How to turn off the headset on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: if the phone “can’t see” turn off the headphones

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but even it is not immune to bugs. One of the common problems: the phone continues to “think” that it has headphones connected to it, even though they have long been removed from the connector. The sound only goes through a non-existent headset, the speakers are silent, and the status bar is on the icon of the headphones. What is the reason and how to fix it?

There are several reasons for this malfunction: from the banal contamination of the 3.5 mm connector to software failures in the MIUI firmware. In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to turn off the headset on the Redmi Note 9 - from the simplest to the most radical. You will learn how to diagnose the problem, what tools will be needed for mechanical cleaning, and when to contact the service center.

Important: if after all the manipulations, the problem remains, it may indicate a hardware failure, for example, damage to the contacts of the connector or the chip of the audio controller, in which case self-repair can aggravate the situation.

Why the phone does not turn off the headset: the main reasons

Before we get to the bottom of the problem, we need to understand the root of the problem. On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 (Note 9/9S/9 Pro/9 Pro Max models), a headset failure usually occurs for the following reasons:

• 🔌 3.5mm connector contamination: dust, pile or contact oxidation interfere with the correct determination of the connection / disconnection of headphones.
• 📱 Software glitch MIUI: failure of the audio driver or accessory recognition system.

According to statistics of service centers, in 60% of cases the problem is solved by software methods (reboot, reset settings), in 30% - by mechanical cleaning of the connector, and only 10% require replacement of the connector or motherboard.

⚠️ Attention: if before the problem the phone fell into the water or was subjected to severe blows, do not try to clean the connector yourself - this can lead to a short circuit.

Method 1: Rebooting your phone is the easiest solution

Start with the obvious thing: rebooting the device. 20-25% When a system malfunctions, it's a temporary glitch:

1. Press the Power button on the sidebar of the Redmi Note 9.

After the reboot, check if the headphone icon has disappeared in the status bar and if the sound has recovered through the speakers. If not, move on to the next method.

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If the phone is getting stuck and does not respond to the power button, press Power + Volume up for 10-15 seconds for a forced reboot.

Method 2: Cleaning of 3.5 mm connector from dust and oxidation

If the reboot didn't work, it's probably a problem with the physical contamination of the connector, and over time, the dust builds up inside, the pile from your pockets or your bags, and the contacts become oxidized.

• 🔦 Lantern (for lighting the connector).
• 🧴 Cotton swabs or toothpicks (thin, non-metallic!).
• 💧 Alcohol (isopropyl or medical) to remove oxidation.
• 🌬️ Compressed air container (optional).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone to avoid short circuits.
2. Hold the flashlight to the connector and inspect it for contaminants, usually black dots (dust) or green plaque (oxidation) inside.
3. Soak the cotton swab in alcohol and gently wipe the contacts inside the connector. Don't use metal objects - they can damage the contacts!
4. If the contamination is severe, use a toothpick (wrapped in cotton wool) to remove dust from deep areas.
5. Let the connector dry for 5-10 minutes, then turn on the phone and check the sound.

Turn off the phone | Prepare alcohol and cotton swabs |Contect the connector in the light |Clear contacts without pressing |Give dry for 10 minutes-->

If the problem persists after cleaning, try connecting and turning off the headphones several times – sometimes this helps to “wake up” contacts.

Method 3: Resetting the sound and Bluetooth settings

If mechanical cleaning fails, the problem may lie in the software settings. A failure in the audio system or a conflict with Bluetooth devices often leads to a “stick” mode of the headset.

Step 1: Turn off all Bluetooth devices

Sometimes the phone confuses wired and wireless headphones. Open Settings → Bluetooth and turn off all connected devices. Then restart the phone.

Step 2: Reset the sound settings

Go to Settings. → Sound and vibration → Additionally (⋮) → Reset the settings. That'll bring all the audio back to the factory values.

Step 3: Clear the cache of the Phone app

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone → Storage → Clear cache. This will help if the failure is related to system services.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI 12+, After resetting the audio settings, some applications (such as TikTok or Instagram) may lose sound.

Method 4: Use of the Engineering Menu (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can try manually resetting the audio chip through an engineering menu, which is only suitable for advanced users, as improper actions can lead to sound degradation.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##36446337##
2. You will be taken to Engineering Mode. Go to Hardware Testing → Audio.
3. Select Headset Mode and press Disable (if the option is active).
4. Go back to the main menu and select Reset Audio Settings.
5. Reboot the phone.

If the sound has not recovered after these actions, try reconnecting and turning off the headphones - sometimes this helps to "re-initiate" the connector.

Method 5: Hardware reset (last chance before service)

If none of the methods worked, you will have to completely reset your phone, so make a backup copy beforehand.

How to reset Redmi Note 9 to factory settings:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase all data.
2. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.
3. Wait 5-10 minutes for the phone to reset and restart.

Once reset, the phone will look like new. Connect the headphones and turn them off -- if the problem persists, it's a 100% hardware fault (a damaged connector or audio chip).

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If the problem persists after the reset, do not waste time on further experiments - contact the service. Self-repair of the connector without experience can damage the motherboard.

When to contact the service center: signs of hardware breakdown

If all of these methods fail, it's likely that the problem is a physical malfunction, and here are some signs that the phone needs professional repair:

• 🔌 The 3.5mm connector staggers or dangles when the headphones are connected.
• 💦 There are traces of moisture on the phone (oxidation on the board, corrosion of the connector).
• 🔊 The sound disappears even when the headphones are connected (or distorted).
• 🔥 The phone is overheating in the connector area.
• 🛠️ Artifacts appear on the screen when you connect the headset.

The cost of repairing the 3.5 mm connector on the Redmi Note 9 in service centers ranges from 800 to 1500 rubles (depending on the region). If the audio chip on the motherboard is damaged, repairs will cost 2000-3500 rubles.

Before the service visit:

• Make a backup copy of the data.
• Check if the center has an official Xiaomi license (this guarantees the use of original parts).
• Check if the warranty is valid (on the Redmi Note 9 it is usually 12 months).

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off the headset on Xiaomi