Xiaomi wireless headphone does not work: full recovery instructions

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular gadgets due to the ratio of price to quality, but even they are not immune to failure. If your single headphone stopped working, is not determined by the phone, does not charge or makes extraneous sounds, do not rush to bring it to the service. In 80% of cases, you can solve the problem yourself in 10-30 minutes, following a clear algorithm.

In this article, we will analyze all possible causes of malfunction – from the banal discharge of the battery to hardware breakdowns, as well as give unique diagnostic recommendations that you will not find in standard instructions. We will pay special attention to the models of Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earphones and Xiaomi Buds, but the methods are suitable for others. TWS-We're going to start taking a step-by-step look at the headphones!

1. Diagnosis of the problem: identify the symptom

Before you start a repair, you need to know exactly what kind of failure happened, and that's what the solution depends on, and here's a table of the most common symptoms and their probable causes:

If your case did not make it to the table, try answering the questions:

• 🔋 The headphone responds to the pressing of buttons (for example, the indicator flashes)?
• 📱 Phone sees headphone in Bluetooth list but doesn't connect?
• 🔊 The sound is completely absent or distorted?
• ⚡ The headphone is charged in the case (whether the charging indicators are burning)?

Important! If the headphone is physically damaged (cracks on the body, traces of oxidation on the contacts, water intrusion), immediately go to the section on hardware repair. Software methods will not help here.

Basic checks: what to do first

Start with the simplest steps that often solve the problem:

1. Battery charge. Put your headphones in the case for 10-15 minutes, even if the indicator is not on. Sometimes the discharge is so deep that the indication does not work. After charging, try to connect again.

2. Reboot your devices. Turn off Bluetooth on your phone for 30 seconds, then turn it on. If the headphones were previously connected, remove them from the list of devices and pair them again.

3.Pairing mode. For Redmi AirDots and Mi True Wireless models:

• Get both earphones out of the case.
• Press the button on the right earphone for 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white.
• On your phone, select Mi True Wireless Earphones from the Bluetooth list.

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If the light flashes only red, the earphone is dead, and if it doesn't blink at all, the board or contacts may break.

4. Check on another device. Try connecting your headphones to another smartphone, tablet or PC. If the problem persists, it's the headphones. If the connection is successful, your phone's settings fail.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi headphones can conflict with Android 12 devices+ because of changes in the Bluetooth protocol. Update your phone's firmware or use headphones with your Android 11 device.

3. resetting synchronization between headphones

One of the most common problems is the loss of communication between the right and left earphones, which happens after an incorrect extraction from the case, a firmware failure, or a deep discharge, to restore synchronization:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Wait 10 seconds, then get them out.
3. Press the buttons on both headphones simultaneously for 20-25 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white.
4. Place the headphones back in the case for 5 seconds, then pull out.
5. Connect to them via Bluetooth as a new device.

For Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro models, the process is slightly different:

1. Get the headphones out of the case.


2. Press the touch panels on both headphones for 10 seconds.




3. Wait for the double beep.




4. Return the headphones to the case, then retrieve them.

The reason for the synchronization failure is often the firmware of the Bluetooth module. If the reset did not help, try updating the headphone firmware (for this, see the next section).

4. Update to the headphone firmware

The manufacturer regularly updates the TWS-Xiaomi headphones that fix connection errors, improve sound and increase the time of work. If your headphones are bugged after updating your phone or have not been used for a long time, check the relevance of the firmware.

For update:

1. Install the official Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app (depending on the model).

Important: For Redmi AirDots 3 Pro and later, the firmware update is only available through the Xiaomi Wear app. In Mi Home, these headphones are displayed, but the update functionality may not be available.

⚠️ Warning: Don't interrupt the update process! If the firmware crashes during the update, the headphones may stop turning on. In this case, only flashing through Fastboot (requires a PC and cable to connect the case) will help).

5. Charging problems: Headphones don't charge in the case

If the indicators on the case are on, but the headphones do not charge or charge for too long, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔌 Oxidation of contacts on headphones or in a case (often after moisture is ingested).
• 🔋 Wear of the case battery - over time, the capacity falls, and the case can not fully charge the headphones.
• 🔌 Cable or adapter damage – try another Quick Charge-enabled cable.
• 🛠️ Breakdown of the charging controller in the case (requires repair).

How to clean contacts:

1. Take a cotton swab dipped in an alcohol solution (at least 70%).
2. Gently wipe the metal contacts on the headphones and inside the case.
3. Let me dry for 10-15 minutes.
4. Try recharging your headphones.

If cleaning did not help, check the voltage at the exit of the case:

• Connect the case to the charger.
• Use the multimeter in DC 20V mode.
• Touch the contacts inside the case (polarity is not important).
• Normal voltage: 4.2-4.35V. If less than 3.8V, the battery of the case is defective.

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If the case does not give a voltage above 3.5V, its battery is worn out and needs to be replaced, in service it will cost 500-1500 rubles depending on the model.

6. Hardware breakdowns: when you need the help of a specialist

If all software methods have been tried, but the earphone still doesn't work, it's probably a hardware malfunction.

What you can do on your own:

• 🔋 Battery replacement: For removable models (e.g. Redmi AirDots S), you can buy a new battery (301230 size, 40-60 mAh capacity) and replace it yourself.

⚠️ Attention: Disassembling Xiaomi headphones requires care - many models are glued together, not assembled on screws. If you unguardedly open, you can damage the plumes or membrane of the speaker. If you are not confident in their abilities, contact the service.

Where to repair:

• Official Xiaomi service centers (the warranty is maintained, but repairs can take 2-3 weeks).
• Local electronics repair shops (faster but without warranty)
• Self-sufficient (only if you have experience of rationing) SMD-component).

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Before visiting the service, take photos of your headphones and case from different angles, and write down the serial number (usually on a sticker inside the case), which will speed up the diagnosis.

7. Alternative ways to use a faulty earphone

If repair is not possible or feasible, but one earpiece is still working, it can be used separately.

1. Connecting one headphone: For Redmi AirDots: take out only the working earpiece from the case, press the button for 5 seconds until the indicator flashes. For Xiaomi Buds: touch the touch panel 3 times in a row.

Set up mono mode on the phone:

• Android: Settings → Special features → Sound → Mono-audio.
• iOS: Settings → Universal Access → Audiovisual Content → Monoaudio.
• Use as a headset: In most models, the microphone is built into the right earpiece, so it will work for calls even without a pair.

⚠️ Note: Not all models support replacing a single headphone. 3T The Pro uses a unique pair binding at the firmware level, and the new headphone may not connect to the old one.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphone malfunctions