Xiaomi’s right-hand earphone stopped working: what to do in 2026

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular gadgets on the market due to the combination of price, quality and functionality. But even the most reliable technology can fail. One of the most common problems is when the right earphone stops working: it does not turn on, does not connect, makes a crack or even does not speak, mientras que left functions normally, the reasons can be either software (firmware failure, battery discharge) or hardware (distor, contact oxidation).

In this article, we will look at all possible causes of malfunction and give step-by-step instructions for diagnosis and repair. It is important to understand that some methods (such as resetting or cleaning contacts) can be used independently, while others (replacing a speaker, soldering boards) may require help from a service center, and we will also explain how to distinguish a software failure from a physical failure so as not to waste time on useless actions.

If your right-hand headphone Xiaomi AirDots, Redmi Buds or other model stopped working, do not rush to throw the gadget or carry it for repair. In 70% of cases, the problem can be solved at home in 10-30 minutes, the main thing is to correctly determine the cause and follow the proven instructions.

1. Primary diagnosis: check for obvious causes

Before you disassemble your headphones or reset your settings, eliminate the underlying issues that are often overlooked. Start by visually inspecting and checking your connection.

🔋 Battery discharge. The right earphone may not turn on if its battery is completely discharged, mentre that the left one still holds charge. Place both earphones in the case for 10-15 minutes, then check the indication. If the right earphone does not blink when removed from the case, the problem may be in the charging contacts or the battery itself.

📱 Check the connection. Sometimes the headphones connect to the device separately. Make sure that your smartphone's Bluetooth settings display both headphones as one device (e.g. Mi True Wireless Earphones 2). If the right earphone is displayed separately, remove it from the list of devices and perform re-pairing.

🔊 Sound test. Turn on the music and alternately tap the touchpads on both headphones (if they support control.

• 🔍 Check the case: make sure the contacts inside the case are not contaminated or deformed.
• 📵 Reboot Bluetooth: Turn off the module on your smartphone for 30 seconds, then turn it on again and try to connect.
• 🔄 Change headphones: if the problem “passes” to the left earphone – a malfunction in the settings of the phone, not in the headphones themselves.

⚠️ Attention: If the right earphone does not respond to charging in the case and does not turn on even after a long stay on the base, this may indicate a failure of the power controller.

2.Reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings

If the initial diagnosis didn't work, the next step is hard reset, which will bring the headphones back to factory settings and often solve connection or sound problems, and the instructions vary depending on the model:

📌 For models with mechanical buttons (Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earphones Basic):

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and hold the button on the case (if any) or touchpad on both headphones for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Wait for the automatic shutdown and re-energization of the headphones.

📌 For models with touch control (Xiaomi AirDots 3, Buds 4):

1. Remove the headphones from the case.
2. Touch and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until you hear the reset beep.
3. Place the headphones back in the case for 5 seconds, then remove and re-pair.

After reset, Xiaomi headphones should appear in the list of Bluetooth devices as a new device (for example, Mi). Earphones_XXXX). If the right earphone still doesn’t connect, move on to the next step.

3. firmware problems: update and rollback

Firmware failures are a common reason one of the headphones stops working. The manufacturer regularly releases updates to fix bugs, but sometimes they themselves become a source of problems. If your headphones stop working after an update, try the following methods:

🔄 Forced firmware update:

• 📱 Install the official Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app (depending on the model).
• 🔗 Connect your headphones to the app and check for updates in the Devices section. → [Your model] → Firmware update.
• ⚡ Make sure your headphones are at least 50% charged before upgrading.

⏮️ Firmware rollback (if the update caused a failure):

Unfortunately, Xiaomi doesn’t provide an official way to roll back the firmware for headphones. However, you can try resetting to factory settings (as described in the previous section) or wait for the next update that fixes the bugs. If the problem is critical, contact Xiaomi with the firmware version (you can see it in the Mi Home app).

⚠️ Note: If the right earphone does not turn on at all after the firmware update (does not blink, does not respond to charging), this may indicate damage to the boot sector.

4.Cleaning contacts and repair of charging case

If the right earphone doesn't charge in the case or connects intermittently, the problem can be oxidation of the contacts or mechanical damage, and over time, dirt, fat or corrosion accumulate on the metal pads, leading to poor contact.

🧹 How to Clean Contacts:

1. Take a cotton swab and moisten it in isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%).
2. Gently wipe the contacts on the headphone and inside the case. Don't press too hard to avoid bending them.
3. Allow the contacts to dry 5-10 minutes before use.

🔧 Checking the spring contacts in the case:

If the contacts in the case are sagging or broken, the earphone will not charge.

1. Light a flashlight inside the headphone socket.
2. Make sure that the spring contacts (usually 3-4 pieces) are not bent and touch the metal areas on the headphone.
3. If the contacts are damaged, they can be gently bent with tweezers or replaced with a case.

Make sure the headphones are off |Use only isopropyl alcohol |Use contacts on the headphone and in the case |Let dry for 10 minutes before charging |Check charging after cleaning-->

💡 Additional test: try placing the right earbud in the left socket of the case (and vice versa). If it starts charging, the problem is in the contacts of the right socket.

5. Hardware breakdowns: speaker, battery, charge

If the software methods didn't help, it's probably a hardware malfunction. Let's look at the most common breakdowns and their signs:

• 🔊 Dynamic damage: the sound is distorted, cracked or completely absent, often after falling or getting moisture.
• 🔋 Battery failure: the headphone does not hold a charge, discharges quickly or does not turn on. The batteries in Xiaomi headphones are designed for 300-500 charging cycles, after which their capacity drops.
• 📱 Bluetooth module problems: The earphone plugs in, but the sound is only in one channel or interrupted, may be caused by overheating or a power surge.
• 🔌 Breaking wires inside the earphone: occurs when mechanical damage (for example, if you pull the wire when extracted from the ear).

🛠️ Self-repair is possible if you have experience with small electronics:

• 🔧 Replacement speaker: speakers for Xiaomi can be found on AliExpress or in service centers. the cost is from 300 to 800 rubles.
• 🔋 Battery replacement: Requires soldering. Batteries like this. 301230 (for AirDots) or 401025 (for Buds 3/4) stand 200–500 ruble.
• 🧲 Connection soldering: if the wire has moved away from the board or speaker, it can be soldered independently.

📌 Where to buy spare parts:

For the repair of headphones Xiaomi suitable original and compatible parts.

• On AliExpress (search by model, for example, Xiaomi AirDots 3 dynamic replacement).
• In radio parts stores (such as Chip and Deep).
• In service centers that repair headphones.

⚠️ Note: When disassembling headphones Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and other models with the system ANC Be careful, there's an extra noise-cancellation microphone inside, and it's easy to damage it!

6. Problems with compatibility and device settings

Sometimes the right-hand Xiaomi headphone doesn't work because of incorrect smartphone settings or conflict with other Bluetooth devices.

📱 Checking Bluetooth settings on a smartphone:

• 🔗 Remove the headphones from the list of associated devices and connect again.
• 🎧 In Bluetooth settings, select Additional settings → Sound quality and set up SBC instead AAC AptX (sometimes codecs cause crashes).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – it will reset the temporary errors of the Bluetooth module.

🎵 Conflict with other devices:

If you have multiple Bluetooth gadgets connected (such as smartwatches and headphones), they can interfere with each other. Turn off all the extra devices and check the right earphone.

🖥️ Problems with PC or Mac:

Computers sometimes get confused with the Bluetooth headphones to fix:

1. Open the Control Panel → Sound (Windows) or System settings → Sound (Mac).
2. Select Xiaomi headphones and click Properties.
3. Make sure that the Spatial Sound tab is turned off and the 16-bit, 44100 Hz format is additionally installed.

💡

If the right earphone connects, but the sound is only in the left, try in the Mi Home application to turn off the Monozvouk function (if it is in the settings of your model).

7. When to contact the service center?

If none of these methods worked, it is likely that the problem is hardware and requires professional intervention.

• 💥 The headphone is physically damaged (cracks on the body, traces of oxidation inside).
• 🔥 After falling or getting moisture (even if everything looks intact).
• 🔌 The headphone does not respond to reset and does not turn on at all.
• 🎛️ Failures after a failed firmware update.
• 🔊 The sound is completely absent, but the earphone connects and charges.

📍 How to find the official Xiaomi service:

1. Go to the site. mi.com/ru/service/center.

2. Choose your city and headphone model.

3. Check the reviews about the service center (for example, on Yandex.Maps or 2GIS).

💰 Cost of repairs in 2026:

⚠️ Important: If the headphones are warranty (usually 12 months), the repair will be free, provided that the breakage is not caused by mechanical damage or moisture!

💡

Before visiting the service center, make a backup of the data (if the headphones are synchronized with the application) and bring a check or warranty card with you.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's broken right earphone