Xiaomi AirDots right earphone plays quieter than left: causes and solutions

Why is one Xiaomi AirDots headphone quieter than another?

You've turned on your favorite playlist, but instead of the usual stereo sound, you hear that the right headphone Xiaomi AirDots plays noticeably quieter than the left? This problem occurs in owners of both budget Redmi AirDots and flagship Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro. The reasons may lie in smartphone settings, pollution of speakers, battery discharge or even hardware defects. It is important to understand: 80% of cases, uneven volume is eliminated by software methods without repair.

In this article, we'll look at all the scenarios that we can think of, from a simple Bluetooth failure to a wear-and-tear speaker membrane, how to diagnose a problem, what settings to check first, and when to actually bring your headphones to the service center, and for owners of AirDots Pro 2 and later, we'll give you some recommendations based on the features of their firmware.

Before you start repairing, answer two questions: 1. Did the problem suddenly or gradually get worse? 2. Is the difference in volume noticeable only when playing music or also during calls?

1. Checking the sound balance in the smartphone settings

The most common reason for the volume difference is the lost stereo balance in the phone’s settings, which is available on both Android and iOS, but is on different menus. On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, the path to settings may vary depending on the version of MIUI.

To check on Android:

1. Open Settings → Sound.
2. Find left/right speaker balance (can be called Monoaudio or Audiobalance).
3. Move the slider exactly to the middle (value 0).

On iPhone, the path is: Settings → Universal Access → Audiovisual Content → Balance.

If the slider is already in the center, but the problem persists, try to move it to the right, then return it back, sometimes it resets software failures.

Make sure the balance is on 0.|Turn off Monoaudio mode"|Check the equalizer settings|Reboot the smartphone after the changes-->

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (for example, MIUI 12.5 for Redmi Note 10) The audio balance option is hidden. To see it, turn on Developer Mode and activate Bluetooth Debugging in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times).

2. reset Bluetooth settings and re-pair

If the sound balance is fine, but the right-hand headphone Xiaomi AirDots is still playing quieter, the problem may be a faulty Bluetooth connection. Especially often after updating the phone's firmware or headphones. Try a full reset connection:

Instructions for Android:

1. Forget the device: Settings → Bluetooth → Xiaomi Headphones → Forget.
2. Turn off Bluetooth for 30 seconds.
3. Turn on the pairing mode on the headphones (press the button on the body for 5-7 seconds before the white indicator flashes).
4. Connect again via the Bluetooth menu.

On iPhone, further clear the Bluetooth cache: Settings → Main → Reset → Reset network settings.

Once you reconnect, check the volume on the different tracks. If the difference persists, proceed to the next step.

💡

Before resetting Bluetooth, write down MAC-Headphone address (printed on the box or in the device settings) After reconnecting, make sure that the smartphone connects to your AirDots, and not to someone else's headphones with the same name.

3. Cleaning speakers and headphone mesh

Contamination of speakers is the second most common reason why one Xiaomi AirDots earphone has become quieter: Dust, earwax or moisture can clog the protective mesh, reducing the volume. Cleaning requires care to avoid damaging the membrane.

What you need:

• 🧻 Cotton swab (dry or slightly moistened with alcohol)
• 🪄 Toothpick with soft end (wrap with cotton cotton cotton)
• 💨 Compressed air container (optional)
• 🔍 Lupa (to see small particles)

Step-by-step cleaning:

1. Carefully scroll the speaker with a cotton swab along the grid without pressing.

⚠️ Warning: Never use needles, pins or sharp objects, they break through the speaker membrane! If after cleaning the sound became even quieter or there was a wheezing, then you damaged the speaker.

4. Check the battery charge in each headphone

In Xiaomi AirDots (especially in models before AirDots Pro 2), the batteries in the left and right earbuds discharge unevenly. If the right earbud goes down faster, its volume automatically decreases to save energy.

Methods of verification:

• 📱 Through the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app (shows the charge of each headphone separately).
• 🔋 On the indicator on the case: put the headphones in the case and see how the LEDs flash (in AirDots 3 Pro, the color of the indicator changes depending on the level of charge).
• 🎧 By sound signal: at low charge, the earphone emits a double squeak.

If the right earphone discharges faster:

1. Completely discharge both headphones (before switching off).
2. Charge at least 2 hours in the case (even if the indicator shows 100%).
3. Repeat the discharge/charging cycle 2-3 times to calibrate the batteries.

5. Update to the headphone firmware

Xiaomi AirDots firmware affects audio processing, volume balance and even battery life. If you haven't updated your headphones in a long time, a malfunction in the firmware could have caused a volume difference.The update is available through the official Xiaomi Wear app (for Android) or Mi Home.

How to update firmware:

1. Install the latest version of the Xiaomi Wear app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Put the headphones on the phone.
3. Open the app, go to My devices → Headphones → Settings → Firmware update.
4. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off the headphones!).

After the update, reset the headphone settings:

1. Put the headphones in the case.
2. Press the button on the case for 10-15 seconds before the red indicator flashes.
3. Put it back on the phone.

💡

Updating the firmware solves the volume difference problem in 30% of cases, especially for AirDots Pro 2 and later. If the sound gets worse after the update, roll back the firmware through the application (if the previous version is available).

6. Diagnostics of hardware malfunctions

If all software methods have been tried, but the right-hand headphone Xiaomi AirDots still plays quieter, the problem is likely hardware.

Typical hardware defects:

• 🔊 Damage to the speaker: in addition to a quiet sound, wheezing or distortions are heard.
• 🔋 Battery wear: right earphone discharges in 1-2 hours, although it used to last longer.
• 📶 Bluetooth antenna problems: the sound is interrupted, the earphone turns off on its own.
• 🛠️ Oxidation of contacts: the problem appears after moisture is injected (for example, after rain or sweating).

How to check:

1. Visual inspection: disassemble the headphone (carefully!) and inspect the charge for burnt items.

⚠️ Attention: Disassembly of headphones Xiaomi AirDots deprives of warranty! If the device is warranty, contact the service center Xiaomi with a check. The cost of repairing the speaker in informal workshops - from 800 to 1500 rubles.

Alternative solutions and interim measures

If repairs are delayed and headphones need to be used now, try these temporary measures:

Ways to compensate for the difference in volume:

• 🎛️ Equalizer setting: in the appendix-pleer (for example, a poweramp or AIMP) Increase the low and medium frequencies for the right channel.

For models Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro and AirDots Pro 2 has a proprietary function Adaptive sound in the application Xiaomi Wear. Activate it – the system will automatically adjust the balance to your ear.

💡

If you use headphones to make calls and callers complain that they can't hear your voice well, the problem may be in the microphone on the right earphone. Check it by calling another phone and comparing the volume of the recording.

FAQ: Frequent questions about volume difference in Xiaomi AirDots