Why Xiaomi Earbuds Basic doesn’t work: A complete guide to diagnostics and repair

You took out your Xiaomi Earbuds Basic headphones, turned on your favorite playlist, but the sound comes from only one headphone? TWS-In 70% of cases, you can fix the malfunction yourself in 5-15 minutes without going to the service center, but first you need to determine the cause, from the banal discharge of the battery to the hardware damage to the speaker.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons why one Xiaomi Earbuds Basic headphone doesn’t work, from software failures to physical breakdowns. You’ll learn how to diagnose with your smartphone, what settings to check first, and when it’s time to carry your headphones for repair. And for those who like specific instructions, we’ve prepared step-by-step checklists and a spreadsheet with typical malfunction symptoms.

Important: If the headphones are still warranty (usually 12 months from the date of purchase), do not disassemble them yourself, this will void the warranty obligations.

1. Checking the underlying causes: battery, connection, contamination

Start with the simplest of things -- often the problem is the little things that users don't pay attention to. Here are three key things to check first:

• 🔋 Charge the headphone battery and the case. Even if the indicator on the case is green, it does not guarantee that both earphones are charged. Try to put them in the case for 10-15 minutes, then pull out and check the sound. If one earphone is discharged more strongly, it may not automatically turn on.
• 🔗 Bluetooth connection stability: Sometimes one of the headphones will be forgotten after updating the firmware or crashing. Reconnect the device manually (instructions in the next section).
• 🧹 Contamination speaker or contacts. Dust, earwax or moisture can block sound. Examine the speaker grille for blockages - clean gently with a soft brush if necessary (for example, for makeup).

If you're still silent after this manipulation, move on to a deeper diagnosis, and in the meantime, a little survey to help us improve this article:

Pay attention to the indicators on the headphones when removing from the case:

• ⚫ Does not burn at all - the battery is discharged or defective.

⚠️ Note: If the indicator on the non-functioning headphone is on orange, it means that it is in reset mode. In this case, it must be manually reconnected to the smartphone (see section 3).

2. Software failures: resetting and reconnection

Most often, one earbud stops working because of a software conflict between the headphones or the smartphone, which can happen after:

• 📱 Updates to the firmware of the smartphone (especially on the MIUI 13/14 Android 12+).
• 🔄 Automatic update of headphones (if supported).
• 🔌 Connections to another device (laptop, tablet).
• ⚡ Disconnect Bluetooth during operation.

In these cases, resetting the headphones and re-pairing helps. Here's a step-by-step instruction:

Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.|Pull them out and hold the buttons on both headphones for 10-15 seconds (until orange blinking)|Remove the device from the list of conjugates in Bluetooth settings|Reboot your smartphone|Reconnect your headphones as a new device-->

If the reset didn’t help, try forced reconnecting through the developer menu (for advanced users):

1. Activate Developer Mode on your smartphone (7 times click on Version) MIUI phone-setting).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers → Bluetooth settings.
3. Turn on the option. AVRCP Version 1.6 and turn off the absolute volume.
4. Reboot your phone and reconnect your headphones.

On some firmware MIUI There's a bug that defines headphones as a media device instead of a phone or media:

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ near Earbuds Basic.
3. Select a Device Profile → Telephone and media.

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If after resetting the headphones are connected separately (as two different devices), try first to connect a working earphone, and then take out the second of the case - it should automatically join.

3. Hardware malfunctions: what can be repaired independently

If the software methods didn't work, the problem is probably hardware. Xiaomi Earbuds Basic most often fails:

Let’s discuss the most common hardware problems and ways to fix them:

Oxidation of contacts in the case

If one earphone is not charged in the case, the cause may be oxidation or contamination of the contact areas, this is especially true if you store the headphones in a wet room or use them often during training.

To clean the contacts:

1. Take out the headphones from the case and inspect the metal pads on the headphone case and inside the case.
2. Wet the cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol (90%+) or liquids for cleaning contacts.
3. Gently wipe the contacts, then let them dry for 10-15 minutes.
4. Check if the charge has started (the indicator should light up red).

⚠️ Warning: Do not use acetone, vodka or other aggressive liquids to clean, as they can damage plastic. Also avoid mechanical stress (knife, needle) so as not to scratch the contacts.

Wire break in the earphone loop

Xiaomi Earbuds Basic has a weak spot – thin wires in the loop that connect the speaker to the control board. With frequent bending (for example, when the headphones are in your pocket), the wires can be rubbed.

It's easy to check it out:

• Carefully bend the headphone loop in different directions.
• If the sound appears/disappears when bending, it is 100% a wire break.

For temporary repairs:

1. Disassemble the headphone (carefully tuck the latches with a plastic card).
2. Find the cliff spot (usually at the base of the loop).
3. Clean and solder the wire back (need a soldering iron for 20-30 watts and solder).
4. Seal the soldering area with heat glue for fixation.

Moisture intrusion

Although Earbuds Basic have protection IPX4 (They're not designed to swim or use in the rain. If the earphone gets wet, act fast:

Turn off the headphone immediately (hold the 5-second button)|Wet the moisture with a napkin (do not rub it!)|Place the headphone in a dry, warm place (such as next to the battery) for 12 to 24 hours.|Do not use a hair dryer or microwave!|After drying, check the work-->

If the earphone didn't work after drying, it's likely that the contacts on the board have oxidized, and in this case, only a complete dismantling and cleaning with alcohol will help.

4. Diagnostics via the Mi Home app (if supported)

Not everyone knows, but Xiaomi Earbuds Basic (depending on version) can be partially supported by the official Mi Home app. Although it does not have the advanced settings for AirDots Pro, it will help:

• 📊 Check the charge level of each headphone separately.
• 🔄 Update the firmware (if available for your model).
• 🔍 See the connection status (for example, if one headphone is disconnected).

How to connect headphones to Mi Home:

1. Download the app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account.
3. Click Add Add the device (+) → Headphones → Xiaomi Earbuds Basic.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (you need to hold the button on the headphones).

If the app shows an error The device is not responding to one of the headphones, it confirms a hardware malfunction.

• Try to reset the headphones (section 2).
• Check the contacts in the case (section 3.1).
• If nothing helps, contact the service.

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The Mi Home app doesn’t support all versions of Earbuds Basic. If your model isn’t defined, use the standard Bluetooth settings on your smartphone.

5. When it's time to bring to the service: signs of serious breakdowns

If you’ve tried all the methods in this article, but one earphone still doesn’t work, chances are the problem needs professional repair. Here are 5 signs that headphones need to be brought to the service:

• 🔊 Complete silence even after resetting and cleaning (probably break the dynamics).
• 🔥 Only the red indicator burns, charging does not go (battery or power controller is defective).
• 💥 Crackling or wheezing during reproduction (damaged membrane speaker).
• 🔌 The earphone is defined as an "Unknown device" (firmware failure).
• 🔄 Unintentional shutdowns every 1-2 minutes (Bluetooth antenna problem).

Cost of repair in unofficial services:

Before you give the headphones for repair, check:

• 📄 Availability of a warranty card (if the deadline has not expired, repair is free of charge).
• 🏷️ Serial number on the box and headphones (must match).
• 📱 Check or confirmation of purchase (for warranty service).

⚠️ Note: Official Xiaomi service centers may refuse repairs if the headphones have autopsy marks or mechanical damage (for example, cracks in the body).

6.Alternative solutions: what to do while the headphone is in repair

If you need headphones urgently and the repair will take several days, here are 3 temporary solutions:

• 🎧 Use one working earpiece. In the Bluetooth settings of some smartphones, you can select Mono mode:

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Sound settings.
2. Turn on the Mono-audio option.
3. Now the sound will be duplicated in both headphones (if the second is connected).

• 🔊 Connect wired headphones through an adapter USB-C → 3.5mm if your smartphone supports).
• 📱 Use the phone speaker with an equalizer setting (such as in the Wavelet app) to improve sound.

If you decide to buy new headphones, pay attention to models with better reliability:

• 🏆 Xiaomi AirDots 3 Pro - improved version with the ANC protection IP54.
• 💰 Redmi Buds 4 is a budget alternative with good autonomy.
• 🎵 Haylou GT7 — price, but with better build.

7.Prevention: How to prolong the life of Xiaomi Earbuds Basic

To avoid problems in the future, follow these 5 rules of care:

• 🔋 Charge your headphones regularly. Don't leave them dead for long periods, which shortens battery life. Optimal: charge at 20 to 30%.
• 🧼 Clean your headphones 1 time per week. Use a soft brush or cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Don't let earwax build up on the speaker grid.
• 🌡️ Avoid extreme temperatures. Do not leave your headphones in the sun (such as in a car in the summer) or in the cold (below). -10°C).
• 💧 Dry after sweating. If you exercise, wipe your headphones with a dry napkin after exercise.
• 📦 Keep it in your case. Don't even leave your headphones scattered at home, because it protects them from dust and mechanical damage.

We also recommend turning off automatic firmware updates for headphones (if available in Mi Home). Often new versions of the software contain bugs that can cause one earphone to stop working.

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The average lifespan of Xiaomi Earbuds Basic, if properly maintained, is 1.5-2 years, and then the battery or speaker usually fails.

FAQ: Frequent questions about a broken headphone