Why Xiaomi’s One Headphone Doesn’t Charge: A Complete Diagnostics and Repair Guide

Did you put Xiaomi AirDots, Redmi Buds or Mi True Wireless on charge, and an hour later you found that one earphone was still discharged? TWS-In 80 percent of cases, it's a contact problem or a software failure, but sometimes it's a hardware failure. In this article, we will analyze all possible reasons why one Xiaomi headphone does not charge - from banal pollution to the failure of the power controller, and also give step-by-step instructions for repairing with your own hands.

It's important to understand that if the headphone doesn't charge, it doesn't always mean it's completely malfunctioning. Often the problem lies in the case, the cable, or even the smartphone that the headphones are connected to. We've put together a quick diagnostic checklist that can help you identify the root of the problem in 5 minutes. And for complex cases, we've prepared disassembly schemes for the case and headphones with the photo — they will come in handy if you decide to fix the device yourself.

The article is relevant for all models Xiaomi/Redmi TWS-Headphones, including: AirDots (1/2/3/Pro), Redmi Buds (3/4/5 Lite/Pro), Mi True Wireless (2/SE/ES), Xiaomi Buds 4/5 If your model is not on the list, don't worry: 95% solutions are universal for all wireless headphones of the brand.

1. Checking obvious reasons: case, cable, socket

Before you take your headphones apart or bring them to the service, eliminate any external factors that may have caused the problem.

• 🔌 Check the charging cable and adapter. Use the original cable. USB-C Or Micro-USB (depending on the case model) Cheap, uncertified cables may not provide enough current to charge both headphones.
• 📦 Look at the case for physical damage. Cracks, dents, or oxidation marks on the contacts are a sure sign that the problem is in the case, not the headphones.
• 🔄 Reset the case. Remove both earbuds, wait 30 seconds, then put them back. Sometimes that resets the temporary charging controller errors.
• 🔋 Check the charge level of the case. If the indicator on the case does not burn or flashes red, the case itself is discharged and can not charge the headphones.

Pay special attention to the contacts inside the case. Take a flashlight and inspect the metal "peeps" at the bottom of the headphone compartments. They should be clean, without scratching or oxidizing. If you notice green or black spots, this is oxidation that blocks current transmission. Contact oxidation is the most common reason why one Xiaomi earphone does not charge (60 percent of the time).

If the case and cable are good, but the problem remains, move on to the next step. Remember that Xiaomi often releases firmware updates for headphones, which can also affect the charging process.

2. Cleaning contacts: step-by-step instructions with a photo

Contaminated or oxidized contacts are the main reason why one Xiaomi earphone stops charging: Dust, sweat, cosmetics and even ordinary moisture from the air eventually form a film that prevents current transmission, and you need to clean carefully so as not to damage the contact coating.

You will need: Cotton swabs (preferably wooden, without plastic rod), Isopropyl alcohol 90%+ (Or regular vodka as a last resort, soft toothbrush (new, not used), Lastic (for the removal of persistent oxides).

Check contacts on headphones and in the case|Wet the cotton swab in alcohol and gently wipe the contacts|Use an eraser to remove oxides (only for metal contacts)|Blow headphones and case with a hair dryer (cold air) to remove moisture|Wait 10-15 minutes before connecting to charging-->

Step-by-step:

1. Remove the headphones from the case and examine the contacts on both devices. On the headphones they are usually located on the inside of the "legs", and in the case - at the bottom of the compartments.
2. Soak the cotton swab in alcohol and gently wipe the contacts in circular motions. Don't press hard, you risk damaging the coating.
3. For persistent contaminants, use an eraser: slightly rub their contacts, then remove the crumbs with a soft brush.
4. Blow the case and headphones with a hairdryer (at minimum power, cold air) or leave to dry for 10-15 minutes.
5. Check the result: put the headphones in the case and connect it to the charger, if the indicator on the problem headphone flashed red, the cleaning helped.

If you're cleaning the earphone, you don't charge it anyway, try changing the headphones to the case, and sometimes the problem is in the case compartment, not the earphone itself, for example, if the right earphone doesn't charge in the right compartment, but it starts charging in the left, it's the case, not the earphone.

3. Software failures: reset, flashing, update

If the contacts are clean, the case is good, but one Xiaomi earphone still doesn't charge, the problem may be in the software. Wireless headphones have their own firmware, which sometimes crashes. This is especially true for models with support. ANC (active noise reduction) or LDAC (high-resolution codec).

Signs of software failure:

The headphone is on, but not charged in the case.

The indicator on the headphone flashes white/red, but the charge level does not change.

In the mobile application Mi Home or Xiaomi Earphones, a connection error is displayed.

How to reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 10-15 seconds.
3. The indicators on the headphones should flash red and white - this is a signal of reset.
4. Open the case cover and wait until the headphones reset (the indicators will go out and light up again).
5. Connect the headphones to the smartphone again via Bluetooth.

If the reset didn’t help, try updating the firmware through the official app:

For Redmi Buds, Xiaomi Earphones.

- For Mi True Wireless – Mi Home (Devices section» → «Add the device» → «Headphones»).

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If the app doesn’t see the headphones after reset, remove them from the list of conjugated devices in the smartphone’s Bluetooth settings, then reconnect.

In rare cases, the firmware of the headphones can “fly” due to an interrupted update or conflict with the software of the smartphone. If after all the manipulations, the earphone does not charge, but it turns on and plays sound – the problem is most likely in the power controller (this is discussed in the section about hardware breakdowns).

4. Diagnosis of hardware breakdowns: what breaks most often

If neither cleaning nor reset helped, it's a hardware malfunction. TWS-Xiaomi headphones most often fail the following components:

The most common hardware problem is that the contact tracks on the headphone board break, and it's caused by falls, or by a lot of pressing, or by a factory failure, and if you're a soldererer, you can try to reset the tracks with a thin wire.

1. Carefully open the headphone case (use a plastic shoulder blade so as not to scratch the board).
2. Examine the board under the magnifier – look for darkened or ragged tracks near charging contacts.
3. If you find a cliff, get the contacts and solder a thin wire (diameter 0.1-0.2 mm).
4. Check the resistance between the charging contacts and the battery with a multimeter – it should be close to zero.

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If the headphone is not charged and does not turn on, in 90% of cases the battery or power controller is to blame. Replacing the battery costs 3-5 times cheaper than buying new headphones.

Xiaomi headphones can replace the battery with 301230 or 301020 batteries (depending on the model), which can be bought on AliExpress or in radio parts stores.

5. Case problems: how to check and repair

If one earphone is charging and the other is not, but both are working properly on the battery, the problem is most likely in the case.

• 🔌 Contacts in the case compartment - oxidized or bent.
• 🔋 Case battery - loses capacity or swells.
• 🤖 Charging controller – burns due to voltage surges.
• 🔄 Control fee - fails after falling or getting moisture.

How to check the case:

1. Connect the case to the charger and look at the indicator, and if it's not burning, the problem is in the cable, the connector, or the case board.
2. If the right earphone is not charging in the right compartment, but it's charging in the left, it's the bay contacts.
3. Take apart the case (neatly putting the lid on with a plastic card) and look around the board. Look for darkened elements, swollen capacitors or charred tracks.

If the case does not show signs of life, try to “resuscitate” it by connecting it directly to a power source:

- Take it. USB-cable with bare wires (red — +5V, black — GND).

- Connect. +5V the battery of the case, and GND — minus-favorable.

If the indicator caught fire, the problem is in the case charging connector.

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If the case is not charged from the original cable, but is charged from another device (for example, from powerbank), the connector is to blame. USB-C/Micro-USB You can replace it yourself by buying a new connector on AliExpress — 50–100 ruble.).

The bloated case battery is another common reason why one Xiaomi earphone doesn't charge. The battery in the case usually has a capacity of 300-500 mAh and eventually degrades. If the case case case becomes "puffy" or the cover does not close well, the battery needs to be replaced urgently - it can damage the fee.

6. When to contact the service: prices and warranty

If you’ve tried all the ways, but one Xiaomi headphone still doesn’t charge, it’s time to contact the service center. Here are the estimated repair prices (for 2026):

Official service centers Xiaomi in Russia accept headphones under warranty, if:

Less than 12 months have passed since the purchase (for some models – 6 months).

Headphones do not have mechanical damage (cracks, dents, traces of parsing).

The problem is not caused by moisture (no corrosion on the board).

If the warranty is over, repairs to informal services will be cheaper, but there is a risk of running into poor quality work.

- They don't guarantee repairs.

- They don't show the parts that were replaced.

They ask for a “diagnosis” before repair.

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Before visiting the service, take photos of the headphones and case from all sides, and also write down the serial number (usually pasted under the battery of the case), which will help prove that the damage was not caused by you.

If the cost of repair exceeds 50% of the price of new headphones, it makes sense to consider buying a new model. For example, Redmi Buds 5 Pro or Xiaomi Buds 4 cost about 3-4 thousand rubles, and their repair can cost 1.5-20 thousand rubles.

7. Prevention: how to prolong the life of headphones Xiaomi

To avoid future charging problems, follow these rules:

• 🚫 Do not store headphones in wet places (bathroom, kitchen, gym) Humidity accelerates the oxidation of contacts.
• 🔋 Don't discharge your headphones to zero. Charge them when the battery level drops below 20%.
• 🧼 Clean contacts 1 time a month with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
• 🔌 Use the original cable or certified cable USB-C/Micro-USB Quick Charge Supported.
• 📱 Update your firmware through the official Mi Home or Xiaomi Earphones app.

Also avoid:

Headphones fall (even from a small height – this can damage the board).

- Use of headphones at extreme temperatures (below) -10°C or higher +40°C).

Charges from unstable sources (cheap powerbank, car charging without protection).

If you are a sportsman, choose a model with protection. IP54 Or higher (like Redmi Buds 4 Pro or Xiaomi Buds 5) they are less afraid of sweat and moisture.

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The most common reason Xiaomi headphones break is sweat in the charging contacts. After training, wipe the headphones with a dry napkin and leave the case open for 10-15 minutes for ventilation.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions