How to turn on the second headphone in wireless headphones Xiaomi Earbuds: the complete guide

Xiaomi Earbuds wireless headphones (including Airdots, Buds 3/4 Pro, TWS 2/3) sometimes encounter a problem when one of the headphones stops connecting or syncing with the first one, which can happen after a setup reset, battery drain, or software failure. Most of the time, the problem is solved in a few minutes - the main thing is to know the correct sequence of actions.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons why Xiaomi’s second headphone doesn’t turn on or connect, and provide step-by-step instructions for different models. You’ll learn how to reset, synchronize the headphones with each other, and avoid repeat crashes. If you’ve tried standard methods (like rebooting your smartphone) and they haven’t helped, here you’ll find alternative solutions, including hidden firmware features.

Why Xiaomi Earbuds’ second headphone doesn’t turn on: the main reasons

Before you start repairing or resetting, it's important to understand what caused the problem, and here are the most common scenarios.

• 🔋 Discharged battery – one of the headphones could be completely discharged, and now it does not respond to the on button.
• 📡 Loss of sync – Headphones stopped “seeing” each other after a firmware update or Bluetooth crash.
• 🔄 Resetting settings – if you reset settings on your smartphone or in the headphones themselves, the communication between them could be interrupted.
• 🛠️ Hardware malfunction - damage to contacts in the case, moisture or mechanical impact.
• 🤖 Firmware conflict – some models of Xiaomi Earbuds have bugs in the firmware, because of which one headphone “hangs".

In 80% of cases, the problem is solved software-free without going to the service center, but if the earphone is physically damaged (for example, after a fall or contact with water), repair may be necessary.

⚠️ Note: If the second Xiaomi headphone does not respond to the presses and does not charge in the case, do not try to disassemble it yourself - this will lead to a loss of warranty.

Preparation before synchronization: what to check

Before you reset your settings or re-flash your headphones, do basic checks:

1. Make sure the case is charged. Connect it to the power source for 10 to 15 minutes. The indicator on the case should burn or blink.
2. Check the position of the headphones in the case. They should be downward contacts (usually metal dots on the case). If the contacts are dirty, gently wipe them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
3. Update your smartphone firmware. Outdated versions of Android/iOS may conflict with Xiaomi Earbuds. Check for updates in your phone's settings.
4. Disable other Bluetooth devices. Sometimes headphones can not connect due to interference from other gadgets (fitness bracelets, speakers, etc.).

If after these actions the second headphone still does not turn on, move on to the following sections.

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Before resetting your headphones, write down their current firmware. Open the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app, go to the headphone section and find information about the version of the software, which will help you roll back if you have problems after the update.

Method 1: Reset headphones Xiaomi Earbuds through the case (universal method)

This is the most reliable way to bring the headphones back to factory settings, and the instructions are suitable for most models, including the Airdots, Buds 3/4 Pro and TWS 2/3.

Step-by-step:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Connect the case to the charging (can be through Power Bank or socket).
3. Wait until the indicator on the case starts flashing red (this means that the headphones are charging).
4. Press and hold the button on the case (usually side or back) for 15-20 seconds.
5. Release the button when the indicator starts flashing white and red alternately - this is a reset signal.
6. Get the headphones out of the case – they should automatically turn on and sync.

If the headphones are still not connected after reset, try forced synchronization:

• 🔄 Get both earphones out of the case.
• 🎧 Press and hold the touchpad on the right earphone for 10 seconds until you hear the beep.
• 🔊 Repeat the same for the left earpiece.
• 📱 Connect to headphones via Bluetooth on your smartphone – they should be defined as one device.

Charge the case at least 30% |

Make sure the headphones are clean and dry |

Turn off Bluetooth on other devices |

Prepare the charger (in case of prolonged discharge)-->

Method 2: Manual Bluetooth connection (if the headphones are defined separately)

Sometimes Xiaomi Earbuds headphones connect to the phone as two separate devices, this is due to a synchronization failure.

Step 1: Remove the headphones from the Bluetooth device list:

1. Open the settings → Bluetooth on your smartphone.
2. Find Xiaomi Earbuds (can be displayed as Mi True Wireless or Mi True Wireless) LE_...).
3. Click on the icon. ⚙️ Next to the device and select Forget the device (or Delete).

Step 2. Force your headphones to sync:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds.
2. Then, wait until they are in the dark and they will be in the dark.
3. On your smartphone, turn on Bluetooth and find Xiaomi Earbuds. Connect.

If headphones are still defined as two devices, try reflashing them through the official app (more on this in the next section).

⚠️ Warning: Do not connect your headphones to your phone if they flash red, which means they are discharged. First, charge them in a case for at least 15 minutes.

Method 3: Update the firmware via Mi Home/Xiaomi Wear

Outdated firmware is one of the main reasons why the second Xiaomi Earbuds headphone doesn't turn on or doesn't work well.

Instructions for Android:

1. Install the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app from Google Play.
2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
3. Open the app, find your headphones in the list of devices and go to their settings.
4. If an update is available, a firmware update notification will appear. Click Update.
5. Do not turn off the headphones or close the app until the process is complete (usually takes 2-5 minutes).

Instructions for iPhone:

The official Mi Home app doesn't support iOS for headphones.

1. Use third-party utilities such as Earbuds Battery (available in the App Store).
2. Connect the headphones and check the current firmware version.
3. If an update is required, contact Xiaomi support – they can provide a firmware file for manual installation.

Method 4: Checking contacts and cleaning headphones

If the software methods didn't work, the problem could be physical contact between the headphones and the case, often because of:

• 🧹 Contamination of contacts (dust, sweat, cosmetics).
• 💧 Oxidation after moisture.
• 🔌 Wear connectors in the case (especially after prolonged use).

How to clean contacts:

1. Take a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%).
2. Gently wipe the metal dots on the headphones and inside the case.
3. Allow the contacts to dry for 5-10 minutes.
4. Check if the headphones fit tightly into the case - if they hang around, it's possible the connectors are deformed.

If the second earphone is still not charging after cleaning, try changing the headphones into the case, and sometimes one of the slots in the case fails and the earphone does not receive power.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use abrasive materials ( sandpaper, hard brushes) or aggressive liquids (acetone, gasoline) to clean, which will damage the contact coating and lead to corrosion.

Method 5: Alternative methods for older models (Airdots 1/2 generation)

Outdated Xiaomi Airdots (1 and 2 generations) have features in the firmware that make standard reset methods fail. If you have one, try:

Double discharge method:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case for 30 seconds (instead of the standard 15-20).
3. Release the button when the indicator goes out and then starts flashing again.
4. Get the headphones out - they should automatically turn on in pairing mode.

Forced reset method:

If the headphones do not respond to the case button:

1. Get both earphones out of the case.
2. Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 20 seconds.
3. Let go when you hear a double beep.
4. Put the headphones back in the case and try again to connect.

Important: Airdots 1 generation models may require a special PC utility (such as TWS Tool) as they do not support updates via mobile apps.

What to do if nothing helps: Diagnostics of malfunctions

If you've tried all the ways, but the second Xiaomi Earbuds headphone still doesn't turn on, maybe the problem is the hardware breakdown. Here's how to diagnose it:

If your headphones are still warranty, don't disassemble them yourself - this will void warranty obligations. Contact the official Xiaomi service center with a check and a box.

• 🔧 Battery replacement: 800–1500 ₽
• 🔊 Dynamic repair: 1000–2000 ₽
• 📡 Replacement of Bluetooth module: 1500–2500 ₽

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If the headphones are warranty, first contact Xiaomi support via the chat on the official website.They can offer a free replacement or repair if the problem occurred due to the fault of the manufacturer.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting the second headphone Xiaomi Earbuds