One Xiaomi headphone does not turn on: what to do if the left or right headphone does not work

You pulled Xiaomi AirDots, Redmi Buds or Xiaomi FlipBuds out of your case, but one of them refuses to turn on? This is familiar to many wireless headsets, especially after a long downtime, drop or firmware update. In 80 percent of cases, you can solve the problem yourself without going to the service center. But it's important to operate by algorithms, from simple checks to complex manipulations with hardware.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons why one Xiaomi earphone doesn’t respond to buttons, charge or connect to the phone, from the banal discharge of the battery to damage to contacts inside the case. You’ll learn how to diagnose a malfunction, what tools you’ll need to repair, and when to accept buying a new device. And for Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro models and later, we’ve added up-to-date data on updating the firmware through Mi Fit.

We warn you right away that if the earphone is physically damaged (cracks on the body, traces of oxidation on the contacts), most software methods will be useless, in such cases only disassembling or replacing the module will help, but in 9 out of 10 cases, synchronization failures, a dead battery or contaminated contacts are to blame - and this can be treated in 10 minutes.

1. Checking the obvious: charging and connecting

Before you disassemble your headphones or reset your settings, make sure that the problem isn't with the basics. Start by diagnosing the case and power source:

• 🔋 Case Charge: Connect the case to the charger (preferably original from Xiaomi with output) 5V/1A or 5V/2A). The case indicator should be red or white, and if there is no indication, the problem is in the case, not the headphones.
• 🔌 Case Contacts: Inspect the metal contacts inside the case (usually 3-4 They should be clean, without oxidation. Rub them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
• 📱 Connect to your phone: Remove the headphones from the list of associated devices in the Bluetooth settings, then try reconnecting. On Android path: Settings → Connected devices → Headphones → Forget this device.
• 🔄 Phone reboot: Sometimes the crash happens on the side of the smartphone.Reboot the device and try to connect again.

If the headphone still doesn't turn on after this manipulation, move on to the next step. Note: Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2 and Redmi Buds 3 Pro models have a function of automatic shutdown at low charge. If the indicator on the headphone flashes red and goes out, its battery is discharged below critical level (usually 3.2V).

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If the case is not charging from the original cable, try another one. USB-Sometimes the problem is with a faulty charger, not with the headphones.

2.Reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings

The most effective way to bring headphones back to life is hard reset, which resets all settings, including device pairing data, and the instructions vary depending on the model:

After reset, the headphones must automatically go into pairing mode (the indicator flashes white).

1. Try resetting only the problem earphone (hold its button separately).
2. Check if the headphone lights up when you put it in the case, and if it doesn't, it's a problem with your food.
3. Connect the headphones to another device (tablet, laptop) to prevent a failure on the phone side.

Make sure the case is charged | Check the cleanliness of the contacts |Remove the headphones from the Bluetooth device list |Prepare the second device for the connection test-->

Critical information: Headphones Xiaomi Buds 3T and later after reset require re-activation through the Mi Fit app. Without this, they will not work in stereo mode.

3. Diagnostics of battery and contacts

If the reset didn’t work, the next likely cause is a dead or broken battery. Xiaomi’s wireless headphones use lithium-polymer batteries ranging from 40mAh to 60mAh. They lose capacity over time, and when they are deep discharged (below 2.8V), they can completely fail.

How to check the battery without disassembly:

• 🔍 Visual inspection: Light a flashlight into the earphone chargers, if they're oxidized (green or white), clean with alcohol.
• ⚡ Multimeter test: Connect the probes to the headphone contacts (polarity is not important). 3.7V–4.2V. If below 3.0V — battery discharged.
• 🔄 Charging check: Place the headphone in the case for 30 minutes. If the indicator doesn't light up, the problem is the power chain.

Xiaomi AirDots Youth Edition and Redmi Buds 2 have a problem with detaching the battery contacts from the board, and if you press the headphone case for a short time, it confirms the diagnosis, in which cases you need disassembly and soldering.

⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to charge the earphone directly from the charger (e.g., by soldering wires to the contacts).This can cause the battery to overheat and catch fire. Use only the original case or dedicated, limited-current charger.

4. Update firmware through Mi Fit

Firmware failures are a common reason why one Xiaomi earphone stops working. For example, after upgrading the Mi Fit to version 5.6.0, many Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro users faced the problem of turning off the right earphone, the solution is to reflash the device.

Instructions for updating:

1. Install the latest version of Mi Fit from Google Play or App Store.
2. Connect both headphones to your phone (even if one doesn’t work).
3. Open Mi Fit → Profile → My Devices → Headphones → Firmware Update.
4. If the update is available, confirm the installation. Do not turn off the headphones until the process is complete (takes 3-5 minutes).

For Xiaomi Buds 4 and later, the firmware recovery function is available via DFU mode.

1. Put the headphones in the case.


2 Hold the button on the case for 10 seconds (the indicator flashes yellow).




3. Connect the case to the PC via USB.




4. Use the MiFlash utility for firmware (files are taken from the official Xiaomi website).

If you still don't have one headphone on after you upgrade, try rolling back to the previous firmware version.

• Download the archive with the firmware version you want (for example, from the 4PDA forum).
• Rename the file to fw_update.bin.
• Put it in the root of the phone’s memory.
• Connect the headphones and wait for automatic updates.

Yes, one earphone stopped working | Yes, but the problem was solved by reset | No, never had a problem | I didn't update the firmware-->

5. Disassembly and repair of contacts (for advanced)

If the software methods didn't work, there's still a physical repair, and disassembling Xiaomi headphones requires care and minimal skills in small electronics.

• 🔧 Plastic mediator or opener for the body.
• 🔥 Fryer (for softening glue).
• 🧲 Tweezers and screwdrivers. T3 or T4.
• 🔌 Multimeter for circuit inspection.
• 🧴 Alcohol and cotton swabs for cleaning.

Step-by-step (on the example of Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2):

1. Plug off the back cover: Carefully press the seam between the parts of the case with a mediator. Heat the dryer (60-80°C) to soften the glue.
2. Disconnect the battery plume: It's attached to the board with a small connector. Don't pull the wires!
3. Check contacts: Check the soldering connections on the board. Often, the speakers or Bluetooth antennas break off.
4. Clean oxidation: If there is a green coating on the contacts of the battery or board, remove it with an eraser or alcohol.
5. Check the battery: Measure the voltage on its terminals. If it is below 3.0V, replace the battery (you can take it from donor headphones).

Typical failures in disassembly:

• 🔊 Severed speaker: Check if the wires are soldering off the speaker (a common problem after falls).
• 📡 Damaged Bluetooth antenna: If the headphone is not connected but is charged, the antenna wire may have been cut off.
• 🔋 Bloated battery: If the headphone case is inflated - replace the battery immediately!

⚠️ Note: When soldering contacts, use a soldering iron with no more power 30W If you're not sure about your skills, take your headphones to the service.

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In 60 percent of cases, when the headphones are disassembled, they stop working because of damage to the battery plume. Always take pictures of the location of the parts before repairs begin!

6. when it is worth contacting the service or buying new headphones

Not all faults can be repaired on their own, but here are signs that Xiaomi headphones should be repaired or replaced:

• 💥 Physical damage: Cracks on the body, traces of impacts, water inside (even if the headphones are positioned as waterproof).
• 🔥 Overheating or bloating: If the earphone is heated for no reason or the body is deformed, it is a sign of a faulty battery.
• 📵 Complete lack of response: The earphone does not charge, does not turn on, is not detected by the phone even after resetting.
• 🔊 Distorted sound: If the earphone is wheezing, crackling or the sound is interrupted, the speaker is most likely damaged.

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

If the headphones are warranty (usually 12 months from the date of purchase), the repair will be free.

• Check or electronic document of purchase.
• Box and equipment (case, documents).
• No trace of self-repair.

Should you repair Xiaomi headphones? Calculate the ratio of the cost of repair and the cost of new ones:

• 🆕 Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 — ~2 500 ₽.
• 🆕 Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro — ~6 000 ₽.

If the repair costs more than 50% of the price of new headphones, it is more advisable to buy a new pair.

7. Prevention: how to prolong the life of headphones Xiaomi

To avoid problems with the connection and work of headphones, follow these recommendations:

• 🔋 Charging: Don't leave your headphones empty for long. Optimal charge level for storage is 40-60%.
• 🧼 Cleaning: Once a month wipe the contacts of headphones and case with an alcohol napkin.
• 🌡️ Temperature: Do not leave your headphones in the sun or in the cold (optimum: 0-35)°C).
• 📱 Updates: Check firmware updates in Mi Fit regularly.
• 💧 Moisture: Despite moisture protection, avoid water (especially in the case connector).

For touch-controlled models (Xiaomi Buds 3T, FlipBuds Pro):

• Do not press the touchpad with dirty or wet fingers.
• Avoid pressing hard – it can damage the microphone or speaker.

If the headphones have not been used for a long time (for example, they were lying in the closet for 3+ months), before the first switching on:

1. Charge the case to 100%.
2. Place the headphones in the case for 12 hours to "rock" the battery.
3. Reset your settings (see Section 2).

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Keep your headphones in a case, which protects them from dust and mechanical damage. If the case is damaged, buy a replacement (for example, the original case for Redmi Buds 3 is worth it). ~500 ₽).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphones that don't work