Xiaomi Redmi 5 “sees” headphones that are not: 7 ways to eliminate the glitch

Why does Xiaomi Redmi 5 think it has headphones connected to it?

You took your phone out of your pocket and the sound stopped going through the speaker — instead, Xiaomi Redmi 5 persistently sends audio to the “invisible” headphones? Or the headset icon is burning on the screen, even though you turned it off long ago? This problem is familiar to many owners of budget Xiaomi smartphones, especially after several years of operation. The reasons can be both software (microfunction in the MIUI firmware) and hardware (pollution of the connector 3.5 mm damage to the contacts).

80 percent of the time, the error is solved without going to the service center -- just reset the audio settings, clean the connector, or update the software. But if the phone doesn't recognize the physical disconnection of the headphones after falling or getting moisture, you'll need a deeper diagnosis. In this article, you'll find proven ways to go from simple to complex, including hidden MIUI features that aren't mentioned in the official instructions.

Before you start repairing, make sure the problem isn't with the headphones themselves. Connect them to another device -- if the sound is going well, it's the smartphone's fault. Also check if the jack is stuck with garbage: sometimes just blowing the hole or gently removing foreign particles with a toothpick (no bigotry!).

Method 1: Reboot and “hot” turn off the headphones

The fastest method, which works 30 to 40 percent of the time, is to force the state of the audio system to reset through a combination of actions.

1. Connect your headphones to a 3.5mm jack (even if they’re working, that’s important!).
2. Turn on any music or video and make sure the sound is coming through the headset.
3. Without turning off the headphones, restart the phone (press the power button and select Reboot).
4. After turning on the Xiaomi Redmi 5, immediately remove the headphones from the connector.
5. Check if the headset icon has disappeared in the status bar and if the sound is going through the speaker.

If it doesn’t work, try repeating it 2-3 times, sometimes the system forgets about the headphones only after a few reboots, and it’s also worth checking if the mode on the plane is activated, it can block the audio chip from working properly.

Method 2: Cleaning the 3.5 mm connector - how not to damage the contacts

The main reason for the headphone sensor to falsely act is oxidation or contamination of the contacts in the connector. Dust, moisture, particles from the case, or even ordinary dirt can create a bridge between the contacts, simulating the connection of the headset, and you need to clean the connector carefully so as not to bend the pins inside.

You'll need:

• 🔦 Lantern (to light the connector)
• 🪥 Toothpick or plastic spatula (not metallic!)
• 🧴 Alcohol (isopropyl or medical) + cotton-stick
• 💨 Compressed air container (if possible)

Step-by-step cleaning:

1. Turn off your phone to avoid short circuits.
2. Hold the flashlight to the connector and inspect it for debris, and if you see fibers, dust, or oxidation inside, start cleaning.
3. Wet the cotton swab in alcohol and gently wipe the internal contacts (don't press!). For hard-to-reach places, use a toothpick wrapped in a thin cloth.
4. If there is a can of compressed air, blow the connector with short pulses (hold the balloon vertically!).
5. Let the phone dry for 10-15 minutes before turning on.

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Do not use metal objects (needles, paper clips) for cleaning - they can damage the contacts or close them, which will lead to breakage of the audio chip.

After cleaning, check the connector for performance. If the problem remains, perhaps the contacts have oxidized too much - in this case, only replacing the connector in the service will help. It is also worth checking whether the pins inside are bent: if so, carefully correct them with a toothpick (but this is risky!).

Method 3: Resetting sound and audio system settings

If the hardware didn't work, the problem is the software part, and MIUI has a hidden audio reset feature that often solves headphone glitch, and here's how to activate it:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to the section Sound and vibration.
3. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Reset Sound Settings (if no item, skip this step).
4. Return to the main settings menu and open All settings → Additional → Resetting.
5. Select Network, Sound and Display Reset (Do not reset all phone settings!).
6. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

Once reset, the phone will return to factory volume, notification and audio routing parameters, which can eliminate conflicts in the work of the audio HAL (Android audio driver), which causes the system to mistakenly determine the connection of the headphones.

Check that the phone is at least 50 times charged%|Keep important sound settings (e.g. uniformity)|Turn off the Bluetooth headsets|Close all audio applications (music, video)-->

Method 4: Update the firmware or roll back to a stable version

Errors with headphone recognition often appear after MIUI updates, especially if you use beta firmware. Some builds (e.g. MIUI 10.2-10.4 for Redmi 5) had an audio driver bug that caused the headset to stick.

1. Update to the latest stable version: Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. Click on “Check Updates” and install the available version. After the update, reset the audio settings (see Method 3).

Reverse to the previous firmware

• Download the stable version of MIUI for Redmi 5 (e.g. V10.1.2.0) from Xiaomi’s official website.
• Move the firmware file (.zip) to the phone’s root folder.
• Open Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Dots → Select a firmware file.
• Confirm the installation and wait for completion.
• Press Headset Key and select Clear (if available).
• Go back to the main menu and select Restart Audio System.

After the reboot, check if the headphone icon has disappeared. If the engineering menu displays a Headset mic bias low or Short circuit error, this indicates a hardware malfunction - most likely, the connector contacts or audio chip are damaged.

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If the headset status is 1, but the headphones are not connected, it's a software problem. If 0, the phone still sees the headset, it's a malfunction in the connector or the plume.

Method 6: Hardware malfunctions - when you can not do without repair

If none of the software methods worked, the problem is the hardware. Here are the typical Xiaomi Redmi 5 malfunctions that cause the headphone sensor to falsely fire:

The most common failure is to separate the jack contacts from the board (especially if you often pull the headphone cord), in which case the jack needs to be soldered over, and if the phone falls or gets wet, the audio chip could suffer, it will cost more to replace it, but it will be cheaper than buying a new smartphone.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t try to disassemble the Redmi 5 yourself to repair the connector if you don’t have experience with soldering equipment. Contacts on the board are very fragile, and the audio chip is sensitive to overheating – a failed soldering can bring the phone down completely.

Method 7: Alternative solutions if nothing helps

If the problem is not fixed, but the phone is still functional, you can use the workarounds:

• 🎧 Bluetooth Headset: Connect wireless headphones – they will work regardless of the 3.5 mm connector state.
• 🔊 External speaker: Use a portable speaker with Bluetooth or USB-C (If you have Redmi 5, you will be able to OTG).
• 📱 Sound routing apps: Utilities like SoundAbout (requires root) can force audio to be redirected to the speaker.
• 🔄 Disabling Notifications: C Settings → Notifications Turn off sounds for unnecessary apps to avoid being distracted by a “ghost” headset.

If you plan to sell or rent your phone for repair, pre-reset the full factory reset (Settings → Additional → Reset → Delete All Data) this will clear up personal data and may accidentally solve the headphone problem (although the odds are slim if it’s hardware).

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Before resetting, save your phone's IMEI (type *#06# and take a picture of the screen). In rare cases, after a complete reset, it may reset and have to be restored through an engineering menu.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the problem with headphones on Xiaomi Redmi 5