What to do if one Xiaomi headphone doesn’t work and the other works: a complete repair guide

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones are some of the most popular on the market, thanks to their combination of price and quality. But even proven models like the Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earphones or Xiaomi Buds 3 can have a typical problem over time: one headphone stops working while the other one functions normally, and the causes can range from a trivial battery discharge to hardware malfunctions.

In this article, we will look at all the possible scenarios for why one Xiaomi earphone doesn’t turn on, connect or make sound, and give step-by-step instructions for diagnostics and repairs. It’s important to note that some solutions require minimal technical skills, while others require contacting a service center, and we will also point out where self-repair can exacerbate the problem.

If you find that Xiaomi's left or right earphone is not working, start with simple steps: check the charge, reconnect the device, reset. 70% of the time, this is enough to restore performance. The remaining 30% will require deeper interventions, from cleaning contacts to changing the speaker.

1. Diagnosis of the problem: why does one earphone not work?

Before you start repairing, it is important to determine the exact cause of the malfunction. Xiaomi wireless headphones can fail for the following reasons:

• 🔋 A discharged battery in one of the headphones (often occurs if the headphones have been lying for a long time without using them).
• 📶 Connection problems – the headphone is not synced with the main device or phone.
• 🔊 Contamination speaker or mesh – dust, moisture, or earwax can block sound.
• 🔧 Software failure – firmware error or phone conflict.
• 💥 Hardware breakdown – damage to the speaker, contacts or board.

To narrow down the possible causes, do a simple check:

1. Try connecting your headphones to another device (smartphone, tablet, PC) and if the problem persists, it may be a malfunction in the headphones themselves.
2. Change the headphones (try inserting the right earphone into the left ear and vice versa). If the "non-working" earphone is working, the problem is with the phone settings.
3. See if the indicator on the non-working headphone is on when charging or connecting.

If the indicator is not on at all, it is likely a problem in the power or contacts of the charging case. If the indicator flashes, but there is no sound, it is possible that the firmware may fail or the speaker may be damaged.

2. Simple solutions: reboot, reset and charge check

Start with basic actions that often solve the problem without deep intervention.

Resetting the headphones

Sometimes you just take the headphones out of the case, put them back in, and wait 10 to 15 seconds.

1. Press and hold the touchpad (or button) on the non-working headphone for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red/white.

Reset settings (Reset)

If the reboot didn't work, do a full reset. The instructions may vary slightly depending on the model:

Make sure the headphones are charged.|Remove both earphones from the case|Press and hold the buttons on both headphones for 15-20 seconds|Wait for the double flashing of the indicators|Reconnect to the phone-->

For Redmi AirDots 3 Pro and Xiaomi Buds 4 models, the reset is performed via the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear mobile app:

1. Open the app and find your headphones in the list of devices.
2. Go to Settings → Reset settings.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

Checking the charge of the case and headphones

Often users overlook that one of the headphones can discharge more than the other, especially if the case has not been charged for a long time.

• 📱 Through the Mi Home app (section "Battery status").
• 🔋 According to the indicator on the case: if only 1-2 light bulbs burn when connecting the charging, the case is discharged.
• 🔌 Connecting the case to charging for 30-60 minutes, then checking the work of the headphones.

💡

If the case is not charging, try another cable or power supply. Sometimes the problem lies in the damaged one. USB-port.

3 Connection problems: what to do if the headphone is not synchronized

If one Xiaomi earphone connects to a phone but the other one is not identified, the problem may be a missynchronization between the headphones. Normally, one headphone (usually the right one) is a master and the other is a slave, and if the communication between them is broken, the sound will only go through one channel.

Manual reconnection

Follow the following steps:

1. Forget headphones in your phone's Bluetooth settings (Settings) → Bluetooth → ⚙️ headphone-name → Remove the device).
2. Take both headphones in your hands and place them next to you (at a distance of 1-2 cm).
3. Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones for 5-7 seconds until you hear a beep or see the lights flash.
4. Connect to the headphones via Bluetooth again.

3.2. Role checks Master/Slave

In some models (for example, Redmi AirDots 2) you can manually assign the lead headphone:

1. Get both earphones out of the case.
2. Touch the touch panel on the right earpiece 3 times in a row - it should become a master (the indicator will blink twice).
3. If you need to make a master left earphone, touch its panel 4 times.

If the headphones are still out of sync after these manipulations, the problem may be damage to the Bluetooth module or antenna.

Cleaning contacts and speakers: eliminating physical contaminants

Dust, moisture, or earwax can block the sound or disrupt the contact between the earbud and the charger case. If one Xiaomi earbud doesn't make sound, but plugs in and blinks, the problem could be pollution.

Cleaning of charging contacts

Contacts on the headphones and inside the case eventually become oxidized or dusty.

• 🧴 Use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%).
• 🔍 Gently wipe the contacts on the headphone and inside the case!
• 🌬️ Allow contacts to dry for 10-15 minutes before use.

If the contacts are blackened or covered with green coating (oxidation), they can be cleaned with a sweep or soft toothbrush.

Dynamic and grid cleaning

If there's a sound, but it's quiet or distorted, probably the speaker grid is full of dirt.

1. Remove the silicone headset from the headphone.
2. Tap the speaker grid with a plastic card or tweezers (carefully not to damage!).
3. Blow the speaker with compressed air (for example, a canister to clean the keyboard).
4. If the grid is deformed, replace it (you can order on AliExpress on request "mesh for Xiaomi AirDots").

💡

Never use sharp metal objects to clean the speaker – this can damage the membrane and permanently disable the earphone.

Checking for moisture intake

If Xiaomi’s headphones stopped working after rain, sports or showering, the moisture could damage the electronics.

1. Turn off the headphones immediately and remove them from the case.
2. Place them in a dry place with good ventilation (such as near a fan) for 24 to 48 hours.
3. Don't use a hair dryer or heat! This can warp the plastic and damage the battery.
4. After drying, try charging and connecting.

⚠️ Attention: If the earphone does not turn on or cracks after moisture is ingested, do not try to disassemble it yourself. Moisture could cause corrosion on the board, in which case only professional repair will help.

5. Software glitches: Update firmware and phone settings

Sometimes the problem isn't with the headphones themselves, but with the phone's firmware or with other Bluetooth devices, and that's the scenario.

5.1 Headphone firmware update

For Xiaomi Buds models 3/4 Pro and Redmi AirDots 3 Pro available firmware updates through the Xiaomi Wear app:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open the Xiaomi Wear app and go to your headphones section.
3. If an update is available, a notification will appear. Click Update and wait until it is completed (don't turn off the headphones!).

For older models (e.g. Redmi AirDots) 1/2) The firmware is only updated via PC using the Mi Flash Tool utility, but this process is risky and requires skills.

5.2 Bluetooth conflicts on the phone

If the headphones work with other devices but don’t connect to your phone, the problem may be with Android settings:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Bluetooth.
• 🔄 Click Clear Cache for Bluetooth Module (in some firmware) MIUI This option is hidden in Settings → Annexes → System applications → Bluetooth).
• 🔧 Turn off power saving mode for Bluetooth (Settings) → Battery → Energy saving regime → Bluetooth).
• 📴 Restart your phone and try to connect again.

5.3 Resetting the phone's network settings

If nothing helps, reset your network settings (this will remove all stored Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices!):

1. Go to Settings → System → Additional → Resetting settings.
2. Select Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth settings.
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Poco) X3 or Redmi Note 10) after resetting network settings may disappear the sound in the headphones due to a bug in the headphones MIUI. In this case, only a firmware rollback or an update to the latest version will help.

6. Hardware malfunctions: when without repairs can not do

If all the software methods have been tried, but one earphone still doesn't work, the problem is probably hardware.

Disassembly of headphones: step-by-step instructions

If you decide to disassemble the headphone yourself, you will need:

• 🔧 Plastic mediator or opener for neat opening of the body.
• 🔥 Fryer (for softening glue).
• 🧲 Magnetic screwdriver (screws in Xiaomi are often tiny).
• 📸 Loop or macro lens for phone (to avoid losing details).

Disassembly order (example Redmi AirDots 2):

1. Heat the body with a hair dryer (temperature 60–70°C) for 1-2 minutes to soften the glue.
2. Carefully put the mediator seam between the front and back of the body.
3. Unscrew 2-3 screws that fix the fee.
4. Disconnect the speaker plume (if any).

Attention! The Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro and later headphones use ultrasonic welding of the case. It is almost impossible to disassemble them without damage - in this case, contact the service.

Replacement of speaker or battery

If the speaker or battery fails, they can be replaced. Parts prices (2026):

• 🔊 Dynamics for Redmi AirDots – 300-500 ₽.
• 🔋 Battery (usually Li-Po 40–60 mAh) – 200–400 ₽.
• 📟 Management fee - 800-1500 ₽.

Where to buy spare parts:

• 🛒 AliExpress (search by headphone model) +"replacement parts").
• 🛠️ Local service centers (sometimes sell used parts).
• 📦 Groups in VK or Telegram for electronic repair (for example, "Repair") TWS headphone").

⚠️ Warning: When replacing batteries, only use original or certified batteries. Low-cost batteries can swell and damage the board.

7. When to contact the service center?

Self-repair is justified if you are confident in your skills and the problem is clearly hardware (for example, oxidized contacts or a contaminated speaker).

• 🔧 Headphones for warranties (disassembly cancels the warranty Xiaomi).
• 💥 After a fall or mechanical damage (there may be hidden cracks on the board).
• 🌊 After moisture is injected (professional cleaning and corrosion checks are required).
• 📡 Bluetooth module problems (special diagnostic equipment is needed).

Cost of repairs in service centers (for 2026):

Official Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service. Average period of repairs under warranty — 14 days without warranty — 3–7 days.

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