Xiaomi phone shows connected headphones, although they are not: how to fix the error in 10 minutes

You took out a Xiaomi smartphone to listen to music or answer a call, but instead of sound from the speakers you see a notification about the connected headphones - even though there are no such things? This error occurs on the Redmi Note 10/11/12 models, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12 and even the flagship Xiaomi 13/14. The problem is not only annoying, but also blocks the main speaker, making the phone almost useless for calls or multimedia.

The reasons for the failure lie in hardware or software problems, from the closure of contacts in the socket 3.5 mm (if any) to errors in the firmware MIUI. In 80% of cases, you can fix the situation without going to the service center - just follow the proven instructions. In this article, we will discuss 7 working methods, including hidden developer settings, reset sound configuration and hardware diagnostics. And if you are a user of POCO with custom firmware, we have a separate section with solutions for you.

Why Xiaomi mistakenly identifies headphones: 5 main reasons

Before we move on to fixing it, it's important to understand the root of the problem: the "connected headphones" error is caused by a false signal in the headset detection circuit, and here are the key reasons:

• 🔌 Pollution or oxidation of contacts in the 3.5 mm connector (relevant for models with an audio connector, for example, Redmi Note 9 Pro or POCO M3). Dust, moisture or corrosion create a bridge between contacts that mimics the connection.
• 🤖 Failure in the sound driver after the update MIUI Or custom firmware installations. Frequently found on Xiaomi. 12T and POCO F4 post-transition MIUI 14.
• 🔄 A conflict of sound control apps (like Dolby Atmos, Equalizer, or streaming services like Spotify) can freeze in headphone mode.
• 🔧 Hardware malfunction of the audio chip or plume (typical for smartphones after falling or getting moisture). For example, on the Redmi Note 8, the microphone contact often leaves, which provokes a false alarm.
• 📱 Error in Bluetooth settings, when the phone “forgets” to turn off the profile of the headset (relevant for Xiaomi 13 Lite and new ones) POCO X5 Bluetooth 5.3).

Interestingly, on models without a 3.5 mm connector (for example, Xiaomi 12S Ultra or POCO F5), the problem is more often associated with software failures, whereas on older Redmi with an audio jack, the mechanics are to blame in 60% of cases, which affects the choice of method of fixing.

⚠️ Warning: If the error occurred after a phone drop or contact with water, do not try to clean the connector yourself - this can aggravate corrosion.

Method 1: Reboot and reset sound settings (works 30% of the time)

Start with the simplest, forced reboot, which helps if the failure is caused by a temporary conflict of processes. For Xiaomi and POCO models, use a combination of:

Power button + Volume up (hold 10-15 seconds until the MI logo appears)

If the reboot didn't help, reset the sound settings:

1. Open the Settings. → Sound and vibration.
2. Slip on three points in the upper right corner → Reset settings.
3. Confirm the action (password or fingerprint is not required).

After reset, check if the notification about the headphones has disappeared. If not, proceed to the next method.

Method 2: Cleaning of the 3.5 mm connector (for models with audio connector)

If your Redmi or POCO has a headphone jack, the problem is, 60 percent of the time, it's contaminated. Don't use alcohol or metal objects, they can damage your contacts.

• 🕯️ Take a toothpick with cotton wool (not a match!) and gently scrolle it inside the connector clockwise.
• 💨 Use a spray of compressed air (for example, to clean keyboards) – short presses (no closer than 5 cm!) blow out the dust.
• 🔦 Light up with a flashlight - if you see oxidation (green coating), contact the service.

The Redmi Note 10 Pro and POCO X3 NFC have a problem with falling off contact inside the connector. If the error persists after cleaning, try gently pressing the headphones when you connect - if sound appears, you need to replace the connector.

Method 3: Turning off Bluetooth and resetting its settings

Sometimes the phone forgets to turn off the headset profile after using Bluetooth headphones (such as Xiaomi AirDots or Redmi Buds), which leads to conflict when the system thinks the headphones are still connected.

1. Open Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth.
2. Turn off Bluetooth (slider at the top).
3. Remove all saved devices (stick a gear next to each → Delete).
4. Reboot the phone.
5. Turn on Bluetooth again and connect the headphones (if necessary).

For Xiaomi 13/14 and POCO F5 with Bluetooth 5.3, an additional step may be required:

Settings → Special features → Hearing settings → Disable “Sound Improvement for Hearing Devices”

This option sometimes conflicts with the definition of connected devices.

Method 4: Reset all settings (without data loss)

If the previous methods didn't work, try resetting the settings to factory settings, but without deleting the data, and this will return the sound system to default settings without affecting photos or apps.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find the Reset option and select Reset audio settings.
5. Confirm the action.

Once reset, the phone will reboot, a method that is particularly effective for POCO with custom firmware (e.g., Pixel Experience), where audio drivers conflict.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 9, Mi) 10T) The option to reset audio settings may not be available. In this case, use the full reset to factory, but pre-backup through Settings → Google → Backup.

Method 5: Use of the Engineering Menu (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use the Engineering Mode to diagnose and reset the audio chip, which is risky -- wrong actions can cause you to lose sound completely. Use only if you're confident in your actions!

Instructions for Xiaomi/POCO:

1. Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##36446337## (some models may not work – alternative: ##4636## → Audio).
2. Select Hardware Testing → Audio from the menu.
3. Scroll through to Headset Mode and check status: If Headset Inserted is in place (despite the lack of headphones), there is a hardware problem. If status changes randomly, there is a firmware failure.

Headset → Reset

Nana POCO F3 Xiaomi 11T The engineering menu can be blocked. ADB-team:

adb shell settings put global headset_blacklist_enabled 1

This command forcibly disables the definition of headphones (required) USB-debugging and PC).

💡

If the engineering menu doesn’t open, try entering the code through the Calculator app (enter the combination of numbers as a mathematical expression, for example, 36446337 and press =).

Method 6: Update or roll back MIUI firmware

The bug with the "ghost" headphones often appears after the MIUI update. For example, users of the Redmi Note 10 Pro massively complained about this bug after switching to MIUI 13.0.4.

• 🔄 Update your firmware to the latest stable version: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📉 Reverse to the previous version if the bug appeared after the update. MIUI from the official website. Rename the file to update.zip And put it in the root of the memory. + Power, select Recovery → Install update.zip.

Install the custom core

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POCO

For Xiaomi 13 Ultra and POCO F4 GT with MIUI 14, disabling MIUI optimization can help:

Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → Tap 10 times on the logo → Turn off Optimization. MIUI"

⚠️ Attention: Firmware rollback with fastboot on Dynamic models RAM Expansion (e.g. Xiaomi) 12 Pro) may cause data loss in the section /data. Always make a backup copy through TWRP or Mi PC Suite.

Method 7: Hardware diagnostics and repair

If none of the software methods worked, the problem is guaranteed to be hardware, and here are the signs that it's time to bring the phone to service:

• 🔊 Sound in the speaker appears only when strong pressing on the body near the audio jack.
• 💧 The phone fell into the water or was exposed to high humidity (even if it was several months later).
• 🔌 When you connect real headphones, the sound is distorted or lost.
• 📱 On the screen appears a notification of damage to the connector (on some models) MIUI Shows diagnostic messages).

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If the phone is warranty, do not open it yourself and do not use it. ADB-commands to reset audio chip – this will void warranty obligations.

FAQ: Frequent questions about false headphone definition