One Xiaomi headphone doesn't work - what to do? full guide 2026

Have you turned on your favorite playlist, but the sound comes from only one Xiaomi headphone? The problem is familiar to many owners of both wired and wireless models - from the budget Mi Basic to the flagship FlipBuds Pro or Buddy. TWS. In 80 percent of cases, you can fix the malfunction yourself without going to the service center, but first you need to determine the cause: it can be a banal contamination of the speaker, a firmware failure or a hardware defect in the board.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons why one Xiaomi headphone is silent and the other is working, from software errors to physical breakdowns, step-by-step diagnostic instructions, checklists, and repair tips (including when the warranty has already expired). Particular attention will be paid to models with active noise reduction (ANC), Because their diagnosis has nuances.

We warn you right away: if the headphones are caught in the rain or have been mechanically impacted (for example, fell from a height), self-repair can aggravate the situation. In such cases, it is better to consult specialists. For everyone else, we start to find a solution!

1. Checking the basic settings: why the earphone can be turned off software

Before disassembling or carrying your headphones into service, make sure that your device’s settings are not the problem. Often, one Xiaomi earphone will stop working due to a Bluetooth connection failure, incorrect sound settings, or conflict with other devices.

Start with the simplest:

• 🔊 Check the sound balance. On Android, go to Settings. → Sound. → Balance stereo. On iOS, the path: Settings → Universal access → Audiovisual content → Balance L/R. The slider should be in the middle.
• 📱 Reconnect the headphones. Remove them from the list of associated devices and reconnect. For Xiaomi Buds, this is done by pressing the button on the case case for 10 seconds (until the indicator flashes in white).
• 🔄 Reset the sound source. Sometimes it's not the earbud that's bugging, it's the smartphone/laptop that's bugging. Just rebooting the device solves the problem 30 percent of the time.
• 🎧 Check Mono/stereo. Some apps (such as Zoom or Discord) can force your headphones to mono. Close all background programs.

If Xiaomi headphones are connected to Windows, open the Control Panel → Sound. → Properties of the device and make sure that the tab Spatial sound is turned off. This feature sometimes eats one of the channels.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (such as the AirDots Pro 2) when the battery is low, one headphone can automatically turn off to save power.

2. Diagnostics of Xiaomi wired headphones: a break of cable or contacts

If you have a wired model (Mi Basic, Mi In-Ear, Hybrid Pro, etc.), the problem is often physical damage to the cable or connector.

1. Visual inspection. Check the cable for clamps, rubs, or bare wires. Pay special attention to the 3.5mm plug and the earpiece.
2. Bending test. Connect your headphones to the device and gently bend the cable in different places (don't overdo it!) If the sound appears/disappears, it's a sign of a cliff.
3. Check the connector. Put the plug in the socket to the end. If the sound appears at a certain position, the problem is in the contacts of the connector (possibly oxidation).

You'll need a multimeter to get a good diagnosis. Put it in resistance mode (200) Ω) and ring each wire in the cable (usually 3-4: left channel, right channel, general and microphone). OL (cliff) or 0 (short circuit) – the cable must be replaced.

If you find a cliff, but you don't want to buy new headphones, you can try to repair the cable yourself, which will require a soldering iron, solder, shrink tube and a little patience. See the step-by-step instructions in the next section.

3. repair of wired headphones Xiaomi with their own hands

If the diagnosis showed that the problem is a cable break or poor contact, you can Attempt to repair the headphones yourself. Below is a step-by-step guide for the most common cases.

Tools required:

• 🔧 Stolen iron (power 20-40 W) + solder + flux
• 🔪 A sharp knife or scalpel to clean wires
• 🔥 Lighter or thermophene for thermal shrinkage
• 🧲 Thermal shrink tube (diameter 2-4 mm)
• 📏 Insulation (in case of no thermal shrinkage)

Step-by-step instructions for repairing a cable break:

1. Find the cliff, if you can't see it visually, bend the cable in different places, where the sound is gone and there's damage.
2. Cut the cable. Step away 2-3 cm from the cliff and carefully cut the sliver with a knife (do not damage the inner veins!).
3. Clean the wires. Inside, you'll see 3-4 wires (usually red, green, blue/white and copper screens) and carefully remove the varnish from the ends of the wires with a knife or lighter.
4. Twisting and soldering. Connect the appropriate wires (left channel to left, right to right, common to all) and lose, and for safety, you can wrap the twist with a thin copper wire.
5. Seal it. Put the heat shrink tube on each wire separately, then heat it up with a lighter, and you can put another larger tube on top for extra protection.

If the problem is 3.5 mm, it is easier to replace the whole connector, new connectors are sold on AliExpress or in radio stores (cost - from 50 rubles).

• 🔴 Red - right channel
• 🟢 Green/blue - left channel
• 🟡 Copper (without insulation) - general ("earth")
• 🔵 White/Black: Microphone (if available)

⚠️ Warning: When soldering, do not overheat the wires - this can melt the insulation and cause a short circuit. The optimal temperature of the soldering iron is 250-300°C.

Prepare the workplace (good lighting, ventilation)|Turn off the headphones from the device|Check the multimeter chain before and after repair|Use heat shrinkage, not just tape|Let the rations cool before testing-->

4. Xiaomi wireless headphones: reset, firmware and synchronization

With wireless models (Xiaomi AirDots, FlipBuds, Buddy) TWS The situation is more complicated, as the problem may lie in the firmware, Bluetooth module or battery:

Resetting headphones to factory settings:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case for 15-20 seconds (the indicator should flash red, then white).
3. Open the case cover and re-pair the device.

If the reset didn’t work, check the firmware version through the official Xiaomi Earphones app (available for Android and iOS).Odgmented firmware can cause problems with channel synchronization. Update it to the instructions:

• 📱 Open the Xiaomi Earphone app.
• 🔄 Go to the Settings section → Firmware update.
• 📥 If a new version is available, download and install it (earphones must be in the case and connected to charging).

For models with active noise cancellation (ANC), FlipBuds Pro, additional diagnostics:

• 🔇 Check if the mode is on. ANC Sometimes one earphone gets jammed because of a malfunction in the noise-cancellation microphones.
• 🎛️ Manually turn it off. ANC Check if the sound will appear in both earphones.
• 🔋 Make sure the charge level of both headphones is the same (a difference of more than 20% can cause desynchronization).

Critical information: Headphones Xiaomi AirDots 3 Pro and newer have protection from the "different names" of channels. If after reset, one earphone still does not connect, it will have to reflash in the service center - independent firmware can block the device.

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If after updating the firmware sound disappeared in one headphone, try to roll back the version through the application Mi Home (section "Bata testing").

5 Hardware breakage of wireless headphones: what can be repaired yourself

If the software methods didn't help, the problem is probably hardware. In wireless headphones Xiaomi most often fail:

• 🔋 Battery - swells or loses capacity (earphone quickly discharged or not turned on).
• 🎤 Microphone – contacts are oxidized or soldering goes away (there is sound, but ANC doesn't work).
• 📡 Bluetooth module – the antenna or controller is damaged (the headphone does not connect at all).
• 🔊 Dynamic: A break in the coil or a closure (sound is distorted or absent).

Self-repair is only possible for the following breakdowns:

1. Battery replacement. This requires gently opening the headphone case (usually it is glued together, so use a plastic blade). Xiaomi batteries can be found on AliExpress (for example, AirDots is suitable for the battery. 3.7V 40mAh).
2. If the headphone is not charging in the case, wipe the contact areas with alcohol, sometimes bending the spring contacts in the case helps.
3. If the sound is intermittent or wheezing, check the soldering of the speaker's wires (a common problem after falls).

The repairs will require:

• 🔧 Set of screwdrivers (including "stars" for some models).
• 🧴 Superglue or glue B-7000 shell-build.
• 🔥 Hair dryer for softening glue (if the body is glued together).

⚠️ Attention: In headphones Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro and newer uses ultrasonic welding of the case. Disassemble them without damage is almost impossible - in this case, it is better to contact the service.

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If you see a bloated battery after opening the headphone, stop repairing it immediately! These batteries can ignite when soldered.

6. When to contact the service: warranty, repair cost and alternatives

If all attempts at self-repair fail, it is time to contact the professionals.

• 💥 Headphones fell from a height or were hit (microcracks on the board are possible).
• 🌊 Ingestion of liquid (even if after drying the sound appeared, corrosion may occur later).
• 🔧 Breakdown of Bluetooth module or controller (earphone not defined by devices).
• 🔋 Battery bloating (fire risk!).

Cost of repair in official Xiaomi services (2026):

If the headphones are warranty (usually 12 months from the date of purchase), the repair will be free.

• 📄 Check or electronic purchase document.
• 📦 Packaging (for some services).
• 🆔 Serial number (located on the body of the headphone or case).

Alternatives to official service:

• 🛠️ Local workshops, often cheaper (20-30%) but without warranty!
• 📦 If the repair costs more than 50% of the price of new headphones, it makes sense to consider buying a new model. ~3 000 ₽, A Bluetooth module repair can cost 2,000 ₽.
• 🔄 Some stores (for example, Svyaznoy or M. Video) accept old headphones in the account of payment for new ones.

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

To avoid repeated breakdowns, follow these recommendations:

• 🧼 Clean your headphones 1 time a month. Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to remove earwax and dust from the speaker grille. For wireless models, clear the contacts in the case.
• 🔋 Don't empty your headphones to zero. The optimal charge level for lithium polymer batteries is 20 to 80 percent. Store them in a case with a charge. ~50%.
• 🌡️ Avoid extreme temperatures. Do not leave your headphones in the sun (such as in a car in the summer) or in the cold (below). -10°C).
• 💦 Protect against moisture, even if the model has protection. IPX4 (FlipBuds Pro, do not use them in the rain or in the shower.
• 🎧 Remove the headphones by the body, not the cable. This prevents wires from breaking at the base (relevant for wired models).

For wireless headphones, it is also important:

• 📶 Update your firmware regularly, which corrects synchronization errors and improves communication stability.
• 🔄 Reconnect your headphones every 2-3 months, which resets the Bluetooth cache on your device and prevents "hangs".
• 🛡️ Use the original case. Cheap substitutes can damage charging contacts.

Myths that shorten the life of headphones:

• ❌ "Headphones need to be completely discharged before charging" - wrong. "Modern lithium polymer batteries do not have "memory effect".
• ❌ "The more often you clean, the better" - wrong. Excessive cleaning with alcohol can damage the membrane of the speaker.
• ❌ "Wireless headphones can be charged with any adapter — wrong. Use adapters with a current of no more than 1A, otherwise the battery will degrade faster.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's broken headphone