Xiaomi's second headphone doesn't plug in - what to do? full guide to diagnosis and repair

Did you pull out of the Xiaomi AirDots, Redmi Buds or Haylou case, but you found that only one headphone works? TWS-Xiaomi headphones, especially after a firmware update, drop or prolonged downtime, and 80% of the time, the malfunction can be fixed by yourself without going to the service center.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons why Xiaomi’s second headphone doesn’t connect, from the banal discharge of the battery to hidden hardware defects. You’ll learn how to distinguish a software failure from a physical failure, what settings to check on your smartphone, and what to do if the headphone doesn’t show signs of life at all. For convenience, we’ve compiled step-by-step instructions with pictures, a table of model compatibility, and answers to frequent questions.

Important: if your headphones are warranty, don't disassemble them yourself - this will void warranty obligations. First try all the software methods in this article.

1. Checking the underlying causes: battery, case and physical damage

Before you dig deeper, rule out obvious problems. Start with a visual inspection:

• 🔋 Battery discharge: The second earbud may not turn on if its battery is completely discharged. Check the indicators on the case - whether the lights under both headphones burn when charging?
• 📦 Case contacts: often oxidized or contaminated. Take a cotton swab dipped in alcohol and gently wipe the metal contacts in the case nests and on the headphones themselves.
• 💧 Moisture or fall: if the earphone fell into the water or from a height, the internal components could be damaged.

Pay special attention to the indicators on the headphones:

• 🟢 Green/Blue is a normal job.
• 🔴 Red – discharged or connection error.
• 🟠 Orange/Blinking – pairing or failure mode.
• ⚪ White - waiting for connection (on some models).

If the indicator on the problem earphone does not burn at all, this may indicate a break in the contacts inside the case or a failure of the power controller, in which case you will need to disassemble or replace.

2. Resetting headphones to factory settings

If the basic checks don't work, the next step is hard reset, which clears all pairing settings and returns the headphones to a "out of the box" state.

Make sure that both earphones are in the case.

Case charge of at least 30%

Disconnect Headphones from All Devices in Bluetooth Settings

Prepare a needle or paperclip for the Reset button (if any)

-->

Instructions for Xiaomi AirDots (all versions) and Redmi Buds

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Wait 10 seconds, then open the case.
3. Press and hold the button on the back of the case (usually next to the USB connector) for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white (or red and blue on new models).
4. Release the button, reset is complete. Now the headphones must appear on the list of available Bluetooth devices as new.

Instructions for Haylou GT1/GT2 and other models with a button on headphones

1. Get both earphones out of the case.
2. On the problem headphone, press and hold the touchpad (or physical button) for 10 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red.
3. Repeat the action for the second headphone.
4. Put both headphones back in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then pull out - they should sync automatically.

If after resetting the headphones still do not connect, move to the next section.

💡

On some models (e.g. Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2), you need to press the button on the case 5 times in a row, rather than hold it.

3. Bluetooth problems on your smartphone: settings and conflicts

Sometimes the problem isn't with the headphones, it's with the phone settings.

• 📱 Bluetooth Version: Older smartphones (with Bluetooth 4.0 and below) may not work properly TWS-Check compatibility in the table below.
• 🔄 Conflicting devices: If other headphones or speakers are stored in your phone's memory, they may interfere with your connection.
• 🔒 OS Restrictions: iPhones and some Android smartphones have an "automatic accessory shutdown" feature to save charge.

To rule out a smartphone problem, try connecting your headphones to another device (tablet, laptop, second phone). If both headphones work on the other gadget, the problem is with your smartphone settings.

⚠️ Attention: On iPhone with iOS 15+ It can trigger a bug when the left-hand Xiaomi headphone connects as a separate device. → Bluetooth, find the headphone in the list, press the "i" next to the name and select "Forget this device." Then plug the headphones back in.

4. Software failures: firmware, synchronization and codec

If the headphones are connected, but the sound is only in one, the problem may be related to:

• 🔄 Dissynchronization of headphones (they can not see each other).
• 🎵 Incorrect codec (e.g., incorrect codec, SBC instead AAC).
• 📲 Outdated firmware (especially relevant for Redmi Buds 3 Pro and newer).

How to reflash Xiaomi headphones

For some models (AirDots Pro 2, Redmi Buds 4) official firmware updates are available through the Mi Home app or Xiaomi Earbuds.

1. Install the Xiaomi Earbuds app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
3. Open the application, go to the Settings → Firmware update.
4. If a new version is available, click "Update" and wait until it's finished (don't turn off the headphones!).

For models without official support (for example, Haylou GT1) you can use informal firmware, but it is risky - there is a chance to "brick" the device. If you decide, look for firmware only in trusted forums (4PDA, XDA Developers).

Manual synchronization of headphones

If the headphones are connected separately, but do not work in a pair:

1. Get both earphones out of the case.
2. Press and hold the touch panels on both headphones for 5 seconds until you hear the beep.
3. Put the headphones back in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds.
4. Get them out – they should sync automatically (the indicators will flash synchronously).

5. Hardware breakdowns: what can be repaired independently

If all the software methods have been tried and the second headphone still doesn't work, it's the hardware. Let's look at the typical breakdowns and how to fix them.

Frequent hardware malfunctions

Disassembly of the headphone: step-by-step instructions

If you decide to disassemble the headphone, you will need:

• 🔧 Plastic mediator or thin screwdriver.
• 🔥 Fryer (for softening glue).
• 🧲 Tweezers and magnetic substrate (so as not to lose small details).

Procedure:

1. Heat the headphone body with a hairdryer (temperature ~60 ° C) for 30 seconds - this will soften the glue.
2. Carefully put the mediator in the seam between the halves of the body. Start on the side where there are no buttons.
3. Disconnect the battery (it is glued) and check the integrity of the wires.
4. Check the fee for blackened items or detached contacts.

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi headphones often use a sealant glue that emits acrid fumes when heated. Disassemble in a ventilated room and do not inhale vapors!

If you find a wire break, you can solder it back (use a thin solder and a 30W soldering iron). If a Bluetooth module or charging controller is burned, it's cheaper to buy a new headphone - these chips are not repaired.

💡

The most common hardware failure is the separation of the antenna wire from the board. It can be soldered on its own, but it requires experience with microelectronics.

6. Alternative ways to use one headphone

If the second headphone is finally broken and you don't want to buy a new set, you can use the remaining headphone in mono mode.

Android.

1. Connect the working headphone to the phone via Bluetooth.
2. Install the SoundAssistant app from Google Play.
3. Open the application, go to Settings → Mono-audio.
4. Turn on the option "Mono-audio" and select "Left" or "Right" channel depending on which headphone is working.

iPhone.

1. Connect the earphone to the iPhone.
2. Go to Settings → Universal Access → Audiovisual content.
3. Turn on the "monoaudio" option.
4. Set the balance between left and right channel 100% towards the working headphone.

You can also buy a single headphone to replace a broken one. For example, for Xiaomi AirDots, left/right headphones are often sold separately (see model + "single earbud"), the cost is from 500 to 1500 rubles.

7. When to contact the service center

Self-repair is not always justified. Contact the service if:

• 🛠️ Headphones for warranties (even if you disassemble them, some SCs are coming to meet the requirements of the).
• 🔥 On the board, traces of burns or bloated capacitors are visible.
• 🔋 The battery is swelling (it is dangerous!).
• 🎧 The problem repeats after resetting and firmware.

The cost of repair in the official SC Xiaomi:

• Replacement of the battery - from 800 rubles.
• Replacement of the speaker - from 1200 rubles.
• Repair of the fee (solding of contacts) - from 1500 rubles.
• Full replacement of the headphone (if there are no spare parts) - up to 70% of the cost of new ones.

The addresses of official Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service/. Before visiting, check by phone whether they are engaged in headphone repairs - some SCs specialize only in smartphones.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphones that don't work