You took out Xiaomi headphones, you turned on your favorite playlist, and you found that the sound came only from the left earphone, and the right one was silent like a fish, or vice versa: the right one was working and the left one refused to connect, a situation that many owners of Mi True Wireless Earphones, Redmi AirDots or Xiaomi Buds are familiar with. But why is this happening?
The reasons can be in software failures (incorrect Bluetooth settings, outdated firmware) and hardware malfunctions (damaged contacts, a discharged battery of one of the headphones). In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios for failure of the left Xiaomi earphone, including rare cases - for example, when the earphone connects, but the sound is only mono.
1. Check basic settings: Bluetooth and pairing
Before disassembling headphones or carrying them to the service, make sure that the problem is not in the settings of your smartphone or PC. Most often, one headphone does not work due to improper pairing with the source device.
Let's start with the simplest one:
- 📱 Restart your smartphone/laptop. Sometimes system failures block Bluetooth from working properly.
- 🔄 Turn off and turn on Bluetooth in the settings. → Connections → Bluetooth (on Android) or System settings → Bluetooth (on) iOS/macOS).
- 🧲 Remove the headphones from the list of associated devices and reconnect. On Android: click on the headphone name → «Forget the device. On iOS: swipe right by name and select Forget this device».
- 🔋 Check the headphones. If the left earphone is dead, it may not connect. Put both earphones in the case for 10 to 15 minutes, then try again.
If the left earphone doesn't work after this manipulation, move on to the next step. Note: some Xiaomi models (such as Mi True Wireless Earphones 2) require a mandatory connection through the Mi Earphones app. Without it, the headphones may not work properly.
2. Resetting headphones to factory settings
If the basic methods didn't work, try -hard reset, which clears all pairing settings and returns the device to a "out of the box" state, and the instructions vary depending on the model:
| Model headphones | Resetting method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi AirDots (1/2/3) | Press and hold the button on the case for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white. | After resetting, the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode. |
| Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 | Put the headphones in the case, then press and hold the button on the case for 10 seconds (the indicator will flash orange). | Mi Earphones application is required to reconnect. |
| Xiaomi Buds 3/4 | Press the left earphone touch panel three times for 5 seconds. | After resetting, the headphones will emit an audible signal. |
| Mi Earphones Basic | Hold the button on the headphone for 8-10 seconds until the red indicator flashes. | Reset is performed for each headphone separately. |
After discharge:
- Remove the headphones from the list of Bluetooth devices on your smartphone.
- Take both headphones out of the case – they should automatically turn on and go into pairing mode (the indicator will flash white).
- Connect to them via Bluetooth settings.
Make sure the headphones are charged (the indicator on the case is lit green)
Close all applications that use Bluetooth (music players, instant messengers)
Turn off Bluetooth on other devices (laptop, tablet) to avoid conflicts
Prepare the instructions for your model (see table above)-->
⚠️ Warning: If the left earphone is still not connected after reset, the problem may be a damaged Bluetooth chip inside the earphone, in which case repair or replacement will be required.
3. Problems with the firmware and Mi Earphones app
Many Xiaomi headphone models require a special app to work properly. If it is outdated or unstable, it can cause one of the headphones to fall off or not play sound.
What to do:
- 📲 Update the Mi Earphones app to the latest version in Google Play or App Store.
- 🔄 Reinstall the app if the update didn't work. Sometimes the app's cache conflicts with the work of the headphones.
- 📥 Update your headphone firmware through the app. To do this, open Mi Earphones. Go to the firmware update section. If a new version is available, download it and install it.
Check the sound settings in the app
Settings → Sound balance
If the app doesn’t see the headphones or gives an error when connecting, try:
- 🔌 Connect your headphones to another smartphone (like your friends or your second phone).
- 📵 Temporarily disable the energy-saving mode on the smartphone – it can block the stable operation of Bluetooth.
What to do if the Mi Earphones app is not installed?
Hardware malfunctions: contacts, battery, speaker
If the software methods didn't work, the problem is probably the hardware, and let's look at the most common hardware breakdowns.
🔋 Discharged or defective battery of the left earphone
Each earpiece has its own battery, and if the left earpiece is not charging in the case, it can:
- Not to turn on at all.
- Connect, but shut down immediately.
- Reproduce sound with distortion or quiet.