How to turn off headphone mode on Xiaomi if the sound goes only to headphones

You've connected your headphones to Xiaomi, but when they're disconnected, the sound still goes through the headset -- or disappears altogether? This is a typical problem when the smartphone freezes in headphone mode. The reasons range from mechanical damage to the 3.5mm connector to a software failure in MIUI. In 90% of cases, the problem can be solved without repair, just reset the audio settings or force the output source to switch.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to turn off headphone mode on Xiaomi Redmi, POCO, Mi and other models of the brand. Instructions are suitable for devices on MIUI 12-14 and Android 10-14, including budget devices (for example, Redmi Note 10) and flagships (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra). If standard methods do not help, you will learn how to diagnose a hardware malfunction and when to contact the service.

Why Xiaomi is not leaving headphone mode?

The headphone mode is activated automatically when you connect the headset to a 3.5 mm connector or via Bluetooth. Normally, after the headphones are turned off, the smartphone should return the sound to the speakers. If this does not happen, the reasons are divided into two groups:

• 🔧 Software failures: error in MIUI, application conflict (for example, Spotify or YouTube Music “hangs” in headset mode), incorrect sound settings.
• 🔌 Hardware problems: oxidation of contacts in the 3.5 mm connector, mechanical damage to the socket, ingress of moisture or debris.

The most common scenario is contamination of the headphone jack, where dust or metal shavings from the plug can close the contacts, mimicking the connected headset, in which case the smartphone “thinks” that the headphones are still inserted, and blocks the speakers, less often the MIUI updates, after which the sound drivers start to work incorrectly.

Before you bring your phone to the service, try the mildest methods — they help in 8 out of 10 cases.

Method 1: Reboot the smartphone

A banal but effective method is forced reboot, which resets the temporary settings of the sound system and often solves the problem if the failure is caused by a software error.

1. Press the Power button for 10-15 seconds until the off menu appears.
2. Select Reboot (or Restart in English firmware).
3. After turning on, check the sound – try playing music or video.

If the reboot didn't work, try taking out and pasting the headphones a few times (even if they're not connected). Sometimes it tricks the system and it switches back to the speakers. Also check if the Do Not Disturb or No Sound in the notification curtain is on, which can mask the problem.

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If after the reboot the sound appeared, but after a while the problem returned, most likely the fault of the specific application.Try to delete the latest installed programs or clear the cache in Settings → Apps.

Method 2: Cleaning the headphone jack

If the smartphone stubbornly "does not see" that the headphones are turned off, the cause may lie in a polluted 3.5 mm connector. Dust, pile or oxidation of contacts mimics the connected headset.

• 🧹 Use a toothpick with cotton wool dipped in alcohol. Carefully scrolle it inside the connector to remove contamination.
• 💨 Blow the connector with compressed air (such as a canister for cleaning equipment). Do not use moist air from the mouth!
• 🔍 Light a flashlight inside - if foreign objects are visible (for example, a piece of a plug), remove them with tweezers.

⚠️ Warning: Don't use metal objects (needles, paper clips) - they can damage the contacts. If after cleaning the problem is left, try inserting headphones from another device. If the sound appears in them and the speakers do not, the problem is the connector, and it needs to be repaired.

Method 3: Resetting sound settings through an engineering menu

If the software glitch is deeper than it seems, the engineering menu (#36446337##) can force the audio settings to factory settings, which works on most Xiaomi models, but the menu interface may differ.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##36446337###
2. In the menu that appears, select Hardware Testing → Audio.
3. Press Headset Mode and select Disable (or Off).
4. Reboot your smartphone.

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

If #36446337## doesn't work, try the alternative codes:

• #4636## → Audio Information → Headset
• ##7378423## → Service tests → Audio.

Close all applications that produce sound

Connect the charger (in case of freeze)

Remember the current volume settings

Do not interrupt the resetting process-->

Method 4: Reset all settings (without data loss)

If previous methods didn't work, try resetting your audio and network settings, and it won't delete your files or apps, but it will return to factory settings:

• 📶 Network settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile Internet).
• 🔊 Sound settings (loudness, equalizer, effects).
• 🎧 Sound output modes (headphones, speakers, Bluetooth).

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Network and Sound Reset (on some firmware – Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After reset, check the sound. If the problem was in the setting conflict, the speakers should work. If not, the last software method is the complete reset to the factory settings (see next section).

Method 5: Completely reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

If none of these things work, the last thing you can do is reset your phone to the factory settings, and that'll delete all the data, so first, you can:

• 📱 Make a backup copy through Settings → Google → Backup.
• 🖥️ Save photos and videos to your computer or cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
• 📝 Write down logins/passwords from accounts (they will be deleted).

Resetting instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset All Settings (or Factory Reset).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 5-15 minutes).

Once reset, the phone will turn on as new. Set it up again and check the sound. If the problem persists, it's a 100% hardware fault, and you have to bring the device to service.

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Hard Reset helps 90% of software failures, but erases all data. Use it only if other methods have failed.

When do I need to contact the service?

If you’ve tried all the ways, but Xiaomi still isn’t getting out of headphone mode, the problem is probably hardware.

• 🔌 3.5 mm connector wobbles or deformed.
• 💧 On the contacts visible plaque, rust or moisture.
• 🔊 The sound is lost even in the headphones (or distorted).
• 🛠️ After resetting the settings, the problem remained.

The cost of repair of the connector 3.5 mm in service centers:

• Xiaomi Redmi/POCO (budget models): 1200-2000 rubles.
• Xiaomi Mi (flagships): 2000-3500 rubles.
• Replacement of sound chip (in case of damage): 3000-5000 rubles.

⚠️ Warning: If you're not sure what's wrong, don't take your phone apart. IP-certification (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) disassembly can violate the tightness and deprive of warranties.

Before visiting the service, check whether your device is covered by the Xiaomi warranty. If so, repairs can be free. You can check the warranty status by using the serial number on mi.com/global/verify.

FAQ: Frequent questions about headphone mode on Xiaomi