Xiaomi’s second headphone doesn’t work? 5 ways to turn it on in 10 minutes

Did you pull a Xiaomi headphone out of your case, but one of them is stubbornly silent, flashing red or showing no signs of life at all? The problem with synchronizing the second headphone is one of the most common among owners of Redmi Buds, Mi True Wireless and others. TWS-It's not usually a software failure or a pairing error, but it's a software failure, and 90 percent of the time, you can fix it yourself without going to a service center.

In this article, we'll look at all the possible reasons why Xiaomi's second headphone doesn't turn on or connect, from simple discharge to firmware conflict. You'll get step-by-step instructions with menu photos, a model compatibility table and a diagnostic checklist. And if the problem turns out to be hardware-related, we'll tell you how to tell it apart from a software failure and what to do next.

Let me warn you right away: not all methods are universal. For example, the first generation Xiaomi AirDots are reset differently than the Redmi Buds 4 Pro, and the Mi Earbuds Basic may require a special application. But don't worry, we noted the nuances for each model.

1. Checking the obvious: charging and mechanical damage

Before you dig into the settings, rule out trivial reasons. Start with a visual inspection:

• 🔋 Charge level of the case and headphones. The second headphone may not turn on if the case is discharged below 10%. Connect the case to charging for 15-20 minutes and check the indicators: on Redmi Buds 3 and later, they should burn white when fully charged.
• 🔌 Headphone and case contacts. Oxidation or contamination of metal contacts (small gold dots inside the case) interrupts charging.
• 🎧 Physical damage: Cracks in the body, dents or moisture (even if the headphones are positioned as waterproof) can cause a battery or Bluetooth antenna to fail.

If the earphone does not respond to pressing and does not charge, try to clean the contacts with isopropyl alcohol (not vodka!).

1. Remove the earphone from the case.
2. Wet the cotton swab in alcohol and gently wipe the contacts on the headphone and inside the socket in the case.
3. Let it dry for 5-10 minutes, then place the earpiece back and close the lid.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use needles or metal objects to clean contacts – this can damage the coating and impair conductivity.

2. Resetting headphones to factory settings

The most effective way to get the second headphone back on track is hard reset, which varies depending on the model, but the general principle is the same: press both headphones at the same time or use a combination of touches.

Here is a general guide for most Xiaomi models (including Redmi Buds 3/4, Mi True Wireless 2):

1. Get both earphones out of the case

2.Push and hold the touch panels on both headphones for 15-20 seconds

3. wait for the flashing of red and white indicators (on some models - only red)

4. Place the headphones back in the case and close the lid

5. Remove them in 10 seconds - the pairing process should begin-->

Older models (such as Xiaomi AirDots Youth) may require:

1. Remove the headphones from the case.
2. Press 5 times in a row on the touchpad only on the main headphone (usually the right one).
3. Wait 10 seconds – the indicator should flash red.

After reset, the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode. If this does not happen, manually start searching for devices in your smartphone's Bluetooth settings.

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If the headphones don't pair after reset, try connecting them to another device (tablet or second phone), sometimes a conflict arises because of the Bluetooth cache on the main gadget.

3. Update firmware via Mi Home or Xiaomi Earbuds

Outdated firmware is a common reason why Xiaomi's second headphone refuses to work.The manufacturer regularly releases updates to correct synchronization errors. To check and install a new firmware version:

1. Install the official app: For most models, Xiaomi Earbuds (available on Google Play and the App Store). For older headphones (such as AirDots), Mi Home.

Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.

Settings of the device → Updating the firmware

Update

Update can take up to 10 minutes.

• 📱 Do not close the app or block the phone screen.
• 🔋 Make sure your headphones are above 50%.
• 📶 Connect your phone to a stable Wi-Fi network (update weighs 10–50MB).

⚠️ Note: If the phone fails during the upgrade (e.g., the phone dies), the headphones may stop turning on.In this case, repeat the reset procedure (section 2) and try to update again.

4.Bluetooth problems: diagnostics and solutions

Sometimes the second Xiaomi earphone doesn't connect due to conflicts in the phone's Bluetooth module or headphones. Here's how to check this:

• 📱 Reset Bluetooth settings on your phone: Go to Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset network settings (on Android) or Settings → Bluetooth → Forget this device (on your iPhone). Reboot your phone. Try reconnecting your headphones.
• 🔄 Bluetooth Mode Switching: Some Xiaomi phones (like the Redmi Note 10) have a Bluetooth power saving bug.To get around it: Open Settings → Bluetooth. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Compatibility Mode (if any). Turn off the option Responsive Bluetooth or Energy Saving.

If the headphones connect to the phone, but the sound is only one, try:

• In the Xiaomi Earbuds app, go to Settings → Stereo Balance and make sure the slider is in the middle.
• On iPhone, check availability settings: Settings → Universal Access → Audiovisual → Monoaudio (should be turned off).

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If the second headphone connects but shuts down quickly, the problem is an unstable Bluetooth connection. Try connecting to another device or updating the headphone firmware.

5. Hardware malfunctions: how to recognize and what to do

If none of the software methods worked, it might be a hardware breakdown.

• 🔴 The headphone does not charge despite clean contacts and a working case.
• 🎛️ The headphone does not respond to touch (no pressing sound, does not switch tracks).
• 🔊 The sound is there, but it is very distorted (wheezing, interruptions, low volume).
• 💧 You can see traces of corrosion or oxidation on the board (if you disassemble the headphone).

The most common hardware problems:

If you are sure that the problem is hardware, you have two options:

1. Official Xiaomi centers are in most major cities, the cost of repair (for example, replacing the battery) – from 800 to 2000 rubles.
2. Try to fix it yourself. This will require: a set of screwdrivers (star T4-T6), soldering iron (if you need to replace components), spare parts (battery, speaker - sold on AliExpress or in specialty stores).

⚠️ Note: Disassembling Xiaomi headphones will void warranty. If the device is warranty, you should contact an authorized service. Also be careful with lithium batteries - if damaged, they can ignite.

6. Alternative methods: if nothing helps

If the standard methods didn’t work, try these non-obvious solutions:

• 🔄 Connecting through another device. Sometimes the headphones forget the main gadget. Connect them to a tablet, laptop, or second phone, then go back to the main device.
• 📦 If you have access to the same case (like a friend), try charging the earphone in it.
• 🌡️ Heat or cooling if the earphone was lying in the cold for a long time (below 0)°C, let it heat up to room temperature. If it overheats (for example, lying in direct sunlight), cool it for 10-15 minutes.
• 🔊 Check on another Bluetooth profile. On Android, create a new user profile (Settings) → System system → Multiplayer mode) and try connecting from there.

For models that support Xiaomi FastConnect (like Redmi Buds 4 Pro), try:

1. Install the Xiaomi FastConnect app (available for Android).
2. Connect the headphones through it - sometimes this bypasses the errors of standard Bluetooth.

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If the headphone starts working but shuts down again after a while, check the phone's power saving settings. On Xiaomi/Redmi smartphones, turn off the "Background Activity Limit" option for the Xiaomi Earbuds app.

Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphones