One Xiaomi AirDots headphone doesn’t work, and the second one works: what to do?

Did you get the music out of the Xiaomi AirDots case (or their modifications - Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earbuds 2), but the sound comes from only one earphone? TWS-Headsets. In 80% of cases, you can fix a malfunction yourself without going to the service center. In this article, we will discuss all the possible reasons why one Xiaomi earphone does not work, and the second one is working, from simple connection errors to hardware breakdowns.

It's important to understand that AirDots is a complex device with a Bluetooth module, battery and speaker in every headphone. If one of them is silent, it doesn't always mean physical failure. More often than not, synchronization failures, battery discharge or software errors are to blame. We've compiled 7 proven ways to get back stereo sound, from the simplest to the most radical measures, and you'll learn when to carry a headset for repair and when it's easier to buy a new one.

1. Checking basic settings: why the headphone can "silence"

Before you disassemble your headphones or reset your settings, make sure that the problem isn't in the obvious trivia. Here are three common reasons why one AirDots stops working:

• 🔊 Volume balance is knocked down towards the working headphone (for example, left at 100%, right at 0%).
• 🔋 Different level of charge: one earphone is discharged, and the second still holds the charge.
• 📱 Bluetooth error on the smartphone – the device “does not see” one of the headphones.

How to check:

1. Open the sound settings on your phone and find the stereo balance slider (in Android: Settings → Special Options → Sound settings → Monosound balance). Make sure it's in the center.
2. Look at the charge indicators on the headphones: if one of them does not blink when extracted from the case, its battery is discharged.
3. Go to the Bluetooth menu on your phone and check if both headphones are displayed as connected (there should be two devices: for example, Mi True Wireless Earbuds Left and Right).

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If the earpiece doesn't blink when extracted from the case, try cleaning the charging contacts with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Oxidation or dirt can block charging.

2. Reset and reconnect headphones: step-by-step instructions

If the basic checks didn't work, the next step is to reset AirDots and re-sync them, which helps in 60% of cases when one earbud doesn't connect or make sound.

Instructions for all Xiaomi AirDots models (including Redmi Buds, Mi True Wireless 2):

Remove the headset from the list of Bluetooth devices on your phone|Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.|Press and hold the button on the case for 15-20 seconds (until the white/red indicator flashes)|Get your headphones out and connect again via Bluetooth-->

After reset, the headphones should automatically synchronize with each other (you will hear a characteristic beep).

1. Put both earphones back in the case.
2. Get the working headphone first - it should connect to the phone.
3. In 5-10 seconds, get the second one out, and if the sync is successful, both of them flash blue.

Redmi AirDots (1-generation)|Mi True Wireless Earbuds 2|Redmi Buds 3/Pro|Xiaomi AirDots 3/Pro|Another model-->

3. charging problems: why one earphone discharges faster

Uneven headphone discharge is a common problem with Xiaomi AirDots, especially after a year of use. One earphone can discharge 2-3 times faster than another due to:

• 🔋 Battery wear (natural degradation after 300-500 charge cycles).
• 🔌 Poor contact with charging pins in the case (oxidation, dirt).
• ⚡ Power controller failure (the headphone “thinks” it’s charged, but is actually discharged).

How to diagnose:

1. Put both headphones in the case for 1-2 hours.
2. Take them out and look at the indicators: if one flashes red and the other flashes white, the problem is charging.
3. Try charging the “silent” headphone separately, connecting the case to the power source and putting only it there.

Attention! Do not use metal objects (needles, knives) to clean your contacts, which can damage the coating and aggravate the problem. The best option is a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%).

4. Software failures: firmware update and calibration

Xiaomi AirDots runs on its own firmware, which sometimes crashes. If one earphone stopped working after updating the phone or headphones, the problem may lie in:

• 📲 Incompatibility with the new version of Bluetooth on the phone.
• 🔄 Synchronization failure between headphones (they don’t see each other).
• 🎧 A sound calibration error (the earphone “thinks” it’s off).

How to fix it:

To update the firmware:

1. Install the Xiaomi Wear app (for AirDots 3/Pro) or Mi Home (for older models).
2. Put the headphones on the phone.
3. Go to the Devices section → Your headset → Software update.

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If the headphone stopped working after updating the firmware, try rolling back the software version through the same application. To do this, hold the button on the case for 30 seconds - this will start the recovery mode.

5. Physical damage: when repairs are needed

If none of these things worked, it's probably hardware, and here are the signs that the earphone is physically broken:

• 🔇 Complete lack of response: not flashing, not charging, not determined by the phone.
• 🔊 Distorted sound: crackling, wheezing, very quiet sound (damaged speaker).
• 💧 Traces of moisture or corrosion on the contacts or inside the enclosure.
• 🔋 Bloated battery (earphone does not lie exactly in the case).

What you can do on your own:

1. Disassemble the headphone (carefully pulling the lid with a plastic card) and check the integrity of the wires, speaker, battery.
2. If corrosion is visible, wipe the contacts with alcohol and dry with a hair dryer (cold air!).
3. If the battery is swelling, don't use an earpiece! It's dangerous: Lithium-ion batteries can ignite.

⚠️ Note: Disassembly of headphones Xiaomi AirDots deprives you of warranty (if it is still valid). If the headset is warranty, contact the service center Xiaomi — repair or replacement will do free of charge.

Cost of repair in the service:

• Replacement of the speaker: ~1 500–2 500 ₽.
• Battery replacement: ~1 000–1 800 ₽.
• Repair of fees: ~2 000–3 500 ₽.

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

Alternatives: Non-obvious solutions

Sometimes the problem is solved by non-standard methods, and here are some unusual but effective ways to bring sound back to the silent earphone:

• 🔄 Connect to another device: Try syncing AirDots with another phone, tablet or PC. Sometimes the failure occurs due to a conflict with a particular smartphone model.
• 🎵 Use monosound: in the phone settings, turn on Monozvook mode (in Android: Settings) → Special opportunities → Sound settings. Sometimes it wakes up a broken earpiece.
• 🔋 «Battery swing: completely discharge the headphone (leave on 12)+ Then charge up to 100% without interruption, which can restore the capacity of the "sleeping" battery.
• 📡 Change of Bluetooth codec: in Bluetooth settings → Additionally. → Select the codec. SBC instead AAC or.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi AirDots with your iPhone, disable the Auto Switching feature in Bluetooth settings. TWS-headset.

7.When to buy new headphones: signs of 'unreanimable' patient

Unfortunately, not all Xiaomi AirDots breakdowns are repairable. Here are 5 signs that it’s time to replace the headset:

1. The headphone does not turn on even after full charging and reset.
2. The speaker emits a constant squeak or crackle - this is a sign of damage to the membrane.
3. The battery holds a charge for less than 10 minutes (even after replacement).
4. The headphone spontaneously turns off every 1-2 minutes.
5. The body cracked or deformed (for example, after falling).

If your AirDots have been in service for more than 2-3 years, they are probably exhausted. Current models (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro or Redmi Buds 5) offer better sound quality, long battery life and support for Bluetooth 5.3.

If you decide to buy a new headset, look for models with independent headphone connection (for example, Redmi Buds 4 Active). In them, each headphone can work separately, which eliminates the problem of the “silent” second headphone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi AirDots