One Xiaomi Redmi headphone does not work: reasons and 7 ways to fix

You took out your favorite Xiaomi Redmi wireless headphones, turned on the music, and suddenly you found that the sound comes from only one headphone, and this problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi AirDots, Redmi Buds and other models of the brand. The reasons can be different, from a trivial battery discharge to serious hardware malfunctions. But don't rush to bring the device to the service center! 80% of the time, the malfunction can be fixed by yourself in 10 to 30 minutes.

In this article, we will analyze all possible reasons why one Xiaomi Redmi headphone does not work, and give step-by-step instructions for their elimination – from the simplest actions (reboot, reset) to more complex ones (check contacts, flashing). You will also learn when to contact the service, and when the problem is solved by replacing accessories (S/E/Pro/3/4), Redmi Buds (3/4/5 Lite/Pro) others.

So for convenience, we've put together a table of symptoms and solutions that will help you navigate quickly, and if you're not confident, at the end of this article, there's an FAQ that answers frequent questions and tips for breaking down.

1. Checking basic settings: why the headphone can "silence"

Before you disassemble your headphones or carry them for repair, make sure that the problem is not in the settings of your smartphone or the device itself. Often one Xiaomi Redmi headphone stops working due to software glitches that are fixed in a few clicks.

Start with the simplest:

• 🔊 Check the sound balance. On Android: go to Settings. → Sound. → Stereo balance (or special features) → Sound settings. On iOS: Settings → Universal access → Audiovisual content → Balance L/R. Make sure the slider is in the middle.
• 📱 Reconnect your headphones. Remove the device from the Bluetooth conjugate list, then re-search and connect. Sometimes it helps to change the sound profile (for example, with a different voice). AAC on SBC).
• 🔄 Reset the headphones. Put both earphones in the case, close the lid, and wait 30 seconds. Then pull them out and check it out.

If you don't have the sound after this manipulation, move on to the next step, but remember, 30 percent of the time, it's the reset of Bluetooth on your smartphone that's solved, and many people forget about this simple method.

2. Resetting headphones to factory settings: a universal way

If the basic methods didn’t work, the next step is hard reset, which will return the headphones to their original settings and often solve problems with connection or sound, and is suitable for most Xiaomi Redmi models, but there may be minor differences.

How to reset:

1. Place both headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
2. Wait until the headphones go out (this means they are turned off).
3. Press and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 10-15 seconds.
4. The indicators will flash red and white, which is a signal of a successful reset.
5. Take the headphones out of the case and connect them again to the phone.

After resetting, Xiaomi Redmi headphones may require re-pairing. If one of them still doesn't work, check if the indicator is on when it turns on. If the indicator is not active, the problem may be a dead battery or a malfunction of the contacts.

3. Charging problems: why one earphone discharges or doesn't turn on

One of the most common reasons why one Xiaomi Redmi headphone doesn't work is because it's a charging problem, which can be a simple battery drain, or a contact failure in the case or the headphone itself. Let's look at all the options.

Signs of a charging problem:

• 🔋 The headphone does not turn on or immediately switches off.
• 🔴 The indicator does not burn when placed in the case.
• 📉 Fast discharge (lasts less than 1-2 hours).
• 🔌 Case does not charge one of the headphones (the second charge is normal).

What to do:

1. Clean the contacts. Take a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, and gently wipe the metal contacts on the earpiece and in the case. Dust or oxidation can interfere with charging.
2. Check the position of the earpiece in the case, make sure it fits tightly into the contacts, sometimes with a slight pressure on the earpiece when the lid is closed.
3. Use another cable/charging, maybe the problem is in the power supply or USB-cable.
4. Check the battery. If the headphone is not holding charge at all, you may need to replace the battery (in the service center).

If after all the manipulations, the earphone is still not charging, most likely the problem is in the power controller or damaged battery, in which case only repairs at the service center will help.

4. Hardware malfunctions: when disassembly or repair is needed

If the software methods didn’t help, and the Xiaomi Redmi headphone still doesn’t work, the problem may lie in the hardware.

If you decide to disassemble the headphone yourself, remember:

⚠️ Attention! Disassembling Xiaomi Redmi headphones requires care. The body is glued together, and if you unclosely open it can damage the plumes or membrane of the speaker. Use a plastic mediator and hair dryer (to soften the glue).

For Redmi AirDots 3/4 and Redmi Buds 4/5 models, there are detailed guides on the Internet for disassembling photos. But if you are not sure about your skills, you should contact the service - the cost of repairs usually does not exceed 1000-1500 rubles.

5. Software failures: Firmware and software updates

Sometimes one Xiaomi Redmi headphone will stop working due to a firmware failure or incompatibility with the phone, which is true for models with support for proprietary software (for example, Redmi Buds 4 Pro or AirDots 3 Pro), in which case an update or firmware update helps.

How to update firmware:

1. Install the official Xiaomi Wear or Mi Home app (depending on the model).
2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
3. Open the application, find your device and check for updates in the section Branded Software or Update.
4. If the update is available, follow the instructions on the screen. Don't turn off the headphones during the process!

If the update didn’t help or the headphones aren’t defined in the app, try manual flashing.

• 💻 Computer installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 📁 Firmware file for your model (can be found on the forums) 4PDA or XDA Developers).
• 🔌 Cable for connecting headphones to PC (for some models).

The flashing process is complex and requires technical skills, and if you're not sure, you should consult a specialist, but remember, the wrong firmware can finally kill the headphones, making them unsuitable even for service repair.

💡

Before updating the firmware, take a screenshot of the current version of the software in the Xiaomi Wear app. If after the update there are problems, you can roll back to the old version.

6 Bluetooth problems: why a phone doesn't "see" one headphone

Sometimes the problem isn't with the headphones themselves, but with the phone's Bluetooth module or profile conflict, so for example, one headphone can connect as HFP (for calls) and another as A2DP (for music), and let's figure out how to fix that.

Signs of Bluetooth problems:

• 📱 The phone sees only one headphone in the list of devices.
• 🔊 The sound is in one or the other headphone (switched arbitrarily).
• 🔄 The headphones are connected, but immediately switch off.
• 🎵 Music is played in only one headphone, both are connected.

Decisions:

1. Reset Bluetooth settings on your phone. On Android: Settings → System → Settings Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings. On iOS: Settings → Basic → Reset → Network settings reset.
2. Disable other Bluetooth devices. Sometimes conflict arises because of a connected smartwatch, speaker, or car system.
3. Check your connection profile. In Bluetooth settings (on Android), click on the headphone name and select Use for media audio.
4. Update your Bluetooth driver on your phone. Check for system updates.

If the problem persists, try connecting your headphones to another device (tablet, laptop) if both headphones are working normally, your smartphone is the problem.

💡

Before resetting Bluetooth, save a list of the paired devices (e.g., take a picture of the screen) and then reset them.

7.When to contact the service: signs of serious breakdowns

If none of these methods worked, chances are your Xiaomi Redmi headphones need professional repairs.

• 🔥 The earphone is warming or smelling of a burn (a sign of a short circuit).
• 💧 Liquid intake (even if the headphones are waterproof, contacts oxidize over time).
• 🔊 Total lack of sound when the indicator is working (probably burned audio chip).
• 🔋 The headphone does not hold a charge for more than 5-10 minutes (battery wear and tear).
• 📡 Permanent communication breaks less than 1 meter from the phone (Bluetooth module malfunction).

The cost of repairs in Xiaomi service centers or third-party workshops:

Before you carry your headphones for repair, check if the warranty period (usually 12 months) has expired. If the warranty is valid, contact the official Xiaomi service center - the repair will be free.

⚠️ Attention! Some workshops offer "cheap" repairs using non-original parts, which can lead to repeated breakage or deterioration of the sound.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions