How to remove the headphone icon on Xiaomi Mi A1: causes and solutions

The headphone icon that doesn't disappear from the Xiaomi Mi A1 notification panel is one of the most common problems among smartphone owners. Even after the headset is physically disabled, the icon can remain on the screen, blocking sound through the speakers and creating the illusion of a connected device, most of the time due to an audio jack failure, system processes freeze or firmware errors.

The Mi A1, released in 2017, ran on Android One with pure Android, but even that didn’t save it from the typical Xiaomi bugs. For example, 35% of the time, the problem is caused by contact oxidation in the 3.5mm connector, not software errors. In this article, we’ll look at all possible causes and offer proven fixes, from a rudimentary reset to a deep reset.

Why the headphone icon does not disappear: the main reasons

Before you start fixing, it is important to understand what caused the failure, and here are the key factors that most often lead to the icon sticking:

• 🔌 Mechanical damage to the connector: dust, moisture or deformation of contacts after sloppy connection of the headset.
• 🖥️ Failure in the audio driver: the system process media.server can “hang” and continue to recognize the headphones as connected.
• 📱 Firmware errors: especially relevant for users who have updated Mi A1 Android 9 Pie or installed custom ROM.
• 🔄 Application conflict: Some programs (e.g., players or instant messengers) may block the correct display of the status of audio devices.

Interestingly, the problem is more common when using non-original headphones with non-standard resistance, and cheap headsets with poor soldering of contacts can trick a smartphone into thinking that they are still connected.

Method 1: Rebooting the smartphone is the simplest solution

In 40 percent of cases, the headphone icon disappears after a simple reboot, which works if the system is temporarily stalled, and here's how to do it correctly:

1. Hold the Power button for 5-7 seconds.
2. In the menu that appears, select Restart.
3. Wait for the smartphone to be turned off completely (usually takes 30–60 seconds).

If the icon is left after the restart, try to force the audio system to restart:

Settings → Applications → All Applications → Find “Media” or “Audio System” → Stop

⚠️ Attention: Some users report that after the forced stop of media.server, the sound in the speakers may disappear completely, in which case only a complete reboot will help.

Method 2: Cleaning the audio jack - a mechanical solution

If the reboot didn't work, the problem is probably the physical contamination of the 3.5mm connector, and over time, dust, moisture, or oxides accumulate inside, which create false contact, and you'll need to clean up the jack.

• 🧴 Alcohol (isopropyl or medical) - for dissolving oxides.
• 🎨 Cotton swabs or toothpick - for mechanical cleaning.
• 💨 A container with compressed air (optional) - for blowing out dust.

Step-by-step:

Turn off your smartphone and remove the battery (if possible).

Wet the cotton swab in alcohol and gently wipe the internal contacts of the connector.

Use a toothpick to remove stuck fibers or dirt

Allow the connector to dry completely (10-15 minutes)

Connect and disconnect headphones 3-4 times to “clean” contacts-->

If you still have the icon after cleaning, try plugging your headphones and actively moving the plug in the connector, sometimes it helps to wake up your contacts, but be careful - excessive force can damage the connector!

Method 3: Resetting sound settings through an engineering menu

The Xiaomi Mi A1 has a hidden engineering menu that you can use to reset your audio system settings, which is effective if the problem is caused by a software failure.

Call the phone app: ##36446337# (EngineerMode)

Follow the instructions:

1. Go to the Hardware Testing → Audio section.
2. Select Headset Mode and set the Disabled value.
3. Go back to the main menu and select Audio → Headset → Normal Test.
4. Press Reset and confirm the reset.

After these manipulations, restart your smartphone. If the engineering menu is not available (for example, after updating your firmware), try the alternative code:

#4636### → Testing → Audio

⚠️ Warning: Do not change other options in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose. Incorrect settings can lead to loss of sound or damage to the speakers.

Method 4: Update or roll back firmware

If the headphone icon appeared after the system update, the fault may be an unstable version of the firmware. Xiaomi Mi A1 officially supported updates to Android 9 Pie, but many users faced sound bugs after the upgrade.

Here's what we can do:

The firmware rollback will require:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website.
2. Download the necessary firmware version with Xiaomi Firmware Updater.
3. Install it via Fastboot or Recovery.

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Before you run your firmware, back up your data via Settings → System → Backup. This will save your photos, contacts and messages in case of a crash.

Method 5: Complete reset (hard reset)

If none of these methods work, the last option is hard reset, which will remove all the data from the device, but return it to factory status, fixing the software bugs.

• 📱 Backup important data (photos, contacts, messages).
• 🔋 Charge your phone at least 50 times%.
• 📡 Make sure you know the login and password from your Google account (required after resetting).

Resetting instructions:

Settings → System → Reset → Delete all data (Factory data reset)

If the smartphone does not respond to touch, you can reset through Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume Up before the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

⚠️ Note: After the reset of Xiaomi Mi A1 You may need to enter data from your previous Google account (protection) FRP). If you don’t remember the password, unlocking your phone will be difficult!

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Complete reset is a last resort. 90% of the time, the first four fixes the problem. Use hard reset only if the other methods have failed.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If you’ve tried all the ways, but the headphone icon is still on the screen, the reasons may be more serious:

• 🔧 Damage to the audio chip on the motherboard (often after falls or moisture hits).
• 🔌 Breaking of contacts between connector and board.
• 📉 Wear of the connector due to long-term operation (typical for phones older than 5 years).

The cost of repairing the connector or audio chip on the Xiaomi Mi A1 in 2026 is from 800 to 2500 rubles depending on the breakdown.

• 🔍 Does the sound work through Bluetooth headphones (if so, the problem is precisely the connector).
• 🎧 Have you tried other headphones (maybe the problem is the headset).
• 🔊 Is there sound when connected to an external speaker through AUX-cable.

If the phone is warranty, don’t try to repair it yourself – this will void warranty obligations.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the headphone icon on Xiaomi Mi A1