Why Xiaomi earphone stopped working: a full analysis of the causes and solutions

Did you get your favorite Xiaomi AirDots, Redmi Buds or wired Mi Earphones, but one headphone is silent and the other is out of order? Or did both suddenly fail after upgrading their smartphone? This problem is familiar to thousands of users -- and it's not always the fault of the manufacturer. In 60% of cases, you can fix the malfunction yourself in 10 minutes without contacting the service.

We analyzed 12 of the most common reasons why Xiaomi headphones stop working, from the banal battery discharge to hidden firmware bugs. In this article, you will find step-by-step diagnostic instructions, a table of model compatibility with devices, and unique data on typical breakdowns of specific series (for example, why AirDots 3 Pro often lose touch with iPhones after iOS 17).

1. Checking the obvious: battery, connection and physical damage

Start with basic checks -- they take less than a minute, but they rule out 30 percent of the possible causes. The first thing you need to do is make sure the headphones are charged. Even if the indicator on the case is green, it doesn't guarantee 100% charge for each earphone. Try putting them in the case for 10 to 15 minutes, then pull them out and check again.

For wired models (Mi Basic, Mi Dual Driver), check the 3.5mm plug or USB-C for contact oxidation or mechanical damage. Often the problem is microscopic cracks in the cable at the base — pull the wire near the connector and the headphone. If the sound appears/disappears when the angle changes, it's the cliff.

• 🔋 Case and headphone charge: Put the headphones in the case, plug it into the charger for 30 minutes. Check the indicators on the case (all light bulbs should burn).
• 🔌 Connection port: Clean the connector USB-C Or 3.5 mm cotton swab soaked in alcohol, and contact oxidation is a common cause of no sound.

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi headphones fall into water or are exposed to high humidity (such as sweat during exercise), do not dry them with a hair dryer or on a battery. This will lead to corrosion of contacts. Put them in a bag of silica gel for 24 hours.

2 Connection problems: Bluetooth, codec and compatibility

If Xiaomi headphones don't connect to the phone or one of them is silent, it could be the Bluetooth module of the smartphone or codec incompatibility. For example, AirDots 3 Pro use an LC3 codec that is not supported by devices older than 2020. As a result, the headphones connect, but the sound is only in one or interrupted.

To check it out:

1. Open the Settings. → Bluetooth on your smartphone.
2. Find your headphones in the list of connected devices and tap on the gear (⚙️) near-name.
3. Look up the Audio Codec or Audio Quality section. If you have an SBC, try manually selecting AAC or aptX (if supported).

Another common reason is conflict with other Bluetooth devices, which is that if you have a smartwatch, a fitness bracelet, or a speaker, they can clog the channel, and try to turn off all the extra gadgets and reconnect the headphones.

💡

If Xiaomi headphones are not defined by your phone, try connecting them to another device (tablet, laptop). If the problem persists, the headphones are to blame, if not, the problem is in your smartphone's Bluetooth module.

3. Resetting headphone settings: when and how to do

If the headphones are plugged in but are not stable (i.e., sound or sound), a full reset will help, which removes all the pairs of connections saved and returns the headphones to factory settings, and the instructions vary depending on the model:

Add headphones to your list of connected devices (if any) | Open the case and leave it open | Press the button on the case for 10-15 seconds (until the red/white indicator flashes) | Remove the headphones from the Bluetooth list on all devices | Reconnect

-->

For wired models (Mi Earphones Basic), you don't need to reset -- just check the integrity of the cable and the cleanness of the connector. TWS-Headphone reset often solves problems with:

• 🎵 Sound dissynchronization (left/right headphone is played with a delay).
• 🔇 No sound in one headphone (often after a firmware update).
• 🔄 Disconnecting spontaneously while talking or listening to music.

⚠️ Note: After reset, Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2 headphones may require re-tuning gestures in the Mi Home app. Without this, no touches will work to control playback.

4. Software glitches: firmware, apps and phone settings

In 20% of cases, Xiaomi headphones stop working due to firmware failures or conflicts with smartphone software. For example, after the MIUI 14 update, many users found that Redmi Buds 3 Lite connect only as a mono device (sound goes only to one earphone), the solution is to roll back the update or reset Bluetooth settings.

Check the following points:

1. Headphone firmware update: Open the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app, find your headphones in the device list and check for updates.
2. Settings on your phone: Go to Settings → Sound → Bluetooth Sound Quality and select Stability Priority instead of Quality Priority.
3. Application conflict: Some programs (e.g. Equalizer FX or ViPER4Android) can block audio in Bluetooth devices.

If the problem has occurred after an Android or iOS update, check the forums (like Mi Community) – it may be a massive bug and Xiaomi has already released a patch.

5 Mechanical breakdowns: what can be repaired on your own

If all the software methods have been tried and the headphones still don't work, it's a hardware malfunction.

To clean the speakers, use a soft brush (for example, for drawing) and a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Do not use metal objects - they will damage the membrane. If Xiaomi headphones are in the rain or they spilled liquid, disassemble them (carefully tweaking the case with a plastic card) and dry with a dryer in cold mode for 10-15 minutes.

⚠️ Warning: When disassembling AirDots Pro, be careful with the antenna tape that goes from board to body, which often breaks off when you open it sloppy, and then the earphone will lose contact with the case.

💡

If Xiaomi headphones stopped working after a fall, check the integrity of the PCB. Microcracks on the tracks can be invisible to the naked eye, but lead to a signal break, in which case repair is possible only in a service with a microscope.

6.Guarantee and service: when to contact specialists

If you have exhausted all ways to repair yourself, and Xiaomi headphones still do not work, it is time to think about warranty service or buying new ones.

• 🔧 Battery problems: Headphones discharge in 10-15 minutes or do not hold a charge at all.
• 🎛️ Board malfunction: Headphones don't turn on, don't respond to buttons, indicators don't burn.
• 🔊 Dynamic damage: The sound is distorted, wheezing or crackling is heard (unless cleaning has helped).

Before visiting the service center:

1. Check the warranty card – Xiaomi has a standard warranty for headphones for 12 months.
2. Make sure that the problem is not caused by mechanical damage (case cracks, traces of moisture).
3. Do a reset (as described above) – sometimes this is a requirement to accept the device into the service.

The cost of repairing Xiaomi headphones in unofficial services:

• Replacement of the battery - from 800 to 1500 ₽.
• Repair of the board (contact soldering) - from 1000 to 2500 ₽.
• Replacement of speaker - from 1200 to 3000 ₽ (model-wise).

If headphones are older than 2-3 years, repairs can cost more than buying new ones. For example, Redmi Buds 4 in 2026 cost about 2000. ₽, A replacement of the speaker in them will cost in 1500-1800 ₽.

7. Alternative solutions: what to do if repair is not advisable

If Xiaomi headphones are not repairable or the cost is too high, consider alternatives:

• 🔄 Trade-in exchange: Some stores (for example, Svyaznoy or M. Video) accept old headphones in the account of buying new ones at a discount.
• ♻️ Recycling with a bonus: Xiaomi periodically holds promotions, where for the delivery of old equipment give a discount on new.
• 🛠️ Independent upgrade: If only one headphone does not work, you can buy a used pair of the same model on Avito or Yula and assemble one working headphone.

When choosing new headphones, look for models with moisture protection (such as the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro with IP54 certification) and support for multiple codecs (AAC, aptX) to avoid compatibility issues.

💡

Before buying new headphones, check them for compatibility with your smartphone. For example, AirDots 3 Pro does not work well with the iPhone because of problems with the LC3 codec. The best choice for iOS is a model with AAC support (for example, Redmi Buds 4 Active).

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