One Xiaomi headphone does not charge: a full analysis of the causes and solutions

Did you take out Xiaomi AirDots, Redmi Buds or Mi True Wireless from the case, and one earphone is discharged to zero - despite the fact that the case shows a full charge? Or does the indicator on the problem earphone not burn at all when placed in the case? 15-20% user-user TWS-headphones Xiaomi, and in 80% In some cases, it can be eliminated independently without contacting the service center.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons why a single Xiaomi headphone might not charge, from the common contamination of contacts to hardware malfunctions of the power controller. You’ll get step-by-step instructions from the photo, charger compatibility tables, and diagnostic checklists.

If you've tried to clean contacts with alcohol or reset your settings, but nothing has worked, don't rush to throw out your headphones. At the end of this article, we'll reveal the hidden mode of testing contacts that is in all of them. TWS-Xiaomi headphones (activated by 5 times pressing the touch panel) This mode allows you to determine exactly whether the case or the earphone itself is to blame.

1. Checking the obvious: case, cable and power source

Before you take your headphones apart or put them in service, eliminate external factors. Start by diagnosing the charging case, which is the cause of the problem 60 percent of the time.

• 🔌 Try another cable. Use the original cable. USB-C Xiaomi-based cable or certified (with support) USB 2.0 and current ≥Cheap cables often do not provide stable voltage.
• 🔋 Connect the case to another power source. Perfect - power supply from a Xiaomi smartphone (5V/1A or 5V/2A. Avoid. USB-Computer ports or car charging – they may not give enough current.
• 🔄 Reset the case. To do that, remove both earbuds, plug the case into a 10 second charge, then turn off and insert the headphones back in. That will reset the power controller.

If the case is charging, but one headphone is not, check the indication:

Green/white light on the case - the case is charged, but the earphone is not in contact.

Red flashing - the case is discharged (you need to charge it to 100%).

- No indication - the battery of the case or the controller is defective.

⚠️ Warning: If the case heats up when charging (above 40)°C, immediately turn it off! This is a sign of a malfunction of the controller or battery.

2. Cleaning contacts: how and how to remove oxides correctly

Contaminated or oxidized contacts are the most common reason why one Xiaomi earphone doesn't charge: Dust, sweat, cosmetics, and even ordinary humidity eventually form a film that blocks current. Don't use needles, knives, sandpaper, or acetone-based liquids to clean, which will damage the gilded coating of the contacts.

Here is a safe cleaning algorithm:

1. Turn off the case from charging and remove the headphones.
2. Wet the cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol (90%+) or a special liquid for cleaning electronics (for example, Contact Cleaner).
3. Gently wipe the contacts on the headphone and in the case (see photo below).
4. Allow the contacts to dry for 5-10 minutes (use a cold-air dryer to speed up).
5. Check the charging.

If there is no alcohol, you can use an eraser (washing gum) - it will gently remove the oxides. But after that, be sure to blow the contacts with compressed air (for example, a can of keyboard cleaning).

Remove headphones from the case | Disconnect the case from charging | Wipe contacts with alcohol |Dry 5-10 minutes | Check charging-->

3. Resetting headphone settings: when and how to do

If cleaning the contacts didn't work, the next step is to reset the headphones to the factory, which eliminates software failures that can block charging (for example, after a failed firmware update).

• 🎧 AirDots 1/2, Redmi Buds: Press and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously during the day 15 seconds until the indicator flashes red/white.
• 🎧 Mi True Wireless 2, AirDots 3: Place the headphones in the case, then press and hold the button on the case for 10 seconds (the indicator should flash orange).
• 🎧 Redmi Buds 4: Requires a special combination: 3 times press on the left earphone + 1 time on the right, then hold both 5 seconds.

After reset, Xiaomi headphones will automatically reconnect to the last paired device.

1. Remove the headphones from the list of Bluetooth devices on your phone.
2. Turn off Bluetooth for 30 seconds.
3. Turn on Bluetooth and search for new devices.
4. Press and hold the touchpad on the headphones until Mi True Wireless appears on the list.

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If the headphones do not sync with each other after reset, place them in the case for 1 minute, then remove. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times - this often helps to restore communication.

4. Battery Diagnosis: How to Check Capacity Without Tools

If Xiaomi's headphone doesn't charge even after cleaning contacts and resetting, the problem could be the battery. TWS-headphones are designed for 300-500 charge cycles, after which their capacity falls on 30-50%. Here's How to Diagnose Wear:

Signs of a "dying" battery:

• 🔋 The headphone only charges up to 50-70% discharged.
• 🔌 The charging indicator flashes red, but the percentage does not increase.
• ⏳ Working hours have been reduced with 4-5 hourly 1-2.
• 🔥 The headphone heats up when charging (above 40)°C).

For accurate diagnosis, you can use the hidden test menu, which is found in all Xiaomi headphones:

1. Put the headphones in the case.
2. Connect the case to the charger.
3. Quickly press 5 times on the touch panel of the problem headphone.
4. The indicator will flash green (the battery is working) or red (replacement is required).

⚠️ Warning: If the earphone is swelling (seen by the enlarged body or cracks), don't try to charge or disassemble it! Lithium polymer batteries in this state can ignite. Dispose of the earphone according to local electronics recycling regulations.

5. Case problems: Charging controller and sensors

If all the manipulations with the headphones failed, the problem is probably the charging case, which may be faulty.

• 🔌 Power controller (responsible for the distribution of current between headphones).
• 🔋 Case battery (over time loses capacity).
• 📶 Hall sensor (detects the closure of the lid and activates charging).
• 🔌 USB-port (broken or oxidized).

For diagnosis:

1. Check the voltage on the contacts of the case multimeter (should be 3.7-4.2V with the connected charger).
2. Try charging the case wirelessly (if supported). If it's Qi charging and cable isn't, the problem is: USB-port.
3. Light a flashlight in the case - if the Hall sensor is contaminated, it will not work when the lid is closed.

If the case does not show signs of life (the indicator does not burn, does not warm up), try "resuscitation":

1. Connect the case to the charger for 30 minutes.
2. Turn it off and wait 1 minute.
3. Press and hold the reset button (if any) for 20 seconds.
4. Reconnect – sometimes it wakes up the controller.

6. Software failures and firmware updates

Less commonly but aptly: the problem may be the firmware of the headphones. Xiaomi regularly releases updates for the TWS-models that fix charging and synchronization bugs:

1. Connect the headphones to your Xiaomi phone (or with Mi Home installed).
2. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
3. Click on the gear icon next to the headphones' name.
4. Check out the firmware version. Current versions for 2026: AirDots 3 Pro: 4.7.1 or higher Redmi Buds 4: 3.5.8 or higher Mi True Wireless 2: 2.1.4 or higher

If the version is outdated, update the firmware through Mi Home:

1. Open the Mi Home app.
2. Go to Profile → Settings → Update firmware.
3. Select the headphones from the list.
4. Click Update and wait until the process is completed (don’t interrupt!).

The cost of repairs in official Xiaomi service centers (for 2026):

Before the service visit:

1. Reset your headphones (Section 3).
2. Take pictures of problematic behavior (e.g. video of how the earphone doesn't charge).
3. Check whether the warranty is retained (in the case or box there must be a warranty card).

⚠️ Warning: Irreversible malfunctions often occur after headphones fall into water or use of non-original chargers with voltages above 5V. In such cases, repairs may not be cost-effective (the cost exceeds the price of new headphones).

8. Alternative solutions: if repair is not possible

If repairs are too expensive or headphones are outdated, consider alternatives:

• 🔄 Buy one replacement headphone. AliExpress or Avito often sells used headphones for a price tag. 300-800₽ (Check the compatibility of the model!).
• 🔋 Use the case as a powerbank. Some models (AirDots 3, Redmi Buds 4) allow you to charge the earphone separately through tweezers connected to the headset. USB.
• 🎧 Go to wired headphones with a connector USB-C Modern models (such as the Xiaomi Hybrid Pro) offer comparable sound quality for less money.
• 🔊 Use one working earpiece in mono mode. To do this, in your Bluetooth phone settings, select Use as a monoearhead.

If you decide to buy new ones TWS-headphones, pay attention to models with protection from moisture (standard) IPX4 And then you can use wireless charging to reduce the risk of recurring problems:

• Redmi Buds 5 (30 hours autonomy, ANC)
• Xiaomi Buds 4 (LC3 support for better sound)
• Haylou GT7 (compatible with the Mi Home app)

FAQ: Frequent questions about charging Xiaomi headphones