Xiaomi Bluetooth headphone does not turn on: 7 working ways to solve the problem

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular on the market due to the ratio of price to quality. However, even reliable equipment sometimes fails: one or both earphones stop turning on, do not respond to buttons, do not charge in a case or refuse to connect to the phone. If your Xiaomi earphone does not turn on, do not rush to carry it to the service center, in 80% of cases, the problem can be solved yourself.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons why Xiaomi’s wireless headphone doesn’t work (including Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earbuds, FlipBuds, Buds 3/4 Pro, and more), and give you step-by-step diagnostic and repair instructions. From simple actions like resetting to disassembling the device, you’ll find a solution even for complex cases.

1. Primary diagnosis: check the obvious

Before you take your headphones apart or carry them to the shop, make sure that the problem isn’t just basic things. Often users overlook the simple things that keep the Xiaomi headphone from turning on:

• 🔋 Case charge and headphones. Even if the indicator on the case is on, it doesn't mean that the headphones are charged. Try plugging the case into a charge for 10 to 15 minutes, then check the reaction of the headphones.
• 🔌 Cable and socket quality. Use the original cable USB-C (for newer models) or Micro-USB (for older ones). Check if the socket in the case is wobbling, which is a sign of wear.
• 📱 Bluetooth status on the phone. Sometimes the problem isn't with the headphones, it's with the smartphone. Reboot the phone and turn Bluetooth on/off in the settings.
• 🎧 Physical damage. Check your headphones for moisture, corrosion on your contacts, or cracks after a fall. If your earphone falls into the water, don't turn it on -- dry it in rice or silica gel for at least 24 hours.

If after checking all the items, the headphone still does not show signs of life, move to the next section. If it is turned on, but does not connect to the phone, the problem may be in the reset of the pair (we will discuss this below).

2.Reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings

One of the most effective ways to bring headphones back to life is hard reset, which clears all connection settings and returns the device to a boxy state, with different instructions depending on the model:

For the Redmi AirDots (1/2/3 generation) and Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (usually side or back) for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Open the case cover - the headphones should automatically reboot.

For FlipBuds Pro, Buds 3/4 Pro and others with touch control:

1. Remove the headphones from the case.
2. Press the touch panels on both headphones simultaneously for 10-15 seconds until you hear a beep or see the flashing of indicators.
3. Put the headphones back in the case and wait for the reboot (the indicator on the case should blink).

After reset, Xiaomi headphones should appear on the list of available Bluetooth devices on the phone as a new device. If the reset did not help, the problem may be in the firmware or hardware.

3. charging problems: why the headphone doesn't charge in the case

If one or both Xiaomi headphones are not charging in the case, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔌 Contact oxidation. Over time, metal contacts (both headphones and case files) will produce plaque that prevents charging, and clean them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
• 🔋 Battery wear: If the headphones are older than 2-3 years, their battery may have degraded, check how much they hold after full charge (normal for 3-5 hours of playback).
• 🔄 Power controller malfunction. If the case is charging but it's not giving the headphones a charge, the problem could be the power control chip. It needs repair.
• 📉 Software glitch: Sometimes the headphones freeze and don't get recognized by the case, and reset (described in the previous section) will help.

To check if the headphones are charging, pay attention to the indicators:

• 🟢 Green/white – the headphone is charged.
• 🟡 Yellow/orange — charging.
• 🔴 Red - discharged or error.
• 🔴🔴 Flashing red: critically low charge or malfunction.

If the headphone is still not charging after cleaning the contacts and resetting, try connecting the case to another charger (for example, from a phone) or check it with a USB- tester (should show the current 5V/0.5-1A).

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If Xiaomi headphones are running too fast, try calibrating the battery: fully discharge them before turning them off, then charge to 100% without interruptions. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times.

4. Software failures: firmware update and synchronization

Xiaomi's headphones are powered by its own firmware, which can sometimes crash. If the headphone doesn't turn on but charges (the indicator is on), the problem may be software. Here's what you can do:

Update the firmware through the Mi Home app:

1. Install the Mi Home app (available for Android and iOS).
2. Connect your headphones to your phone (if they react in any way).
3. In the application, go to the Profile section → Settings → Update of the firmware.
4. If you have an update, install it. Don't interrupt the process.

Manual synchronization of headphones (if one is not connected):

If one earphone is working and the other is not, they need to be resynchronized:

1. Put both earphones in the case.
2. Remove only the working headphone and wait 5 seconds.
3. Get the second headphone – they should automatically synchronize (indicators blink synchronously).
4. If synchronization does not occur, reset (section 2).

If the firmware is damaged (for example, after an interrupted update), the headphones may stop turning on altogether, in which case only flashing through a service center or specialized equipment will help.

5. Hardware malfunctions: when repairs are needed

If all software methods have been tried, but the Xiaomi headphone still doesn’t turn on, the problem is likely hardware.

If you decide to disassemble the headphone yourself, remember:

⚠️ Attention! Xiaomi headphones use adhesives and brittle plumes inside them. Sloppy disassembly can cause you to fail completely. If you're not sure about your skills, you better contact the service.

To replace the battery or speaker, you will need:

• 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (including T4 and T5).
• 🧲 A suction cup for removing the lid (or plastic card).
• 🔥 A dryer for softening adhesive (temperature not higher than 60 °C!).
• 🔋 New battery (e.g., the 3.7V 40mAh battery is suitable for Redmi AirDots 2).

There are plenty of videos on YouTube that show specific models being disassembled (e.g., search for "Xiaomi Redmi AirDots 3 disassembly"). But remember, self-repairing removes the warranty (if it's still valid).

6. Recovery after moisture is injected

Xiaomi headphones (except for models with IPX4/IPX5) are not intended for use in the rain or in the bathroom. If the headphone gets into the water and then stopped turning on, follow this instruction:

1. Turn off the headphone immediately (if it still works) and remove it from the case.
2. Dry external moisture with a napkin or cloth without pressing the buttons.
3. Place the earpiece in a container of silica gel (packages of shoe boxes) or unpeeled rice for 24 to 48 hours.
4. Don't use a hair dryer or heat! This can melt the internal components.
5. After drying, try turning on the earphone. If it doesn't work, disassemble it and check for corrosion.

Signs that the headphone can not be restored after water:

• 🔋 The battery is swelling or leaking.
• 🔥 Black spots (short circuit signs) are visible on the board.
• 💧 A liquid has accumulated under the speaker or microphone.

⚠️ Warning! If the Xiaomi earphone is turned on after water, but it is unstable (it turns off itself, distorts the sound), do not use it - this can damage the phone via Bluetooth!

7. Alternative ways of connecting if the headphone is not turned on

If the Xiaomi headphone doesn’t respond to buttons, but you’re sure it’s charged, try these methods:

Connect via the Mi Home app (for some models):

Some headphones (for example, FlipBuds Pro) can be "wake up" through the official application:

1. Open Mi Home and go to Devices → Add Device.
2. Choose your headphone model.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen – sometimes the app can send a command to turn on.

Use of the second headphone for synchronization:

If one earpiece is working and the other isn’t, try:

1. Connect the working headphone to the phone.
2. Put the non-working earphone in the case for 10 seconds, then take it out.
3. On a working headphone, press the touchpad for 5 seconds - sometimes this causes the second headphone to turn on.

Connection to another device:

Sometimes Xiaomi headphones refuse to connect to one phone but work with another.

• 📱 Another smartphone (Android/iOS).
• 💻 Laptop or PC with Bluetooth.
• 🎮 Game console (PS5, Nintendo Switch).

If the earphone is connected to another device, the problem may be in the Bluetooth cache on your phone.

On Android: Settings → Apps → Show all apps → Bluetooth → Storage → Clear cache


On iOS: Settings → Bluetooth → Forget this device (for headphones)

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If the Xiaomi earphone does not turn on, but responds to charging (the indicator is on), in 90% of cases the problem is solved by resetting or updating the firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphone malfunctions