How to Reboot Xiaomi Airdots 2 Redmi Headphones: The Complete 2026 Guide

Why Xiaomi Airdots 2 Redmi headphones may require a reboot?

Xiaomi Airdots 2 Redmi (also known as Redmi AirDots 2 or Mi True Wireless Earbuds 2 Basic) are some of the most popular wireless headphones. TWS-But even these devices are not immune to software failures, which can be caused by a lack of sound, problems connecting to a smartphone, or a malfunction of touch buttons. 80 percent of these problems are solved by simply rebooting or resetting the settings.

Rebooting headphones is not the same as resetting to factory settings. The first procedure simply restarts the device system (the analogue of a smartphone reboot), whereas reset completely erases all the mated devices and returns the headphones to the “out of the box” state. In this article, we will discuss both options, and also consider the unique method of forced reboot through the engineering menu, which is not written in the official instructions.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi Airdots 2 Redmi doesn’t have a physical on/off button – all manipulations are done through touch panels or touch combinations. This often confuses users, especially if the headphones have stopped responding to touch. Next, you’ll learn how to properly reboot in different scenarios, from a basic reset to recovering from “bricking” the firmware.

Method 1: Standard reboot through touch buttons

This is the easiest and safest method to try first, and it doesn't remove the coupled devices, it just restarts the headphone system.

• 🔊 Headphones are connected, but the sound is interrupted or distorted
• 📱 One of the headphones is not determined by the smartphone
• 🔋 The charge indicator flashes a non-standard color (for example, red and white alternately)
• 🎧 Touch buttons react with a delay or do not work

Instructions:

1. Place both headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
2. Wait 10 seconds, then open the lid.
3. Remove the headphones from the case and simultaneously touch the touch panels on both headphones (hold 5 seconds).
4. Let go when the headphones start flashing red and white alternately.
5. Place the headphones back in the case for 15 seconds - the reboot is complete.

Headphones are defined in the list of Bluetooth devices

The sound is played synchronously in both headphones.

The indicators are lit in standard white when connected

Touch buttons respond to touch without delay-->

If you have problems after this procedure, move on to the next method, and note that the standard reboot does not help if the headphones are completely discharged or the firmware is damaged, in which case you will need to reset or force reboot.

Method 2: Complete reset (Reset)

Factory reset erases all the mated devices and returns the headphones to a post-purchase state, a method that is necessary if:

• 🔄 Headphones connect to other devices (for example, after buying used ones)
• 🚫 The device is not defined by any gadget
• 🔊 Sound goes through 1-2 seconds after connection
• 📲 Mi Home app doesn't see headphones for firmware updates

Resetting instructions:

1. Place both headphones in the charger case and make sure they are charging (the indicators on the headphones should burn red).
2. Open the case cover and hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds.
3. The indicators on the headphones will start flashing red and white - release the button.
4. Close the case cover for 10 seconds, then open it again.
5. Now the headphones are ready for a new pairing (in the Bluetooth list they will appear as Redmi). AirDots_XXXX).

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If the button on the case does not respond to retention, check the charge of the case - at a level below 10% You can't reset it. Connect the case to the charger. 5-10 minutes and repeat the procedure.

After resetting, you will need to reconnect the headphones to the smartphone:

1. Open the Settings. → Bluetooth on your device.
2. Delete the old Redmi AirDots record (if any).
3. Click "Add New Device" and select Redmi AirDots_XXXX list.
4. Confirm the pairing (if necessary, enter the code 0000).

⚠️ Note: If one of the headphones is not connected after reset or is defined as a separate device, this may indicate a synchronization gap between the headphones. In this case, a forced reboot will be required (see Method 4).

Method 3: Reboot via the Mi Home app (official method)

If your Xiaomi Airdots 2 Redmi headphones were paired with the Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Wear on newer versions), you can perform a software reboot through it.

• 📱 Headphones plug in, but the app doesn't see them for firmware updates
• 🔊 Sound profiles are lost (for example, the “For Games” mode instead of “Music” mode turned on")
• 🔋 The application displays an incorrect charge level

Step-by-step:

1. Make sure the headphones are connected to your smartphone and the Mi Home app sees them in the list of devices.
2. Open the application and go to the Profile section → My devices. → Redmi AirDots 2.
3. Slap the icon. ⚙️ ("Settings") in upper right corner.
4. Select Reboot Device (or Reset if you want a full reset).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (earphones flash white light).

If the app does not have a reboot button, upgrade to the latest version of Mi Home or use an alternative method:

• Remove the headphones from the list of devices in Mi Home.
• Reset through the button on the case (Method 2).
• Add the headphones to the app again.

Yeah, regularly.|Firmware updates only|No, I didn't.|I tried it, but it doesn't work with my headphones.-->

Note that in some regions, the management functionality of Redmi Airdots 2 in Mi Home may be limited. If the app can’t see your headphones, try changing the region to Mainland in the Xiaomi account settings.

Method 4: Forced reboot when "hanging" (hidden method)

This method is useful if the headphones completely stopped responding to touch, are not detected by devices and do not respond to a reset through the case.

• 🔌 Failed firmware update
• 🔋 Complete discharge of the battery with subsequent charging
• 📲 Connections to an incompatible device (e.g., older versions of Android)

The unique method of forced reboot through the engineering menu only works for Redmi Airdots 2 models with firmware version 1.4.0 and higher. If your headphones are released before 2021, this method may not work.

Instructions:

1. Place the headphones in the charging case and make sure they are charging (the indicators are lit in red).
2. Open the case cover and hold the touch panels on both headphones for 20 seconds.
3. At the 10th second, the indicators will start flashing purple - do not let go!
4. At 20 seconds, the blinking will change to a quick red - release the panels.
5. Close the case cover for 30 seconds, then open it. The headphones should reset.

After a forced reboot, headphones can:

• 🔄 Automatically connect to the latest device
• 📱 Require a new pairing (if the firmware is dropped)
• 🔊 Reproduce sound with factory settings (without equalizer)

⚠️ Warning: Forced reboots can reset individual audio settings (such as the custom equalizer in Mi Home). If you use custom profiles, they will have to be reset.

Method 5: Reboot via PC connection (for power users)

This method requires a computer with Windows 10/11 And it's a special software from Xiaomi:

• 🔧 Headphones do not respond to reset through the case
• 📥 We need to restore the firmware after a failure.
• 🔄 Requires to roll back the update that caused the malfunction

For this method you will need:

• 💻 Computer with Mi Flash Tool installed
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (to connect the case)
• 📁 Redmi Airdots 2 (you can download from Xiaomi Firmware Updater)

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the charging case (with headphones inside) to the PC via cable USB Type-C.
2. Run the Mi Flash Tool and select the downloaded firmware file (.tgz format).
3. Press Refresh – the program must define the case as a Qualcomm device HS-USB....
4. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
5. Wait for the process to be completed (5-7 The headphones will automatically reboot.

This method is recommended only for advanced users, because incorrect firmware can completely disable the headphones. If you are not sure about your actions, you should contact the service center.

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PC firmware is a last resort, and 90% of the time, problems are solved by standard reset (Method 2) or forced reboot (Method 4).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make common mistakes when trying to reboot the Xiaomi Airdots 2 Redmi, which only exacerbates the problem.

1. If the case is discharged below 20%, the reset via the button may not work. Always check the case charge indicator (should burn white when connected to the charge).
2. When rebooting or resetting the touch on both headphones must be simultaneous (the difference is not more than 0.5 seconds), otherwise one of the headphones may "fall off".
3. Using unofficial firmware from third-party sites (not Xiaomi Firmware Updater) often contains errors that result in loss of synchronization between headphones.
4. If you are updating your firmware through Mi Home, do not disconnect the headphones from your smartphone until the indicators light up green.

Many users also confuse reboot and reset:

⚠️ Attention: If after all the manipulations, one of the headphones still doesn't work, check it for physical damage. Often the problem lies in oxidized contacts inside the case or a damaged battery. For diagnostics, carefully wipe the contacts of the headphone and case with an alcohol napkin.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions