How to reboot Xiaomi AirDots headphones: full instructions for resetting and recovery

Xiaomi AirDots wireless headphones (including AirDots Basic, AirDots Pro, AirDots 2/3 and Redmi AirDots) sometimes require a forced reboot or a complete reset, which can be necessary when you freeze, have problems connecting to your phone, no sound in one of the headphones or after a failed firmware update. Unlike wired counterparts, wireless gadgets do not have a physical on/off button, so the reboot process raises questions among many users.

In this article, we will look at all the official and alternative ways to reboot, including soft restart, hard reset to factory settings and recovery through the Mi Home mobile app. Particular attention will be paid to hidden button combinations for models with touch control that are not described in the standard instructions. If your headphones stopped responding to touch, do not sync with each other or permanently disconnect, here you will find a solution.

Why do you need to reboot Xiaomi AirDots headphones?

Rebooting (restart) and reset (reset) are two different processes, although they are often confused: Rebooting temporarily turns off and on the device, saving all settings, and resetting returns the headphones to factory state, erasing the conjugated devices and user settings.

The main reasons why a reboot is required are:

• 🔌 Headphones do not connect to a phone or laptop, although previously worked stably.
• 🔊 The sound is interrupted, there are interference or one of the headphones is silent.
• 🔄 Freeze when turned on (indicators burn, but no response to touch).
• 📱 After updating the firmware through Mi Home, errors appeared.
• 🎧 The headphones are not synchronized with each other (left/right do not find each other).

According to service center statistics, 70% of Xiaomi AirDots problems are solved by simply restarting the device without having to carry the device for repair, but if the restart does not help, you will need a complete reset or firmware update.

Method 1: Soft reboot (restart) through a button

This is the safest method that does not affect user settings. Suitable for all Xiaomi AirDots models, including AirDots 3 Pro and Redmi AirDots 2.

Instructions:

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Wait 10 seconds – the headphones should go out.
3. Open the case cover and hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white.
4. Close the lid and wait 30 seconds. The headphones will reset automatically.

If the problem persists after that, try an alternative method:

• 🔋 Remove the headphones from the case.
• 👆 Press and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until you hear the beep.
• 🔄 Place the headphones back in the case for 20 seconds, then pull out - they should automatically turn on.

Charge the case at least 30% |

Make sure the headphones are clean (no moisture/dust)|

Disable headphones from all devices in Bluetooth | settings

Try to connect after restart through 2-3 minute-->

Method 2: Hard reset to factory settings

If a soft reboot doesn't work, you'll need a hard reset, which erases all the paired devices from the headphone memory and returns them to their original settings.

• 📵 Headphones connect to other devices (for example, after buying used ones).
• 🔄 Cyclical reboot (earphones are constantly on/off).
• 🚫 Firmware error after updating via Mi Home.

Instructions for discharge:

1. Place both headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and hold the button on the case for 20–25 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white alternately (this is a reset signal).
3. Close the lid and wait 1 minute.
4. Get the headphones out – they should automatically turn on in pairing mode (the indicator flashes white).

For touch-controlled models (AirDots 3 Pro, Redmi AirDots 3):

1. Get the headphones out of the case.


2. Press the touch panels on both headphones for 15 seconds.




3. Wait for the double beep and flashing red/white.




4. Place the headphones back in the case for 30 seconds.

⚠️ Note: After a hard reset, Xiaomi AirDots headphones may temporarily lose sync with each other. If the left and right headphones do not connect as a stereo, place them in a case for 5 minutes, then pull out and repeat pairing with the phone.

Method 3: Reboot via the Mi Home mobile app

The official Mi Home app (available for Android and iOS) not only updates the firmware, but also diagnoses problems. If the headphones connect to the phone but are not working smoothly, try rebooting them through the software:

Step-by-step:

1. Open Mi Home and go to Profile → My Devices.
2. Choose your Xiaomi AirDots from the list.
3. Tap the three-point menu (⋮) top-right.
4. Select Reboot the device and confirm the action.

If the menu does not have a reboot option, upgrade to the latest version or use an alternative method:

• 📱 Open Bluetooth settings on your phone.
• 🔍 Find your AirDots in the list of associated devices.
• 🗑️ Slip on the gear icon next to the headphone name and select Forget the device.
• 🔄 Return the headphones to the case, then pull out and repeat pairing.

💡

If after reset via Mi Home, the headphones do not appear in the list of devices, try reinstalling the app and logging into the same Xiaomi account.

Method 4: Restore synchronization between headphones

One of the most common problems is when the left and right headphones don’t work together (for example, sound is only in one or they are defined as two separate devices), this is due to a failure in the TWS (True Wireless Stereo) synchronization protocol.

To restore the pair:

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and hold the button on the case for 10 seconds until the indicators start flashing red.
3. Take the headphones out of the case and wait until they start flashing white (pairing mode).
4. Hold the headphones close to each other (at a distance of 1-2 cm) and wait for 20-30 seconds. They should automatically synchronize (the indicators will light up with a constant white).
5. Connect them to your phone as a new device.

If the synchronization is not restored:

• 🔋 Check the charge of the case and headphones (minimum 50%).
• 🧹 Clean contacts on headphones and in the case from dust with a cotton swab.
• 🔄 Try to reset the headphones according to Method 2 (hard reset).

Method 5: Reboot via Hidden Menu (for advanced users)

Some Xiaomi AirDots models (such as AirDots 3 Pro and Redmi AirDots 3) have a hidden service menu that allows for diagnostics and forced reboots, a method not documented in official instructions, but often used in service centers.

How to open the hidden menu:

1. Get the headphones out of the case.
2. Press the touch panels on both headphones at the same time.
3. After 5 seconds, you will hear a beep – do not let go!
4. After another 5 seconds, the signal will repeat, and the indicators will start flashing blue (diagnosis mode).
5. Let go of the buttons. Now the headphones are ready for commands.

Available commands in the service menu:

• 🔄 Reboot: 2 short touches on the left earpiece.
• 🧹 Resetting: 3 short touches on the right earpiece.
• 📋 Battery check: 1 long touch (3 seconds) on any headphone (stated percentage of charge).

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect actions in the service menu can lead to loss of firmware. If after manipulations the headphones stopped turning on, you will need firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (only for experienced users).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make common mistakes when rebooting Xiaomi AirDots, which leads to even bigger problems.

• 🚫 Interrupting the reset process (e.g. releasing a button early) can cause headphones to "brickle up.
• 🚫 Using unoriginal case chargers – this can damage the power controller.
• 🚫 Resetting headphones if they are less than 20% charge increases the risk of failure.
• 🚫 Trying to disassemble headphones for a “manual” reboot – this cancels the warranty.

Also pay attention to the following nuances:

• 🔋 After reset, the first connection can take up to 1 minute – this is normal.
• 📱 If the headphones are not determined by the phone, try connecting them to another device (like a laptop).
• 🔊 After updating the firmware through Mi Home, always perform a soft reboot (see Method 1).

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If the headphones don’t work after all the manipulations, check them on another phone or PC. If the problem persists, it’s a hardware failure (for example, damage to the Bluetooth module), and repair is required.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi AirDots reboot