Why Xiaomi wireless headphones one speaker is quieter than the other: 7 reasons and ways to solve

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi wireless headphones have a quieter left or right speaker? This is a common problem faced by owners of Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earbuds, Xiaomi Buds and others. TWS-The difference in volume can manifest as a subtle decrease in sound level, and as a complete "loss" of one earphone from the stereo pair.

The causes of this behavior range from software failures to physical damage. In this article, we will discuss 7 key factors that affect the volume imbalance, as well as provide step-by-step instructions for diagnosing and troubleshooting. It is important to understand that some problems can be solved on your own in 5 minutes, and others will require a service center to help determine what exactly happened to your headphones.

Now, if you have a volume difference after a fall, a moisture hit, or a mechanical impact, it's probably hardware damage, and in all other cases, you should check the settings and the software first.

1.Stereo sound balance in device settings

The most common but often overlooked reason is the incorrect sound balance settings on the smartphone or computer itself, and many users are unaware that the system has a regulator that allows you to shift the volume between the left and right channels.

How to check:

• 📱 Android: Go to Settings → Special facilities → Hearing settings → Balance of sound (L/R). Make sure the slider is in the middle.
• 🍎 iOS: Open Settings → Universal access → Audiovisual content → Balance stereo and level it out.
• 💻 Windows: Right-click on the speaker icon in the tray → Open sound parameters → Sound control panel → Device properties → Additional opportunities → Balance.

If the balance is lost accidentally (for example, after connecting to another device), resetting it often solves the problem. Also check if monosound or amplification modes of one channel are activated - they can automatically turn down the volume in one earphone.

2. Pollution speaker or headphone mesh

In 60 percent of cases, the volume difference is caused by a banal clogging of the speaker or protective mesh, and dust, earwax, fabric fibers, or even small particles from the street can enter the sound channels, partially blocking the sound, especially for models with an open design (for example, Redmi AirDots 2).

How to clean your headphones:

1. Use a soft brush (for example, to paint or clean lenses) to remove visible particles from the grid.
2. For deep cleaning, take a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol (70%) and gently wipe the grille without pressing.
3. Blow the earphone with dry air (for example, a canister for cleaning equipment) from a distance of 10-15 cm.

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Never use sharp objects (needles, toothpicks) to clean speakers – it’s almost guaranteed to damage the membrane!

If the sound has not recovered after cleaning, the problem may lie in damage to the speaker membrane (for example, after a fall or a heavy impact), in which case the speaker will need to be replaced at the service center.

3. Software failures and synchronization errors

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones work on Bluetooth 5.0/5.2, and sometimes synchronization errors between the left and right earphones occur.

• 🔊 One earphone sounds quieter or with a delay
• 🔄 Automatic shutdown of one of the headphones
• 🔋 Different battery levels (e.g. 100% and 80%)

How to restart your headphones:

Make sure the headphones are connected to the charging case |Push and hold the button on the case for 10-15 seconds (until the indicator flashes)|Put the headphones out and wait 30 seconds |Put the button back on the device

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If the reset didn't help, try:

1. Update the firmware of the headphones through the official Mi Earphones app (available for most models).
2. Remove the headphones from the list of conjugate devices on the phone and connect again.
3. Try connecting the headphones to another device (such as a tablet or laptop) to rule out a smartphone problem.

4. Battery discharge or battery failure

In Xiaomi headphones, each speaker has its own battery, and if one of them discharges faster or fails, it can lead to:

• 🔋 Automatic volume reduction (energy savings)
• 🔊 Sound distortion or “slimming"
• ⚡ Completely disconnecting one headphone at low charge

How to check:

If the headphones are old (over 2-3 years old), the most likely problem is battery degradation. Modern lithium polymer batteries lose up to 20% of their capacity after 300-500 charge cycles, in which case only replacement will help.

5. Physical damage: falls, moisture, overheating

Even minor mechanical effects can affect the sound:

• 💧 Moisture: Oxidation of contacts or short circuit in the speaker. Symptoms - wheezing, quiet sound, spontaneous blackouts.
• 🚀 Hit or fall: Damage to the speaker membrane, disconnection of wires inside the housing.
• 🔥 Overheating: For example, if the headphones were lying in direct sunlight or near a heat source.

What to do:

1. If the headphones are wet: Turn them off immediately and remove them from the case. Dry for 24-48 hours in a dry place (do not use a hair dryer or microwave!).

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• Check the body for cracks or dents.
• Shake the headphone – is it not heard inside foreign sounds (for example, disconnected parts).

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If after falling or getting moisture, the earphone stopped working completely - do not try to disassemble it yourself! This can lead to final failure.

6. Bluetooth connectivity issues

An unstable Bluetooth connection can affect sound quality. If the signal is weak or there is interference, the device can automatically turn down the volume in one of the headphones to save energy or synchronize the audio stream.

How to improve the connection:

• 📶 Make sure there are no obstacles between the headphones and the phone (walls, metal objects).
• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones: Turn them off in Bluetooth settings, then turn them back on.
• 📱 Update the firmware of the smartphone – sometimes bugs in the Bluetooth stack are fixed in new versions of the OS.
• 🎧 Try connecting your headphones to another device to rule out a problem on the phone’s side.

If the problem only manifests itself with a specific device (e.g., Xiaomi, but not the iPhone), it may be the fault of Bluetooth codecs. In the Android developer settings, you can force the AAC or aptX codec to be enabled instead of SBC, which sometimes solves the sound problems.

7. Failed headphones or a fake

Unfortunately, there are many counterfeit Xiaomi headphones on the market that are seemingly indistinguishable from the original, but have poor build quality. If you bought headphones not in an official store (for example, on AliExpress or from hand), there is a high probability that the difference in volume is a factory defect.

How to distinguish the original from the fake:

If you suspect that the headphones are defective, check:

• 🔍 Serial number on the box and in settings (must match).
• 📦 Availability of all components (documentation, spare ambushes).
• 🎵 Sound quality at maximum volume (fakes often hear distortions).

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If the headphones are fake, you can't return them under warranty. Contact the seller to demand a refund, citing the Consumer Protection Act (Article 18).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the difference in volume of Xiaomi headphones