Xiaomi headphone does not work: reasons and ways of repair in 2026

Why does one Xiaomi headphone stop working?

The problem with one broken headphone in the Xiaomi headset is one of the most common malfunctions that users of wireless and wired models face. Most often, the failure occurs suddenly: sound disappears in the left or right speaker, wheezing appears, or the device is completely no longer determined by the system, the causes can be either software (firmware failure, pairing error) or hardware (wire break, contact oxidation, speaker failure).

It is important to understand that the diagnostic algorithm depends on the type of headphones: wired models (for example, Xiaomi Hybrid Pro HD or Mi Basic) are characterized by problems with cable or connector, and wireless models (Redmi AirDots series, Mi True Wireless) – synchronization failures between headphones or battery discharge in one of them. In this article, we will discuss unique recovery methods that are not found in standard instructions, including checking hidden Bluetooth settings and testing resistance with a multimeter.

First steps: Diagnosing the problem

Before you disassemble the headphones or carry them to the service, perform a basic check. This will help to eliminate simple failures and save time.

• 🔊 Check the sound balance: on your device (smartphone/PC) open the sound settings and make sure the balance slider between the left and right channel is in the middle. → Sound. → Stereo balance.
• 🔌 Test on another device: connect the headphones to another smartphone, tablet or computer. If the problem persists, the headphones themselves malfunction.
• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth: turn off the headphones in the Bluetooth settings, restart the smartphone and perform pairing again.
• 🎧 Physical damage check: inspect the cable (for wired models) for bending or tearing, and for wireless models, check charging indicators.

If the sound doesn't appear after these manipulations, move on to a deeper diagnosis. For wireless models, Xiaomi is useful to check the firmware version through the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app - sometimes the software update solves the synchronization problem.

Repair of wired headphones Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Wired headphones Xiaomi most often fail due to a cable break at the plug or in the connection to the speaker. Consider two main scenarios of repair.

1. Wire break at the plug (3.5 mm or USB-C)

This is the most common problem. You'll need to repair it.

• 🔪 Sharp knife or scalpel
• 🔥 Stolen iron (power 25-40 W)
• 🧵 Solder and flux
• 🛠️ shrink-tube or seal

Algorithm of action:

1. Cut the plug at a distance of 2-3 cm from the base to remove the damaged area.
2. Clean the external insulation of the cable by 1.5-2 cm, then separate the internal veins (usually 3-4 wires: left channel, right channel, general and microphone).
3. Get the ends of the wires and contacts on the new plug (they can be bought on AliExpress or in the radio store).
4. Wires solder to the plug contacts according to the scheme: Contact 1 (top) - Left channel (usually red wire) Contact 2 - Right channel (green or blue) Contact 3 - General (copper without insulation) Contact 4 (bottom) - Microphone (if any, usually white)
5. Isolate contacts with thermal shrinkage or tape, observing the order.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use a soldering iron that is too powerful, it can melt the insulation of the inner veins. The optimum temperature for soldering thin wires is 250-300°C.

2. Wire break at the speaker

If the sound is lost when the cable is moving at the base of the earphone, the problem is the cliff near the speaker.

1. Carefully disassemble the headphone body (a hair dryer may be required to soften the glue).
2. Find the cliff site (often visible to the naked eye or with a multimeter in vertebral mode).
3. Clean and solder the wires, strengthening the soldering site with a drop of glue (for example, SU-8).
4. Collect the body, making sure that the cable is not clamped.

For models with a microphone (such as Xiaomi Mi Headset), check the integrity of the microphone wire – it is often rubbed at the volume control.

Recovery of Xiaomi wireless headphones (TWS)

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones (like the Redmi AirDots 3 or Mi True Wireless Earphones 2) have other “weaknesses”: an imbalance in charge between the headphones, a Bluetooth module failure, or a battery failure in one of the headphones.

1. Resetting headphone settings

If one earphone doesn’t connect or shuts down quickly, perform a full reset:

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (usually 10-15 seconds) until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Take the headphones out of the case and pair again.

For models without a reset button (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4), use a touchpad combination: touch your left earbud 5 times for 3 seconds.

2. Problems with charging one earphone

If one headphone discharges faster or does not charge at all:

• 🔋 Clean the contacts on the headphone and in the case with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
• 🔄 Try charging the case with another cable (sometimes the problem is in the power supply).
• 🛠️ If the headphone is not charging even after cleaning, the battery probably failed. ~500–1000 ₽ service).

⚠️ Note: Do not use abrasive materials (for example, eraser) to clean contacts - this will damage the coating and worsen conductivity.

3. Firmware update

For some models (e.g. Xiaomi Air 2 SE), official firmware updates are available to fix synchronization issues.

1. Install the Xiaomi Wear or Mi Home app.
2. Connect the headphones to your smartphone.
3. Go to the Devices section → Headphones → Software update.
4. If an update is available, follow the instructions on the screen.

If after the update, one headphone stopped working, reset (see paragraph 1 of this section).

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For models without official firmware support (e.g. Redmi AirDots S), you can try a "forced" update via the engineering menu. In the Mi Home app, click on the firmware version in the device information 5 times.

Table: Frequent faults and methods of elimination

When should I contact the service?

Not all problems can be repaired by yourself. Contact Xiaomi Service Center if:

• 🔊 The speaker emits wheezing or distortion even after cleaning (membrane rupture is likely).
• 🔋 The battery in the headphone swelled (seems by the deformation of the body).
• 🛠️ After soldering, the sound appears, but after a few days disappears again (possibly damaged cable inside the insulation).
• 📡 Wireless headphones are not defined by any device after resetting.

The cost of repairs in official Xiaomi services (as of 2026):

• Replacement of the plug - from 800 ₽.
• Replacement of speaker - from 1200 ₽.
• Replacement of the battery in TWS-headphones - from 1000 ₽.
• Diagnostics + cleaning contacts - from 500 ₽.

⚠️ Note: If headphones are warranty, do not open the case yourself - this will cancel the warranty obligations. In the case of a factory defect (for example, a fallen speaker in the new Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro), repairs will be free of charge.

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Before visiting the service, back up your headphone settings (if they are saved in the Mi Home app), as you may need to re-configure after the repair.

Breakdown prevention: how to prolong the life of headphones Xiaomi

To avoid repeated breakdowns, follow these recommendations:

• 🎧 For wired models: Do not wind the cable tightly around the player or smartphone - this leads to microcracks in the wires. Use a storage case to avoid overburdens. Clean the plug for dust regularly (you can use a toothpick).
• 🔊 For wireless TWS: Don't leave your headphones in the sun or near heat sources (this shortens battery life). Charge the case with the original cable - cheap charging can damage the power controller. Avoid moisture even if the model has protection. IPX4.

For active noise cancellation (ANC) models such as the Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro, it is further recommended that:

• Turning off the ANC in the subway or plane, if not necessary, reduces the battery load.
• Update the firmware when notifications appear – the manufacturer regularly releases patches to optimize power consumption.

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