Modern wireless headphones from Xiaomi and Redmi are complex gadgets that, like any smart appliance, can eventually become incorrect. Users often face a situation when the device ceases to be seen by the phone, the sound becomes intermittent or communication with one of the channels disappears, in which case the most effective solution is a complete reset to factory settings.
The reset procedure helps to clear the internal memory of accessories from temporary errors and pairing conflicts, which removes all previously stored connection profiles and returns the gadget to the state in which it was immediately after leaving the assembly line. It is important to understand that for different models - whether Mi True Wireless Earbuds or wired Mi In-Ear Headphones - the algorithm of actions can be significantly different.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the known ways to return to factory state for the various audio lines of the Chinese giant, you will learn how to correctly perform hard reset, what button combinations to use and how to avoid common errors that can lead to software failure.
Don't panic if the headphones are acting strange after buying or upgrading a smartphone. Most of the time, the problem is a software glitch that can be easily fixed by a forced configuration reboot. Let's look at the main reasons why it might be necessary to interfere with the device.
Reasons for performing resetting settings
The main reason for owners to perform hard reset is the inability to establish a stable connection to the smartphone. Headphones can appear in the list of available devices, but when you try to connect, you will give an error or simply break up after a few seconds. This often happens after changing the phone or updating the Android or iOS operating system.
Another common problem is channel desynchronization, where only the left or right earphone is running, which is familiar to many budget and mid-budget users, in which case resetting causes controllers to re-find each other and restore the stereo pair, and it also helps if the indicators are not burning correctly or responding to charging.
⚠️ Warning: Before performing a reset, be sure to remove the device from the Bluetooth list on your smartphone, otherwise the new setup may not be successful.
Sometimes users just want to sell their gadget or hand it over to a friend, so clearing their memory of their personal data and connection history is a must-have security step, and if you've experimented with third-party equalizer apps and button tuning, resetting will bring all control back to the standard operating algorithm.
Preparation for the discharge procedure
Before you start active, you need to perform a number of preparatory operations, which ensures that the process will be successful and the device will not freeze in standby mode, the first thing to make sure that the battery is sufficiently charged for the operation, it is recommended that the charge level is at least 30-40%.
The second important step is to remove the device profile from the phone's memory. Go to Bluetooth settings, find your Mi AirDots or Redmi Buds, and click "Forget the device" or "Unpair." Without this step, the phone may try to automatically connect to the headphones during the reset, which will interrupt the process.
You should also prepare the headphones. If you have a case model, place both modules inside and make sure they are properly seated on the contacts. The indicators should light up, signaling the start of charging. For models with a neck rim or overhead headphones, make sure they are turned off but not discharged to zero.
☑️ Checklist before reset
If you use a 3.5mm wired headset or Type-C, the preparation is minimal. Just disconnect the cable from the sound source. For active noise cancellation (ANC) wireless models, make sure the noise emitting mode is off before you start manipulating.
Resetting settings TWS-The AirDots (Mi AirDots, Redmi Buds)
The most popular category of devices is fully wireless headphones, which are often difficult to reset due to the lack of physical buttons on the body as usual. Most models in the Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic and Redmi AirDots series use the touch-sensitive method.
Take both earbuds out of the case. If they don't turn on automatically, press and hold the touchpads on both devices at the same time. You have to wait until the lights start flashing red. This usually happens after 5-7 seconds of holding. After the red flash, release your fingers.
Immediately after that, press the touchpads again, but quickly, for 2 seconds. The indicators should flash several times, confirming a successful reset. Now put the modules back in the case, close the lid and wait about 10 seconds. After extraction, they will go into pairing mode.
What to do if the red light does not light up?
For more advanced models, such as the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 or Redmi Buds 3 Pro, the procedure may be different. Often you need to put headphones in the case, open the lid and pinch the function button on the case itself (if any) for 10-15 seconds.
⚠️ Note: Do not remove the headphones from the case while pressing the reset button if the instruction for your model requires being inside.
Instructions for overhead and neck models
Overhead headphones like Mi Headphones Comfort or Mi Wireless Neckband have more traditional controls, and are usually reset via a combination of volume control and power buttons, a technique that is also relevant for wired models with electronics in the headband.
Turn the device off completely. Then simultaneously press the on button and the volume down button (or zoom in, depending on the model). Hold them for about 15-20 seconds. Headphones can vibrate or emit an audible signal. Release buttons when the indicator flashes in purple or red.
For active noise cancelling models, such as Mi Noise Cancelling Headphones, sometimes you need a special sequence. Often you need to press the power button and the noise emitter switch button. The exact combination is better specified in the manual, because the firmware differs from generation to generation.
| Model | Button combination | Indication of discharge | Retention time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Neckband Basic | On + Volume + | Blinking red | 15 seconds |
| Mi Headphones Comfort | On + Volume- | Blinking purple | 10 seconds. |
| Redmi Buds 3 Lite | 5 times touch the sensor | Fast blinking. | 3 seconds |
| Mi True Wireless 2S | The button on the case | White indicator | 10 seconds. |
After the procedure, the device will go into search mode. If this does not happen, try charging the gadget for 30 minutes and try again. Sometimes the power controller blocks functions at a critically low energy level.
Use of the Xiaomi Earbuds app
For modern Xiaomi ecosystem models, the official Xiaomi Earbuds app (formerly Mi Earbuds) allows you to manage settings more flexibly than the standard Bluetooth menu. In some cases, resets can be initiated programmatically, although this does not work for all firmware versions.
Connect your headphones to your smartphone and open the app. Go to your device-specific settings. If the feature is available, you'll see "Reset" or "Factory Reset" at the bottom of the menu. Pressing this button will trigger an automatic memory cleanup process.
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Use the Xiaomi Earbuds app to update your firmware before resetting – this can solve the problem without losing the equalizer settings.
The advantage of using software is that you see the exact battery status of each channel and the firmware version.If software reset via the app doesn't help, always go back to the physical button method described above.
It is important to note that the app only works stably on smartphones with a MIUI shell or HyperOS. On pure Android or iOS, functionality may be limited, and the reset button may not be available.
Common mistakes and ways to solve them
Even following the instructions, users sometimes fail. One of the most common mistakes is not following the timings. If you release the buttons too early, the headphones will simply turn off or switch the track, but will not reset, if you overdo it, you can start flashing or testing.
Another problem is the dirt on the contacts in the case. If the headphones are in the case, but do not charge and do not react to the reset, wipe the contacts with an alcohol wipe. Contact oxidation is a common reason why hard reset does not pass, since the case cannot transfer command to modules.
It’s also worth considering that some cheap Chinese replicas may have a completely different logic, for which Xiaomi’s standard button combinations may not work, and in such cases only completely discharging the device to zero and then charging it off helps.
⚠️ Note: If after resetting the headphones stopped turning on, leave them on charging on the 1-2 The controller may have gone into a deep sleep.
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In 90% of cases, the problem is solved by repeating the reset procedure 2-3 times in a row with exact observance of the button retention time.
Remember, after reset, you need to reset the devices. Go to Bluetooth, find a new device (often with a suffix or without an old name), and connect. The old profile on the phone is no longer valid.