Xiaomi’s Wireless Headphone Has Stopped Working: What to Do in 2026

Introduction: Why it happens and where to start

Xiaomi's wireless headphones (Mi True Wireless, Redmi Buds, FlipBuds, etc.) are some of the most popular on the market because of the price-performance ratio, but even they are not immune to sudden breakdowns: one earphone stops turning on, the second one does not connect to the phone, both do not charge or emit distorted sounds. 90% of the time, the problem is solved without going to the service center, it is enough to correctly diagnose the cause.

This article will help you understand why your Xiaomi wireless headphones stopped working even if they are new or only lasted a few months.We will look at both software failures (firmware, Bluetooth settings) and hardware malfunctions (battery, contacts, speakers). Importantly, some symptoms may indicate a hidden factory defect that manifests itself only after 3-6 months of operation - this is not widely discussed.

So let's start with the simplest of things: checking basic settings and eliminating human error, and then we go on to deep diagnostics and repairs.

1. Check connection and basic settings

Before disassembling the headphones or carrying them to the service, make sure that the problem is not in the settings of the smartphone or the gadget itself. Most often, users are faced with the fact that one earphone does not connect to the phone or disconnects after 5-10 seconds.

• 📱 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes a Bluetooth module crash is solved by a simple reboot.
• 🔄 Reset the headphone settings - for this, put them in the case, press the button on the case on the case 10-15 seconds (before the indicator flashes).
• 🔗 Remove the device from the list of conjugates in Bluetooth settings and connect again.
• 🔊 Check the sound on another device – connect the headphones to a tablet, laptop, or second phone.

If the headphones went off after that, the problem was a temporary failure, and if not, we'll move on to the next step.

⚠️ Note: Headphones Xiaomi Mi True Wireless 2 and Redmi Buds 3 Pro have a feature - they can "forget" pairing if you have been lying for a long time without using (more than 2 weeks.

2. Charging problems: battery or contacts?

One of the most common reasons why one Xiaomi earphone doesn't work is because it's a charging problem.

• 🔋 The headphone does not charge in the case (the indicator does not burn).
• 🎧 It only works. 5-10 minutes and off.
• 🔌 Case does not charge headphones, but it is charged from the cable.

The reasons may be different:

Xiaomi Mi AirDots and Redmi Buds have a problem with battery bloating after 1-1.5 years of use. If the headphone stopped holding charge and became "bloated" - it needs to be urgently disposed of, as it is dangerous.

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If the headphone is not charging, try connecting the case to another cable or charger. USB-port.

3. Resetting and flashing headphones

If the headphones are connected but are not stable (switching off, distorting sound, not synchronizing with each other), the cause may lie in a firmware failure. LC3-codec (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro), where software updates are released regularly.

How to re-interview headphones:

1. Download the official software from the Xiaomi website (Support section).
2. Connect the headphones to the PC via Bluetooth.
3. Run an update utility (such as Mi Earphones Updater).
4. Follow the instructions on the screen.

For models without official firmware (for example, Redmi Buds 2), you can try resetting the settings through the Mi Home app:

1. Open the app and find your headphones in the list of devices.
2. Go to Settings → Reset to factory.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Warning: Don't interrupt the firmware update process! If the headphones turn off during firmware, they may turn into a "brick" and require repairs in the service.

4. Hardware malfunctions: what breaks most often

If the software methods didn't work, it's probably hardware, and here are the most common Xiaomi wireless headphone breakdowns:

• 🔊 Dynamic damage - the sound is distorted, wheezing or absent, often after falling or getting moisture.
• 📶 Bluetooth module malfunction – the headphones are not in the phone or only connect from a distance of 10 cm.
• 🔋 Battery failure – the headphone does not hold a charge or charge.
• 🎛️ Control buttons break down – do not respond to touch or press.
• 🔌 Wire break in the loop (for models with neck strap) – for example, in Xiaomi Mi Neckband.

You can try to fix only contacts or buttons on your own, and the rest will require a soldering iron, a tester and experience with microelectronics, for example, replacing the speaker in Redmi Buds 3 will cost 800-1500 rubles in service, and replacing the Bluetooth module can cost as new headphones.

If the headphones are warranty, do not disassemble them yourself - this will void the warranty.

Moisture and mechanical damage

Many Xiaomi models have IPX4 or IP54 protection, but that doesn’t mean they’re completely waterproof.

What to do if the headphones are wet:

1. Turn them off immediately and get them out of the case.
2. Dry for 24-48 hours in a dry place (do not use a hair dryer or battery!).
3. Check the contacts for corrosion - if there is a white plaque, clean it with alcohol.
4. Do not turn on the headphones until they are completely dry.

If the headphones didn't work after drying, it's likely that there was a short circuit on the board, in which case only repairs to the service will help.

⚠️ Warning: Do not put wet headphones in rice or silica gel - this will not accelerate drying, and particles can get inside the case.

Mechanical damage (falls, bumps) often lead to unplowing of the contacts or cracks on the board. If after a fall the earphone stopped turning on or began to sound worse, examine it for visible damage.

6.Chronicity problems between headphones

A common complaint is that one earbud works and the other doesn't, or they connect separately but don't sync with each other, a typical problem for True Wireless models, where each earbud has its own Bluetooth module.

Causes and solutions:

• 🔄 Sync failure – put both earphones in a case, press the reset button for 10 seconds, then pull out and plug in again.
• 📱 Conflict with other devices – remove all associated devices in Bluetooth settings and connect the headphones first to the phone, then to other gadgets.
• 🔋 Different charge levels -- if one earphone is discharged more, it may not sync. Charge both to 100%.
• 🎛️ Disparity of firmware versions - update the software through the official application.

For Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro and later, there is a special Dual Device Connection feature that can conflict with older smartphones. If you have a phone on Android 9 and below, turn this feature off in the headphone settings.

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If the headphones connect to the phone separately but don't work together, the problem is with the master headphone. Usually it's on the right, but some Xiaomi models may have a left.

7. When should I contact the service or buy new ones?

Not all breakdowns can be fixed on your own, but here are some cases when it is better to contact the service or think about buying new headphones:

• 💥 The headphone does not turn on at all (no indication, does not respond to charging).
• 🔥 Yellow or swollen battery - it is dangerous!
• 🎵 The sound is completely lost or severely distorted (cracking, wheezing).
• 📉 Headphones over 2 years old – repairs can cost as much as new.
• 🔧 Requires soldering or replacement of chips (without experience it is impossible to do this).

Cost of repair in unofficial services:

• Replacement of the battery - 500-1200 rubles.
• Replacement of the speaker - 800-1500 rubles.
• Repair of the Bluetooth module - 1000-2000 rubles.
• Cleaning / replacement of contacts - 300-800 rubles.

If the headphones are warranty (usually 12 months), contact the official Xiaomi service. This will require a check and a box from the device. In case of a factory defect (for example, the button falls off after a month of use) will be replaced for free.

⚠️ Note: In 2026, Xiaomi tightened the warranty on accessories.If the headphone case has autopsy marks or mechanical damage, repair may be refused.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphone malfunctions