Owners of wireless headphones often face a situation where devices stop working correctly, lose sync with each other or refuse to connect to a smartphone. Resetting to factory settings is the most effective way to solve most software errors that occur during the operation of the gadget. Unlike a simple power outage, a full reset clears the internal memory of Bluetooth modules and returns the configuration to its original state.
Redmi AirDots, Redmi AirDots S and Redmi Buds 3 Lite have their own reset procedures, ignoring which can lead to the headphones remaining in "deaf" pairing mode. The user needs to clearly understand the difference between pairing and reset mode, since actions in these scenarios differ in the duration of button retention and the behavior of light indicators.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithms of actions for all current versions of the popular budget line, you will learn how to correctly interpret the flashing of indicators and what to do if the standard method did not bring the desired result. It is critical not to confuse long and short presses, since the timing of 5 and 20 seconds radically changes the logic of the microcontroller inside the case.
Preparation of headphones for the reset procedure
Before you start manipulating the buttons, you need to make sure that the device is technically ready. The battery should be sufficiently charged to ensure that the headphones do not turn off at the most critical time of flashing configuration. It is recommended to place both earphones in the charging case and leave them there for at least 15-20 minutes, even if the indicators show full charge.
The next step is to clear the list of stored devices on your smartphone. Find the name Redmi AirDots or Mi True Wireless EBAS-Basic in your Bluetooth settings and select the option “Forget the device” or “Tear it apart.” This action will delete the encryption keys stored in the phone and prevent automatic reconnection to the “glued” profile during the reset.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure the contact areas on the headphones themselves and inside the case are clean. Oxidation or dust can cause one of the headphones to not receive a signal to start the reset procedure, which will disrupt the synchronization of the stereo pair.
It’s also worth checking if the case is tightly closed. The mechanical sensors in some Xiaomi models respond to the lid opening, interrupting the calibration process. Place the device on a flat surface so you can freely access touch zones or mechanical buttons without dropping small components.
☑️ Preparation for discharge
Instructions for Redmi AirDots 1 and 2 generations
Redmi's first and second generation airbursts are controlled by physical buttons located on the end of each headphone. This is a classic scheme that requires precise timing. First, remove both earbuds from the case. If they're red or white, turn them off. To do this, press the buttons on both headphones at the same time and hold for about 5 seconds until the indicators go out.
Now that the devices are off, the main stage begins. At the same time, press and hold the buttons on the left and right headphones. You need to hold them tight for about 20 seconds. First, the red light will light up, then the device will enter pairing mode (fast flashing white), but you can not release the buttons. Wait until the indicators blink red twice at intervals. It is the double red blink that signals a successful reset.
When the double red signal comes, release the buttons, the headphones automatically go into device search mode, and the indicators will flash white often, at which point you can open the Bluetooth settings on the phone and search for new devices. If everything goes well, Redmi AirDots will appear on the list, and after you connect, the headphones should work synchronously.
What to do if the indicator does not light up?
It should be noted that in some first-generation revisions, timing may be different. If 20 seconds don't work, try increasing the retention time to 30 seconds. The main thing is not to release the buttons immediately after the first white flash, since this is only an input into pairing mode, not a reset.
Redmi AirDots S and Redmi Buds 3 Lite
The S and Buds 3 Lite series are touch-sensitive, which changes the mechanics of interaction. There are no physical buttons to push, so the procedure is done by touching the touch zones. As in the previous case, the first step is to completely turn off the headphones. To do this, place your finger on the touch area of both headphones and hold for about 5-7 seconds until the characteristic click of the switch off or dampen the indicators.
To do the reset, touch the touch zones on both headphones simultaneously and hold your finger for 20 seconds. The visual indication is this: first you see white blinking (pairing mode), then the indicators go out, and only then (about 20 seconds) they should flash red, which is the signal that the factory configuration is restored.
- 🔴 Red double blinking – successful reset configuration.
- ⚪ White Frequent Blinking – Device Search Mode (Pairing).
- 🔥 Red constant burning – there is a charge or battery error.
- ⚪ Red Alternate Blinking – Headphones look for each other (mono/stereo mode).
It's important to keep your touches synchronized. If you press your finger to your left earpiece a second earlier than your right earpiece, the reset may not happen, and the devices will simply go into standby mode. The touches must be confident, but not overly strong, so as not to damage the touch layer.
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Use your finger pads, not your nails, to touch the touch areas, and your nails may not carry the required static charge, and your earphone won't recognize the command.
Features of the Redmi AirDots 3 and Pro versions reset
Newer models, such as the Redmi AirDots 3 and AirDots 3 Pro, often use a hybrid control system or have a button on the charging case itself, which simplifies the process. If you have a button on your case on the back or front, the procedure becomes trivial: place your headphones in the case, leave the lid open and press the button on the case, holding it for 10-15 seconds until the color of the indicator on the case changes.
If there is no physical button on the case, a standard touch-zone circuit is used, similar to the AirDots S model. However, in the Active Noise Canceling (ANC) version of the Pro, the software failure may be deeper. In such cases, it is recommended that after reset, not connect the headphones to the phone immediately, but let them lie outside the case for 1-2 minutes for a full reboot of the modules.
For owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones with a shell MIUI or HyperOS, there is an additional control tool. Mi Wear app (formerly Xiaomi Earbuds) allows you to see the status of each headphone separately. If after reset, one of the headphones appears as "Low charge", although they were in the case, you may need to recalibrate the contacts.
| Model headphones | Type of management | Retention time | Success indicator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi AirDots 1/2 | Physical button | ~20 seconds | Double red flashing |
| Redmi AirDots S | Touch-sensitive | ~20 seconds | Double red flashing |
| Redmi Buds 3 Lite | Touch-sensitive | ~20 seconds | Double red flashing |
| Redmi AirDots 3 | Sensory/Case | 10-15 seconds | Case indicator |
Note that the table shows the averaged values. headphone software can be updated, and in rare cases, timing can vary between 2-3 seconds in a large or smaller direction.
Typical problems and methods of their elimination
Even if you follow the instructions clearly, users may find that the headphones do not reset. One common reason is that the charge is out of sync. If one earphone is discharged more than the other, it can go to sleep ahead of time, interrupting the procedure, in which case you need to charge both earphones to 100% and try again.
Another problem is mono sticking. After reset, the headphones have to find each other (flash alternately red and white), and then go into fast white flashing. If this does not happen, and they continue to flash different colors, put them back in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then pull out at the same time. Sometimes you need to repeat the reset procedure 2-3 times in a row.
⚠️ Attention: If the headphones are not behaving properly after multiple reset attempts, the problem may not be a software failure, but a hardware malfunction of the battery or Bluetooth module.
It’s also worth checking if the headphones are connected to other devices.The Bluetooth module can automatically connect to a tablet, laptop, or smartwatch that’s within range.Switch off Bluetooth on all surrounding devices, leaving only the main smartphone active.
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If a standard reset doesn’t help, try a “deep reset”: discharge the headphones to zero, leave to lie down for 2 hours, then charge to 100% and repeat the reset procedure.
Setting up after reset: important nuances
Once the factory setup is successfully restored, the headphones become a “clean slate,” which means that all previously saved equalizers, voice assistant settings, and application-specific bindings will be removed, and you will need to reconfigure your use cases if you have used specific features through the Mi Wear app.
When you first connect after a reset, Android may request permission to access contacts and call logs, which is necessary to ensure that the call button works properly and the caller’s name is displayed, and it is recommended that you confirm these requests so that the functionality of Redmi AirDots is fully disclosed.
Remember to regularly update the firmware of the headphones. the manufacturer periodically releases updates that improve connection stability and sound quality. You can check for updates in the Mi Wear or Xiaomi Earbuds app in the "About headphones" → "Firmware update".
- 🎧 Check the volume balance of the left and right channel in the phone settings.
- 📱 Remove old pairing profiles if you have changed your smartphone.
- 🔋 Keep the contacts clean in the case to extend the life of the battery.
- 🔄 Update the firmware when new versions appear in the application.
Properly adjusting after reset ensures that you get the maximum sound quality and battery life that a given gadget is capable of. Ignoring the recalibration phase can cause problems to return in a short time.