Xiaomi wireless headphones can be difficult to connect at the wrong time, disrupting your plans to listen to music or talk. Often users are faced with a situation where one of the headphones stops syncing with the smartphone or the sound becomes intermittent. In such cases, standard Bluetooth reconnection methods may not work, and the only effective solution is a complete reset to factory settings.
The reset procedure, or hard reset, eliminates software errors accumulated in the device’s memory during operation, which returns Xiaomi Airdots, Redmi AirDots or newer Mi True Wireless Earbuds models to their original state, in which they were in the immediate post-purchase state, and it is important to understand that after this procedure you will have to re-pair the phone.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the nuances of your gadgets’ recovery process, learn about the differences between touch-controlled models and mechanical buttons, and get answers to frequently asked questions. Accurate sequences are critical to successful resets, as the timing of taps is fractions of a second.
The main reasons for the need to reset settings
Before we get into action, we need to understand why we need to take this radical step at all. Headphone software, like any other firmware, can malfunction. One of the most common causes is the out-of-synchronization between the left and right channels, when they start to work independently.
Problems can also arise after updating the smartphone operating system or changing the device to which the headphones connect. Older connection profiles may conflict with new security settings or data protocols, as a result, the user observes constant connection breaks or a complete failure of the device to respond to commands.
There are a number of signs that indicate that your device needs “resuscitation”:
- 🔇 One of the headphones is silent or makes a quiet, distorted sound.
- 📶 Headphones are seen by the phone as two separate devices with the same name.
- 🔋 The charge indicator is displayed incorrectly or burns in constant red.
- 📱 The device is not in pairing mode, despite the serviceability of the battery.
Ignoring these symptoms can make software failure permanent, and resetting your settings on time can help avoid more complex hardware problems, and it’s a simple and safe way to get your device back to its original functionality without going to a service center.
Preparation for the discharge procedure
The success of the operation depends on proper preparation. Before you start manipulating the buttons, make sure that your Xiaomi Airdots or Redmi AirDots have sufficient battery power. If the headphones are completely discharged, they may not respond to presses or turn off at the most critical moment.
Place both earbuds in the charging case and wait a few minutes for the indicators to show the charging process. Even if they are charged, it is recommended to leave them in the case for 5-10 minutes to stabilize the voltage, this will eliminate false positives or interruption of the process due to energy saving mode.
It’s also important to clear the list of paired devices in your smartphone’s Bluetooth settings. Find your headphones in the list, click on the gear icon or the “i” icon, and select the option “Forget this device” or “Unpair it.” This action will break the software connection and prepare the phone for a new detection cycle.
For the convenience of performing all the steps, you can use the following checklist:
☑️ Preparation for discharge
Keep in mind that the cleanliness of the contacts also plays a role: If there is dust or oxidation on the golden patches of headphones or inside the case, the device may not correctly detect whether the headphones are inside.
Instructions: Reset for models with mechanical buttons
Classic models, such as the first versions of Xiaomi Airdots and Redmi AirDots, feature physical control buttons.The reset process requires a certain agility and timing compliance. First, remove both headphones from the charging case.
Turn off Bluetooth on your smartphone to avoid automatic connection during setup. Then press and hold the buttons on both headphones simultaneously. You need to hold them for about 20 seconds. First you see the red light light light go off, then it goes off, and then it lights up again, but in a different color or flash mode.
The critical point is when the lights start flashing white quickly and rhythmically, and it's a signal that the reset is in progress, and at that point you need to release the buttons, and if you release them sooner or later, the reset may not occur.
What to do if the timing is knocked down?
Once the lights flash white, put the headphones back in the case for 5-10 seconds, and then retrieve them. Now they have to go to device search mode (quick flashing of the white indicator). Turn on Bluetooth on the phone and find the device in the list. Note that now the list can only show one device, not two, as it was in desynchronization.
Resetting settings for touch models and new versions
More modern models, such as the Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 or AirDots 3, are often devoid of physical buttons and controlled through touch zones.The reset principle here is similar but requires more delicate handling.The touch panel may be less responsive if hands are cold or fingers are dry.
Take the headphones out of the case and make sure they're on (the indicator flashes). At the same time, touch the touch zones on both headphones and hold your finger for about 20 seconds. You need to wait for the indicators to light up in red and then start flashing quickly white.
In some versions of Xiaomi with touch control, the procedure may be different: you need to perform 5 quick presses in a row on each headphone. After the fifth press, the indicator should flash red, which signals the entry into reset mode.
The table below will help you navigate the types of controls for different models:
| Model headphones | Type of management | Action for discharge | Indication of success |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Airdots 1 | Mechanical button | 20 seconds retention | Triple flashing. |
| Redmi AirDots S | Mechanical button | 20 seconds retention | Fast white flashing |
| Mi True Earbuds 2 | Sensor | 5 presses + hold | Red light. |
| AirDots 3 Pro | Sensor + Annex | Through the Mi Home app | Reset on the menu |
After a successful reset, remember to put the devices back in the case to exit the settings mode. Only then can you start the process of new pairing with the mobile device.
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If you have an AirDots 3 Pro or newer, try resetting through the Mi Home or Xiaomi Earbuds app. There’s a separate “Reset Headphones” button in the device’s settings, which is much easier than the manual method.
Solving Common Problems in Resetting
Even with all the instructions, sometimes there are complications. One of the common problems is that the headphones don't go into reset mode. In this case, check if the buttons are stuck. Mechanical buttons can become contaminated with earwax or dust over time, which prevents normal pressing.
Another common situation is that the reset went away, but the headphones went out of sync again.This could mean that the phone has an old profile left in its memory. Try to completely clear the Bluetooth cache on your Android device through the developer menu or third-party utilities, then repeat the procedure for resetting the headphones.
⚠️ Attention: If after multiple reset attempts, the headphones continue to malfunction, the problem may lie in the charging case itself.The case also has a microcontroller that may need to be rebooted.Leave the case without headphones on charge for several hours.
Older Xiaomi Airdots models may not work with the latest versions of Android or iOS due to changes in codec protocols, in which case resetting will only have a temporary effect.
If nothing works, try "deep discharge." Leave the headphones out of the case until the battery is completely exhausted until they turn off and stop responding. Then put them on charge for 2-3 hours and repeat the reset procedure. This often helps to resuscitate the "hung" logic of the device.
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The main reason for a failed reset is a sequence failure or a battery failure. Always start with a full charge and delete the old Bluetooth profile.
Proper synchronization after reset
Once you've successfully reset, the headphones go into pairing standby mode. However, before you connect them to the phone, they need to sync with each other. Remove both earphones from the case at the same time.
You'll see the lights start flashing, and in the first few seconds they might blink in turn or at different frequencies, and this is the process of finding the neighbor. When the left-right link is established, one of the headphones (usually the right one) will stop flashing or blink slowly, and the other will continue blinking fast, signaling readiness to connect to the phone.
Now you can activate Bluetooth on your smartphone. Find your name on the list of devices (for example, Mi True Wireless EBs Basic), and when you connect, you may request permission to access contacts and call logs, which is a standard procedure for the microphone and control buttons.
- 🎧 Make sure that only one device is displayed in the Bluetooth list, not two identical devices.
- 🔊 Check the sound balance by playing the test track.
- 📞 Make a test call to check the microphone.
If you plan to transfer them to another user, make sure the old phone is out of range or its Bluetooth is off.
⚠️ Warning: Don't try to connect your headphones to your phone while they're still flashing different colors to mean finding each other. Wait for the indicators to stabilize, or you'll only connect to one channel.
Prevention and care of wireless headphones
To make the resetting as rare as possible, you should follow simple rules of operation: regularly clean the speaker grid and charging contacts. The accumulation of sulfur and dust not only worsens the sound, but can also cause short circuits or false alarms of sensors.
Don't let the headphones run deep for a long time. If you don't plan on using them for a long time, charge them up to 50-60% and take them out of the case, leaving the case also charged. Lithium polymer batteries degrade if they're stored completely discharged.
Use the original cable to charge the case or a high-quality analogue with a current of no more than 1A. Charging high-power currents from powerful power supplies can damage the power controller inside the case, which will lead to unstable work of the headphones.
Update your firmware regularly if the model supports this feature through the app. Manufacturers often release patches that fix connection errors and improve the stability of the Bluetooth module.