Why Xiaomi’s second headphone doesn’t work: full diagnostics and repairs

You took out your favorite Xiaomi AirDots, Redmi Buds, or Mi True Wireless, and you turned on the music, and you found that one earbud was not making a sound or connecting at all. Is the situation familiar? 15-20% user-user TWS-headphones Xiaomi, but in 80% In some cases, it can be solved independently without contacting the service center.

In this article, we will discuss all the possible reasons why the second headphone Xiaomi does not work, from the banal discharge of the battery to factory defects. You will learn how to diagnose a problem in 5 minutes, what settings to check in the smartphone, and when it is really time to carry the headphones for repair. And we have collected unique data on models from 2023-2026, where the problem with one earphone is most common (spoiler: leading Redmi Buds 5 Pro and Xiaomi Buds 4).

Basic checks: what to do first

Before you break down, make sure the problem isn't the small things. Here are 4 steps you should take right away:

• 🔋 Charging headphones and case, connect the case to charge on the 10-15 Sometimes the contacts oxidize and the charging goes unsteady.
• 🔄 Reboot. Take both earbuds out of the case, put them back for 10 seconds, then retrieve them.
• 📱 Reconnect to your phone. Remove your headphones from your Bluetooth device list and reconnect (in the Settings menu). → Bluetooth).
• 🎧 Check on another device. Try connecting your headphones to another smartphone, tablet or PC. If the second headphone is running, your phone is a problem.

If, after this manipulation, one earpiece is still silent, we'll go to a deep diagnostics, but first, a little survey to help us understand how common your problem is:

Note that if your Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro headphones or newer, they have the ability to automatically turn off one headphone when low charge. This is done to save energy, but sometimes it works wrong. To check if that's the reason, check the charge indicator in the Mi Home or Xiaomi Earbuds app.

Problems with Bluetooth: smartphone settings

In 30% of cases, it is not the earphone itself that is to blame, but the incorrect Bluetooth settings on the phone, especially for devices on MIUI 14+, where connection profiles sometimes get lost.

Here's what you need to check:

1. Developer Mode. Activate it (in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version, press 7 times) and turn on the Bluetooth Debugging option in the Developer Menu.
2. Bluetooth codecs. In the same developer settings, find the Bluetooth Codec and select SBC (the most stable, though not the best quality).
3. Limit background processes. In Settings → Applications → Application Management → Bluetooth, turn off activity restriction.

If you don’t have a Xiaomi smartphone (such as a Samsung or iPhone), the problem may be in the A2DP profile conflict.

Settings → System → Reset → Reset settings Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth

This will remove all stored networks and devices, but often helps restore a stable connection.

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If you have an iPhone, before connecting Xiaomi headphones, turn off the Auto Switch function in the AirPods settings (if any).

3. Hardware malfunctions: when electronics are to blame

If the software methods didn't work, it's probably the hardware problem, and here's the most common hardware breakdowns.

The most common problem is contact oxidation, to fix it.

1. Take the earphone out of the case and inspect the metal contacts (usually 3-4 dots).
2. If there is a green or white coating, gently clean them with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%).
3. Dry for 10 minutes and try charging.

For models with neck straps (such as Xiaomi Mi Neckband), the problem is a cable fracture at the base of the headphone. To check this is simple: carefully bend the wire in different places while listening to music. If the sound appears / disappears, it is the fault of the cliff.

4. Software failures: firmware and reset settings

Xiaomi’s headphones run on its own firmware, which sometimes “flys off,” which is especially true for models with ANC (active noise cancellation), where the firmware is responsible for synchronizing microphones.

Signs of software failure:

• 🔊 One earphone is connected, but there is no sound.
• 🔄 Headphones are constantly reconnecting.
• 🎛️ The Mi Home app displays a synchronization error.

To reset the headphones to factory settings:

1. Put both earphones in the case.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (if any) for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. For models without a button (such as Xiaomi Buds 4), tap the touchpad of the headphone that works three times quickly.

After resetting, the headphones will appear in the Bluetooth list as a new device. If that doesn't help, try updating the firmware through the official app:

1. Install Xiaomi Earbuds or Mi Home from Google Play.
2. Connect the headphones and wait for the update notification.
3. Don't interrupt the process! The headphones will restart 2-3 times.

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If after updating the firmware, one earphone stopped working - it is a factory defect. Contact the Xiaomi service center with a check (the warranty for headphones is usually 12 months).

5. Features of specific models

Some Xiaomi models have unique bugs that are worth knowing about:

• 🎧 Redmi Buds 4 Pro: Often "loses" the right earphone after a firmware update.The solution is to roll back the version via Mi Home (if available).
• 🎧 Xiaomi AirDots 3 Pro: Left ear can be turned off when activated ANC. Helps to disable noise reduction manually.
• 🎧 Mi True Wireless 2: Mike problem in right earphone. To fix, reset and reconnect.
• 🎧 Xiaomi Buds 5: Sometimes out of sync after being pulled from the case.The solution is to put it back and wait 20 seconds.

If you have Redmi Buds 5 or newer, check the Double Connection setting in the app. Sometimes the headphones try to connect to two devices at once, causing one ear to remain silent.

For owners of Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro there is a separate life hack: if the right earphone does not work, try to disable the feature "Space sound" in the settings of the application. This feature often conflicts with Bluetooth on Android 13+.

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

If you've tried everything, but the second headphone still doesn't work, it might be a hardware breakdown.

• 🔥 The headphone warms up when charging or using.
• 💧 You can see traces of corrosion or moisture inside.
• 🔊 There is a sound, but it is very distorted (wheezing, crackling).
• 🔋 The earphone is discharged 5-10 minute.

The average cost of repairs in Xiaomi service centers:

Before you put your headphones in repair, check to see if the warranty period has expired. Most Xiaomi models have 12 months from the date of purchase.

• 📄 Check or invoice.
• 📦 Complete packaging (preferably).
• 📱 Serial number (located on the case or in the application).

7 Prevention: How to avoid problems in the future

To make your Xiaomi headphones last longer, follow these rules:

• 🚫 Do not store headphones in wet places (bathroom, kitchen next to the stove).
• 🔌 Charge only with the original cable (cheap cables can burn the controller).
• 🧼 Clean contacts 1 time a month with a cotton swab with alcohol.
• 📱 Update your firmware, but not through third-party apps.
• 🎵 Don’t turn on the maximum volume – it spoils the speakers.

If you use headphones during exercise, dry them for 10-15 minutes outdoors after exercise, and sweat and moisture are the biggest enemies of electronics.

For models with ANC (Redmi Buds 4 Pro, Xiaomi Buds 4), it is important to regularly clean the microphones (small holes next to the speaker).

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If you lose your headphones often, turn on the “Device Search” feature in the Mi Home app, which will help you find them at the last connection location (it works even if the headphones are turned off, but within a 10-meter radius).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's broken headphone

If none of the tips worked, don't despair. In 90% of cases, Xiaomi headphones are repairable, and the cost of repairing usually does not exceed 30% of the price of new ones.