Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular gadgets on the market due to their 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 the microphone problems occur, in 90% of these cases, a complete reset to factory settings helps - a procedure that returns the device to its original state, as after purchase.
In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of resetting for Xiaomi models. Mi/AirDots, Redmi Buds, Haylou and other brand lines – from mechanical reset through buttons to software methods through the Mi Home app or Xiaomi Earbuds. Also, you will learn how to avoid the typical mistakes that can turn a simple procedure into a “brick” for your headphones. If you are facing a problem for the first time – do not worry: our instructions are suitable even for beginners.
When do I need to reset Xiaomi headphones?
Factory reset is an extreme measure that should only be resorted to if other methods have not worked, and here are the main symptoms for which the procedure is justified:
- 🔌 Headphones do not connect to a phone or PC (not shown in the list of Bluetooth devices).
- 🔊 The sound is interrupted, distorted or lost in one of the headphones.
- 🎤 The microphone does not work during calls or in messengers.
- 🔄 Headphones spontaneously turn off or reboot.
- 📱 Mi Home app doesn’t recognize gadget or shows firmware update error.
- 🔋 Battery discharges quickly (less than 2 hours of full charge).
If the problem is hardware-related (such as physical damage to the speaker or battery), resetting won't help -- it will require repairs. To tell the difference between a software failure and a breakdown, try connecting the headphones to another device. If the problem recurs, it's likely the firmware or settings are to blame.
⚠️ Warning: Reset removes all user settings, including Xiaomi account binding, connection history, and custom sound equalizers (EQ). After the procedure, the headphones will have to be reconnected to all devices.
Method 1: Hardware reset via buttons (for all models)
It's a versatile method that works on all Xiaomi wireless headphones, including Mi AirDots, Redmi Buds, Haylou GT1/GT2, and others. It uses a physical button on the headphone case or charge case to reset, and the main advantage of the method is that it works even if the headphones are not turned on or determined by the phone.
Instructions:
- Put both headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
- Wait 10 seconds, then open the lid (the headphones should start charging).
- Press and hold the touch button on both headphones simultaneously (usually a touchpad on the outside). For models with a mechanical button (such as Redmi Buds 3 Lite), press it 5 times in a row.
- Hold the buttons for 15-20 seconds until the headphones flash red and white (or red only for older models).
- Release the buttons, reset is complete. The headphones will automatically turn off.
You can then connect the headphones to your phone as a new device, and if the lights don't flash, repeat the procedure to make sure the headphones are at least 30% charged.
☑️ Preparation for hardware discharge
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 and Redmi Buds 4 Active models, the reset is only done through the button on the case (hold 10 seconds). Reset via Mi Home app (for stitched headphones) If your Xiaomi headphones are connected to the Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Wear for new models), the reset can be done software-based. This method is safer than hardware, since the firmware is not completely reset, only user settings. However, it doesn't work on all models - for example, the budget Redmi Buds 3 Lite does not support this feature. → Find your headphones on the list and tap them. In the upper right corner, click three dots (⋮) and select the device settings. Scroll down and find Reset or Reset factory settings. Confirm the action, the headphones will reboot and shut down. Once reset, the app will prompt you to reconnect the headphones. If the Reset option is not available, your model does not support software reset – use the hardware method (Method) 1). Headphone model Support reset via Mi Home Alternative application Xiaomi Mi AirDots Pro 2 ✅ Yes Xiaomi Earbuds Redmi Buds 4 Pro ✅ Yes, Xiaomi Wear Haylou GT1/X1 ❌ No Haylou Fun Redmi Buds 3 Lite ❌ No — 💡If after reset via Mi Home, the headphones don't appear in the Bluetooth list, try rebooting the phone.Sometimes the Bluetooth cache interferes with the correct connection. Method 3: Reset via Bluetooth menu (for Android) Few people know, but on Xiaomi phones (and some other Android devices) you can reset your headphones directly from the Bluetooth menu - without buttons and apps. This method works if the headphones have successfully connected to the phone at least once before. Instructions: Open Settings → Bluetooth on your phone. Find your headphones on your connected device list and tap the icon. ⚙️ (Choose Forget the device (or Turn off if the option is not available). Return the headphones to the case, close and reopen the lid. Hold the button on the case (or touchpad on the headphones) for 10 seconds until the indicator flashes white. Connect your headphones back over Bluetooth. This method often helps if the headphones are connected, but the sound is distorted or one of them is not working. If the problem persists after reset, try updating the firmware (about this in the next section). What to do if the headphones do not appear in Bluetooth?If the headphones do not appear in the list of devices even after reset, try: 1. Reboot the phone. 2. Clear the Bluetooth cache in the application settings. 3. Connect the headphones to another device (like a laptop) – if they work there, the problem is the phone. 4. Check the headphones for physical damage (oxidation of contacts in the case, moisture). 4: Sometimes problems with Xiaomi headphones are caused by outdated firmware, not incorrect settings. In this case, the reset may not help - you need to update the software. Android/iOS Adds new features (e.g. codec support) LC3 or AAC). How to update firmware: 📱 Mi Home: Connect your headphones to the app. Go to your device settings. If you have an update, you'll see a firmware update button. 🖥️ Through PC (for advanced users): Download the official firmware from the Xiaomi Firmware site (choose the Earbuds section). Connect your headphones to your PC via Bluetooth. Use the Mi Flash Tool or QFil utility for firmware (instructions are available on the forums). 4PDA Firmware through a PC can turn headphones into a brick if the wrong version of the software is selected or the update process is interrupted! ⚠️ Warning: After updating the firmware, the headphones may reset automatically. Do not interrupt the process - this may lead to loss of functionality of the microphone or control buttons. Frequent reset errors and how to avoid them Even a simple procedure like resetting can go wrong. Here are the typical user errors and how to solve them: ❌ Insufficient charge: If the headphones are discharged below 20%, Reset may not work. Always charge them before the procedure. ❌ Unsynchronized headphones: If one earphone doesn't blink when reset, put both in a case and wait 30 Seconds – they are synchronized automatically. ❌ Incorrect button: On some models (e.g. Haylou) GT6) Reset is done through a button on the case, not on headphones. ❌ Interrupted process: If you release the buttons too early, the reset will not be complete. hold them until the indicators start flashing red and white. ❌ Old Bluetooth drivers: On Windows PCs 10/11 headphones may not connect after reset due to outdated drivers.Update them through Device Manager. If the headphones still don’t work after reset, check: 🔋 The status of contacts in the charging case (clean them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol). 📶 Interference from other Bluetooth devices (such as wireless speakers or smartwatches). 🔄 Compatible with your phone (some Redmi budget models don’t support aptX codec, which can interrupt the sound). 💡If the headphones are switched on after reset, but there is no sound, check the sound settings on the phone. Sometimes the problem lies in a media audio turned off or an incorrect output device. Xiaomi models with unique reset methods Some Xiaomi headphones have non-standard reset methods that few people know about. Here is a list of models with unique instructions: Model Reset Method Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 Hold the button on the case for 15 seconds until the red indicator flashes. Touch panels on the headphones do not work for reset. Redmi Buds 4 Pro Triple tap on the touchpad of both headphones (in case).After reset, you need a firmware update via Xiaomi Wear. GT6 Hold the button on the case for 10 seconds + Touch the touch panels on the headphones at the same time. You may need to re-synchronize the headphones. Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro Press and hold the button on the right earphone for 8 seconds. Reset only works when you connect to the Mi Home. If your model is not in the table, use the universal method (Method 1) or contact Xiaomi through the official website. FAQ: Answers to frequent questions Can you reset Xiaomi headphones without a case? No, most models require a case to synchronize the headphones with each other, except for mechanical button models (e.g. Redmi Buds 3 Lite), where the reset is done directly on the headphone. Once reset, one earphone doesn't work. What do you do? You probably have a desynchronization. Try: Put both of your headphones in your case and close the lid for 30 seconds. Take them out and hold the reset buttons for 20 seconds. If it doesn't work, update the firmware through Mi Home. If you have a problem, you can call the service -- maybe the Bluetooth module in the headphone is faulty. I dropped the headphones, but they don't connect to the iPhone. What's the matter? Xiaomi headphones are optimized for Android, and sometimes the iPhone has codec problems. AAC. Try: Forget the device in Bluetooth settings on iPhone. Turn off and turn on Bluetooth again. Connect your headphones in Low Latency mode (if you have it in your settings). If the sound is interrupted, turn off the Auto Switch audio function in your iPhone settings. Can you reset your Xiaomi headphones through your computer? There is no direct reset via your PC, but you can: Connect headphones over Bluetooth and “forget” them in the settings Windows/macOS. Use utilities like Bluetooth Command Line Tools to force you to shut down (for advanced users only). To completely reset, you still need to use buttons on your headphones or case. After reset, the headphones quickly discharge. Is that normal? First 2–3 The battery can discharge faster after the cycle is discharged, this is due to recalibration of the power controller.If the problem persists for longer than a week: Check the battery status in the Mi Home application (Battery condition section). Turn off features like Active Noise Canceling (ANC) or Transparent Mode, which puts the battery down a lot. If the battery capacity is below 80%, contact the service to replace it.