How to reboot Xiaomi headphones: a complete guide to reset and restore

Xiaomi headphones are some of the most popular wireless gadgets on the market, thanks to a combination of price, sound quality and functionality. But even the most reliable devices sometimes fail: they don't connect to the phone, they give out distorted sound or suddenly turn off. In 80% of cases, these problems are solved by simply rebooting or resetting the settings to the factory. But how do you do it correctly so that you don't damage the device?

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to reboot for different models, from budget Redmi Buds to flagship Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro. You will learn how to distinguish a soft reboot from a hard reset when you need each of the methods, and what to do if the headphones do not respond to buttons at all. And also unique life hacks for restoring headphones after a failed firmware update, which you will not find in the official instructions.

1. When you need to restart Xiaomi headphones: symptoms and causes

Before you rush to reset, it’s important to understand if the headphones are really the problem. Here are the key signs that the device needs to restart:

• 🔌 Do not connect to the phone – the indicator flashes, but in the list of Bluetooth devices, the headphones do not appear.
• 🔊 The sound is interrupted or distorted – crackling, wheezing, delays in playback.
• 🔋 Fast discharge – even after full charging work less than 1-2 hours.
• 🔄 Unintentional shutdowns – headphones turn off during use for no apparent reason.
• 📱 Not synchronized with each other – only one headphone works, the second is silent.

The reasons for these failures are most often programmatic:

• 🖥️ Firmware error – after updating via Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app.
• 📱 Conflict with Bluetooth-module smartphone – especially relevant for older versions of Android.
• 🔋 Power controller failure – if the headphones are not charging or show the wrong battery level.

⚠️ Note: If the headphones are physically damaged (water got, the body was crushed, the cable from the wired models was severed), rebooting will not help - repair or replacement is required.

2.Soft reboot: how to restart headphones without resetting settings

Soft reset is the equivalent of a smartphone restart, and all settings and associated devices will be saved, but temporary errors will be eliminated, and this method is suitable if the headphones are on but not running smoothly.

The instructions are universal for most Xiaomi/Redmi models:

1. Put both headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
2. Wait 10-15 seconds – during this time the devices will completely shut down.
3. Open the case cover and get the headphones out, and they automatically turn on and sync.
4. Connect to headphones via Bluetooth on your smartphone (if the connection is not restored automatically).

For models with touch control (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) you can use an alternative method:

1. Press and hold the touchpad on both headphones at the same time.
2. Hold for 5-7 seconds until the lights start flashing red and white (colors depend on the model).
3. Release the buttons and the headphones will reboot.

Make sure the case is charged (the indicator is white)

Headphones clean (no dirt on case contacts)

Bluetooth on the phone is turned on and is within a radius of 1 meter

Headphones are not connected to another device (PC, tablet)-->

If the problem persists after a soft reboot, proceed to a hard reset (described in the next section).

3 Hard Reset: Returning factory settings

Hard reset removes all saved settings, including the list of associated devices, listening history and user settings (such as customizing gestures in Xiaomi Wear).

• 🔄 The soft reboot didn't help.
• 📱 Headphones are connected, but the sound is only in one headphone.
• 🔧 You want to sell or transfer your headphones to another person.

Instructions for most Xiaomi/Redmi models (including Redmi Buds 3/4, Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro):

1. Put both headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (usually located behind or below) for 10-15 seconds.
3. The indicator on the case will start flashing red and white (or orange - depending on the model).
4. Release the button. The headphones will drop to factory settings.
5. Remove the headphones from the case – they will automatically go into pairing mode (the indicator will flash white).

For models without a button on the case (for example, Xiaomi Air 2 SE):

1. Get the headphones out of the case.
2. Press and hold the touch panels on both headphones at the same time.
3. Hold for 15-20 seconds until the lights start flashing red and white.
4. Release, reset complete.

⚠️ Note: After a hard reset, Xiaomi headphones may temporarily lose the automatic connection to the last device.

4. Application Reset: When Standard Methods Fail

If Xiaomi headphones connect to the phone but don’t work properly, try resetting through the official app. This method is relevant for models with Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear support:

• 🎧 Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro
• 🎧 Redmi Buds 4 Active
• 🎧 Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Xiaomi Wear app (or Mi Home for older models).

If the application does not have a reset button, try updating the firmware:

1. In the same settings section, find the Firmware Update item.
2. If a new version is available, install it.
3. After the update, the headphones will automatically restart.

⚠️ Warning: If the headphones stopped connecting at all after resetting through the app, try removing them from the list of Bluetooth devices on the phone and re-pairing. Sometimes the old "benchmarks" interfere with the new connection.

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Before resetting through the app, check the headphone firmware version. If it is outdated (for example, 1.2.3 with the current 1.4.5), first update the software - this can solve the problem without completely resetting.

5.What to do if Xiaomi headphones do not respond to reset?

If none of these methods worked, and the headphones don't turn on, charge, or respond to the buttons, the problem could be bigger.

1. Check the charging: 🔌 Connect the case to another cable and power supply (use the original Xiaomi adapter on the device). 5V/1A). 🕒 Leave it on the charger. 1–2 hour – sometimes a deep discharge blocks the inclusion.
2. Clear the contacts: 🧹 Gently wipe the copper contacts on headphones and in the case with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol. 🚫 Do not use sharp objects – it can damage the coating.
3. Try "forced" inclusion: 🔋 Put the headphones in the case, connect the case to the charging. 🔄 Press the reset button on the case and hold for 20-30 seconds (longer than the standard time).

Check on another device:

• 📱 Try connecting your headphones to another smartphone or PC – this will help eliminate the problem with your phone.

If the headphones are still not working, the following malfunctions are possible:

• 🔋 Battery failure – especially important after 1-2 years of intensive use.
• 🖥️ Damage to the Bluetooth controller – most often due to falls or moisture.
• 🔌 Break of contacts inside the case - headphones do not charge, although the case shows a charge.

In these cases, there are two options:

1. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center (if the warranty is still valid).
2. Buying new headphones – repairs are often more expensive than buying a new model.

6. How to avoid problems in the future: prevention of failures

To make Xiaomi headphones last longer and less often require a reboot, follow these guidelines:

• 🔋 Charge correctly: Use only original cables and adapters. Don't leave your headphones on charge for more than 24 hours, which reduces battery life. Store a case with a charge level of 30-70% if you don't use headphones for a long time.
• 📱 Update your firmware: Check the updates in the Xiaomi Wear app every 1-2 months. Don’t interrupt the update process – it can kill your headphones.
• 🧼 Care for headphones: Clean the speaker grids with a soft brush (such as a toothbrush). Avoid moisture, even if the model has protection. IPX4/IPX5.
• 🔄 Reboot regularly: Perform a soft reboot once every 1-2 weeks to clean up the cache.

Pay special attention to storage:

• 🌡️ Do not leave your headphones in a hot or cold place (for example, in your car in winter/summer).
• 🚫 Do not put the case in your pocket with keys or coins – it scratches the case and contacts.

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Regular soft reboots (every 1-2 weeks) and firmware updates reduce the risk of serious crashes by 70%.

7. Frequent reboot errors and how to avoid them

Many users make mistakes that only make headphone problems worse, and here are the most common ones:

• ❌ Resetting while updating your firmware is almost guaranteed to kill your headphones.
• ❌ Use of unoriginal chargers – cheap cables can damage the power controller.
• ❌ Press the reset button too short – hold it for at least 10 seconds, otherwise the reset won’t work.
• ❌ Trying to disassemble the case or headphones yourself - without special tools you risk damaging the plumes.
• ❌ Ignoring indicators – if the headphones flash red, it is a signal of malfunction, not just a “discharge".

Another common mistake is pairing with multiple devices at once, Xiaomi headphones (especially budget models) don't work well in multi-connection mode, and if you connect them to your phone and laptop, you can have delays, communication interruptions, or spontaneous shutdowns.

1. Forget the headphones on all devices except one.
2. Perform a soft reboot.
3. Re-pair only with the right gadget.

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If the headphones start to "glue" after connecting to a new device, remove them from the Bluetooth list on all previously conjugated gadgets.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions