One Xiaomi headphone doesn’t work, and the other works: what to do with wireless headphones?

You took out Xiaomi's favorite wireless headphones, turned on the music, and suddenly you found that one headphone was silent and the other was working fine, a situation familiar to many owners of Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earphones or Xiaomi Buds models. The problem can arise suddenly: after updating the firmware, falling, getting moisture or just over time. But don't rush to write off the headphones as a scrap — in 80% of cases, the malfunction can be fixed yourself.

In this article, we will look at all the possible reasons why one Xiaomi headphone does not work and another is working: from the banal discharge of the battery to hardware breakdowns, you will get step-by-step instructions with photos and videos, checklists for diagnosis, and tips on how to avoid repeated failures. We will pay special attention to Redmi AirDots models 2/3, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 and Xiaomi Buds 3T — most popular among users.

Before you start the repair, answer two key questions:

• 🔋 Is the problem earphone charged? (does the indicator burn in the case when placing the earphone inside?)
• 🎧 Is it determined in the list of Bluetooth devices? (is the second headphone visible in the smartphone settings?)

Answering these questions will narrow down the possible causes and save you time.

═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

1. Diagnosis of the problem: why is one earphone silent?

The first step is to determine the nature of the malfunction, and the problem can be software (firmware failure, pairing error) or hardware (distor, contacts, battery damage), and consider the typical symptoms and their possible causes:

If the earphone doesn't respond to the buttons and it doesn't charge, it's more hardware. If it turns on but doesn't play sound, there's a high probability of software failure. Pay attention to the indicators: flashing red light usually signals discharge, and white/blue light signals pairing mode.

⚠️ Note: If a Xiaomi headphone falls into water or is exposed to extreme humidity, do not turn it on immediately.Put the device in a dry place (for example, in a silica gel bag) for 24-48 hours.Attempting to turn on before drying completely can lead to a short circuit!

For models with active noise cancellation (for example, Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro) check if the mode is turned on. ANC — Sometimes it can create the illusion of no sound because of the strong suppression of external noise. ANC via the Mi Earphones app.

═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Basic checks: what to do first

Before you take your headphones apart or bring them to service, follow 5 simple steps. In 30% of cases, the problem is solved at this stage:

Check the charge of the case and headphones (indicators should burn when placed in the case)

Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (turn off/on the module in the settings)

Remove the headphones from the list of associated devices and connect again

Try connecting the headphones to another device (tablet, laptop)

Update the firmware of headphones through the official Mi Earphones app-->

Pay special attention to the charging case. Often users forget that the case itself needs to be periodically charged through the use of a charger. USB-C If the indicators on the case are not burning, plug it into charging for 10-15 minutes, then try again to connect the headphones.

If the headphone is identified in the Bluetooth list but there is no sound, check the sound settings on the phone:

1. Open Settings → Sound.
2. Make sure the volume control is not at a minimum.
3. Turn off Mono modes or One earphone (if any).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi smartphones (e.g. Redmi Note) 10/11) There's Bluetooth Dual Connection, which can conflict with headphones. Turn it off in Settings. → Connections → Bluetooth → Additionally.

For Redmi AirDots 3 Pro and later, check to see if Game Mode is activated (low latency), sometimes causing an imbalance in the sound between the headphones, which is turned off by triple tapping the sensor on one of the headphones (see model instruction).

═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

3. Resetting Xiaomi headphones to factory

If the basic checks didn't work, the next step is hard reset, which removes all the stored pairing settings and returns the headphones to factory status. Xiaomi models do the reset differently depending on the generation - use the manual for your version!

The general algorithm for most models:

1. Place both headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
2. Wait until the headphones go out (meaning they are completely off).
3. Press and hold the button on the case (or the sensor on the headphones) for 10-15 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white.
4. Open the case cover – the headphones should automatically go into pairing mode (blinking white/blue light).

For specific models, there are nuances:

• 🔹 Redmi AirDots (1/2 generation: Hold the button on the right headphone 10 Seconds before the red light flashes.
• 🔹 Mi True Wireless Earphones 2: Triple touch on the sensor on the left earphone + 5-second hold.
• 🔹 Xiaomi Buds 3/3T: Simultaneous retention of sensors on both headphones during the 10 seconds.

After reset, connect the headphones to the phone again:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Remove the old pair of headphones from the list (if any).
3. Choose Add a new device and wait for Mi True Wireless (or similar name) to appear.
4. Confirm the pairing.

💡

If the headphones are not identified after reset, try connecting them to another device (for example, a laptop). Sometimes smartphones cache old Bluetooth data, which prevents new pairing.

═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

4.Cleaning contacts and checking charging case

One of the most common reasons why one Xiaomi earphone doesn't work is because the contacts in the charging case or the headphones themselves are polluted or oxidized, and the dust, sweat, and moisture eventually form a plaque that prevents normal charging and connection.

For cleaning, you will need:

• 🧴 Cotton swabs (better with a sharp end).
• 💧 Alcohol (isopropyl or medical 70%).
• 🔍 Loop (if possible) for inspection of small contacts.

Step-by-step:

1. Remove the headphones from the case and inspect the contacts (metal dots on the bottom of the headphones and inside the case).
2. Wet the cotton swab in alcohol and gently wipe the contacts without pressing (do not use abrasive materials!).
3. Allow the contacts to dry for 5-10 minutes.
4. Check if the contacts in the case are bent (sometimes they shift when falling).

Note the spring contacts inside the case, which should be clean and elastic. If the spring is loose, you can bend it carefully with a needle (but be careful not to break it!).

If the headphone still doesn’t charge after cleaning, try an alternative way to charge:

• 🔌 Connect the case to the charging and wait until the indicator on the case lights up.
• Remove the earphone from the case and insert it back right away (sometimes this resets the charging lock).
• Repeat the action 2-3 times.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use hydrogen peroxide or other aggressive liquids to clean contacts - they can damage the protective coating! Also avoid compressed air (cylinders), as it can drive dust deeper into the body.

═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

5. Update of firmware and sound calibration

Xiaomi headphone firmware is responsible not only for connecting, but also for the balance of sound between channels. If one headphone is quieter or does not reproduce sound at all, the problem may be in outdated software. The firmware update is available through the official Mi Earphones app (you can download from Google Play or the App Store).

How to update firmware:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open the Mi Earphones app.
3. Go to the Firmware Update section (usually at the bottom of the screen).
4. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off Bluetooth!).

After the update, perform the sound calibration:

1. In the Mi Earphones app, select Sound Settings → Balance.
2. Check if the slider is moved towards one of the headphones.
3. If you have an auto-setting option, run it.

For Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro and later, Adaptive Sound is available, which automatically adjusts the balance.

Mi Earphones → Settings → Adaptive sound → On.

If the Mi Earphones app doesn't see headphones, try:

• 📱 Reinstall the application.
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
• 📵 Temporarily shut down VPN Firewall (they can block the connection).

💡

Updating the firmware is the only official way to fix software errors in the sound balance, and if the problem persists after the update, the reason lies in the hardware.

═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

6. Hardware malfunctions: when without repairs can not do

If all software methods have been tried, but one Xiaomi headphone still doesn’t work, it’s likely a hardware problem.

The most common breakdowns:

• 🔋 Battery: Over time, the capacity drops, and one earphone discharges faster than the other. If the difference in operating time exceeds 30-40%, you need to replace the battery.
• 🔊 Speaker: When you fall or get moisture, the membrane can deform. Check if you hear crack when you tap the body lightly.
• 📶 Bluetooth antenna: If the earphone is only connected at a close distance (less than 1 meter), the antenna or its contacts are problematic.

For self-repair, you will need:

• 🛠️ Set of screwdrivers (cross, flat, flat, T2/T3 small-rotor).
• 🔥 Solding iron (if you need soldering contacts).
• 🧲 Tweezers and magnifiers for working with small details.
• 📦 Spare parts (speaker, battery) – buy only original or compatible parts!).

⚠️ Attention: Disassembling Xiaomi headphones requires care - the body is glued together, and if you unguardedly open it can damage the plumes or membrane of the speaker. If you are not sure of your skills, you should contact the service. The cost of repairing the speaker or replacing the battery on average is 800-1500 rubles (for 2026).

For models with active noise cancellation (ANC) The problem may be in the microphones that analyze the external noise. ANC It stopped working, and the sound in the earphone went missing, probably one of the microphones went down. ANC — If the problem headphone hears hissing noise, the microphone is defective.

═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

7. Alternative ways to use headphones

If you can’t fix the headphone, but the other one works properly, you can use it in mono mode, which is true for models that support independent connection of each headphone (for example, Redmi AirDots 3 or Xiaomi Buds 4).

How to connect one headphone:

1. Place only the working headphone in the case for 5 seconds, then pull out.
2. Press and hold the sensor on the headphone for 3-5 seconds until the indicator blinks.
3. Connect it to your phone as a new device.

Some models (such as Mi True Wireless Earphones 2) allow you to use each headphone separately, but with limitations:

• 🎵 The sound will be mono (without stereo effect).
• 🔋 Work time will be reduced by 20-30% (no load distribution).
• 📞 When calling, the sound will only go through the connected headphone.

If you want a full stereo, you can consider buying one replacement headphone, and official parts are sold at Xiaomi service centers, as well as on AliExpress or Avito.

• 🆔 Compatibility with your model (as described in the description).
• 🔄 The ability to sync with an existing headphone (some models require paired firmware).
• 💰 Cost - a new headphone will cost 1000-2500 rubles (depending on the model).

Before buying, check with the seller whether the headphone supports automatic synchronization with your pair. For example, for Redmi AirDots 3 you need to buy an earphone of the same revision (the case shows a letter, for example, A or B).

═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphones that don't work