What to do if one headphone does not work in wireless Xiaomi Airdots: a step-by-step guide

Xiaomi Airdots wireless headphones (including Redmi Airdots, Mi True Wireless Earphones, and Mi Air 2/2S/2 Pro) are popular for their value for money. But even proven gadgets have crashes, one of the most common: left or right earphones have stopped working. The reasons can range from software failure to physical speaker failure. In this article, we'll look at all possible solutions, from the simplest (reboot, reset) to repairs.

Important: if the earphone doesn't turn on completely (the indicator doesn't blink, it doesn't respond to charging), the problem is more hardware, if it connects, but doesn't play sound, it's the software or settings that are to blame, and the diagnostics that we'll describe below will help determine the root of the problem.

Basic diagnostics: check the headphone and smartphone

Before you disassemble your headphones or reset your settings, make sure the problem isn't on the phone or sound source side. Here are four key checks:

• 📱 We're testing on another device. Connect Airdots to another smartphone, tablet or PC. If the headphone works, the problem is with your phone's settings.
• 🔊 On Android: Go to Settings → Sound. → Stereo balance (or special features) → On iPhone: Settings → Universal access → Audiovisual → Balance L/R.
• 🔋 You can see the charge level of each headphone in the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app. If one is dead, recharge the case.
• 🎧 Physical damage. Check your earphone for water, dirt in the speaker or microphone. Blow the speaker down the hole, sometimes it helps.

If you've never had your earphone work after this manipulation, move on to the next step, and pay particular attention to the balance of sound, which is the most common cause of "imaginary" failure, when users accidentally move the slider to one side.

2.Reset Xiaomi Airdots headphones to factory settings

Software failures are the second most common cause of a broken earphone. Resetting will return the Airdots to its original settings and often solve the problem. 3/4, Mi Air 2):

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and hold the button on the case for 15-20 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white.
3. Close the lid, wait 10 seconds and open again.
4. Headphones will automatically go into pairing mode (indicators will flash white).

After reset, reconnect your headphones via Bluetooth. If the problem persists, try updating your firmware (more on this in the next section).

Charge the case to 50%+

Make sure the headphones are clean and dry

Disable them from all devices in Bluetooth settings

Prepare a second device for testing-->

3. Update firmware through the Mi Home app or Xiaomi Wear

Older firmware can cause conflicts with new versions Android/iOS, It's the official way to update the Airdots, through the company's apps. Importantly, the firmware must match the model (e.g. Redmi Airdots and Mi Air). 2 Pro uses different files).

Instructions for Android:

1. Install the Xiaomi Wear app (for new models) or Mi Home (for older models).
2. Connect the headphones via Bluetooth.
3. Open the app, find the device in the list and tap on it.
4. Go to Settings → Update firmware.
5. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off the headphones!).

There is no official upgrade option for the iPhone, but you can use Mi Home in compatibility mode. The alternative is manual firmware via PC (described in the next section).

4. Manual firmware update via PC (for power users)

If the official update doesn't work or isn't available, you can manually stitch your headphones, a method that's risky (when you make a mistake, your headphones can turn into a brick), but sometimes it's the only way to get back up.

• 💻 Windows PC 10/11;
• 🔌 Type-C Cable (to connect the case);
• 📁 Firmware for your model (you can download it at xiaomifirmware.com or 4PDA).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder on the desktop.
2. Connect the case with headphones to the PC via cable (earphones should be inside!).
3. Launch the file. flash_tool.exe (or MiFlash.exe) on behalf of the administrator.
4. In the program, select the firmware folder and press Flash.
5. Wait until the case is completed (don't turn it off!) The headphones will automatically reboot.

⚠️ Note: Do not use firmware from other models (for example, Mi Air 2 firmware for Redmi Airdots) - this will lead to irreversible failure. 4PDA).

5. Contact cleaning and dynamics: if the earphone does not reproduce sound

Dust, sweat, or moisture can clog the speaker or charge contacts, which causes the earphone to plug in but doesn't make sound. Cleaning often solves the problem without repair.

• 🧴 Cotton swabs (better with a plastic rod);
• 💧 Alcohol (isopropyl or medical 70%);
• 🪄 Toothpick or soft brush;
• 🔦 Lights for inspection.

How to clean:

1. Wet the cotton swab in alcohol and gently wipe the metal contacts on the headphone and inside the case.
2. With a toothpick, remove dirt from the speaker grille (don't press hard!).
3. Blow the earpiece (for example, with a can of compressed air or mouth).
4. Put the headphones in the case and let dry for 10-15 minutes.

If after cleaning the sound appeared, but wheezes or distorts - the speaker is damaged (replacement is required).

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For prevention, wipe your headphones with alcohol wipes 1 time a week. This will prevent oxidation of contacts and dirt accumulation.

6. Check the battery and replace the speaker (if nothing helped)

If all previous methods failed, the problem is likely to be hardware:

• 🔋 Discharged/blown battery – the headphone does not turn on or off after a few seconds;
• 🔊 Damaged speaker – the earphone connects but does not produce sound (or the sound is distorted);
• 📶 Bluetooth antenna break – the headphone does not connect to the phone, although charged.

Diagnosis:

For repairs, contact the Xiaomi service center or electronics repair shop.

• 🔧 Battery replacement: 500-1200 rubles.;
• 🔊 Replacement of the speaker: 1000-2000 rubles.;
• 📱 Diagnostics + flashing: 300-800 rubles..

⚠️ Note: If the headphones are warranty (usually 12 months), do not disassemble them yourself - this will void the warranty.

7. Alternative solutions: if repair is not feasible

If the cost of repair exceeds 50% of the price of new headphones, consider alternatives:

• 🎁 If the headphones are warranty and breakage is not your fault (for example, factory defect), you are eligible for a replacement.
• 🔄 Buying one headphone. AliExpress or Avito often sells individual headphones (price) ~500-1500 rubles.) Clarify the compatibility of the model!
• ♻️ Discount on the new model. In some services, when you rent out old Airdots, you give a discount on the purchase of new ones (for example, in the Svyaznoy or M. Video).
• 🔧 Self-repair. If you have a soldering iron and experience, you can order spare parts (speaker, battery) on AliExpress and replace yourself.

Before buying a new headphone, check to see if Xiaomi has released an updated version of your model. For example, instead of Redmi Airdots, Redmi Buds 4 is now sold with improved sound and running time.

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If the headphone doesn't work because of a hardware breakdown and the warranty is over, compare the cost of repairing and buying a new pair. It's often more profitable to buy one headphone or a new model.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Airdots