Why Xiaomi True Wireless Earbuds Basic only works and how to fix it

You took out the Xiaomi True Wireless Earbuds Basic, put it in your ears, and you found that only one earpiece was making sound, and the other one was either completely silent or barely making noise. Is the situation familiar? TWS-Xiaomi headphones, but in 90% of cases it can be solved independently without contacting the service.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible causes, from simple battery discharge to hardware malfunctions, and give step-by-step instructions with photo and video how to return stereo sound. Importantly, the methods will work for Basic, Basic 2 and Basic S models, but may differ for stitched versions (such as AliExpress). If your headphones stop syncing after updating MIUI 14+ firmware, skip the first 3 sections and immediately move on to reset.

Before you rush to disassemble headphones or carry them for repair, check the obvious:

1. Check basic settings: sound, balance, Bluetooth

Start by diagnosing software settings. Often the problem isn't with the headphones themselves, but with the settings of your smartphone or PC.

• 🔊 Sound balance: Go to Settings on Android → Sound. → Balance L/R. On iPhone - Settings → Universal access → Audiovisual content → Monoaudio balance. Make sure the slider is in the middle.
• 📱 Monoaudio mode: On Xiaomi/Redmi You can activate the "monoaudio" function for the hearing-impaired. → Special opportunities → Rumor.
• 🔄 Bluetooth Reconnect: Remove the headphones from the list of associated devices and reconnect. MIUI It's done like this: Settings. → Bluetooth → ⚙️ near Xiaomi Earbuds → Remove the device.
• 🎧 Test on another device: Connect your headphones to another smartphone, tablet or PC. If both headphones work, the problem is in your phone, not in Earbuds Basic.

If after these manipulations the second headphone has not worked, go to the hardware diagnostics.

2. Diagnostics of hardware problems: battery, contacts, moisture

A common cause of a broken earphone is battery failure or battery damage. Xiaomi True Wireless Earbuds Basic uses ~40 mAh lithium polymer batteries that lose capacity after 1.5 to 2 years of active use. If one earphone discharges 2-3 times faster than the other, this is a sure sign of wear.

How to check:

• 🔋 Charging Indication: Look at the LEDs on the case. If only one indicator is on when connecting to charging (for example, the left one), then the right earbud is not charging.
• 💧 Moisture intake: Check your headphones for corrosion on your contacts (metal dots in the case). If you have green or white plaque, it's oxidation from sweat or rain.
• 🔌 Contact cleaning: Take a cotton swab, moisten it in alcohol, and gently wipe the contacts on headphones and in a case. Don't use needles or toothpicks - you can damage the coating!

⚠️ Warning: If the headphones have fallen into water or been exposed to extreme humidity (such as training in the rain), do not try to turn them on. Put them in rice or silica gel for 24 hours, then dry with a hair dryer at a minimum temperature (keep at a distance of 20 cm!).

3. Resetting headphone settings to factory

If the software and hardware tests didn't work, try a hard reset, which will bring the headphones back to factory settings and often solve synchronization problems.

Instructions for Xiaomi True Wireless Earbuds Basic:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (usually located on the side or bottom) for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Open the case cover. The headphones must automatically go into pairing mode (the indicators flash alternately).
4. Connect them to your phone as a new device.

If there is no button on the case (as in some versions of Basic 2), use an alternative method:

1. Get the headphones out of the case.


2.Push and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds.




3. Wait for the double beep - this is a confirmation of the reset.

Make sure your headphones are charged at least 30 times%|

Remove them from the list of Bluetooth devices on your phone |

Prepare a second phone for testing |

Download the Mi Home app in advance (if you plan to set up through it)-->

⚠️ Warning: After reset, the headphones may lose contact with the Mi Home app (if used). → Headphones.

4. Update firmware via Mi Home or Mi Fit

In 2023, Xiaomi released several firmware updates for True Wireless Earbuds Basic, fixing problems with connecting a second headphone.If your headphones haven't been updated for more than a year, it could be the cause of a malfunction.

How to update firmware:

1. Install the latest version of the Mi Home app (for Android) or Mi Fit (for iOS).
2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
3. Open the app, find your headphones in the list of devices and go to their settings.
4. If an update is available, the Update Firmware button will appear. Press it and wait until it is completed (don't turn off the headphones!).

The latest firmware versions for Xiaomi True Wireless Earbuds Basic:

• V12.7.4.0 (2023) – bugs with right earphone connection are fixed.
• V11.5.3.2 (2022) – Improved stability of Bluetooth 5.0
• V10.3.1.8 (2021) - basic firmware for first batches.

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If the update is 0% or 100%, don't panic. Close the app, restart your phone and try again. If the problem is repeated, reset your headphones to factory settings and try again.

5. Disassembly and repair of headphones with their own hands

If all previous methods have failed, there are two options: carry to the service or try to repair yourself.

• 🔧 Plastic blade or mediator (to open the body).
• 🔍 Loop or magnifying glass (contacts are very small).
• 🧴 Alcohol and cotton swabs (for cleaning).
• 📦 Thermoclay (if you need to glue the body back together).

Step-by-step:

1. Carefully slap the seam between the top and bottom of the earpiece. Start from the side without the buttons.
2. Take the top cover off. Underneath it, you'll see a board with a battery and a speaker.
3. Check: Speaker plume integrity (a common cause of no sound); battery contacts - they can oxidize or depart; Bluetooth antenna solder connections (thin copper track).

If you find damage, carefully solder the contacts or clean them with alcohol.

Collect the headphone in reverse order, gluing the body with heat glue.

Video instructions for disassembly (on the example of Xiaomi AirDots, the design is similar to Basic):

Insert a link here on YouTube with the title "Shooting Xiaomi True Wireless Earbuds Basic - fixing a broken earphone".

6.When repair is inappropriate: signs of a faulty charge

There are situations where it's impossible or not cost-effective to fix the headphones, and here are the signs of critical failure.

• 🔥 Only a red indicator burns when connected to charging, but the headphone does not turn on - the control board burned.
• 💥 The smell of burning from the case – the controller or battery burned out.
• 📉 The headphone discharges in 5-10 minutes - battery wear more than 80%, replacement will cost 70% of the cost of new headphones.
• 🔊 Complete absence of sound during the working indicator - damaged speaker or audio chip.

Cost of repair in the service center:

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If the cost of repair exceeds 60% of the price of the new Xiaomi True Wireless Earbuds Basic (about 2 000-2 500) ₽), It's more cost-effective to buy a new pair. Only go for repairs if you damage your battery or plume, and these problems are relatively cheap to fix.

7. Alternative solutions: what to do while the headphone is in repair

If you urgently need headphones, and the repair is delayed, use temporary solutions:

• 🎧 Use one working earbud in mono mode. On Android, this is enabled in Settings. → Special opportunities → Rumor → Monoaudio.
• 🔌 Connect wired headphones through the Type-C adapter → 3.5mm if your smartphone supports).
• 📱 Turn on your phone speaker and use it as a speaker (suitable for calls).
• 🛒 Buy temporary headphones from the budget segment (for example, Baseus Encok). WM01 $1.00 ₽).

If you're buying new headphones, look for models with IPX4+ moisture protection and Bluetooth 5.2 support, which break less.

• Xiaomi Buds 4 is an improved version of Basic with ANC.
• Redmi Buds 4 Lite is a budget model with good autonomy.
• Haylou GT7 is Xiaomi’s analogues, but with better build.

FAQ: Frequent questions about a broken headphone