Xiaomi earphone does not turn on: full instructions for diagnosis and repair

Did you get a Xiaomi headphone out of the case, but it does not show signs of life: does not flash the indicator, does not detect the phone, and charging does not help? The problem is familiar to many owners of TWS- headphones - from budget Redmi Airdots to flagship Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro. In 70% of cases, the malfunction can be fixed independently without contacting the service center.

In this article, we'll look at all the possible reasons why Xiaomi's headphone doesn't turn on, from the banal discharge of the battery to damage to the Bluetooth controller. You'll learn how to distinguish a software failure from a hardware breakdown, what manipulations with buttons and contacts will bring the device back to life, and when it really is time to carry the gadget for repair. For convenience, we have compiled a table of symptoms and prepared step-by-step instructions with the photo.

Important: if the headphone has never turned on (for example, after buying), immediately go to the section about the warranty case - it can be a factory defect.

Main reasons: why Xiaomi headphone does not respond to the inclusion

Before trying to fix the headphone, you need to understand what exactly malfunctioned. Here are the TOP-5 reasons why the Xiaomi TWS stops turning on:

• 🔋 Battery discharged - even if the case shows charge, the headphone may not be in contact with the charging "pads".
• 🔌 Oxidation or contamination of contacts – sweat, dust, or moisture disrupts the connection to the case.
• 📱 Firmware failure – often occurs after an interrupted update or failed reset.
• 🎛️ Damage to the power button is mechanical sticking or breaking of contacts inside.
• 💥 Short circuit – after a fall, water hit or voltage surge when charging.

Lifehack: If one earphone works and the other doesn't, the problem is almost always the contacts or the battery, and if you don't turn on both, it's the firmware or the case.

Diagnosis: how to determine the cause of malfunction

In order not to waste time on useless actions, make a quick diagnosis on this table:

🔍 Power button test: press and hold the button on the headphone for 10-15 seconds. If the indicator doesn't catch fire for even a second, the problem is with the button or the board.

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If a Xiaomi headphone flashes an indicator when you press it, it is not dead — it can be restored software. If there is no reaction at all, prepare for dismantling or repair.

Step 1: Check charging and contacts

Start with the simplest one, make sure the earphone is charging correctly. Even if the case is 100%, the problem may be:

• 🔌 Oxidized contacts on the headphone or in the case (green coating appears).
• 🔋 Swollen battery – if the headphone does not fit tightly into the case.
• ⚡ Faulty cable or power supply (try another ROM).

How to clean contacts:

1. Take a cotton swab dipped in alcohol (90%+) or liquid to clean the contacts.
2. Gently wipe the gold “cushions” on the headphone and inside the case.
3. Let it dry for 5-10 minutes (do not use a hair dryer!).
4. Try charging the earphone again.

Turn the case off the charger |

Use only lilac-free wipes |

Don't press your contacts hard |

Check if there is any battery bloating-->

Critical error: if after cleaning the earphone begins to warm or smell of a burn, immediately disconnect it from charging!

Step 2: Resetting and Flashing

If the Xiaomi headphone flashes but doesn't connect to the phone, there's probably a software failure, in which case a reset or forced flashing will help.

Method 1: Hard reset (for most models)

1. Put both earphones in the case.
2. Press and hold the button on the case for 15-20 seconds (until the indicator flashes).
3. Get your headphones out – they should automatically reset.

Method 2: Flashing through Mi Fit/Life (for Xiaomi Buds/FlipBuds)

• 📱 Install the Mi Fitness app (for older models) or Xiaomi Earbuds app (for newer ones).
• 🔄 In the headphone menu, find the Firmware Update item.
• ⚠️ Don't interrupt! If the update is stuck, wait 10 minutes, then restart the phone.

⚠️ Warning: If the headphone stopped turning on after the firmware update (even the indicator doesn't blink), it's a sign of "bricking," and then just flashing through the Fastboot in the service center will help.

Step 3: Checking and replacing the battery

If the Xiaomi earphone only turns on when connected to charging and immediately turns off, the problem is the battery. The average battery life in the TWS- headphones is 2-3 of the year, after which it loses capacity.

How to check the battery:

• 🔋 Connect the headphone to charge and watch the indicator: ✅ Flashes red → charges normally. ❌ Flashes white/blue and goes out → battery holds no charge. ⚠️ Doesn't blink at all → circuit break or controller malfunction.
• 📏 Check if the battery is swelling (carefully press the case - if it is "playing," the battery is inflated).

Can I replace the battery by myself?

Theoretically, yes, but it requires soldering skills and precision. Xiaomi Airdots and Buds use batteries like 301230 or 301020 (can be found on AliExpress).

1. Disassemble the body (carefully putting the lid on the plastic card).
2. Solder the old battery and solder the new (use flux and low-power soldering iron).
3. Check the polarity. The red wire is plus, the black wire is minus.

⚠️ Warning: If you've never soldered a chip, you better take the earphone to repair. A soldering error could cause the battery to burn!

Step 4: Case repair (if not charging headphones)

If the case shows charge, but Xiaomi headphones are not charging, the problem is contacts or case board.

• 🔧 Clean the "pads" in the case with alcohol (as described in the section on charging).
• 🔄 Reset the case: press the reset button (usually hidden under the sticker) for 10 seconds.
• 🔋 Check the output voltage: Connect the case to charge. Measure the voltage on the contacts with a multimeter — it should be 4.8-5.2V. If there is no voltage, the case board malfunctions.

How to disassemble the Xiaomi case:

Most of the cases are glued together, but they can be carefully opened:

1. Warm the seam with a hair dryer (temperature 60-80 ° C).
2. Put the cover on a mediator or plastic card.
3. Inside, you’ll see a board with a charging controller – check it for undercoat or bloated capacitors.

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If the case stopped charging the headphones after a fall or water hit, most likely, the contact board left, in which case only soldering or replacing the board will help.

When to contact the service: warranty cases and repair costs

If all the methods have been tried and the Xiaomi headphone still doesn’t turn on, it’s time to think about repair.

• 🛠️ Falling from a height (especially if the body is cracked).
• 💦 Water intake (even if the model is protected by IPX4/IPX5)
• 🔥 Overheating or smell of burning when charging.
• 📵 Complete lack of response to charging and resetting.

The cost of repair in 2026 (average prices in Russia):

💡 Tip: If the headphones are warranty (usually 12 months), don't disassemble them yourself - this will void the warranty.

Prevention: how to prolong the life of headphones Xiaomi

To avoid problems with inclusion in the future, follow these rules:

• 🔋 Do not discharge the headphones to zero — charge when the charge drops below 20%.
• 🚫 Do not use cheap charging, only original or certified 5V/1A.
• 🧼 Clean contacts 1 time per month with an alcohol napkin.
• 🌡️ Avoid overheating/supercooling (optimum temperature: 10–35°C).
• 📱 Update your firmware through the official Mi Earbuds app.

What can't be done:

• ❌ Charge headphones from USB 3.0 (blue port) - this can burn the controller.
• ❌ Store headphones in a wet room (bathroom, kitchen).
• ❌ Pull the charging cable out of the case.

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If you use Xiaomi headphones for sports, wipe them with a dry wipe after training and leave the case open for 10-15 minutes to evaporate moisture.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphone malfunctions