Why Xiaomi wireless headphones work one at a time: causes and solutions

Why Xiaomi’s Headphone Has Stopped Working: The Main Reasons

Xiaomi wireless headphones are a popular solution for music lovers and active users, but sometimes owners face a problem: one of the headphones stops playing sound, connects separately or does not respond to commands at all. This situation is typical for models of Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earphones, Xiaomi Buds and others. TWS-The reasons can be in software failures and hardware malfunctions.

In most cases, you can solve the problem yourself without having to go to a service center, but it's important to properly diagnose the source of the problem: it can be a dead battery in one of the headphones, loss of communication between them, firmware conflict or even physical damage to contacts. Next, we will analyze all possible scenarios and ways to fix them, from simple to complex.

1.Discharged battery in one of the headphones

The most common, but common, reason is that one of the headphones is undercharged, and even if both were in the case, one of them might have been undercharged because of poor contact with the charging pins or a battery failure, and the other headphone keeps working, giving the illusion of a breakdown.

How to check:

🔋 Look at the charge indicators on the case: if one of the LEDs flashes red or does not burn at all, the problem is the battery.
🔊 Try connecting each headphone separately to the phone (in most Xiaomi models, this is possible through prolonged retention of the touch button).
⚡ Clean contacts on headphones and in the case with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol - oxidation or dirt can prevent charging.

If the headphone is not charging even after cleaning the contacts, the battery is likely to have failed, in which case only a replacement of the battery in the service center will help. TWS-Headphones – 2-3 years with intensive use.

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If the headphone is dead, hold it in the case for 10-15 minutes before you try to turn it on. Sometimes the power controller blocks charging at a deep discharge.

2. Loss of synchronization between headphones

Xiaomi's wireless headphones are powered by True Wireless Stereo (TWS), where one headphone (usually the right one) is the master and the second is the slave headphone. If communication between them is broken, the led headphone can stop playing sound or connect separately, this often happens after:

📱 Updates to the firmware of headphones or smartphone.
🔄 Resetting settings on the phone.
🎧 Connecting headphones to another device (for example, a laptop).
🔋 Complete discharge of one of the headphones.

How to restore synchronization:

Put both headphones in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds.
Pull them out and hold the touch buttons on both headphones for 15-20 seconds until the lights start flashing red and white.
Wait until the headphones are automatically synchronized (the indicators will light up the same way).
Connect them to the phone again through Settings → Bluetooth.

📊 How often do you have trouble synchronizing? TWS-headphone?

Frequently (once a week)

Sometimes (once a month)

Nearby (once every six months)

Never.

3. firmware conflict or software failure

Xiaomi headphone firmware may not work properly after an automatic update or due to firmware errors.

🔊 No sound in one headphone when connected.
🎵 Permanent communication breaks.
🔄 Impossibility of synchronization.

Decisions:

Reset: Put your headphones in your case, then press and hold the button on your case (if any) for 10 seconds until the indicator flashes red. For models without a button, use a combination of touch touch touch (for example, 5 times touch the right + 5 times the left - check for your model).
Firmware Update: Check the relevance of the software through the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app (Devices → Headphones → Update).
Reconnect: Remove the headphones from the list of associated devices on the phone and reconnect.

If the problem persists, the firmware may be damaged, in which case only flashing through the PC (for advanced users) or contacting the service will help.

How to find out the version of the firmware headphones Xiaomi?

Open the Mi Home app → select your headphones → go to Device Settings → About. The firmware version will be listed in Vx.x.x.x.x.x. Compare it to the latest one available on Xiaomi’s website or forums (e.g. 4CV).

4. Hardware malfunctions: what breaks most often

If the software methods didn't work, the problem could be physical damage. Here are the most vulnerable nodes in Xiaomi headphones:

Malfunction	Signs.	Possible causes	Decision
Dynamic damage	Quiet sound, wheezing, lack of sound	Fall, moisture, factory marriage	Replacement of the speaker in the service
Oxidation of contacts	Unstable charging, spontaneous shutdowns	Moisture, sweat, long-term use	Cleaning with alcohol or replacing contacts
Faulty Bluetooth module	The earphone doesn't connect, flashes blue	Overheating, voltage surge, wear and tear	Module soldering or replacement
Breaking the touch button	Does not respond to touch, accidental triggers	Mechanical wear, dirt ingress.	Replacement of sensor or board

If your headphones are in high humidity (such as during exercise), check them for corrosion. IPX4-Protection does not guarantee 100% protection against sweat or rain over prolonged exposure.

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Most of the hardware breakdowns in TWS-Headphones are caused by mechanical damage (falls) or moisture. If the warranty is still valid, contact the service - self-repair can cancel it.

5. Problems connecting to a phone or PC

Sometimes the problem isn't with the headphones, but with the device they're connected to.

📱 Bluetooth profile conflict: the phone can store a broken headphone profile, so remove the device from the paired list and reconnect.
🖥️ Codec incompatibility: Some PCs or smartphones do not support codecs AAC Or the aptX used in Xiaomi. Try the Bluetooth settings of your phone to turn off HD-audio.
🔄 Restrictions of the OS: on Android 12+ iOS 15+ You can block connections to devices with outdated firmware.

Also check:

📶 Are there any interference from other Bluetooth devices (such as smartwatches or speakers).
🔋 Is there enough charge on the phone – with a low battery level, the OS can limit power-intensive functions, including Bluetooth.

Remove headphones from the list of Bluetooth devices

Reboot the phone

Disable other Bluetooth devices nearby

Try to connect headphones to another device (laptop, tablet)

Update the firmware of headphones and phone-->

6. Features of Xiaomi models: what you need to know

Different Xiaomi headphone series have unique "diseases":

🎧 Redmi AirDots (1-3 generations): often lose sync after a firmware update. Solution - reset via button retention on both headphones.
🎧 Mi True Wireless Earphones 2: can "glut" when connecting to an iPhone due to protocol conflict.
🎧 Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro: Sensitive to interference in the range 2.4 GHz (e.g. from Wi-Fi router) Try changing your Wi-Fi channel in your router settings.
🎧 Redmi Buds 4 Active: Sometimes one earphone turns off at low volume.

For an accurate diagnosis, check your headphone model in the Mi Home app or box. Reset and upgrade instructions may vary!

7.When to contact the service: signs of serious breakdowns

If you have tried all the methods, but the problem remains, it is possible that the headphones require professional repair.

⚡ The headphone does not turn on or charge (even after cleaning the contacts).
🔊 The sound is completely absent, but the indicators are burning normally.
🔄 Headphones are constantly restarted or turned off 1-2 seconds after connecting.
💧 Visible traces of corrosion or mechanical damage to the body.

The cost of repair in official Xiaomi services:

Battery replacement: 800-1500 ₽.
Dynamic replacement: from 1000–2000 ₽.
Repair of Bluetooth module: from 1500-2500 ₽.
Diagnosis: usually 300-500 ₽ (free-for-time).

⚠️ Warning: Don't trust headphone repair to unofficial workshops unless they are certified by Xiaomi.Unqualified intervention can completely disable the device, especially when working with microelectronics.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the work of headphones Xiaomi

Can I use one Xiaomi headphone separately?

Yes, most Xiaomi models support mono mode. To do this: Get the right earphone out of the case. Hold the touch button for 3-5 seconds until you hear the connection sound. Connect it to your phone like a normal Bluetooth device. Note that the mono mode may not have touch controls or microphones (depending on the model).

Why are Xiaomi headphones connected separately, not as a pair?

This is due to a synchronization failure between the Master and Slave headphones. To fix: Put both headphones in the case and close the lid. Pull them out and hold the buttons on both headphones for 15-20 seconds until the indicators start flashing alternately. Wait 30 to 60 seconds - the headphones should sync automatically. If it doesn't work, try resetting through the button on the case (if any).

How to check which headphone is the master?

In most Xiaomi models, the right-hand earpiece is the Master, and you can find out by: Indicator: on the lead earpiece it flashes more often when connected; Audio signal: when turned on, the lead earpiece emits a longer sound; Mi Home: the device information may indicate the role of the earpiece. If the lead earpiece breaks, the slave will not be able to work independently, you will need to repair or replace the pair.

What if Xiaomi headphones are not defined by the phone?

Try this: Reboot your phone and headphones (put them in your case for 10 seconds, then pull them out). Remove the headphones from your Bluetooth list and reconnect them. Turn off Bluetooth on other devices nearby (they may cause interference). Check if the phone is power-saving, it can block device search. Update the headphone firmware through Mi Home. If the headphones are still not visible, try connecting them to another device. If the problem persists, it's a hardware malfunction.

How long do Xiaomi headphones last and when do you change them?

Average lifetime of Xiaomi wireless headphones: Battery: 2-3 years (300-500 charging cycles). After that, the capacity drops, the headphones hold the charge for 1-2 hours. Dynamics: 3-5 years with careful use. Over time, the membrane wears out, the sound becomes quieter. Bluetooth module: 4-6 years. May fail due to overheating or voltage surges. The case and buttons: 2-4 years (depending on the intensity of use). Signs that it's time to think about replacing: the headphones wear out, the sound becomes quieter, even with less stressful.

⚠️ Warning: If you buy used Xiaomi headphones, be sure to check for sync and charging. Many vendors hide that one of the headphones is faulty, selling them as "fully working." Ask for a video showing both headphones working simultaneously.