How to Reboot Xiaomi AirDots Headphones: A Complete Reset and Recovery Guide

Xiaomi AirDots headphones (including AirDots Pro 2/3, AirDots Youth, AirDots SE, and others) sometimes require a forced reboot or a complete reset, which may be necessary when one of the headphones freezes, phone connection problems, no sound, or after a failed firmware update. Unlike smartphones, where rebooting is intuitive, with wireless headphones, the process is nuanced — especially when it comes to resetting to factory settings.

In this article, we will break down all the working methods of rebooting (soft and hard reset), explain when to use, and warn against common errors that can turn headphones into a “brick”, and you will find a table of methods compatibility with different models of AirDots and answers to frequent questions on how to restore the device.

Why AirDots May Need a Reboot?

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones are powered by specialized chips (like the Qualcomm QCC3020 or BES2300) that control Bluetooth connectivity, audio processing and charging. Like any electronics, they are prone to failures. Here are the main reasons why a reboot might be needed:

• 🔌 Connection problems: Headphones are not on the list of available devices, are permanently disabled or only connected one at a time.
• 🔊 No sound: Headphones are connected, but only one sound is heard or is completely absent.
• 🔋 Charging failures: indicators on the case flash outside the box, headphones do not charge or discharge in a few minutes.
• 🤖 Errors after the update: if the firmware was interrupted or installed with an error, the headphones may freeze during the turn on stage.
• 🎧 Headphones out of sync: left and right headphones do not sync with each other (for example, one works, and the second is silent).

Most of the time, a soft reboot (similar to a smartphone restart) helps, but if the problem is serious, it will require a hard reset (a return to factory settings). It is important to understand that the reset erases all the conjugated devices from the memory of the headphones, and they will have to reconnect.

Method 1: Soft reboot (reset)

This is the safest method that doesn't cause data loss. Soft reboot helps if the headphones are stuck (no press response, no plug-in, but the indicators are on), but no hardware damage. The procedure takes less than a minute and requires no additional tools.

After removal, the headphones should automatically turn on and sync with each other.

1. Press and hold the touchpad on both headphones for 5-7 seconds until you hear the audible shutdown signal.
2. Place the headphones back in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds.
3. Take it out and try to connect again.

⚠️ Warning: If your headphones are still out of sync after a soft reboot (for example, your phone only sees one of them), move to a hard reset. This is a sign of firmware failure or chip desynchronization.

Method 2: Hard reset (reset to factory settings)

Hard resets the headphones back to their original settings, erasing all the associated devices and connection data, a method recommended if:

• 🔄 The headphones are not synchronized with each other.
• 📱 Do not connect to the phone despite what is visible in the list of devices.
• 🔊 The sound is distorted or missing in one or both headphones.
• 🔋 Case does not charge headphones (indicators flash outside the box).

Instructions for most AirDots models (including Pro 2/3, Youth, SE):

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (usually located behind or below) for 15-20 seconds.
3. The indicators on the case and headphones will start flashing red and white (or orange depending on the model).
4. Remove the headphones from the case – they should automatically turn on in pairing mode (the indicators will flash white).

If there is no button on the case (as in AirDots 3 Pro), use an alternative method:

1. Get the headphones out of the case.


2.Push and hold the touch panels on both headphones for 10 seconds until you hear a double beep.




3. Place the headphones back in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then remove.

⚠️ Attention: On AirDots Pro models 2S And a newer case-button reset may not work if the case battery is under 20%.

Method 3: Reset via Mi Home (for supported models)

Some AirDots models (such as AirDots 3 Pro or AirDots Pro 2S) support resetting via the official Mi Home app.This method is convenient if the headphones connect to the phone but work incorrectly (for example, one earphone is quieter than another or communication often breaks down).

Instructions:

1. Install the Mi Home app (available for Android and iOS).
2. Connect the headphones to the phone in normal mode.
3. Open Mi Home, find your AirDots in the list of devices and go to their settings.
4. Select Reset or Reset factory settings (the name may vary depending on the version of the application).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (the headphones will reboot automatically).

Once reset via Mi Home, the headphones will shut down and have to be re-coupled, which doesn't work if the headphones don't connect to the phone at all.

Method 4: Reboot through DFU modes (for power users)

If the headphones don’t respond fully to buttons, turn on and are not detected by the phone, a forced reset via DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode may be required.This method is suitable for recovery from a failed firmware update, but requires care – improper actions can permanently disable the headphones.

To enter DFU mode:

1. Put the headphones in the case and connect the case to the power source (charging).
2. Press and hold the button on the case for 30 seconds (for AirDots Pro 2) or 40 seconds (for AirDots 3 Pro).
3. The indicators on the case will start flashing red and green, a sign of the DFU regime.
4. Connect the case to your computer via USB and use specialized software (such as QFlash Tool) to flash it.

⚠️ Attention: Regime DFU It's designed for power users, and if you're not sure what you're doing, you should go to a service center, and if you don't have the right firmware, it can make the headphones unusable for use.

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Before entering the DFU, make sure that the case is at least 50% charged. If the battery runs out during the process, the headphones can turn into a brick.

Frequent AirDots reboot errors and how to avoid them

Many users make common mistakes that make it difficult to recover their headphones, and here are the most common ones:

• 🔋 Case discharge: If the case battery is discharged, the reset may not work.Always check the charge before the procedure.
• 🎧 Reset only one headphone: Hard reset must be done for both headphones at the same time, otherwise they will be out of sync.
• ⏱️ Insufficient button retention time: Hard reset requires holding the button for at least 15 seconds (in some models, up to 20-30 seconds).
• 📱 Using Unofficial Firmware: Firmware through third-party tools (not Mi Home) can cause irreversible failures.

If the headphones still don’t work after reset, check:

• The state of the contacts in the case (possibly they have oxidized or contaminated).
• Firmware relevance (an update may be available in Mi Home).
• Compatible with your phone (some older smartphones don’t support Bluetooth 5.0+, as required for AirDots 3 Pro).

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If the headphones don't sync after reset, try connecting them separately, first with the right, then with the left, and in some cases, this helps to reconnect the two.

How to recover AirDots after a failed reset?

If the headphones are no longer on or are not detected by the devices after a hard reset, don't panic. In most cases, they can be restored:

1. Check the charge: Connect the case to charge for 1-2 hours, even if the indicators are not burning. Sometimes the power controller is reset and does not show the real level of charge.
2. Forced Energization: Take the headphones out of the case and press the touchpads for 10-15 seconds. Repeat 2-3 times.
3. Firmware update: If the headphones react at least somehow (for example, the indicator flashes), try updating the firmware through Mi Home.
4. Reset via DFU: If nothing helps, try entering DFU mode (see Method 4).

If the headphones still don’t work, but they are warranty, contact the Xiaomi service center. If the warranty period expires, you can try to take the device to the electronics repair shop – often the problem lies in the contacts or battery.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions