How to reboot Xiaomi wireless headphones: instructions for all models

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular gadgets on the market due to the combination of price, quality and functionality. However, even the most reliable technology sometimes fails: the headphones stop connecting to the phone, one of them does not play sound, or the device begins to disconnect arbitrarily, in 80% of cases these problems are solved by simply restarting or resetting settings.

But how exactly do you reboot Xiaomi headphones if they don’t have a physical power button? Depending on the model (e.g. Redmi AirDots, Xiaomi Buds 4 or FlipBuds Pro), the process may be different. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways, from software reboot through the app to hardware reset with buttons, and you’ll learn what mistakes users often make and how to avoid them.

Why should Xiaomi headphones be rebooted?

Rebooting (or "rebooting") wireless headphones is the forced termination of all processes and then start the system. Unlike resetting to factory settings, rebooting does not remove paired devices and saves the current sound parameters. It helps in the following cases:

• 🔌 Headphones do not connect to a phone or laptop, although previously worked stably.
• 🔊 The sound is interrupted, distorted or played in only one headphone.
• 🔋 The battery is discharged quickly (for example, the charge drops from 100% to 20% in 30 minutes).
• 📱 Mi Fit or Xiaomi Earbuds app does not recognize gadget.
• 🔄 Headphones spontaneously turn off and turn on.

Rebooting is also useful after updating the firmware, which helps the system to correctly apply the new settings, but if the problem persists after several reboots, it will likely require a complete reset (which we will discuss in one of the following sections).

Method 1: Software reboot through the application

The safest and most recommended method is to use the official Xiaomi Earbuds app (for most models) or Mi Fit (for older versions, such as AirDots Youth), which does not require manipulation of buttons and is suitable for users who are afraid of damaging the gadget.

Instructions:

1. Open the Xiaomi Earbuds app (you can download it from Google Play or the App Store).
2. Connect your headphones to your phone via Bluetooth (if they are not already connected).
3. Go to the headphone settings section → additionally.
4. Click on the Reboot option (or Restart in English).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (usually 10-20 seconds).

If your app doesn’t have a reboot button, try updating it to the latest version. Redmi AirDots 3 Pro and later also has a Reset option on the same menu – it will remove all paired devices but save the firmware.

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Before rebooting through the app, make sure the headphones are at least 30% charged.A low charge can cause the process to fail.

Method 2: Hardware button reboot (for most models)

If the headphones don’t respond to the app or you prefer the “physical” method, you can reboot them using buttons. Most Xiaomi models (e.g. AirDots 2/3, Buds 4) use a touchpad or a mechanical button on the body.

Universal instruction:

1. Place both headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
2. Wait 5 seconds, then remove both earbuds.
3. Press and hold the touchpad (or button) on both headphones simultaneously for 10-15 seconds.
4. Release the buttons when the indicators start flashing red and white (or blue and red – depending on the model).
5. Place the headphones back in the case for 10 seconds, then pull out - they should automatically turn on.

For models with mechanical buttons (e.g. Redmi AirDots S), the algorithm is similar, but the pressing should be clearer. If the indicators do not flash, try repeating the process by holding the buttons longer (up to 20 seconds).

Charge the case and headphones at least 50% | Make sure the headphones are clean (the dirt on the buttons interferes with pressing) | Use a flat surface (do not keep the headphones on weight) | Check the indicators while holding the buttons-->

Method 3: Reboot through Hard Reset

If a normal reboot doesn't work, you'll have to reset completely, and this method removes all the paired devices and returns the headphones to factory settings, but doesn't affect the firmware, and it's suitable for Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro, FlipBuds Pro, and others with proprietary software support.

How to make a hard reset:

1. Place the headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
2. Connect the case to a power source (for example, to charge from the phone).
3. Press and hold the button on the case (usually located behind or below) for 20-30 seconds.
4. The indicator on the case will start flashing red, then white - this is a signal of a successful reset.
5. Remove the headphones from the case – they will automatically go into mating mode (the indicators will flash white).

After resetting, the headphones will have to be reconnected to the phone, as after purchase, and if the model supports multi-profile connectivity (for example, Buds 4), all previously paired devices will be removed.

Method 4: Reboot through ADB (for advanced users)

This method is suitable for models that support ADB debugging (such as some versions of Xiaomi Buds with developer firmware). It requires a computer and basic command line knowledge. It is not recommended for beginners!

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Connect the headphones to the phone and activate the developer mode (if required).
3. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS).
4. Enter a command to check connected devices: Adb devices Your headphones should appear in the list.
5. Reboot the command: adb shell reboot

If the command is successful, the headphones will restart within seconds. This is useful if standard methods do not work due to software errors. However, improper use of ADB can damage the firmware, so use it only as a last resort.

Method 5: Reboot through firmware update

Sometimes the headphones are due to outdated firmware, in which case the reboot can be combined with a software update.

1. Open the Xiaomi Earbuds app.
2. Go to the Settings section → Update the firmware.
3. If a new version is available, click Update.
4. Wait until the process is complete (the headphones will reboot automatically).

Update firmware takes 2 to 10 minutes, during which time do not remove the headphones from the case and do not turn off Bluetooth on the phone. After a successful update, the device will restart, and all temporary errors will be eliminated.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make the same mistakes when rebooting Xiaomi headphones, which leads to even bigger problems.

• ⚡ Reboot at low charge. If the headphone battery is discharged below 20%, the reset may not be correct and the device will freeze. Always check the charge level before the procedure.
• 🔄 Use only one earpiece, reboot or reset must be done simultaneously for both earphones, otherwise they may become out of sync.
• 📱 Interrupting the process: If you interrupt the reboot (for example, remove the headphones from the case before time), this can lead to a firmware failure.
• 🔧 Using unofficial firmware: Installing custom software voids warranty and often results in a "bricking" of the device.

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If the headphones don't turn on after the reboot, try holding them on a 1 to 2 hour charge, and often the problem lies in the case battery being discharged, not in the headphones themselves.

⚠️ Warning: If after several attempts to reboot the headphones still do not work, do not try to disassemble them yourself. 90% of the time the problem is solved by contacting the service center Xiaomi, where experts will re-surface the device or replace the faulty module.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions