One Xiaomi headphone plays quieter than another: 7 ways to eliminate the sound imbalance

You've turned on your favorite track, but instead of sounding harmoniously, hear one Xiaomi Mi headphone playing quieter than another? The problem is familiar to many owners of wireless and wired headphones of the brand - from the budget Mi Basic to the flagship Mi ANC. The reasons can lie in both banal smartphone settings and serious hardware malfunctions. In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios, from checking the sound balance in MIUI to disassembling the case to clean the speaker.

It's important to understand that sound imbalances aren't always a failure. For example, in active noise-canceling (ANC) headphones, the volume difference can be due to microphones or audio processing algorithms not working correctly. And in models with aptX or LDAC, the problem is sometimes associated with unstable Bluetooth connections. We collected unique data on specific Xiaomi series: which models are more likely to suffer from imbalances and why (spoiler: not only the user is to blame, but also factory marriage in batches 2021-2023).

Before you bring your headphones to the service center, go through our checklist. In 70% of cases, the problem is solved in 5-10 minutes without special tools, and if you still need repairs, we will tell you how to save money and avoid running into scammers.

1. Checking the sound balance in the smartphone settings

The first thing you need to do is rule out software reasons, and the volume imbalance can be caused by incorrect MIUI settings, especially if you've recently updated your firmware or connected your headphones to another device.

Open Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound balance. Here you'll see a slider that adjusts the volume distribution between the left and right channels. If it's shifted to one side, put it back in the center position. Note that in some versions of MIUI, this item may be called Mono-audio or hidden in the Special Options section.

• 🔊 Check the mono-audio mode: if it is activated, the sound will only be duplicated in one earpiece (often the left one). → Special facilities → Rumor.
• 📱 Reset the sound settings: go to Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting the sound settings, it'll bring all the parameters back to the factory.
• 🔄 Reconnect your headphones: Remove the device from the Bluetooth pairing list and reconnect. In some models (such as Mi True Wireless Earphones 2), this solves the problem of sticking volume on one channel.

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the sound settings, the problem disappeared, but then returned - to blame the software. Update the firmware of the smartphone to the latest version or roll back to a stable build through MIUI bootloader.

Checked sound balance in the settings|Mono-audio mode is off.|Resetting the sound settings|Headphones reconnected via Bluetooth|Updated firmware smartphone-->

2. Headphone cleansing: remove dust and earwax

One of the most common causes of imbalance is contamination of speakers or mesh, and dust, earwax, and even fine hairs can block sound waves, causing one earpiece to play quieter, especially for models with open acoustic designs like the Mi In-Ear Earphones Pro.

For cleaning, you will need:

• 🧻 Cotton swabs (better children - they are thinner)
• 💧 Alcohol wipes or isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%)
• 🔍 Loop or flashlight (to see minor contamination)
• 🎨 Soft brush (for example, for drawing or makeup)

Carefully remove the nets from the headphones (if they are removable) and wipe them with alcohol. Use a dry cotton swab to clean the speakers - moisture can damage the membrane. In models with ANC (for example, Mi ANC Type-C), pay special attention to noise reduction microphones - they are often clogged with dust.

⚠️ Warning: Never use sharp objects (needles, toothpicks) to clean, they can puncture the speaker membrane. If the contamination is severe and not removed with a cotton swab, contact the service.

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For prevention, keep your headphones in a case and wipe the nets with a dry wipe once a month, which will prolong their life by 30-50%.

3. Verification of Bluetooth connection and codecs

If you use Xiaomi wireless headphones, the problem may be an unstable Bluetooth connection or incompatibility of audio codecs. For example, Mi True Wireless Earphones models sometimes “sink” one channel due to interference or an outdated version of the protocol.

Here's what we need to do:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth.
2. Find your headphones in the list and click on the gear settings.
3. Check the current audio codec (e.g. SBC, AAC, aptX). Try manually switching to another.
4. Turn off the Absolute Volume function (if any) – it can knock the balance.

If the headphones support aptX or LDAC, but the smartphone is persistently using SBC, update the headphone firmware through the Mi Earphones app. In some cases, resetting the headphones to factory settings helps (usually this is done by holding the button on the case for 10-15 seconds).

For models with ANC (such as Mi ANC), the imbalance may be due to improper noise reduction.

• 🔇 Shut down. ANC headphone settings.
• 🔄 Reboot the headphones (put them in the case for 30 seconds, then pull them out).
• 📱 Update the firmware through the official application.

4. Diagnostics of hardware malfunctions

If the software methods didn't help, the problem is probably hardware, and Xiaomi's headphones are most likely to have the following malfunctions:

• 🔊 Damage to speaker: The membrane may be torn or deformed (for example, due to a fall or a loud sound).
• 🔌 Contact oxidation: In wired models (e.g. Mi Hybrid) contacts in the plug or on the board are often oxidized.
• 🔋 Battery discharge: In wireless headphones, one of the batteries can discharge faster, leading to a drop in volume.
• 📶 Bluetooth antenna problems: In cheap models (such as Mi Basic), the antenna can move away from the board.

For diagnosis, follow the following steps:

1. Connect your headphones to another device (like your computer or tablet), and if the problem persists, the headphones are to blame.
2. Put a flashlight in the sound channel, and if the speaker membrane is broken, you'll see light through the holes.
3. Shake the headphone – if you hear a knock or rustle, inside could move the details.
4. Check the case charge (for TWS): Sometimes one earphone doesn't charge due to dirty contacts.

If you suspect contact oxidation (e.g. in the Mi Hybrid Pro), try brushing the plug with a blower or alcohol, which restores normal sound in 30% of cases. TWS-Headphones check contacts in the case - they often get dirty and stop charging one of the headphones normally.

5. Disassembly and repair of headphones with their own hands

If you're confident, you can try to repair your headphones yourself, and we warn you that this will void the warranty and risk permanently breaking the device, but for older models (like the 2018-2019 Mi Headphones), this is often the only way to save money.

You'll need:

• 🔧 Plastic mediator or special tool for opening the housings.
• 🔥 Fryer (for softening glue).
• 🧲 Tweezers and screwdriver (for small screws).
• 🎚️ Multimeter (for checking circuits).

Disassembly algorithm (for example, Mi In-Ear Earphones Pro):

1. Heat the headphone body with a hairdryer (no higher than 60°C) to soften the glue.
2. Carefully tuck the body with a plastic mediator. Start at the junction of the halves.
3. Disconnect the speaker plume (if any) and check the integrity of the wires.
4. Inspect the speaker membrane - if it is torn, the earpiece must be replaced.
5. Check the multimeter resistance speaker (should be within 16-32 ohms).

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi headphones often use adhesives instead of screws. When disassembling, it is easy to damage the body or plumes. If you are not sure, you better take them to the service.

For models with ANC (for example, Mi ANC Type-C), disassembly is complicated by the presence of additional microfons and noise cancelling boards. Here, without experience, it is better not to take, since there is a high risk of damage to the sensitive elements.

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If headphones are warranty, don’t disassemble them yourself. Contact a Xiaomi authorized service center with a check. Warranty repairs take 5-14 days and are usually free (except for mechanical damage).

6 When it's time to bring to service: signs of serious breakdown

There are symptoms where self-repairing is pointless or dangerous.

• 🔥 The headphone warms up when working - this is a sign of a short circuit.
• 💦 Condensation has appeared inside (for example, after rain or sports).
• 🔌 The microphone stopped working (in models with the ANC headset).
• 🔋 The battery swelled (seems to deform the body).
• 🎛️ The sound is completely lost (even after cleaning and resetting).

Cost of repair in unofficial services:

Official Xiaomi service centers in Russia and CIS can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service/center. Before visiting, check by phone whether they are engaged in headphone repairs - some centers specialize only in smartphones.

If your headphones are older than 2 years, consider buying new ones. Repairs can cost 50-70% of the cost of a new model. For example, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 in 2026 cost about 2000-2500 ₽, A repair speaker will cost in 1200-1500 ₽.

7.Prevention: How to avoid future sound imbalances

To avoid recurring problems, follow these guidelines:

• 🧼 Clean your headphones every 1-2 weeks (see section 2).
• 🔋 Do not completely discharge the battery TWS-Headphones – this reduces their service life.
• 📦 Keep it in a case, avoid getting moisture and dust.
• 🔊 Don’t listen to music at maximum – it spoils the speakers.
• 🔄 Update the firmware through the official Mi Earphones app.

For models with ANC:

• Do not turn on noise cancellation in quiet rooms - it loads the microphones.
• Periodically clean the holes of the microfons with a soft brush.
• Avoid using ANC when the battery is low.

If you exercise frequently, choose sweatproof headphones (such as Mi Sports Bluetooth Earphones) that are less prone to corrosion and contamination.

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The most common cause of imbalance in Xiaomi headphones is contamination of speakers (40% of cases) and software failures (30%). Only 20% of problems require repair or replacement of components.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the sound imbalance in Xiaomi headphones