One headphone Xiaomi AirDots does not turn on: full diagnosis and repair

You pulled out of the Xiaomi AirDots case, but one earbud stubbornly refuses to turn on? The problem is familiar to many owners of wireless headphones of this brand. Even in the most reliable models — AirDots Pro 2, AirDots 3 or Redmi Buds 3 — over time, there can be an imbalance in the work of the left or right earbud. In 70% of cases, the malfunction is associated with software failure or improper charging, but sometimes mechanical damage or factory defects are to blame.

In this article, we'll look at all the possible reasons why a single Xiaomi earphone doesn't respond to on-set, from the banal discharge of the battery to damage to the board. You'll get step-by-step instructions on diagnostics, resetting, even home repairs. And if the problem turns out to be hardware, learn how to save money at the service center. Let's start with the simplest and gradually move on to the difficult cases.

1. Checking the battery charge and the case

The first thing to do is make sure that the problem is not with the battery running low. Even if the indicator on the case is green, this does not guarantee that both earbuds are charged the same. In Xiaomi AirDots, you often find a situation where one earbud "hangs" during charging and does not gain sufficient energy levels.

How to check:

• 🔋 Put both earbuds in the case for 10 to 15 minutes, even if they've already been there.
• 🔄 Take out your headphones and try to turn them on individually. If the dead earphone has any reaction (blinked the indicator), the problem is definitely charging.
• 🔌 Connect the case to a charger with a current of at least 1A. Weak power supplies (such as from smartphones) may not provide enough current to charge two headphones simultaneously.

Critical information: AirDots Pro 2 and later uses a smart charging system that can block the current from flowing to a headphone with a damaged battery. If after 30 minutes in a case, the indicator on the headphone does not light up at all, this is a sign of a malfunction of the battery or power controller.

2. Resetting headphones to factory settings

If charging didn't work, the next step is to completely reset the settings, which cleans the memory of the headphones, removes all pairings with the devices, and returns factory settings, and 60 percent of the time, the reset solves the problem when one earphone doesn't turn on because of a software failure.

Reset instructions for most Xiaomi AirDots models:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white (or red and blue in new models).
3. Remove the headphones from the case and hold the touch panels on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until you hear the reset beep.
4. Place the headphones back in the case for 1 minute, then try to reconnect.

For AirDots 3 and Redmi Buds 4, the process is slightly different:

⚠️ Warning: If one earphone doesn't turn on after reset, but the indicator on it lights up when it's removed from the case, it's a problem with the firmware or hardware.

3. Diagnostics of hardware malfunctions

If the software methods don't work, it's time to check the hardware.

• 🔌 Charging contacts – oxidized or contaminated, which is why the earphone does not charge.
• 🔋 Battery – over time loses capacity or swells, blocking work.
• 🎛️ Power controller - fails at voltage drops.
• 📡 Bluetooth antenna – damaged by falls or moisture.

How to check contacts and battery:

1. Take a magnifying glass and look at the gold contacts on the earpiece and inside the case, and if they're dimmed or covered with plaque, clean them with a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol.
2. Try to press the headphone case slightly in the battery area, if it starts to turn on, this is a sign of a detached battery (requires an autopsy).
3. Put a flashlight on the headphone charger, and if you see bloating or leaking, the battery is malfunctioning.

⚠️ Note: If you find a bloated battery, do not try to charge the headphone. Lithium polymer batteries in this state can ignite. It is better to immediately contact the service or replace the battery yourself (instructions in the next section).

4. Replacement of the battery at home

If the diagnostics show that the battery is the problem, you can replace it yourself.

• 🔧 Plastic mediator or thin screwdriver.
• 🔥 Fryer (for softening glue).
• 🔋 New battery (for example, AirDots Pro 2 suitable battery) BL-5B 55mAh capacity).
• 🧴 Clay. B-7000 double-scotch.

Step-by-step:

1. Heat the headphone case with a hairdryer from the battery side (not higher than 60 ° C) to soften the glue.
2. Carefully tuck the lid with a plastic mediator, starting from the junction of the halves.
3. Disconnect the battery plume from the board (usually soldered or connected through a connector).
4. Install a new battery, attach it with glue and collect the case back.

⚠️ Warning: When soldering the battery plume, use a soldering iron with a power of no more than 30 W and flux without acid. Overheating the board can disable the Bluetooth module.

5. Reflashing headphones through Engineering Mode

If the headphone is turned on but not connected or malfunctioning, the problem may be the firmware. Some Xiaomi AirDots models have a hidden Engineering Mode (engineering menu) that allows you to update the software manually.

How to log in to Engineering Mode:

1. Connect the headphones to your smartphone.
2. Open the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app.
3. Go to the headphone settings and find the Firmware Update.
4. If the update through the application does not help, use AT-commands via terminal (root access is required on the phone).

List of AT-commands for diagnosis:

AT+VERSION? // Verification of the firmware version


AT+RESET // Software reset




AT+UPGRADE // Launch of the Update Mode

For AirDots 3 and newer models, you may need special software from Xiaomi - Mi Flash Tool. It can be downloaded from the official website in the support section. 4PDA or XDA-Developers.

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Before firmware, back up the headphone settings in the Xiaomi Wear app. After the software update, all user settings (such as the equalizer) will reset.

6. Bluetooth connectivity issues

Sometimes the earpiece is turned on, but not determined by the phone.

• 📱 Failure in the Bluetooth stack on a smartphone (especially relevant for the MIUI versions).
• 🔄 Profile conflict (e.g., the headphone tries to connect as a headset for calls, not as an audio device).
• 🛡️ Blocking. MAC-Addresses after multiple failed connections.

How to fix it:

1. Remove the headphones from the list of conjugated devices on the phone.
2. Turn on flight mode for 30 seconds, then turn off.
3. Try connecting the headphones to another device (tablet, laptop).
4. If MIUI is used, clear the Bluetooth app cache in the settings.

For models with Bluetooth 5.0+ support (such as AirDots 3 Pro), the following compatibility modes can be forced on:

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Click on the gear icon next to the headphones.
3. Choose Use as a Calling Device (even if you only need to play music).

7. When to contact the service center

If all of the above methods did not help, most likely, the problem is hardware and requires professional repair.

• 💥 The headphone fell into the water or was subjected to strong mechanical influences.
• 🔥 There is a smell of burning or the body is very heated.
• 🔊 The speaker emits wheezing or does not reproduce sound at all (the indicator works).
• 🔧 Replacing the battery without any results.

The cost of repairs in official service centers Xiaomi:

⚠️ Warning: In informal services, repairs may be cheaper, but there is a risk of getting headphones with unoriginal parts or damaged board. Always ask for a guarantee for work (at least 3 months).

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If your AirDots are warranty (usually 12 months), do not open them yourself - this will void warranty obligations.

FAQ: Frequent questions about non-functioning AirDots