One Xiaomi headphone does not work: reasons and 7 proven ways to repair

You pulled Xiaomi wireless headphones out of your case, but you found that one headphone didn't turn on, make a sound or connect? This problem is familiar to many owners of AirDots, Redmi Buds, Mi True Wireless and others. TWS-The reasons can be different: from the banal discharge of the battery to hardware damage to the speaker.

In this article, we will discuss all the possible reasons why one Xiaomi headphone stopped working, and give step-by-step instructions for troubleshooting. You'll learn how to diagnose a problem, reset, clean contacts, and even restore sync between headphones if they've "decoupled" after updating the firmware. 80% The problem is solved independently for 10-15 minute.

1. Checking for obvious causes: battery, case and connection

Before disassembling headphones or resetting settings, eliminate the simplest problems that are often overlooked:

• 🔋 Even if the light on the case is green, one of the headphones might not have charged. 10-15 minutes, then pull out and try to connect again.
• 🎧 The headphone contacts of Xiaomi should fit tightly to the charging contacts in the case. If one earphone is lying crooked, it does not charge. Try to move it or clean the contacts (more on this below).
• 📱 Bluetooth connection error. Sometimes the headphones only connect to the phone partially. → Bluetooth, find your Xiaomi headphones and click "Forget the device." Then plug them back in.

If after these manipulations, one earphone still does not work, move to the next step. Note: if the indicator on the broken earphone does not burn at all (even when you press the button), the problem may be a hardware breakdown - read about this in the section on repair.

2.Reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings

One of the most effective ways to get back up is to completely reset your headphones, which clears the memory of your headphones, resets the synchronization between them, and often solves connection or sound problems.

For the Redmi Buds 3/4 and Xiaomi AirDots 3 Pro models, the process is slightly different:

1. Get both earphones out of the case.
2. Press and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white.
3. Put the headphones back in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds.
4. Pull it out and reconnect it.

Once reset, the headphones can update the firmware automatically (if a new version is available). Don't interrupt this process, wait until the sync is complete. If the reset doesn't work, read on.

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If the headphones don’t sync with each other after reset (for example, the phone sees only one), try connecting them to another device (tablet, laptop), sometimes this helps to wake up the second headphone.

3. Cleaning contacts and checking physical damage

Over time, the charger contacts of the headphones and the case accumulate dust, sweat or oxidation, which leads to poor contact and discharge of one of the headphones.

• 🧴 Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol (at least 70%). Carefully wipe the contacts on the headphones and inside the case!
• 🔍 Check for corrosion. If the contacts turn green or darken, they should be cleaned with a brush (caution!) or a special contact fluid.
• 🚫 Avoid water and abrasives. Do not use sandpaper, needles or metal objects - this will damage the coating of contacts.

Also check your headphones for physical damage:

• Cracks on the body (especially near the speaker).
• Damaged wires (if a model with a neck strap, for example, Mi Neckband).
• Battery leakage or blistering (very dangerous!).

⚠️ Warning: If you notice the bloating of the battery or the smell of burning, you can not continue to use headphones. This can lead to fire.

4. Problems with firmware and headphone synchronization

Sometimes, after a firmware update or a crash, one Xiaomi earbud untiees from the other and they stop working together. This is a typical problem for models that support Mi AI Assistant or Xiaomi Wear. Here's how to fix it:

To update the firmware:

1. Install the Mi Home app (available for Android and iOS).
2. Put the headphones on the phone.
3. Go to the app, find your headphones in the list of devices.
4. If an update is available, follow the instructions on the screen.

⚠️ Warning: Don't interrupt the firmware update process! If the headphones run out or the connection is interrupted, they may stop turning on altogether. Charge the case to 100% before upgrading.

5. Checking for hardware malfunctions

If all the software methods have been tried, but one Xiaomi headphone still doesn’t work, the problem is likely to be hardware.

• 🔊 If the earphone is switched on, plugged in, but no sound (or it's distorted), maybe the membrane is torn or the speaker's contact has gone.
• 🔋 Battery malfunction: If the earphone discharges quickly or does not charge at all, the battery may have failed.
• 📡 Bluetooth antenna problems: If the earphone only connects at close range or permanently cuts off communication, the antenna or Bluetooth module may be damaged.

To diagnose hardware problems, you can use a multimeter (if you have electronics skills) or take the headphones to the service.

• Replacement of the speaker: from 800 to 1500 rubles.
• Battery replacement: from 500 to 1200 rubles.
• Repair of contacts / soldering: from 300 to 800 rubles.

If headphones are warranty, do not disassemble them yourself - this will void the warranty. Contact the official Xiaomi service center with a check and a box.

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Before visiting the service, check if the warranty period (usually 12 months from the date of purchase) has expired. If the headphones were bought on AliExpress or in informal stores, the warranty may not apply.

6. Alternative ways to use a broken headphone

If repair is not possible or feasible and the second headphone is in good condition, you can try using it separately. Some Xiaomi models support mono mode (one earphone as a headset).

1. Put only the working headphone in the case for 5 seconds, then take it out.
2. Press and hold the touchpad on the headphone for 5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing.
3. Connect him to the phone as usual.

Note: Some functions may not work in mono mode, such as:

• 🎵 Stereosound (the sound will only be in one ear).
• 🎤 Noise suppression (if any).
• 🔄 Automatic switching between devices.

You can also buy one new headphone of the same model on AliExpress or service centers. For example, Redmi AirDots 2 or Mi True Wireless 2 often sell parts. The cost of one earphone is usually 30-50% of the price of a new pair.

7. How to avoid problems in the future: prevention of breakdowns

To make your Xiaomi wireless headphones last longer, follow these guidelines:

• 🚿 Avoid moisture, even if the model has protection. IPX4 or IPX5, Don't use your headphones in the rain or in the shower. After sweating, wipe them with a dry napkin.
• 🔌 Charge correctly. Don't leave your headphones in your case for more than 24 hours on charge.Use the original cable or a certified USB-Type-C.
• 📦 Keep it dry. Do not leave the case in direct sunlight or near heat sources (battery, heater).
• 🔄 Update your firmware regularly. Check for updates once in a while using the Mi Home app. 1-2 month.

Mechanical loads should also be avoided:

• Don't drop your headphones from above.
• Do not press on the body (for example, when sleeping on your side).
• Do not pull the earbuds from the ears by the wire (if any).

If you use headphones for sports, choose models with ear ear ear ears of the right size (combined with Xiaomi usually come 3-4 pairs), which will prevent loss and mechanical damage.

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