Why Xiaomi’s Headphone Doesn’t Work: 10 Reasons and Ways to Fix Wireless Headphones

You turned on your favorite track, but you found that one Xiaomi headphone doesn’t work and the other one plays sound normally? This problem is common in most models of the brand’s wireless headphones – from the budget Redmi AirDots to the premium Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro. The reasons can be due to software failures and hardware malfunctions.

In this article, we'll look at all the possible reasons why one earphone stopped working, from a simple battery discharge to a broken speaker. You'll get step-by-step diagnostic and repair instructions, and when to contact a service center. Don't throw your headphones away: 80 percent of the time, you can fix the problem yourself in 10 to 30 minutes.

1. Checking the underlying causes: battery, connection, physical damage

Before you disassemble your headphones or reset your settings, eliminate obvious problems. Start with a visual inspection:

• 🔋 Battery discharge: one earphone could have run out faster than the other. Check the charge indicators on the case - if one of them does not burn or flashes red, the problem is the battery.
• 🔌 Poor case connection: headphone contacts could become oxidized or contaminated.
• 🎧 Physical damage: cracks on the body, traces of falling or getting moisture - all this can cause a speaker or microphone to fail.

If the Xiaomi headphone doesn’t turn on at all (it doesn’t respond to the button, the indicator doesn’t flash), try a forced reset:

⚠️ Warning: Do not use abrasive materials (paper sandpaper, metal brushes) to clean your contacts, which will damage the protective coating and exacerbate the problem.

If the basic measures did not help, move on to the diagnosis of software and hardware malfunctions.

2. Resetting headphone settings: step-by-step instructions

A common reason why one Xiaomi earphone doesn’t work and the other one is functioning is because it’s synchronized between the headphones or with the phone, and a full reset will help.

For Redmi AirDots (all generations) and Xiaomi Buds (1-3 generations):

1. Open the lid and hold the button on the case for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.

For Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, FlipBuds Pro and new models:

1. Get the headphones out of the case.
2. Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until you hear the beep.
3. Put the headphones back in the case - they should reboot.

After reset, be sure to remove the headphones from the list of Bluetooth devices on your phone and reconnect. If the problem persists, move to the next section.

Make sure your headphones are charged at least 30 times%|

Remove headphones from the Bluetooth list on all devices |

Use the original case for reset |

Do not interrupt the process until the indicator blinks.-->

Bluetooth Trouble: Why the Phone Can't See One Headphone

If one earphone connects after reset and the other doesn't, the problem may be in the Bluetooth protocol or the phone's settings.

• 📱 Bluetooth version: Older smartphones (up to Bluetooth 5.0) may not work properly with new Xiaomi headphones.
• 🔄 Device conflict: If the headphones have previously connected to another gadget (tablet, laptop), they may "forget" synchronization.
• 🛠️ Bluetooth services crash: Go to Settings on Android → Annexes → Show system-based → Bluetooth and clear the cache.

For iPhone owners:

iOS sometimes blocks the connection of "non-standard" headphones.

1. Forget the device in Bluetooth settings.
2. Turn off and turn on the plane mode.
3. Reconnect the headphones by holding the button on the case.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi headphones may conflict with some versions MIUI (If the problem has occurred after the phone update, try to roll back to the stable version.

4. Hardware malfunctions: what breaks most often

If the software methods didn't work, the problem is probably the hardware, and here are the most common malfunctions.

Critical information: If the Xiaomi headphone smells like a smoke or heats up when charging, stop using immediately! this is a sign of a short circuit that could lead to a fire.

To diagnose hardware problems:

1. Light a flashlight into the speaker grille - if the membrane is torn or deformed, repair is needed.
2. Shake the headphone: if you hear a knock, perhaps soldered element of the board.
3. Check the resistance of the speaker with a multimeter (should be 16-32 ohms).

💡

If a Xiaomi earphone falls into water, DO NOT turn it on right away! put it in rice or silica gel for 24 hours, then dry with a hair dryer (cold air) before turning on.

5. Repair with your own hands: what can be done at home

If you're confident in your skills, you can fix some of the problems yourself, and here are the step-by-step instructions for the most common cases:

Cleaning contacts and connectors

Use this:

• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — to clean contacts on the headphone and in the case.
• 🧼 Cotton swabs - to remove dirt from the speaker grille.
• 🔥 Hair dryer (cold air) - to dry after cleaning.

Replacement of the battery (for experienced users)

You'll need:

• 🔧 Screwdriver. T5 or T6 (model-wise).
• 🔋 A battery of similar capacity (for example, for Redmi AirDots – 43 mAh).
• 🔥 soldering iron with a thin sting.

⚠️ Warning: When replacing the battery, do not overheat the board - this can damage the charge controller. Use a soldering station with a temperature not higher than 300°C.

For models with a removable loop (for example, Xiaomi FlipBuds):

Often the problem is the wiring break in the neck strap, to check:

1. Bend the strap in different places – if the sound appears/disappears, the wire is damaged.
2. Carefully cut the silicone shell and check the integrity of the wires with a multimeter.
3. Seal the cliff or replace the strap (you can buy on AliExpress).

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Self-repair of Xiaomi headphones voids the warranty. If the device is warranty, contact the service center before Attempting to repair it yourself.

6. When to contact the service center: prices and guarantees

If self-care has not worked, it is time to turn to the professionals, here are the signs of serious malfunctions that require repair in the service:

• 🔥 The earphone is heated or smells of a burn.
• 🔋 Battery swollen or does not hold charge (less than 10 minutes of operation).
• 🎛️ Complete lack of sound when connected properly.
• 💧 Corrosion traces on board after moisture hit.

The cost of repairs in official Xiaomi service centers (for 2026):

Before the service visit:

1. Check if you have an authorized Xiaomi service center in your city (list on mi.com).

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial services may use non-original parts, which will shorten the life of the headphones. Always require a warranty for repairs (at least 3 months).

7. Prevention: how to prolong the life of wireless headphones

To avoid problems in the future, follow these guidelines:

• 📦 Storage: Always put your headphones in your case – this protects against dust and mechanical damage.

For models with active noise cancellation (ANC):

Frequent use of ANC drains the battery faster, and turn off this feature if it is not needed, this will extend the life of 20-30%.

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If Xiaomi headphones start to hold the charge worse, "accelerate" the battery: completely discharge them, then charge to 100% without interruptions. Repeat 2-3 times.

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