What to do if one headphone Xiaomi is not charged in the case: the complete guide

Did you take Xiaomi headphones out of the case, and one of them is discharged, even though the second one is charging normally? Or does the charging indicator flash differently than usual? TWS-Headphones - from budget Redmi AirDots to flagship Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro. The reasons can lie in both mechanical damage and software failures.

In this article, we'll look at all the possible reasons why one earphone doesn't charge in a case, from the commonplace contamination of contacts to serious battery failures, you'll get step-by-step instructions with photos of key steps, a table of compatibility solutions for different models and a checklist for self-diagnostics, and if the problem turns out to be hardware, you'll learn how to save on repairs.

1. Checking the obvious reasons: contacts, position of the headphone and case

Start with the simplest one. 60 percent of the time, the problem is solved without disassembly or repair. The first thing you need to do is to look at the contact areas on the earphone and inside the case. They should be clean, without oxidation or physical damage. Use a flashlight: sometimes the contamination is invisible in normal light.

Make sure the headphone is properly installed in the case. Xiaomi AirDots 3 Pro and Buds 4 models have magnetic guides — if the headphone is inserted curve, the contacts will not touch. Try to press the headphone lightly before clicking. Also check:

• 🔋 Case Charge: If the indicator on the case does not burn, first charge it from the network (use the original cable).
• 🔌 Cable and Power Unit: Try Another USB-cable or socket - possibly a problem in the power supply.
• 📱 Headphone condition: connect it to the phone - if it turns on but doesn't charge, the problem is in case contacts.

If you don't charge your headphone after this manipulation, move on to the next step, but first, look at the charging indicators.

• 🟢 Green light – the headphone charges normally.
• 🔴 Red light is low charge, but the process is underway.
• 🟡 Yellow/Blinking – Charging error (diagnosis required).
• ⚫ No indication - contact or battery problem.

2. Cleaning contacts: how and how to remove oxidation

Contaminated or oxidized contacts are the most common reason why one Xiaomi earphone doesn't charge, and the dust, sweat, moisture from the air form a plaque that prevents current transmission.

• 🧴 Cotton swabs (preferably wooden, without plastic rods).
• 💧 Alcohol (isopropyl 90%+) or contact cleaning fluid (e.g., Kontakt 60).
• 🧲 Loop or flashlight for inspection of small details.

Step-by-step:

1. Soak the cotton swab in alcohol and gently wipe the contacts on the headphone and inside the case. Don't press hard - you can damage the coating.
2. Let it dry for 5-10 minutes (alcohol evaporates quickly, but it is better not to rush).
3. Check if the contacts are green or white (oxidation), if any, repeat the cleaning with light pressure.
4. For persistent contaminants, use an eraser (washing gum) - gently rub the contacts, then remove the crumbs with a brush.

⚠️ Warning: Never use acetone, vinegar or household detergents - they destroy the protective coating of contacts. Also avoid metal objects (needles, knives) that can scratch the area.

If the headphone still does not charge after cleaning, try restarting it:

1. Put both earbuds in the case.
2. Close the lid and wait 10 seconds.
3. Open the lid, pull out the headphones and hold the sensor button on each for 15 seconds (until double signal).
4. Return the headphones to the case and check the charging.

3. Resetting headphone settings: when and how to do

Software failures are the second most common cause of charging problems, such as when a firmware update or improperly shutdown occurs, one of the headphones may freeze in standby mode and not take charge, in which case a full reset will help.

The instructions are model-dependent. Xiaomi/Redmi TWS-headphone algorithm:

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Connect the case to the charger (even if it is charged).
3. Hold the touch button on the case for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white (in some models – red and green).
4. Release the button and wait for the reset to be completed (the indicator will light up in green).

For models with separate buttons on headphones (for example, Xiaomi Buds) 3T Pro):

1. Get both earphones out of the case.
2. Hold the sensors on both headphones at the same time for 10 seconds.
3. When the lights start flashing red, release the buttons.
4. Place the headphones back in the case and close the lid for 30 seconds.

Once reset, the headphones will be like new ones, you need to reconnect them to your phone. If there was a software failure, the charging should be restored. If not, go to hardware.

4. Diagnosis of the battery: how to check its condition

If the headphone is turned on but does not hold a charge or does not charge at all, the fault may be the worn-out battery. TWS-Headphones: 2-3 years (300-500 charge cycles) and then the capacity drops by 30-50%, and the earphone may not charge due to too low voltage.

Check the status of the battery can be in two ways:

1. Through the app (for supported models):

Multimeter

• Take the headphone apart (carefully so as not to damage the plumes!).
• Connect the multimeter probes to the battery contacts.
• Voltage below. 3.0V It's a deep discharge, higher up. 4.2V — Reloading (both cases are dangerous).

⚠️ Warning: If the battery voltage is lower 2.5V, Do not try to charge it through a case, this can cause the charging controller to fail. In this case, contact the service center or replace the battery yourself (if you have experience soldering).

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If the headphone is dead and does not respond to charging, try to leave it in the case for 12-24 hours. Sometimes the controller needs time to wake up a deeply discharged battery.

5. Case problems: Charging controller and contacts

If the earphone is working but not charging in the case, the problem may be in the case charger or its contacts.

• 🔌 Damaged. USB-case port (shattered, oxidized, crooked tongue).
• 🔋 Case battery malfunctioned (swelled, does not hold charge).
• 🛠️ The charging controller burned (after a voltage jump or fall).
• 🔄 Case firmware failure (rarely, but occurs).

How to diagnose:

1. Try charging the case from another cable and power supply, and if it doesn't charge, it's a problem in the port or controller.
2. Look at the battery case: if it swelled (as seen by the deformation of the case), it must be urgently replaced.
3. Check the voltage on the contacts of the case with a multimeter: it should be 4.5V–5.5V cable-wire.

If the case is charging, but does not give current to the headphones:

• Disassemble the case (carefully putting the cover with a plastic card).
• Check the integrity of the plumes and contact areas.
• Inspect the charging controller (a small chip board) for blackened or bloated elements.

⚠️ Warning: If you are not sure about your soldering skills, do not try to repair the controller yourself. Errors can lead to a short circuit or fire.

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If the case doesn't charge the headphones but it's charging from the mains, 80 percent of the time, the oxidized contacts inside the headphone socket are to blame, and cleaning them often solves the problem without repair.

6 When repairs are needed: cost and alternatives

If all the previous methods didn't work, it's probably a hardware problem, and here's the typical malfunction and the solution.

Where to repair:

• 🛠️ Xiaomi official service - a guarantee for work, but more expensive (prices from 1500)₽).
• 🔧 Local workshops are cheaper (from 500)₽), But check the reviews.
• 🏠 Only if you have experience with electronics.

Alternatives:

• 🔄 Buy a new headphone: for Redmi AirDots 3, one headphone is worth it ~1000₽, For Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro — ~2500₽.
• 🔋 Use the case as a powerbank: if the headphone charging controller is burned, but the case battery is serviceable, you can connect the headphone directly (you need soldering skills).

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

To avoid charging problems in the future, follow these guidelines:

• 🔋 Do not discharge headphones "to zero": put on charging at 10-20% charge.
• 🌡️ Avoid overheating/supercooling: Optimal temperature is 10°C–35°C.
• 💧 Store in a dry place: moisture accelerates the oxidation of contacts.
• 🔌 Use the original cable: Cheap cables can damage the charging controller.
• 🧼 Clean contacts once a month: Cotton swab with alcohol.
• 📱 Update the firmware: through the Xiaomi Earbuds app.

Also avoid:

• ❌ Charging headphones from powerbank with high current (>1A).
• ❌ Keeping headphones in a wet environment (bathroom, kitchen).
• ❌ Using headphones while charging (this shortens battery life).

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Regular cleaning of contacts and proper charging mode (do not keep constantly on charging) increase the life of the contacts. TWS-headphones on 30-50%.

FAQ: Frequent questions about charging Xiaomi headphones