become oxidized, plaqued, or clogged with dirt, and even a tiny speck of dust can interrupt the charging circuit.

How to check:

• 🔍 Visual inspection: take a magnifying glass or take a picture of contacts on your phone with a magnification. Look for darkening, green plaque (oxidation), scratches.
• 🧴 Cleaning: wipe the contacts with a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol (90%+) or a special liquid to clean electronics. Do not use water or wet wipes!
• 🔋 Connection test: after cleaning, place the headphone in the case and listen - a characteristic click should be heard (means the contacts have touched).

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If you don't have alcohol on hand, you can gently clean the contacts with a pencil washing gum, the main thing is not to overdo it so as not to erase the protective coating.

Pay special attention to the spring contacts inside the case, which are often contaminated with pile from pockets or bags. If the spring is compressed and does not “jump out” when pressed, it can be gently tucked with a needle (but do not damage the insulation!).

⚠️ Warning: Never use metal objects (knives, screwdrivers) to clean contacts - this will lead to a circuit and failure of the charging controller.

2.Reset headphones: a software way to return charging

If the contacts are clean, but one Xiaomi headphone still doesn’t charge, the problem may be a failure of synchronization between the headphones or the case, which is especially true after a firmware update or a long idle headset.

Instructions for most Xiaomi models:

1.Put both headphones in the case and close the lid

2. Press and hold the button on the case (or touchpad) for 15-20 seconds

3. wait for the indicator to flash red/white (reset signal)

4.Put out the headphones and wait 1 minute - they should automatically sync-->

For models with touch control (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro), the algorithm may differ:

1. Touch and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds.
2. Place them in the case and close the lid for 30 seconds.
3. Open the case - the indicator should flash white (readiness for pairing).

After reset, try recharging your headphones. If the problem persists, move on to the next step.

Yeah, one earphone didn't charge.|Yeah, the case didn't recognize the headphones.|Yeah, but the problem solved itself.|No, I never had a problem.-->

3. Case problems: battery, controller, mechanics

Sometimes it's not the earbud that's the fault, it's the charger case.

To check if the case is correct, perform the test:

1. Connect the case to the charge and wait until the indicator turns green (full charge).
2. Put only the working headphone (the one that charges) in the case.
3. If it's charging, the problem is the faulty headphone. If it's not, it's the case.

4. Battery imbalance: why one earphone goes down faster

Xiaomi earphones use lithium polymer batteries that lose capacity unevenly over time. If one earphone was used more intensively (for example, you used mono mode more often), its battery could degrade faster.

• 🔋 Case “thinks” that the earphone is charged (green light), but in fact the current does not come.
• ⚡ The earphone discharges quickly (in 10-20 minutes) even after a “full” charge.
• 🔌 Case endlessly “charges” the problem headphone, but there is no progress.

How to solve the problem:

1. Deep discharge/charging cycle: completely discharge both headphones (before switching off), then charge the case for 3-4 hours without interruption. Repeat 2-3 times.
2. Calibration through the app: For models with Mi Fit or Xiaomi Wear support, update the firmware and calibrate the battery in the settings.
3. Battery replacement: If the headphone is less than 30 minutes old, the battery is worn out and replaced in 1-2 hours.

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Battery imbalance is the most insidious problem, because the case and headphones look good, and can only be diagnosed by running time or through specialized software (for example, Battery Info for Android).

5. Software failures: firmware, synchronization, Bluetooth errors

Modern. TWS-Xiaomi's headphones are running firmware, which sometimes crashes:

• 📱 The headphone connects to the phone, but does not charge in the case.
• 🔄 Case flashes red, though headphones inside.
• 🎧 One earphone is defined as an “unknown device».

Solutions:

Firmware update:

1. Install the Xiaomi Wear or Mi Fit app (depending on the model).
2. Connect your headphones to your phone and check for updates in Devices → Settings → Software Update.
3. If the update is available, install it and restart the headphones.

Reset Bluetooth settings on your phone:

1. Forget the device in Bluetooth settings (Settings) → Bluetooth → ⚙️ → Forget the device).
2. Turn off Bluetooth for 30 seconds, then turn it on again.
3. Reconnect the headphones (they should automatically sync with each other).

Mechanical damage: water, falls, wear and tear

If the Xiaomi headphone fell, came into contact with water or was operated in extreme conditions (frost, heat), the reason for the lack of charging can be:

Moisture intrusion:

• 💧 Even if the headphones have protection IPX4/IPX5, Prolonged exposure to moisture leads to corrosion of contacts.
• 🔥 Signs: the headphone “hises” when connected, the case warms, there is a smell of burning.

What to do: Put your headphones in dry rice or silica gel for 24 hours. Don't use a hair dryer or heat! If you have a problem after drying, bring it to the service.

Falls and impacts:

• 💥 Most often suffers the plume of the connection between the battery and the headphone board.
• 🔧 Signs: the headphone is working, but does not charge, or charging is only in a certain position.

What to do: Disassembly and soldering of the plume is possible only in the service center, self-repair can break the microphone or speaker.

⚠️ Note: If the Xiaomi headphone fell into water or was subjected to severe vibrations (for example, in the washing machine), it cannot be connected to charging until a full diagnosis!

Case and headphone compatibility: why not all parts are interchangeable

Many users buy a new case or headphones separately without checking their compatibility, which causes the devices to fail to recognize each other and fail to charge. Here's a table of compatibility of popular models:

If you have purchased an unoriginal case, make sure that:

• 🔌 The charging connector is the same (Type-C or Micro-USB).
• 📏 The location of the contacts in the nest is identical to the original.
• 🔋 The charging voltage is the same (usually) 5V/1A Xiaomi).

Before buying spare parts, check their articles on the official Xiaomi website or in certified stores (for example, Mi Store, AliExpress Official Store).

FAQ: Frequent questions about charging Xiaomi headphones