How to properly reboot Xiaomi Bluetooth headset: from the basic reset to the hard reset

Xiaomi Bluetooth headsets are some of the most popular wireless accessories, thanks to a combination of price, sound quality and battery life. However, even the most reliable technology sometimes fails: the headset stops connecting to the phone, the sound is interrupted, or the device does not respond to buttons at all. In 80% of cases, these problems are solved by simply rebooting or resetting the settings. But how to do this correctly without damaging the device?

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways Xiaomi can reboot Bluetooth headsets, from soft restart to full reset to factory settings. You’ll learn how to distinguish a software failure from a hardware malfunction, which buttons are responsible for what in Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earphones and Xiaomi Buds, and what to do if the headset doesn’t respond to any manipulations.

When you need to reboot the Xiaomi Bluetooth headset

Don't rush to reset the settings the first time you crash, and here are the typical situations where you really need to reboot:

• 🔌 The headset does not connect to the phone, although it used to work stably (the indicator flashes, but the connection is not installed).
• 🔊 The sound is interrupted, interference is heard, or one earphone is quieter than the other.
• 🔋 The battery is discharged too quickly (for example, instead of 5 hours of work – only 1 hour).
• 🎵 Handling gestures or buttons does not work (no tracks switched, no volume control).
• 🔄 One of the headphones (in TWS-The headsets are not synchronized with the main.

If the headset doesn't turn on at all (no indication, no response to charging), the problem may be in the hardware — a discharged battery, a damaged connector or controller, in which case rebooting will not help, and the device must be carried to the service center.

Method 1: Soft reboot (restart)

This is the most gentle method, which does not reset settings, but restarts the headset software, suitable for eliminating temporary glitches.

Instructions for most Xiaomi models (Redmi AirDots 2/3, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2, Xiaomi Buds 3/4):

If the headset is not in the case (for example, Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth Headset with wires), follow the following steps:

1. Turn off the headset with a long press on the power button (usually 3-5 seconds until the indicator goes out).
2. Wait 20 to 30 seconds.
3. Turn on the headset with the same long press.

After a soft reboot, try reconnecting to your phone. If the problem persists, move on to the next method.

💡

If the headset doesn’t turn off with a long press, try pressing and holding the button at the same time on both headphones (for example, for the first time). TWS-This often helps with one of the headphones hanging.

Method 2: Reset through buttons (hard reset)

If the soft reboot doesn't work, you'll have to reset completely, and that will remove all the stored devices from the headset's memory, so you'll have to reconnect it to your phone after the procedure, just like you did after you bought it.

Note: button combinations vary depending on the model, below are the instructions for Xiaomi’s most popular headsets.

After resetting, the headset will automatically go into pairing mode. Now it can be connected to the phone via Settings → Bluetooth.

Method 3: Reset via mobile application

Some Xiaomi models (such as Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro or FlipBuds Pro) support resetting via the official Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app.This is handy if the physical buttons don't work or you're afraid of making the combination wrong.

Instructions:

1. Open the Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Wear for new models).
2. Go to the Devices section → [Your headset].
3. Select Settings → Reset (or Reset).
4. Confirm the action.

The app will reset itself and reset the headset, and then it will need to be reconnected.

⚠️ Warning: If the application does not have a reset option, do not try to update the firmware of the headset through third-party utilities. this can lead to a complete loss of the device's health.

Method 4: Forced reset via charging case

If the headset doesn't respond to the buttons, but it's charging in a case, you can try forced reset via the case. TWS-Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless, and others.).

Step-by-step:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Connect the case to charging (via USB-C or wireless charger).
3. Wait until the indicator on the case lights up red (this means that the headphones have started charging).
4. Open the case cover and press the pairing button (usually located behind or below) for 10-15 seconds.
5. Close the lid and wait 30 seconds.
6. Open the lid – the headset should automatically reset and go into pairing mode (the indicators will flash white).

If the indicators do not flash, repeat the procedure, but in step 4 hold the button for 20-25 seconds.

💡

Forced reset via the case is the only way to “resuscitate” the headset if it does not respond to touch panels or buttons.

Method 5: Updating the firmware as an alternative to resetting

Sometimes the headset problems are caused by outdated firmware rather than hardware failure, in which case you can try to update the software instead of resetting. OTA-Updates (Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro, FlipBuds Pro, etc.).

How to update firmware:

1. Connect the headset to the phone via Bluetooth.
2. Open the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app.
3. Go to the section of your headset.
4. If an update is available, a firmware update notification will appear - click on it.
5. Wait for the process to complete (don’t turn off the headset or close the app!).

Once the headset is updated, it will automatically restart. If the problem was a software bug, it should disappear.

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the firmware update process. If the headset freezes during firmware, it can only be restored through the service center using special equipment.

What to do if nothing helps

If none of these methods worked, the problem may be:

• 🔋 Discharged battery (try leaving the headset on charge for 1-2 hours).
• 💧 Moisture infestation (if the headset gets wet, let it dry for 24 hours in rice or silica gel).
• 🔌 Damaged charging connector (check if contacts in the case are bent).
• 🛠️ Hardware malfunction (burned controller, departed plume).

If Xiaomi headset is guaranteed, contact the official service center. Otherwise, you can try to repair it yourself (for example, replace the battery), but this requires the skills of soldering and disassembling microelectronics.

Before you carry the headset for repair, check it on another phone or tablet. Sometimes the problem lies in the Bluetooth settings on the smartphone, not in the headset itself.

FAQ: Frequent questions about rebooting Xiaomi headsets