Modern wireless headphones from Xiaomi and Redmi have become an integral part of the daily lives of millions of users due to the excellent value for money ratio. However, like any electronic device with an operating system or microcontroller, they can occasionally encounter software failures, freezes or problems when connecting to a smartphone. In such situations, a standard shutdown does not always help, and a deeper procedure known as hard reset or reboot is required.
Many owners confuse a conventional power outage with a complete reboot of the device’s system, which often leads to a false conclusion about the malfunction of the gadget. In fact, in most cases, it is enough to follow the right algorithm of actions to restore the accessory to work without going to the service center. Understanding the difference between these processes is critical to maintaining the warranty and extending the life of your accessory. TWS-headphone.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the known ways to resuscitate Redmi headphones, including the Buds 3, 3 Pro, 4, 4 Pro models, as well as earlier versions of Redmi Buds and Redmi AirDots. You will learn how to correctly reset to factory settings, what to do if the indicators do not respond, and how to avoid common errors that can permanently disable the device.
The difference between a reset from a complete reset settings
Before you start active, you need to clearly understand the difference between a simple reboot and a factory reset. A typical reset is a process of turning off and on a device, where RAM is cleared, ongoing processes are completed, but all user data and settings are saved. This is similar to turning off and on a computer when open programs are closed, but the files on the disk remain in place.
Hard reset or factory reset is a more radical measure that returns the device to the state it was in (from the factory), with all stored pairings, connection history and custom audio settings removed irrevocably. Headphones forget your phone and require a re-pairing procedure, a technique used when a software failure does not allow the device to function correctly even after a normal reboot.
⚠️ Warning: Before performing a full reset, make sure you are ready to reconfigure the headphone connection to your smartphone, as all previous pairs will be removed from the device’s memory.
It is important to note that most budget and mid-budget Redmi models, such as Redmi Buds 3 Lite or AirDots, do not have a physical reboot button. All control logic is tied to the touch zones or physical buttons on the body of the headphones themselves, which, with a certain algorithm of pressing, initiate a controller reset. In more advanced models, such as Redmi Buds 4 Pro, the Xiaomi Earbuds application may be responsible for some of the settings, but the basic reset is still performed mechanically.
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Always check the charge level of the case and the headphones themselves before resetting. If the battery runs out during flashing or resetting, the device can turn into a brick.
Preparation of headphones for the reset procedure
The success of a reset or reset operation depends on proper preparation. The first and most important step is to ensure a stable power source. If the charge in the case or headphones falls below a critical level during the reset process, which can last from 10 to 30 seconds, the microcontroller may not have time to write new configuration files, which will lead to incorrect operation.
It is recommended to place both headphones in a charging case and connect it to the power source via the original USB-C or Micro-USB cable (depending on the model). Even if the indicators show full charge, the network connection ensures that the voltage does not sank at the time of peak load on the system.
Visually inspect contact areas on headphones and inside the case. Oxidation or dust can prevent the correct reading of charge status and control signals. Wipe the contacts with dry lilaless cloth or cotton swab lightly soaked in isopropyl alcohol if necessary. The purity of the contacts is the guarantee that the headphones correctly determine that they are in the case and ready to be reset.
☑️ Preparation for earphone drop
Universal method of rebooting through the case
Most modern models TWS-Headphones from Xiaomi and Redmi, including the Redmi Buds 3, 4, 5 series and their Pro versions, use a similar reset algorithm tied to the charging case function button, which is usually located on the back, at the bottom or inside the case between the headphone seats. It is she who serves as the main tool for entering the mode of pairing and performing factory reset.
First, place both earbuds in the charge case and leave the lid open. Make sure the status indicator lights up, signaling contact with charging feasts. If the indicator is not on, move the headphones or wipe the contacts as described in the previous one.
The presence of an indication is a key signal that the system is ready to receive commands.
Find a function button on the case case case. Depending on the model, you will need to press and hold it for 10-15 seconds. In some models, such as the Redmi Buds 4 Pro, the retention time can be up to 20 seconds. Watch for the LED indicator: it will start to blink, then it can go out and light up again, or change the color of the glow (for example, from white to orange and back).
| Model headphones | Positioning of the button | Retention time | Indication of discharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Buds 4 Pro | Behind the case | 10 seconds. | White flashing |
| Redmi Buds 3 Pro | Behind the case | 10-15 seconds | Orange -> White |
| Redmi Buds 3 Lite | Inside (between the ears) | 15 seconds. | Double blinking. |
| Redmi AirDots 3 | Behind the case | 10 seconds. | Fast blinking. |
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The key is to accurately observe the button retention time: pressing too short will only turn on the pairing mode, rather than reset the settings.
Reset headphones without a button on the case (Redmi AirDots, Buds Lite)
In older or budget models, such as Redmi AirDots, AirDots 2 or Buds 3 Lite, the function button on the case itself may not be present. In such devices, the touch or physical buttons on the headphones themselves take the role of the control element, which requires a certain dexterity and synchronization of actions, since it often requires simultaneous pressing.
To perform the reset, remove both earbuds from the case. If they are switched on and start flashing (pairing waiting mode), first turn them off by clamping the touch zones on both headphones simultaneously for 5-7 seconds until the indicators go out. After turning off, without removing your fingers, continue holding the touch zones for another 20-30 seconds. You need to wait for the moment when the indicators flash several times (usually 2-3 times) in red or white, which signals a reset successful.
There is also a variation of the method for models with a physical button on the headphone body (not the sensor), in which case you need to quickly press the right earphone button 5 times in a row, and then 5 times on the left, or hold both buttons simultaneously after extracting from the case. The exact algorithm may vary slightly depending on the revision of the microcontroller, so if one method did not work, try the alternative.
What if the headphones don’t sync after resetting?
Using Xiaomi Earbuds App for Diagnostics
For Android smartphone owners, especially Xiaomi and Redmi devices, the official Xiaomi Earbuds app (or the built-in module in MIUI/HyperOS) is an excellent control tool. Although the app doesn’t always allow you to perform a full hard-set hardware, it provides tools for firmware software updates, which often solves problems without the need for a physical reset.
Go to Bluetooth settings, find your headphones, and click on the gear icon or arrow next to the device name. If the device is compatible, the control interface will open. Here you can check the firmware version. If a new version of the software is available, update the headphones. Often bugs that cause you to reboot are fixed by manufacturers in security patches and stability.
You can also reset your equalizer or gesture controls, which can eliminate software conflicts. If the app sees headphones but they don't behave properly, try the Unpair feature in the Bluetooth menu, then physically reset through the case and rewire the pairing through the calibration app.
- 📱 Open the Xiaomi Earbuds app or Bluetooth menu.
- 🔄 Check for firmware updates and install them.
- 🗑️ Select “Delete Device” or “Forget” to clean the pairing cache.
- ⚙️ Reset gesture control settings to factory in the app menu.
Solving Common Problems After Resetting
After performing the reset procedure, users may encounter a situation where the headphones do not appear in the list of available Bluetooth devices. This is normal behavior, since after factory reset, the headphones go into a waiting pairing mode, but do not always automatically become visible to all devices at once.
If the lights are on but the phone can't see the headphones, try putting them back in the case, closing the lid, waiting 5 seconds and opening again. In some Redmi Buds models, pairing mode is activated only when you open the case lid with the headphones inside. Make sure that the smartphone is enabled geolocation service (GPS), as in Android it is a mandatory requirement to find Bluetooth devices.
⚠️ Warning: If one earphone is running after reset and the other is silent, the problem may not be the software failure, but the difference in battery charge. Leave the headphones in the case on charge for at least 1 hour, even if the indicators show a full charge.
In the rare cases where no methods are working, deep discharge may be required. Leave the headphones outside the case on until the battery is completely depleted until they turn off. Then put them on charge for a few hours. This method helps to reset the residual charge from the capacitors and restart the hardware of the power controller.