Why Xiaomi Headphone Is Silent: The Main Reasons
Xiaomi wireless headphones are a popular solution for music and calls, but sometimes users face a problem: one of the headphones stops playing sound, and the second one works normally. The reasons can be either software (firmware failure, synchronization error) or hardware (distorial damage, contact break).
Most often, the problem occurs after a firmware update, headphone drop or prolonged inactivity. For example, Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earbuds and Xiaomi Buds are prone to synchronization failures between the right and left earphones. 80% of the time, the malfunction is fixed on its own without contacting the service.
Before you carry the gadget for repair, check 5 key points:
- 🔋 Battery charge – perhaps one earphone discharged stronger than another.
- 🔄 Synchronization – headphones could “disconnect” after extraction from the case.
- 🎧 Dirt in dynamics – dust or moisture blocks sound.
- 📱 Bluetooth settings – a failure in the connection to the phone.
- 🔧 Firmware – outdated software or update error.
If the problem appeared after the headphones fall into the water or a strong impact, there is a high risk of mechanical damage - in this case, self-repair is not recommended.
1. Checking the battery charge and the case
The first thing to do is make sure that both earbuds are charged. Often users forget that one of the modules may have undercharged the case. For example, in Redmi AirDots 3, the charge indicators are only on the case, and the state of each earbud is displayed separately in the Mi Home app.
How to check:
- Put both headphones in the case for 10-15 seconds, then take out.
- Look at the indicators: if one headphone flashes red and the second flashes white, then the first one is discharged.
- Connect the case to the charge for 30 minutes and try again.
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In Xiaomi Buds 4 and later, the charge of headphones in the case takes up to 1.5 hours. If the indicator does not burn at all, check the cable or USB-C port on the case.
If the headphone does not charge even after a long connection of the case to the network, the problem may be:
- 🔌 Case contacts - oxidation or pollution.
- 🔋 The headphone battery - bloating or failure.
- 🔧 The power controller - requires soldering.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use alcohol or acetone to clean your contacts, this can damage the coating.
2. Resetting headphones to factory settings
If charging doesn’t work, the next step is a hard reset, which removes all the saved settings and returns the headphones to a “out of the box” state, which is suitable for most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless and Xiaomi Buds.
How to reset:
1. Put both earphones in the case and close the lid
2. Press and hold the button on the case for 15-20 seconds (until the indicator flashes in red/white)
3. Pull out the headphones and wait for automatic synchronization (indicators should flash alternately)
4. Connect the headphones to the phone again via Bluetooth-->
After reset, the headphones may not immediately appear on the list of available devices.
- 📱 Reboot the Bluetooth module on your phone (turn off/on Bluetooth in settings).
- 🔄 Try connecting from another device (tablet or laptop).
- 📦 If the headphones are not synchronized with each other, repeat the reset again.
⚠️ Note: In Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro and newer models, the reset is performed through the Mi Home application (section "Hearphone settings" → Reset). There is no case button in these models.
3. Checking the synchronization between headphones
Xiaomi wireless headphones work on the principle of "leader + follow": one headphone (usually right) connects to the phone, and the second synchronizes with it. If the communication between them is broken, the sound will go to only one earphone.
How to restore synchronization:
- Take both headphones out of the case and wait until they automatically connect (indicators should flash synchronously).
- If synchronization does not occur, put the headphones back in the case, close the lid and wait 10 seconds.
- Repeat the extraction - the headphones should emit an audible connection signal.
If the headphones are not synchronized:
- 🔄 Try changing roles: some models may have a left or right earphone as the lead:
- 📱 Update your firmware through the Mi Home app (if available for your model).