Xiaomi Redmi Airdots reset to factory settings: full guide 2026

Xiaomi Redmi Airdots wireless headphones have been a hit thanks to a combination of price and quality, but even such reliable devices sometimes require a complete reset. You may have experienced constant communication interruptions, headphones refuse to connect to a new smartphone or one of them suddenly stopped working. 90% of these problems are solved by a hard reset to factory settings - a procedure that returns the gadget to its original state, as after purchase.

Many users are afraid to reset for fear of damaging the device or losing important features. In fact, when done correctly, the procedure is completely safe and takes no more than a few hours. 2-3 The main thing is to follow the instructions precisely and take into account the specific features of the Redmi Airdots model, since the reset methods for Airdots Basic, Airdots S and Airdots are used. 3 Pros may vary. In this article, we will discuss all current methods, including hidden functions that are not written about in the official manuals.

You'll learn not only how to reset, but why headphones might require this procedure, what errors are most common when connecting after reset, and how to avoid typical problems. And if your Redmi Airdots don't work after reset anyway, there's a section at the end of this article with fault diagnosis and alternative solutions.

When you need to reset Xiaomi Redmi Airdots to factory settings

Don't rush to reset your headphones when you have a problem, and in some cases, it's easier to fix it, like rebooting your smartphone or cleaning your Bluetooth cache, but there are situations where factory resets are the only working solution:

πŸ”Ή The headphones don't connect to the phone, although they used to work in a stable way, and the system can "forget" the paired data, and resetting helps reset all the stored connections.

πŸ”Ή One earphone is not working or connects separately, which is a typical problem when synchronization between the left and right modules fails.

πŸ”Ή Constant cliffs of sound or stuttering, even when the smartphone is nearby, often caused by conflict between the firmware of the headphones and the Bluetooth stack of the phone.

πŸ”Ή The headphones are plugged in, but there's only one thing that makes the sound, and that's because there's a failure in the distribution of audio between the modules.

πŸ”Ή After updating the firmware, glitches appeared (for example, the headphones turn off themselves or do not respond to touches).

Fun fact: Redmi Airdots 3 Pro and later resets also resets the customization settings of gestures (for example, double-touch to call voice assistant). If you change them, after zeroing you will have to adjust again.

⚠️ Warning: If the headphones stopped turning on at all (don't respond to the button, don't charge), reset is unlikely to help.

Before you start resetting, check:

  • πŸ“± Headphone Charge – If the level is below 20%, the procedure may be interrupted.
  • πŸ”‹ Case Charge – Some models require the case to be charged at least 50 times%.
  • πŸ“² Bluetooth version on the smartphone – for Airdots 3 and later need Bluetooth 5.0+.
πŸ“Š What kind of Redmi Airdots do you have?
Redmi Airdots Basic
Redmi Airdots S
Redmi Airdots 2
Redmi Airdots 3/3 Pro
Another model

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Resetting Xiaomi Redmi Airdots is a simple procedure, but requires preliminary preparation.Neglecting these steps can lead to the fact that the headphones after zeroing will not be able to sync with each other or connect to the phone.

First, disconnect the headphones from all the devices they've been connected to before, which is important because once they're reset, they'll be looking for the last paired device, and if it's nearby, there may be an automatic connection to it instead of your current smartphone.

Second, charge your headphones and case completely. Resets require at least 30 percent charge, but it's better to have 100 percent charge, which ensures that the procedure doesn't stop in the middle, especially for Airdots 3 Pro models, where it takes up to 40 seconds to reset.

Step three is firmware testing. If your headphones haven't been updated in a long time, you may have compatibility issues with new versions after reset. Android/iOS. You can find out the firmware version in the Mi Home application (section "My devices" β†’ pick out the headphones β†’ "About the programme").

Make sure the headphones are charged at 30%+

Disconnect them from all devices in Bluetooth settings

Close the case cover and wait 10 seconds

Check the firmware version in Mi Home (if possible)

Prepare your smartphone for re-pairing

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If you use the Redmi Airdots Basic (first generation), note that they don't have a charge indicator on the case. To check the battery level, you have to put your headphones in the case and open the lid - the headphone indicator flashes red (low charge) or white (sufficient charge).

⚠️ Note: Do not reset if the headphones are wet or have been exposed to extreme temperatures (e.g., in the cold.

Xiaomi Redmi Airdots Reset Methods: Step-by-step instructions

The reset method depends on your headphone model, and below we’ve covered the current ways for all Redmi Airdots generations, including rare modifications like the Airdots Youth Edition.

Method 1: Standard button reset (for most models)

This method works for:

  • 🎧 Redmi Airdots Basic (First Generation)
  • 🎧 Redmi Airdots S (including the version with the ANC)
  • 🎧 Redmi Airdots 2 and 2S

Instructions:

  1. Put both headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
  2. Wait 10 seconds, then open the lid.
  3. Press and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 15-20 seconds.
  4. The indicators on the headphones will start flashing red and white alternately - this is a signal that the reset has begun.
  5. Release the buttons when the indicators go out and light up again in white (usually through the 2-3 flashing).
  6. Close the case cover - the reset is complete.

After that, the headphones will be paired (the indicator flashes white), you can connect them to the phone as new.

Method 2: Reset via case (for Airdots) 3/3 Pro)

Redmi Airdots 3 and 3 Pro have a different reset algorithm, as they use an advanced Qualcomm chip. QCC3040. There's a button on the case:

Instructions:

  1. Put the headphones in the case and close the lid.
  2. Press and hold the button on the back of the case (near the connector). USB-C) within 10 seconds.
  3. The indicator on the case will start flashing orange - this means that the reset is activated.
  4. Wait until the indicator flashes white (about) 20-30 seconds).
  5. Release the button, the reset is complete.

In models Airdots 3 Pro after reset also reset active noise reduction settings (ANC) And you have to reconfigure them in the Mi Home app.

What to do if the indicators do not flash?
If after holding the button, the indicators do not respond: 1. Check whether the case cover is tightly closed - sometimes the contacts do not work due to the gaps. 2. Try using another one. USB-charging cable (possibly case discharged below critical level). 3. For Airdots 3 Pro: press the button on the case 3 times in a row at intervals of 1 second - this is an alternative way to activate the reset.

Method 3: Software reset via Mi Home (for stitched models)

If your headphones were stitched through Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear, you can reset directly in the app.

  • 🎧 Redmi Airdots 2 (Firmware 1.4.0 and newer)
  • 🎧 Redmi Airdots 3 Pro (all versions)

Instructions:

  1. Open the Mi Home app and go to the "My Devices" section.
  2. Choose your headphones from the list.
  3. Slip on three dots in the top right corner β†’ "Settings of the device".
  4. Scroll down and find the item "Reset settings" or "Restore factory settings".
  5. Confirm the action – the headphones will reboot and will be ready for a new pairing.

Important: After a software reset via Mi Home, Redmi Airdots 3 Pro headphones may require a firmware update.Don't ignore this notification - without an update, microphone issues may be possible.

Model headphonesResetting methodTime of procedureAre settings resetting? ANC/equalizer
Redmi Airdots BasicKeeping sensors on both headphones15-20 secondsNo.
Redmi Airdots SHolding sensors or button on the case (depending on firmware)20-25 secondsNo.
Redmi Airdots 2 / 2SSensor retention or through Mi Home10-15 sec.No.
Redmi Airdots 3The button on the case30-40 secondsYes (only in 3 Pro)
Redmi Airdots 3 ProThe button on the case or through Mi Home40-50 sec.Yes.

What to do after resetting: setup and reconnect

After a successful reset, Xiaomi Redmi Airdots headphones return to factory settings, but that doesn’t mean they’re ready to go right away.

πŸ”Ή Reboot your smartphone. Sometimes the phone's Bluetooth cache stores old data about the headphones, which prevents new pairing. Reboot clears that cache.

πŸ”Ή Remove the old pair from your phone's memory. Go to Settings β†’ Bluetooth, find your Redmi Airdots in the list and tap "Forget the device".

πŸ”Ή Activate the pairing mode:

  • Get the headphones out of the case.
  • Hold the touchpad on the right earpiece for 3 seconds until the indicator starts flashing white.
  • On your phone, turn on Bluetooth and select "Redmi Airdots" from the list of available devices.

If the headphones do not appear in the list of available devices:

  1. Make sure they are not connected to another gadget (like a laptop or tablet).
  2. Try connecting from another phone – if they are visible there, the problem is in your smartphone.
  3. For Airdots 3 Pro: Update your firmware through Mi Home before you first connect.

Once connected, it is recommended that:

  • 🎡 Check the balance of sound between the left and right headphone (in Bluetooth settings on the phone).
  • πŸ”Š Set up gestures (double touch, hold) in Mi Home if they reset.
  • πŸ”‹ Completely discharge and charge the headphones – this helps calibrate the battery controller.

πŸ’‘

If one of the headphones is connected separately after reset, put both in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then pull out and hold the sensor on the left earphone for 5 seconds. This forcefully synchronizes the modules.

Typical Resetting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the seemingly simple procedure, users often make mistakes that cause headphones to fail, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

πŸ”Έ Headphones are not reset (indicators do not blink)

Causes and solutions:

  • πŸ”‹ Headphones/case discharged β†’ Charge to 100% and try again.
  • πŸ‘† Incorrect button retention β†’ Airdots Basic requires both headphones, not one.
  • πŸ”§ Touch panel sticking β†’ Rub the panels with alcohol and press again.
  • πŸ“± Conflict with phone firmware β†’ Try resetting your headphones from another device (like your iPhone).

πŸ”Έ After resetting, the headphones do not synchronize with each other.

This is a typical problem for Airdots 2 and Airdots 3.

  1. Put both headphones in the case, close the lid for 30 seconds, then pull out.
  2. Press and hold the sensor on the right earphone for 10 seconds until you hear the beep.
  3. If it doesn’t help, reset again, but before that, remove the headphones from the memory of all the devices they connected to.

πŸ”Έ The headphones are connected, but the sound is interrupted.

Possible causes:

  • πŸ“Ά Weak Bluetooth signal β†’ Bring your phone closer or turn off other Bluetooth devices.
  • πŸ”„ Codec failure β†’ In Bluetooth phone settings, select for codec headphones SBC or AAC ptX.
  • πŸ“± Energy saving on the phone β†’ Turn off battery optimization for Bluetooth in settings.

⚠️ Note: If after reset, the headphones Redmi Airdots 3 Pro ceased to support LC3-codecs (used for high-quality sound), update the firmware through Mi Home. Without the update, the sound will be transmitted in reduced quality.

πŸ’‘

If the reset didn’t help, the problem may be in the hardware (for example, a damaged Bluetooth module in the headphones or case).

Alternative ways to restore efficiency

If resetting doesn't solve the problem, don't rush to throw out the headphones. Here are some alternative methods that often help in "hopeless" cases:

πŸ”§ Flashing through Mi Home

For Airdots 2 and later, you can try updating the firmware manually:

  1. Open Mi Home β†’ "Profile" β†’ "My devices".
  2. Select headphones and check for updates.
  3. If the update is available, install it even if the version seems the same.

Sometimes re-installing the same firmware "resets" internal errors.

πŸ”Œ Reset via test menu (hidden function)

This method works for Redmi Airdots 3 Pro and some Airdots 2: modifications.

  1. Put the headphones in the case and close the lid.
  2. Open the lid and immediately press the touch panel on the left earphone 5 times in a row (with an interval of 1 second).
  3. The indicators are flashing blue, which means that the test mode is activated.
  4. Close the case cover for 10 seconds, then open - the headphones will reboot with clean settings.

πŸ“± Use of third-party applications

If standard methods don’t work, you can try applications like Bluetooth Auto Connect or other applications like Bluetooth Auto Connect. TWS Earphones Reset (available on Google Play) force-reset Bluetooth cache and help you "find" headphones that don't appear in the list of devices.

πŸ”‹ Calibration of the battery

Sometimes the connection problems are caused by the wrong charge level data, to reset the calibration:

  1. Completely discharge the headphones (before turning off).
  2. Put them in the case and charge for at least 8 hours (even if the indicator shows 100% sooner).
  3. Remove and reset in the standard way.
What if the headphones are connected as two separate devices?
This is due to a failure in the protocol. TWS (True Wireless Stereo) Solution: 1. Reset both earbuds separately (hold the sensor on each for 15 seconds). 2. Put them in the case and close the lid for 1 minute. 3. Remove and hold the sensor on the right earbud for 10 seconds - this force activates the synchronization mode. 4. If it doesn’t help, repeat the procedure, but before reset, turn off Bluetooth on all devices within a radius of 10 meters (to eliminate interference).

Diagnosis of malfunctions: when resetting does not help

If after several attempts to reset, Xiaomi Redmi Airdots headphones still don’t work, perhaps the problem lies deeper.

πŸ” The headphones do not turn on or respond to buttons.

Possible causes:

  • πŸ”‹ Full battery discharge β†’ Connect the case to the charging on 1-2 for an hour, then try again.
  • πŸ’§ Moisture intrusion β†’ If the headphones are wet, put them in rice or silica gel for 24 hours.
  • πŸ”Œ Contacts in the case are damaged. β†’ Check if the spring contacts are bent (you can bend the needle carefully with a needle).
  • πŸ”§ Failure of the power controller β†’ Requires repair (replacement of fees).

πŸ” The headphones are connected, but immediately switch off.

This is most often related to:

  • πŸ“± The phone firmware conflict β†’ Try connecting to another device.
  • πŸ”„ Protocol malfunction AVRCP (Solution: in your Bluetooth phone settings, disable the Media Audio option for headphones.
  • πŸ”‹ Low battery voltage β†’ Charge your headphones to 100% and try again.

πŸ” The sound is there, but the microphone is not working.

The problem is typical for Airdots 3 Pro after reset.

  1. In the Bluetooth settings of the phone, turn on the option "Use for calls".
  2. Update the headphone firmware through Mi Home.
  3. Check if the microphone holes are plugged (clean with a soft brush).

πŸ” The headphones only connect one by one.

This indicates a loss of synchronization between modules.

  1. Reset both headphones separately (hold the sensor on each for 15 seconds).
  2. Put them in the case and close the lid for 1 minute.
  3. Remove and hold the sensor on the right earphone for 10 seconds (should sound the signal synchronization).

If none of these methods worked, it's probably hardware.

  • Contact the Xiaomi service center (if the headphones are guaranteed).
  • Check the cost of repairs – sometimes it’s cheaper to buy new Redmi Airdots than to fix the old ones.
  • If the headphones are older than 2 years, consider upgrading to a newer model (e.g. Redmi Buds 4 Pro).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Redmi Airdots reset

❓ Can I drop my headphones if one of them is lost?
Yes, but only if you have an independent-connected model (like the Redmi Airdots 3 Pro). To do this: Put the remaining headphone in the case. Hold the touchpad for 20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white. Pull out the earphone - it will be in pairing mode. However, without the second headphone you will not get stereo sound. For Airdots Basic and Airdots 2, reset without a pair is meaningless - they will not work separately.
❓ After resetting, the headphones are connected as "LE_Airdots_R" and "LE_Airdots_L". It's okay?
Yes, this is standard behavior for Redmi Airdots 3 and later, so the headphones are identified in pairing mode. Once connected, they will merge into one Redmi Airdots device. If they remain separated: Remove both pairs from the phone's memory. Reset the headphones again. Connect the right earphone first, then the left one.
❓ How to Reset Headphones If They Don't Respond to Presses?
If the touch panels don’t work, try it: πŸ”Œ Connect the case to charging for 1 hour – sometimes it will β€œwake up” the headphones. πŸ”§ Carefully tap the headphone body (possibly the sensor plume has moved away). πŸ“± Use another reset device (e.g. iPad or laptop) If nothing helps, the control board is likely damaged.
❓ The reset went off, but the sound got quieter?
This is due to resetting the equalizer settings. Solutions: In the Mi Home app, select the sound profile "Bas" or "Dynamic". On your phone, in the Bluetooth settings, turn on the option "Absolute Volume" (if any). Update the headphone firmware - new versions fix volume problems. For Airdots 3 Pro, check the settings as well. ANC β€” Sometimes after reset, the "Transparency" mode is activated, which reduces the volume.
❓ Can I get the head off?