What to do if you do not turn on the headphones Xiaomi: full instruction 2026

Did you get Xiaomi AirDots, Buds or FlipBuds out of your case, but they don't show signs of life? Indicators don't burn, sound is absent, and the smartphone can't see the device? The problem of turning on Xiaomi headphones is one of the most common complaints of users, but in 90% of cases it can be solved independently without going to the service center. In this article, we will analyze all possible causes - from banal discharge to hardware malfunctions, and also give step-by-step instructions with illustrations and videos (where this is critical).

It's important to understand that the algorithm of actions depends on the model of headphones and symptoms. For example, if the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro does not turn on after a fall, this is one situation; if the Redmi AirDots 3 stopped responding after a firmware update, it's a completely different situation. We structured the material so that you can quickly find a solution for your case. Start by checking for simple reasons (section 1), then move on to more complex ones (sections 3-5). If the headphones do not respond to reset and do not charge even from another cable, most likely the problem is in the power controller (section 6).

We warn you in advance: some methods (such as disassembling a case or soldering contacts) require skills and may not be warranty-free. If your headphones are warranty, contact the official Xiaomi service first. For the rest, go ahead to diagnosis!

1. Checking for obvious causes: battery, case and connection

Start with the basic checks – they take less than a minute, but solve the problem in 60% of cases.

• 🔋 A discharged case – even if the indicator on it is on fire, the battery can be critically low.
• 🔌 Poor contact – oxidation or contamination of contact areas in the case or on headphones.
• 📱 Bluetooth Errors – The smartphone “forgot” headphones or conflicts with other devices.
• 🔄 Firmware freezes – the headphones turned on, but “stuck” at the initialization stage.

How to check:

1. Put the headphones in your case and plug it into the charger for 10 to 15 minutes. Use the original cable and power supply (such as from a Xiaomi smartphone). If the indicator on the case does not light up, the cable or the case itself is the problem.
2. Remove the headphones from the case and hold the switch for 10-15 seconds (for models with touch control, touch and hold the touch panel). On AirDots 3 Pro and later, the reset is done with a triple touch.
3. Check the contacts in the case and on the headphones for dirt or corrosion. If necessary, wipe them with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol (do not use metal objects!).

If you've had your headphones work after that, you've had a problem with the discharge or a temporary failure, and if you haven't, move on to the next section.

💡

Xiaomi headphones may not turn on because of the cold temperature. If you bring them from the street in winter, let them heat up to room temperature 10-15 minutes before turning on.

2.Reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings

If Xiaomi headphones don’t respond to the on button or flash a non-standard color (for example, red and white alternately), this is a sign of a software failure.

After discharge:

1. Remove headphones from the list of conjugate devices on your smartphone (Settings) → Bluetooth → ⚙️ → Forget the device).
2. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and wait for Xiaomi to appear in the list of available devices.
3. Connect again. If required, confirm pairing in the Mi Home or Xiaomi Earbuds app.

Removed the headphones from Bluetooth|Rebooted the smartphone|Checked the charge of the case (>30%)|Updated the Mi Home app-->

If the reset didn’t help and the headphone indicators don’t respond at all (even after charging), the problem may be in the hardware – read section 6.

3. Problems with firmware and updates

Xiaomi headphones run on its own firmware, which sometimes “flys” after updates or conflicts with the smartphone.

• 🔴 The headphones are turned on but immediately switched off.
• 🔊 The sound is intermittent or distorted.
• 📱 Mi Home App App Appendix Error: "Update failed".

How to fix it:

1. Reverse the firmware (if the update failed): Open Mi Home → Find your headphones. → Settings → Update firmware. If you have the "Restore previous version" option, select it.
2. Update your firmware manually: Download the latest firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi Support website. Connect your headphones to your PC via a case (if the model supports wired updates). Follow the instructions from the firmware archive (usually you need the MiFlash utility).
3. Reset Bluetooth settings on your smartphone: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset network settings (enables Bluetooth).

If after the update, Xiaomi headphones stopped turning on completely, try the forced recovery mode:

1. Put the headphones in the case.
2. Connect the case to the charge and simultaneously hold the reset button (if any) for 30 seconds.
3. The indicator should flash yellow - this is a sign of successful entry into recovery mode.

4. Diagnostics of cover and contacts

Xiaomi headphone case is not only a case, but also a charging station. If the contacts inside the case are oxidized or damaged, the headphones will not charge and, accordingly, turn on.

Visual examination:

• 🔍 Light a flashlight inside the case - contacts (metal strips) should be clean, without green plaque (oxidation).
• 🧲 Check the magnets: the headphones must be pulled to their places. If the magnet is weakened, the case may have damaged when falling.
• 🔌 Connect the case to the charge and shake it – if the indicator flashes or goes out, it is a sign of poor contact inside (the plume or battery is leaving).

Multimeter check (for advanced users):

1. Turn the multimeter into voltage check mode (DC, 5V).
2. Connect the case to the charger and measure the voltage on the contacts inside the case–5.2V.
3. If the voltage is absent or much lower - the problem in the charge controller case.

💡

If the case does not charge the headphones, but it is charged from the network, in 80% of cases the contacts are to blame.

If the case does not respond to charging at all:

• Try another cable and power supply (preferably the original Xiaomi with Quick Charge support).
• Check the case on another device (e.g. powerbank).
• If the indicator is not on, the power controller may have burned (repair required).

5 Conflicts with other Bluetooth devices

Xiaomi headphones may not turn on or off due to conflicts with other Bluetooth devices in range.

• 🎧 Other headphones or speakers connected to the same smartphone.
• 🚗 Auto recorder or smartwatch that "intercept" the connection.
• 💻 A laptop or tablet that was previously paired with headphones.

How to solve the problem:

1. Turn off Bluetooth on all devices except the one you connect your headphones to.
2. In the Bluetooth settings of the smartphone, select “Forget all devices” and reconnect only Xiaomi.
3. If you are using Windows or Mac, remove the headphones from the list of devices and restart your computer.
4. For Android: Enable Developer Mode (Settings) → The phone. → Build number – press 7 times) and turn off “Audio via Bluetooth at absolute volume".

💡

Xiaomi headphones can automatically connect to the latest device. If they are stuck to an old smartphone, reset them (section 2) and reconnect.

If the problem is repeated:

• 📵 Try connecting your headphones to another smartphone (like a friend or relative) if they work, there's a problem with your phone.
• 🔄 Update the firmware of the smartphone – in older versions MIUI There were Bluetooth bugs.
• 🛠️ Reset network settings on your smartphone (Settings) → System system → Resetting settings → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth).

6. Hardware malfunctions: when you need help from the service

If none of the previous methods worked, it's probably a hardware problem, and here are the typical malfunctions and their signs:

If you are sure that the problem is hardware, but headphones are warranty – do not disassemble them! Contact the official Xiaomi service with a check and a box. The warranty for headphones is usually 12 months (for Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro – 18 months).

If the warranty is over or you are ready to repair yourself:

• 🛒 Buy spare parts (battery, plume, controller) on AliExpress or in specialty stores (for example, Xiaomi-Shop).
• 📹 Watch your model disassembly on YouTube (Xiaomi Repair or FixIt channels).
• 🔧 You'll need to work: soldering iron, solder, tweezers, screwdriver. T5 and plastic shoulder blades for opening.

⚠️ Note: When disassembling headphones Xiaomi easily damage plumes or microphones. If you do not have experience soldering microelectronics, better contact the service. the cost of battery repair or replacement controller on average is 800-20000 rubles (2026 year).

7. Alternative ways of inclusion (for experienced users)

If Xiaomi headphones don’t respond to standard on-board methods, you can try alternative ways that sometimes work even in severe crashes.

Method 1: Connecting via ADB (for Android)

If the headphones are defined by the system but not connected:

1. Turn on the debugging. USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Assembly number - 7 taps → Go back to Settings → System system → For developers → Debugging by USB).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell am start -a android.bluetooth.adapter.action.REQUEST_DISCOVERABLE
3. Try reconnecting the headphones.

Method 2: Flashing through MiFlash

For models with wired upgrade support (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro):

1. Download MiFlash and firmware for your model.
2. Connect the case with headphones to the PC in mode EDL (usually the reset button is clamped + cable-connection).
3. In MiFlash, select a firmware file and press Flash.

Method 3: Use of Test Mode

Some models (AirDots 3 Pro, Buds 5) have a hidden test mode that can be activated:

1. Hold the button on the case for 30 seconds (until flashing blue and red).
2. Connect the headphones to the PC – they will be defined as Qualcomm Device.
3. Use the QFil utility to flash it.

⚠️ Warning: MiFlash or QFil firmware can kill your headphones, only if you are confident in your actions or if you are following a trusted guide.

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