Xiaomi AirDots not included: all the reasons and methods of repair

Xiaomi AirDots wireless headphones (including Redmi AirDots, AirDots Pro, AirDots 3, and AirDots Youth Edition) have become some of the most popular accessories thanks to a combination of price and quality. However, even proven gadgets have crashes — and the most common of them: headphones suddenly stop turning on. The situation is familiar? One or both headphones don't respond to the power button, the indicators don't burn, and the smartphone doesn't see the device on the list of available for connection.

80 percent of the time, the problem is solved without going to the service center — just a few simple steps are enough. But it's important to understand that the reasons can be both software (firmware failure, pairing error) and hardware (battery discharge, contact damage). In this article, we'll look at all the possible scenarios why Xiaomi AirDots don't turn on, from the trivial to the rare, and give step-by-step instructions for restoration. For convenience, we've collected data on all generations of headphones (2019-2026) and took into account the features of their firmware.

1.Discharged battery is the most obvious cause

The first thing you need to check is the charge level of the headphones and the case, and even if you're sure you've charged the device, there's a possibility that the power controller might malfunction.

• 🔋 Case indicator: when connected to a charger, a red/orange LED should light up. If it does not burn, the case is discharged or defective.
• 🎧 Headphone indicators: when removed from the case, flash white (if charged) or red (discharged.
• ⚡ Charging Check: Try another cable and power supply (preferably original or Quick Charge 3.0-enabled).

If the headphones were left unused for a long time (more than 3 months), their battery could go into a deep discharge state, in which case standard charging may not help - you need to "wake up" the power controller:

Place the headphones in the case and connect to charging for 30 minutes |Remove the headphones and hold the power button for 15-20 seconds |Recharge for another 1 hour |Try to turn the headphones on again

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Attention! If the lights never caught fire after this manipulation, the problem may be a malfunction of the battery or the charge controller, such as disassembling the headphones or replacing the battery.

Failure to pair with the device

Often, Xiaomi AirDots headphones are not turned on due to errors in the process of connecting to a smartphone or other sound source.

• 📱 Updates to the firmware of the smartphone (especially on the MIUI 14+ Android 13+).
• 🔄 Resetting phone or headphone settings.
• 🚫 Connecting to another device (for example, a laptop or tablet).

To correct the situation, perform a forced reset of headphone settings:

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and hold the buttons on both headphones for 10-15 seconds (until double blinking in red and white).
3. Remove the headphones – they should automatically go into pairing mode (blinking white LED).
4. On your smartphone, remove the device from the list of conjugates (Settings → Bluetooth) and connect again.

If one of the headphones does not blink after reset, the problem may be different firmware on the left and right earphones, this is true for AirDots 3 Pro and newer models, where updates are installed separately on each earpiece.

Smartphone updates |Connections to another device |Prolonged inactivity |Fall or mechanical damage |I don't know

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Mechanical damage and moisture

Xiaomi AirDots design does not provide full protection from water (even models labeled IPX4), so moisture or impacts can cause the headphones to fail.

• 💧 Corrosion on contacts (green plaque inside the case or on the "legs" of headphones).
• 🔊 Crack or no sound in one of the headphones when turned on.
• 🔋 Case does not charge the headphones (the indicator is burning, but the charge does not arrive).

If your headphones fall or come into contact with water, follow these steps:

1. Dry your headphones for 24 to 48 hours in a dry place (do not use a hair dryer or heater!).
2. Clean the contacts with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol (at least 90%).
3. Check the case: if the charging indicator flashes red when connecting to the network, the power controller is likely damaged.

Attention! If the earphones are turned on after drying, but the sound is distorted or disappears after a few minutes, this is a sign of oxidation of the internal contacts of the microphone or speaker, in which case professional cleaning or replacement of components will be required.

4. Problems with headphone firmware

Xiaomi AirDots headphones are powered by its own firmware, which sometimes crashes, especially after automatic updates.

• 🔄 The headphones are turned on but immediately switched off.
• 🎵 The sound is interrupted or distorted.
• 📵 One headphone does not connect to another (no synchronization).

For models AirDots 3/Pro and later available forced firmware update through the official application Mi Home or Xiaomi Earbuds.

1. Install the app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Connect the headphones to the smartphone and open the Devices section → Headphones → Software update.
3. If a new version is available, follow the update process – do not turn off Bluetooth and do not close the case cover.

For older models (AirDots Basic, AirDots Youth) there are no official update tools, in which case only a complete reset (described in section 2) or a flashing through ADB (requires skills with Android tools) will help.

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5. Failure of the power or contact button

If the headphones do not respond to the press of the button, the problem may be:

• 🔘 Sticking or breaking a button (often after falling).
• 🔌 Oxidation of contacts between button and board.
• 🛠️ The plume break (relevant for touch-controlled models, such as AirDots 3 Pro).

For diagnosis:

1. Light a flashlight on the button – if it is sunk or skewed, the mechanism is damaged.
2. Try to press the button gently with a toothpick (no effort!) If the earphone is on, the problem is in the mechanical part of the button.
3. If the button is pressed, but there is no reaction, most likely, the contact on the board has left - disassembly and soldering will be required.

Attention! Disassembling headphones Xiaomi AirDots requires care: the body is glued together, and inside there are fragile plumes. If you are not sure of your skills, you better contact the service. ₽ (2026.).

6. Case problems: does not charge headphones

The case is not only a storage case, but also a charging station, and if it's faulty, the headphones won't be able to charge and turn on.

• 🔌 The case does not charge from the network (the indicator does not burn).
• 🔋 Headphones do not charge in the case (indicators on headphones do not blink when placed in the case).
• 💥 The case heats up strongly when charging.

What to do:

1. Check the cable and power supply: Use the original USB-C cable (for newer models) or Micro-USB (for older ones).
2. Clean the contacts in the case with a cotton swab with alcohol.
3. Reset the case: place the headphones inside, connect the case to the charger and hold the button on the case (if any) for 10 seconds.
4. If the case still does not work, check the voltage at the output with a multimeter (should be 5V ± 0.2V).

In most cases, the case is repairable, easier to disassemble than headphones, and the average cost of replacing a charge controller in the service is 1,000-1,300. ₽.

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7. Conflict with other Bluetooth devices

Sometimes Xiaomi AirDots is not enabled due to conflicts with other wireless devices in the range of Bluetooth.

• 📱 You connected headphones to several devices (smartphone, laptop, Smart). TV).
• 🎮 Nearby work other Bluetooth-gadgets (game controllers, fitness bracelets, speakers).
• 🚗 You are in a car with a multimedia system that automatically connects to headphones.

Decision:

1. Turn off Bluetooth on all devices except the one you want to connect to.
2. In the smartphone settings, delete all saved Bluetooth devices called Mi AirDots, Redmi Buds or the like.
3. Reset your headphones (as in Section 2) and connect again.
4. If the problem recurs, turn off the Auto Connection function in Bluetooth settings on your smartphone.

For AirDots 3 Pro and later, the “Priority Device” feature is available in the Xiaomi Earbuds app. It allows you to specify the main device to connect, ignoring the others.

8.When to contact the service center

If all of these methods have not worked, it is likely a hardware problem.

• 🔥 Headphones or case have visible traces of burning or melted plastic.
• 🔊 One of the headphones is not fully turned on, and the second is working normally.
• 🔋 The headphone battery swelled (seems by the deformation of the body).
• 🛠️ After disassembly, departed contacts or chips on the board were found.

Xiaomi’s official service centers in Russia (2026) offer the following types of repairs:

Before visiting the service, save a check or a warranty card - even if the warranty has expired, some centers offer a discount for repairs if you have documents, and check whether the Xiaomi Care program (extended warranty) is valid if you bought headphones in official stores.

FAQ: Frequent questions about AirDots malfunctions