You took out the Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones, turned on the music, and you found that the sound comes from only one headphone? TWS-Xiaomi headphones, and it occurs on both old models (Mi True Wireless Earphones Basic, Mi AirDots) and new ones (Mi True Wireless Earphones 3, Redmi Buds 4). In 80% of cases, the malfunction is solved independently, but for this you need to accurately determine its cause.
In this article, we'll look at all possible scenarios, from a simple battery discharge to hardware breakdowns, how to diagnose a problem by the behavior of indicators, what settings you should check on your smartphone, and when it's time to bring your headphones to the service, and also a unique lifehack with forced reset of a pair through the Bluetooth engineering menu, which is not written even in the official instructions of Xiaomi.
1. Checking the underlying causes: battery, connection, physical damage
Start with the obvious. Most of the time, one Mi True Wireless headphone doesn't work for trivial reasons that can be eliminated in 1-2 minutes.
☑️ Quick diagnostics of headphones Xiaomi
Pay special attention to charge indicators. On Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 and later, when the charge is low, one of the headphones can automatically turn off to save energy. If the indicator flashes red, this is a discharge signal. On older versions (for example, Mi AirDots Youth Edition), there may be no indication at all, so try to hold the headphones in the case for 10-15 minutes, even if there is an apparent charge.
Don't ignore physical examination. Moisture (even after a workout condensation) or clogged earbuds can block the microphone or speaker. Wipe your headphones with a dry wipe and check if the holes are clogged. On models with IPX4 (splash protection), blowing a hairdryer at minimum power - but only with cold air helps!
⚠️ Warning: If the headphone shows signs of corrosion on the contacts (green or white), do not try to clean them with alcohol or a needle. This can damage the board.
2. Resetting headphone settings: step-by-step instructions
If the basic check didn't work, the next step is to force the pair to reset, which removes all the stored connection settings and returns the headphones to factory status, and the instructions vary depending on the model.
| Model headphones | Resetting method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mi True Wireless Earphones Basic, Mi AirDots | Press and hold the button on both headphones for 15 seconds until the indicators start flashing red/white. | The button can be touch-sensitive (touch 3 times in a row) |
| Mi True Wireless Earphones 2, Redmi Buds 3 | Put the headphones in the case, then hold the button on the case for 10 seconds (the indicator flashes orange) | After resetting, the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode. |
| Mi True Wireless Earphones 3, Redmi Buds 4 | Tap the touchpad on each earphone three times for 5 seconds | The latest version of the firmware is required |
Once reset, the headphones will disappear from the list of conjugated devices in the smartphone, and you will need to reconnect them:
- Open the Settings. → Bluetooth on your phone.
- Hold the button on the case (or tap the sensor on the headphones) until the Mi True Wireless appears in the list of available devices.
- Select headphones and confirm the pairing.
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If the headphones don't appear on the Bluetooth list, try connecting them to another device (tablet, laptop), sometimes because of the cache of the Bluetooth module of the smartphone.
3. Bluetooth problems on a smartphone: how to fix
In 30 percent of cases, it's not the earphone itself that's to blame, but the Bluetooth module on the phone that's not working properly, and this is especially true for MIUI devices, where there's a lot of conflict with audio profiles.
- 📱 Clear the Bluetooth cache: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Systemic → Bluetooth, click Clear cache and Reset settings.
- 🔄 Restart your phone in Safe Mode: Press the power button, select Safe Mode Reboot, and if your headphones are running, the problem is in a third-party app (usually the sound managers or optimizers are to blame).
- 📲 Update the firmware: in MIUI Bluetooth bugs are often patched. Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
- 🔌 Check codec compatibility: in Bluetooth settings (near the headphone name), select Sound Settings → Codec and install. SBC instead AAC or.
If you are using Xiaomi or Redmi with MIUI 12+, Try to disable the dual Bluetooth connection function (located in Settings) → Connections → Bluetooth → This option sometimes conflicts with TWS-headphones, making them work only in mono mode.
4. Software glitches and firmware: when to update headphones
Few people know, but Xiaomi Mi True Wireless has its own firmware that can be updated. The outdated version of the software can cause problems with synchronizing headphones with each other. You can check and update the firmware through the official Mi Home app (only for models with Mi AIoT support) or Airoha Upgrade Tool (for headphones on an Airoha chip).
Instructions for Airoha Upgrade Tool:
- Download the utility from the official website (Support → Download section).
- Connect the headphones to your PC via Bluetooth (use Bluetooth 5.0+ adapter).
- Launch the Airoha Upgrade Tool, select the headphone model and click Check Update.
- If new firmware is available, follow the instructions on the screen. Don't turn off the headphones during the process!
Updating the firmware helps in cases where:
- 🔊 One earphone is connected, but the sound comes only from the left/right.
- 🎵 Music interrupted or interrupted.
- 🔋 The battery of one of the headphones is quickly discharged.
What do I do if the firmware is off?
5. Hardware malfunctions: when without service can not do
If all the software methods have been tried and the second earphone is still silent, the problem is probably hardware.
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Can I fix it? |
|---|---|---|
| The headphone does not turn on, the indicator does not burn. | Power chain break, battery damage | Yes (battery replacement or soldering) |
| The earphone is plugged in, but there's no sound. | The speaker or audio track is damaged | Yeah (replacement speaker) |
| The headphone flashes red/blue but does not connect to the pair | Bluetooth controller failure | Sometimes (flashing or replacing the chip) |
| There is a sound, but very quiet or with interference | Oxidation of contacts, ingress of moisture | Yeah (cleaning, antenna replacement) |
Average cost of repairs in service centers:
- 🔧 Battery replacement: 800–1,500 ₽.
- 🔊 Dynamic replacement: 1,000–2,000 ₽.
- 📡 Repair of Bluetooth module: 1,500–3,000 ₽.
- 🔄 Full Firmware Reflash: 500–1000 ₽.
⚠️ Note: If headphones are warranty, do not open them yourself! Xiaomi will cancel the warranty in case of violation of seals.
6. Alternative ways of connecting: if nothing helps
If standard methods don’t work, try atypical solutions that sometimes save you in desperate situations:
- 📡 Connecting via a different protocol: Some Mi True Wireless models support Bluetooth LE Audio (e.g. Mi True Wireless Earphones 3) Try enabling this mode in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → Laboratory → LE Audio).
- 🔄 Forced Reconnect: Disconnect the headphones from all devices, then connect them to Windows PC In Device Manager, remove the Mi True Wireless driver and restart the PC. Then try reconnecting the headphones.
- 🎧 Mono mode: some models can force the mono mode to be activated separately for each earpiece. To do this, hold the touchpad on the non-functioning earpiece for 10 seconds (until the indicator blinks.
If you have Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 or later, try using Xiaomi Earphones’ branded app (available on Google Play and AppGallery), which has a hidden option called Reset Network that resets the network settings of your headphones without completely resetting:
- Open the app and connect the headphones.
- Go to Settings → Additional → Network Reset.
- Confirm the action and restart the headphones.
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Before selling or transferring your headphones to another person, always reset completely through the button on the case, which will delete all data about previous connections and prevent conflicts.
7. How to avoid problems in the future: prevention
To avoid running into a broken headphone again, follow these rules:
- 🔋 Charge your headphones correctly: don't leave them in your case for more than 24 hours (this shortens battery life). USB-C or certified Qi charger for wireless charging.
- 🧼 Clean contacts: once a month wipe the magnetic contacts on headphones and in the case with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol (at least 90%).
- 📱 Update the software: keep an eye on the firmware updates on your headphones and your smartphone. MIUI Turn on automatic update check for accessories (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings → Auto-update accessories).
- 🏠 Store correctly: Do not leave your headphones in direct sunlight or in areas with high humidity (bathroom, kitchen: +10…+25°C.
If you’re using headphones extensively during exercise, consider buying a silica gel protective case that absorbs moisture and prevents contact corrosion. The Mi True Wireless Earphones 3 and Redmi Buds 4 will fit the Xiaomi Mi Portable Anti-Lost Case case, which not only protects against moisture, but also prevents headphone loss thanks to the built-in alarm clock.