Why Xiaomi headphones do not turn off: a full analysis of the problem and 10 ways to fix

Did you take Xiaomi headphones out of your ears, put them in your case, and the indicator keeps burning and the sound from the speakers doesn't disappear? Or does the device discharge overnight, although it should automatically go to sleep? This problem is familiar to many owners of AirDots, Buds 3/4 Pro and other models of the brand. In 80% of cases, it is not the breakdowns that are to blame, but the incorrect settings, firmware failures or sensor features.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons why Xiaomi headphones don’t go off, from the banal contamination of contacts to hidden MIUI bugs. You’ll get step-by-step diagnostic instructions, checklists to check and a table of compatibility of models with different versions of firmware. And if the problem is hardware, you’ll learn how to distinguish it from software without visiting a service center.

Spoiler: 65% of the time, it helps to reset to factory settings through a combination of buttons (instruction below), and 20% - cleaning contacts in a case with alcohol, but there are less obvious solutions that are not written about in the official manuals.

1.Sensor problems: why headphones 'don't realise' they've been taken out of their ears

The main function of the infrared (IR) sensors in Xiaomi headphones is to determine whether they are on the ears. If the sensor is contaminated or damaged, the device continues to “think” that you are wearing them, and does not go into sleep mode, which is the most common cause of uncontrolled battery discharge.

How to check the sensor:

• 🔍 Visual inspection: Take a magnifying glass and look at a small hole next to the speaker (usually marked by a dot.
• 📱 Testing through the app: in Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear, open the Sensors section – if the status shows “In the ears” when extracted, the problem is confirmed.
• 🔄 Reaction check: Close the sensor hole with your finger - the headphones must automatically pause playback.

What to do:

• 🧴 Wipe the sensor with a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol (do not use water!).
• 🔧 If the sensor is not responding, try recalibrating it through the engineering menu (instructions in Section 5).
• ⚠️ Do not try to clean the sensor with a needle – this will damage the sensitive element.

⚠️ Note: Headphones Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro and newer have dual sensors (IR + If the problem persists after cleaning, check the sensitivity settings in the Xiaomi Audio app - sometimes resetting to factory values helps.

2. firmware failures: when the headphones "hang" in operation mode

If the sensors are fine but the headphones are still on, the firmware is to blame, especially for devices connected to smartphones with MIUI 12.5+, where there are often conflicts due to automatic updates.

Signs of software failure:

• 🔋 Headphones are discharged 2-3 hour in case (norm: 1-2% day-to-day).
• 🎵 The sound continues to go even after the extraction from the ears and the closure of the case.
• 🔄 The indicator flashes red-blue (firmware error code).

How to fix it:

1. Reset the headphones: Put them in the case, close the lid, wait 10 seconds, then pull out and hold the touchpad on both headphones for 15 seconds until the white light blinks.
2. Update your firmware through Xiaomi Audio: Settings → Software Update → Check Updates Important: Connect your headphones to charge during the upgrade!
3. Roll back the firmware if the failure appeared after the update. This requires the Mi Flash Tool utility (instructions in the spoiler below).

Case problems: contacts, charging and "false" closing

If the headphones don't turn off in the case, the problem is in the case.

• 🔌 Oxidized contacts (earphones do not determine what is in the case).
• 🧲 Weakened magnet (cover not fixed, closing sensor not working).
• 🔋 Case battery discharge (less than 10% – headphones do not go into sleep mode).

Diagnosis:

1. Check if the indicator on the case is on when the lid is closed. If not, the contacts do not close.
2. Shake the case: if the headphones dangle inside, the magnets are loosened.
3. Connect the case to charging: if the indicator does not light up, the problem is USB-port or power controller.

Decisions:

⚠️ Note: If the case Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2 stopped charging the headphones after falling, do not try to disassemble it yourself - inside a lithium battery that can ignite if damaged.

4.Bluetooth conflicts: why headphones "forget" to shut down

Xiaomi headphones may not shut down due to an incorrect Bluetooth connection to a smartphone or other device.

• 📱 On the phone enabled mode Permanent connection (in Bluetooth settings).
• 🔄 The device is connected to two gadgets at the same time (for example, to a phone and a laptop).
• 📶 Use of an outdated protocol (e.g, AVRCP 1.3 instead of 1.6).

How to fix it:

1. Turn off "Constant Connection": Settings → Bluetooth → ⚙️ near Xiaomi Buds → Disable "Car connection"
2. Reset the list of conjugated devices on headphones: Hold the touchpad 10 seconds → 3 blinks red → ready
3. Update your Bluetooth stacks on your smartphone (relevant to MIUI 13-14).

Headphones Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro do not turn off when connecting to devices on Android 11 and below due to lack of support for the protocol LE Audio. the solution is to upgrade the smartphone or use a Bluetooth 5.2 adapter+.

5 Hidden settings and engineering menu: what is not told in the instructions

Xiaomi headphones have hidden features that can be activated through an engineering menu or special combinations, such as Deep Sleep mode, which forcibly shuts down the device when inactivity is involved.

How to get into the engineering menu:

1. Connect the headphones to your smartphone.
2. Open the Xiaomi Audio app and quickly tap the firmware version 5 times (in the About section).
3. Enter the code ##364## (for Buds 3/4 Pro) or ##283## (for AirDots).

Useful teams:

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If after entering the engineering menu, the headphones stopped connecting, reset through the case: put them inside, hold the button on the case for 20 seconds until the indicator becomes purple.

6. Hardware breakdowns: when without repairs can not do

If none of these things worked, it's a hardware problem, and here are the signs that you need to bring the headphones to the service:

• 🔥 Overheating of the case or headphones (the battery swelled).
• 💧 Liquid intake (even if everything is dry on the outside, oxidation could reach the board).
• 🔊 Extraneous sounds from the speaker (squeaking, cracking - a sign of damage to the membrane).
• 🔋 The battery is discharged for 10-15 minutes (power controller is out of order).

Cost of repair (average prices in Russia, 2026):

• 🔧 Replacement of the battery in headphones: 800-1500 ₽.
• 🔧 Replacement of the proximity sensor: 1200–2000 ₽.
• 🔧 Repair of the case charging controller: 1500–2500 ₽.
• 🔧 Complete flashing (if "bricked"): 500-1000 ₽.

⚠️ Don’t trust Xiaomi headphone repair shops that offer a “complete replacement” for 300-500 ₽. 90% probability you will be supplied with used components from donor devices that will last 1-2 months.

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Before visiting the service, make a full reset of the headphones (instructions in section 2) and check them on another device. In 30% of cases, the problem is solved after changing the smartphone or updating its firmware.

7 Prevention: How to avoid problems in the future

To make Xiaomi headphones last longer and do not “glut”, follow these rules:

• 🧼 Clean your headphones and case 1 time per week with a dry brush (to remove earwax and dust).
• 🔋 Do not discharge completely - connect the case to the charge at the level of 20-30%.
• 📱 Update your firmware only through the official Xiaomi Audio app (do not use third-party utilities!).
• 🌡️ Avoid extreme temperatures: Do not leave your headphones in the sun or in the cold (optimally: +5°C. +35°S).
• 🔄 Once a month, reset through the case (hold the 10 seconds button).

If you use headphones for sports or jogging, buy silicone case cases – they protect contacts from sweat and moisture. For Buds 3 Pro and newer models, the Xiaomi Original Protective Case (M2106C19CA) case will suit.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphones