The fact that only one module is running from a pair of Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic headphones (known as Airdots) is one of the most common user problems, often not because of a breakdown, but because of the dissynchronization of communication channels between the right and left earphones. The left module, which in most scenarios acts as a Master device, can lose communication with its “partner” or smartphone.
Before you panic and bring your device to the service center, you should try to restore the functionality of software, resetting and forced soldering of Bluetooth connections between the ears helps in 90% of cases. TWS-Headsets are complex microcomputers that sometimes require rebooting to properly operate the data protocol.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithms for resuscitation of the left earphone, you will learn how to correctly reset, how to clean the memory of the phone from old profiles and what to do if the hardware methods did not bring the desired result.
Reasons for desynchronization of the left module
The fundamental reason for the failure of one of the headphones is often a violation of the logical chain of pairing. In TWS (True Wireless Stereo), one headphone (usually the right one, but in some Airdots revisions the role of the master can be transferred) acts as a coordinator, receiving a signal from the smartphone and transmitting it to the second module. If the Bluetooth protocol fails, the connection is broken.
Another common cause is the battery discharge in one of the modules, and if the left earphone was lying in the case for a long time without use, its battery could go into a deep discharge, in which case the device may turn on, flash the indicator, but have no charge to maintain a stable connection, and charging contacts contaminated with earwax or dust can also cause problems.
⚠️ Warning: If the left earphone makes a quiet crackle or intermittent sound before a full shutdown, this may indicate critical battery wear or speaker damage due to moisture.
Software conflicts on the smartphone side are not excluded either: Accumulated Bluetooth cache or errors in the pairing profile can block the second device from connecting. The phone’s operating system can “think” that the headset is already connected and ignore attempts to re-synchronize.
Preparation for reconnection
Before any manipulations begin, you need to do thorough preparation. The first step should always be to completely clean the list of paired devices. Go to your smartphone's Bluetooth settings, search the Xiaomi Airdots (or Mi True Wireless EBs Basic) list, and click "Forget the device" or "Delete." This is a critical step that is often ignored.
Then you need to make sure you charge both modules, put the headphones in the case and connect it to the charger at least on the back of the phone. 15-20 Even if the lights are on, the low current may be insufficient to start the reset procedure.
- 📱 Completely remove the headphone profile from the phone’s Bluetooth memory.
- 🔋 Charge the case and the headphones themselves within 20 minutes.
- 🧹 Wipe the contacts on the headphones and inside the case with a dry cotton swab.
- 📡 Turn off Bluetooth on your phone before starting the reset procedure.
☑️ Preparation for earphone drop
The method of forced discharge (Hard Reset)
The most effective way to get the left earbud to work again is to perform Hard Reset, a procedure that forcibly erases the memory of previous pairings inside the headphones themselves and forces them to re-search each other. For generation 1 and 2 Airdots models that do not have physical buttons on the body, touch control is used.
Take both earbuds out of the case. Make sure they're off (the indicators don't burn). If they're on automatically, press and hold the touch zones on both earbuds simultaneously for 5-7 seconds until the lights go out. Now that the devices are off, press and hold the touchpads on both modules simultaneously. Hold on for a long time - about 20-30 seconds.
The red light will light up first, then it will be replaced by a flashing white-red (or just white, depending on the version). Don't let your fingers go right away! The reset cycle is only considered complete when the indicators flash several times and go out, or start flashing quickly white to signal a search mode. Then put them in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds and pull it out again.
What if the reset doesn’t help the first time?
The sequence of connection to the smartphone
After a successful reset, it's important to do the primary pairing correctly. Many users make a mistake, including Bluetooth on the phone too early. You first have to wait for the left and right headphones to find each other. 5-10 You should see that one of the indicators (usually on the right) flashes slowly, and on the second (left) the indicator either goes out or blinks very rarely (2 This is a sign that TWS-The synchronization between the ears was successful.
Just make sure that the headphones are “friends” with each other, turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone. The list of available devices should appear one name – Xiaomi Airdots. There should not be two identical names or names with the prefix L and R. If you see two devices, then they are not synchronized, and the reset procedure should be repeated.
Click on the name of the device to connect. PIN-code, type 0000. After successful connection, play the audio file. The sound should go to both ears. If there is only sound in one, check the channel balance in the phone settings (Special features section or Sound section), as sometimes the failure occurs at the level of software volume control.
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The key to success is to wait until the headphones sync with each other (one stops actively blinking) BEFORE turning on Bluetooth on the phone.
Diagnostics of hardware problems
If software doesn't work, you'll have to go to physical diagnostics, and often the problem is oxidation of the contacts, and there are metal pens inside the case and on the headphones themselves, and over time, they form an oxide film that prevents charging, and you take a cotton swab lightly moistened with alcohol, and you wipe the contacts neatly. Let them dry for a few minutes.
Another possible reason is the battery on the left earphone, which is that if the device was dead for months, the lithium polymer battery could degrade, and in this case, the headphone might show charging, but if you try to turn it on, it's going to run out in seconds, and you can check that by leaving the headphone in the case on charge for 2-3 hours, and then trying to plug it in.
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Method of decision |
|---|---|---|
| The indicator is not on. | Deep discharge or oxidation | Cleaning contacts, long-term charging |
| It burns red, but it doesn't connect. | Hard Reset (Resetting settings) | |
| He flashes white, but he can't see his phone. | Repeat reset, wait for ear synchronization | |
| It works 5 minutes and shuts down. | Replacing a battery or buying a new module |
Specifics of working with the Mi Earbuds application
For Xiaomi smartphone owners and users of other Android devices, there is an official Mi Earbuds app (formerly known as Xiaomi Earbuds), which allows you not only to manage settings, but also to update the firmware of headphones. Sometimes a bug with a left-hand channel connection is solved by updating the firmware.
Download the app from Google Play or Mi App Store. Connect your headphones to your phone. If the app sees them, check for updates. It can take a few minutes to update, and you can't take your headphones out of your case or disconnect them from your phone. This action will reflash the Bluetooth controllers and can fix software bugs.
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If the app doesn't see the headphones, try connecting through the standard Bluetooth menu and then running the app. In rare cases, connecting a friend's phone with a forced update app installed helps.
When repairs or replacements are required
Unfortunately, not all cases are treatable at home. If, after cleaning contacts, multiple resets, firmware updates and checking on different smartphones, the left-hand Xiaomi Airdots earphone never worked, there may have been a hardware breakdown.
The repairability of these devices is extremely low. They are assembled by adhesive, and opening the case without damage is almost impossible. The cost of replacing the battery or speaker in the service often exceeds the cost of a new device, in which case it is more rational to purchase a new kit or, if you are lucky, find a used donor module (right or left, depending on the breakdown) and synchronize it.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to open the headphone case with sharp objects. Inside is a miniature lithium battery, damage to which can lead to fire or bloating.