How to properly reboot the Xiaomi headset: from reset to firmware

Xiaomi headphones are some of the most popular wireless headsets on the market, thanks to a combination of price, sound quality and functionality. However, even the most reliable technology sometimes fails: the headphones stop connecting to the phone, one of them does not work, the sound is interrupted or disappears altogether. In 80% of cases, simple reboot or resetting solves these problems. But how do you do this correctly so as not to aggravate the situation?

In this article, we will look at all possible ways to reboot the Xiaomi headset, from basic power outages to complete resets and forced firmware updates. We will focus on AirDots, Buds and FlipBuds models, as they have different button combinations and reset algorithms, and learn how to avoid the typical errors that lead to the “bricking” of the headphones, and what to do if the headset does not respond to any manipulations.

1.When do you need to reboot the Xiaomi headset?

Before you start taking action, it’s important to understand if your headset really needs a reboot, and here are the key signs that you need to reset or upgrade:

• 🔌 The headphones don't connect to the phone, although Bluetooth is on and other devices are visible.
• 🔊 The sound is lost on one or both headphones despite being 100% charged.
• 🎵 Music is interrupted, interference or echoes are heard (the sound source is in order)
• 🔄 One earpiece discharges much faster than the other.
• 📱 Mi Home or Xiaomi Earbuds mobile app shows a connection error
• 🔋 After updating the firmware headphones began to work incorrectly

If you know any of these symptoms, it’s time to act, but first check the basics: headphone charge (at least 30%), distance to the signal source (no more than 10 meters without obstacles), and no interference from other wireless devices (for example, a Wi-Fi router at 2.4 GHz).

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse a reboot with a full reset! The reset just restarts the headset, keeping all settings intact. The reset returns the headphones to factory settings, erasing the pairing and customization data.

2. Basic reboot: how to turn off and turn on headphones

The easiest and safest way to reanimate a headset is by software rebooting, which helps 60 percent of the time and doesn't require complex manipulations.

For Xiaomi AirDots (all versions, including Pro and SE)

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Wait 10 seconds – the headphones should go out (meaning they’re off).
3. Open the case cover - the headphones will automatically turn on and will be ready to pair.

Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro and FlipBuds Pro

These models have a physical button on the case or a touchpad on the headphones:

1. Put the headphones in the case.
2. Press and hold the button on the back of the case for 5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red.
3. Release the button, the headphones will turn off. To turn on, just take them out of the case.

If the headphones are still not connected after the reboot, try the forced Bluetooth shutdown on the phone:

1. Open the settings → Bluetooth on your smartphone.
2. Find your headset in the list of devices and click "Forget the device" (or "Disable").
3. Turn on the headphones again and perform the pairing from scratch.

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If the headphones do not respond to placement in the case, try to connect the case to charge for 10 minutes - sometimes a discharged battery blocks the correct shutdown.

3 Hard Reset: Returning factory settings

If the basic reboot didn't work, the next step is to completely reset, which erases all pairing data and returns the headphones to a "out of the box" state, and the procedure differs depending on the model:

For Xiaomi AirDots (all versions)

Algorithm:

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds.
3. The indicator first flashes red, then white - this is a signal of a successful reset.
4. Open the lid and take out the headphones - they will be in pairing mode (blinking white light).

Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro and FlipBuds Pro

In these models, the reset is performed through tangent gestures:

1. Get the headphones out of the case.
2. Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds.
3. You will hear a beep and the indicators will flash red and white.
4. Place the headphones back in the case - the reset is complete.

After a hard reset, Xiaomi headphones automatically go into pairing mode. You will need to reconnect them to the phone via Settings → Bluetooth.

⚠️ Warning: On Buds 3 Pro and newer models, resetting through touch panels may not work if the headphones are discharged below 20%!

4. Firmware Update: When a Reboot Doesn't Help

If problems persist after reset, the cause may lie in outdated firmware. Xiaomi regularly releases updates for its headsets, fixing connection errors, improving sound and increasing battery life. Here's how to update the headphones:

Method 1: Through the Xiaomi Earbuds app (recommended)

1. Install the official Xiaomi Earbuds app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
3. Open the application and go to the Firmware Update section.
4. If a new version is available, click "Update" and wait for the process to be completed (don't turn off the headphones!).

Method 2: Mi Home (for older models)

For AirDots, the first-generation update is available via Mi Home:

1. Add headphones to the Mi Home app as a new device.
2. Go to Device Profile → Settings → Firmware Update.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen. It takes 5-10 minutes.

During the update, do not remove the headphones from the case or close the application, this can cause a firmware failure. If the update is interrupted, try repeating the procedure or perform a hard reset (section 3).

5. Post-Reboot Problems: Diagnostics and Solutions

Sometimes when you reset or upgrade your headphones, they start to behave even stranger, and here are some common problems and ways to fix them:

• 🔇 No sound in one earpiece: Check if the speaker grille is dirty (clean with a soft brush). reset and reconnect the headphones. In the Xiaomi Earbuds app, check the sound balance (Section "Sound").
• 🔌 Headphones don't charge in the case: Clean the contacts on the headphones and in the case with an alcohol wipe. Try another cable or power supply. If the indicator on the case is not burning, the problem is in the case battery (replacement is required).
• 📱 Phone can't see headphones: Make sure the headphones are in pairing mode (blinking white light). Turn off Bluetooth on other devices that may have previously connected to the headset. Reboot the smartphone.

If none of these things worked, the problem could be hardware, for example, a bloated battery in an earphone or case often leads to a loss of contact, in which case repairs at a service center will be required.

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Check the warranty card before contacting the service – most Xiaomi models have a warranty of 12 months from the date of purchase.

6. Alternative methods: when nothing works

If standard methods fail, try non-obvious solutions that sometimes help even in hopeless cases:

Method 1: Forced shutdown via Mi Home

For models supported by Mi Home:

1. Open the app and find your headset in the list of devices.
2. Go to the Device Settings → Shut down.
3. Wait 1 minute, then turn on the headphones again.

Method 2: Reset via ADB (for advanced users)

This method is suitable if the headphones are determined by the Android system, but do not work correctly:

adb shell am start -n com.xiaomi.bluetooth/.device.DeviceResetActivity

Enter this command in the ADB terminal (developer rights and USB debugging required) and the headphones will be reset once they are done.

Method 3: "Defrosting" of the hanging headphones

If the headphones depend on the update or connection mode:

1. Place them in the case and connect the case to the charging.
2. Hold the reset button on the case for 20 seconds (instead of the standard 15).
3. Turn the case off from charging and take out the headphones - they should reboot.

⚠️ Attention: Method C ADB It can cause a loss of functionality if it's not done correctly. Use it only if you're confident in your actions!

7 Prevention: How to avoid problems in the future

To avoid the need for frequent reboots, follow these guidelines:

• 🔋 Charging: Do not allow full discharge of headphones (charge at 20-30%). Use the original Xiaomi cable and power supply (or certified analogue). Do not leave headphones in the case on charging for more than 24 hours.
• 📱 Connection: Turn off Bluetooth headphones when you’re not using them. Don’t connect the headset to multiple devices at once. Regularly (once a month) perform a basic reboot (Section 2).
• 🔄 Updates: Install firmware only through official apps. Charge your headphones to 50% before upgrading. Don't interrupt the update process!

Avoid mechanical damage: do not drop the headphones, do not expose them to high temperatures (for example, do not leave them in the sun in the car), and protect from moisture, even if the model has an IPX4 degree of protection.

FAQ: Frequent questions about rebooting Xiaomi headset