Xiaomi’s current wireless headphones, including the popular Mi True Wireless Earbuds, AirDots, and Redmi Buds series, are complex microcomputers that, like smartphones, may need periodic reboots. Users often face a situation where one device stops syncing, the sound is distorted, or the indicators are not behaving correctly.
The restart process depends on the specific model and type of malfunction you see, and in this article we will detail the algorithms for different scenarios, from a simple software reboot through the application to a complete reset to factory settings with a pairing memory cleanup.
It's important to understand the difference between a conventional shutdown and a forced restart. If your Xiaomi headphones just "hang" and don't respond to touch, you'll need mechanical intervention or battery discharge, whereas connectivity problems are often solved by software. Let's look at all the available ways to solve the problems with sound and communication.
Diagnosing problems before rebooting
Before taking drastic measures, it is necessary to determine exactly the nature of the malfunction. Often users confuse the dead battery with a software failure, which leads to unnecessary manipulation. If the left or right earphone does not turn on, check the contacts of the charging case and make sure that the lights on the indicators light up when installed in the socket.
There are a number of symptoms that clearly indicate the need to restart the TWS (True Wireless Stereo) system, including desynchronization of the stereo pair, when the sound is only in one ear, or the inability to find the device in the Bluetooth list of the smartphone after previous successful use.
Pay attention to the behavior of touch panels, if they stop responding to double taps or, conversely, execute commands randomly, this is a sure sign of a failure in the controller, in such situations, the standard procedure for rebooting headphones is the first and most effective step.
- 🎧 The sound is present in only one headphone, the second is silent or hisses.
- 📱 The smartphone sees the device, but the connection does not occur or immediately breaks.
- 🔋 Indicators flash a non-standard color or do not light up when extracted from the case.
- 🔊 Voice assent is not activated or playback control commands are ignored.
Software reboot via Mi Wear app
The safest and most recommended way to restart for modern models is to use Xiaomi’s proprietary Earbuds app (formerly Mi Wear), which allows you to perform a soft reboot without losing the equalizer settings and sensor configuration. First, make sure that the headphones are connected to the smartphone and the battery is at least 20%.
Open the app on your device and go to the headset management menu. The interface often has a feature called checking for updates or resetting the connection that actually initiates a restart of communication modules. Find a point associated with firmware or device status, and try to initiate updates checks — even if a new version does not appear, the system will update the connection status.
If you have an option on the menu called "Untie the device" or "Forget," use it before you physically reset, and this will clear the mating cache on the phone side, then you need to turn off Bluetooth on your smartphone, put your headphones in your case, and close the lid on the phone. 10-15 seconds, and then reopen it to enter the pairing mode.
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Before performing a reset via the app, make sure the headphone firmware version is up to date - this often solves compatibility issues with newer versions of Android.
It is important to note that not all models support a full reboot through software. Budget versions of Redmi AirDots may not have advanced functionality in the application, requiring mechanical intervention.
Mechanical reset to factory settings
When software methods don't work, you need to run Hard Reset, a process that completely clears the internal memory of the headphones by removing the history of all previously connected devices, which is especially useful if you're planning to sell the headset or connect it to a new smartphone that refuses to see the old pairing.
To reset most Xiaomi and Redmi models, you need to put both headphones in the charging case. Make sure the lid is open. Some models, such as the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2, have a functional button on the case case. Others, such as AirDots, have touch zones on the headphones themselves.
If your model has a button on the case, press it for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes white or orange (depending on the model). If the button does not, remove the headphones and press the touch panels on both devices simultaneously for 5-7 seconds before turning them off, then place them again in the case and repeat the clamping procedure already inside the case (if the design allows) or immediately after extraction.
☑️ Algorithm of resetting settings
After a successful reset, the indicators should flash at a certain rhythm, signaling the transition to the (pairing) mode. Now you can search for the device in the Bluetooth list of your smartphone. Old records about the headphones in the phone should be manually deleted before you reconnect.
⚠️ Note: After a full reset, you will need to reconfigure gesture control and equalizer in the app, as all user preferences will be removed.
Features of restarting different models
The Chinese giant’s lineup of wireless headphones is extremely extensive, and procedures may vary depending on the year of release and series. Active noise cancellation (ANC) models have more complex operating logic, requiring accuracy when rebooting to avoid knocking down the microphone calibration.
Below is a table that helps identify the reboot method for popular series.Please note that for some versions of Pro and S, the action combinations may vary.
| Model headphones | Type of management | Duration of clamping | Indication of discharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 | Headphone sensors | 20 seconds (in case) | Blink 3 times |
| Mi True Wireless Earphones 2S | The button on the case | 15 seconds. | Orange blinking |
| Redmi Buds 3 Pro | The button on the case | 10 seconds. | White flashing |
| Mi Air 2 SE | Sensors/Button | 15-20 seconds | Fast blinking. |
Flagship models like the Mi Buds 3T Pro sometimes require a specific sequence: triple touch the sensor to call the menu, followed by long press. Always check the official instructions if standard methods don't work, as firmware can be updated.
What if the indicator does not flash after resetting?
Solving charging and case problems
Often the problem of not turning on is not the headphones themselves, but the oxidation of the contacts or the failure of the case power controller. If the indicators do not light up after placing in the case, try to wipe the contacts with an alcohol napkin. Sometimes it helps to wiggle the headphones in the nest.
If the case has stopped seeing the headphones, it may need to reboot its own. To do this, connect the case to the power source via a USB-C or Micro-USB cable. In some cases, connecting to a low-current charger (such as a USB port of a computer) can "wake up" the controller who has gone into deep sleep.
There is a push charging method for fully discharged lithium polymer batteries. Leave the headphones in the case for 2-3 hours charging, even if the indicators do not burn for the first 30 minutes. The BMS (Battery Management System) controller may need time to raise the voltage to the operating level.
- 🔌 Use the original cable or quality analogue with a cross section suitable for current transmission.
- 🧹 Regularly clean contacts on headphones and inside the case from earwax and dust.
- 🌡️ Do not store headphones at extremely low or high temperatures, this harms battery chemistry.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use powerful smartphone chargers (fast charging) 65W+), If the case doesn't support this protocol, it can cause the power controller to overheat and fail.
Why the headphones do not reboot: frequent errors
One of the most common mistakes is not having enough button retention time. Users often let go of the sensors after 5-10 seconds, thinking that the device is off. However, to enter reset mode on Xiaomi devices, it is often necessary to hold the clamping for up to 20-30 seconds.
Another mistake is trying to reset when one of the headphones is discharged. The TWS system works as a single mechanism, and if the right earphone (usually a master device) is discharged, the reset may not be correct or start at all. Always check the charge before starting the procedure.
Also worth mentioning is the “phantom” connection problem: If you reset your headphones but haven’t removed them from the Bluetooth list on your phone, the device may try to connect to the old record, ignoring the new headset status. Be sure to remove the device from the Bluetooth list before re-pairing after reset.
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Successful resets are always confirmed by a change in the behavior of indicators: they start flashing more often, change color or turn off and turn on again.
Failure prevention and firmware update
To minimize the need for reboots, it is important to keep the software up to date. Manufacturers regularly release patches that fix connection stability errors and improve noise reduction algorithms.
Don't let the headphones go "to zero" on a permanent basis. Deep discharge damages lithium batteries and can cause the charge controller to lock the device. Try to put the headphones on charge when the indicator is around 20-30%.
When stored in a case without using it every 2-3 months, check the charge level. If you leave the headphones discharged for six months, the probability that they will stop turning on is extremely high. Regular, even short-term, recharging prolongs the life of the gadget.