How to Turn Both Xiaomi Headphones On: A Step-by-Step Guide for All Models (2026)

Did you take Xiaomi's new wireless headphones out of the box, plug them into your smartphone, and suddenly you find that the sound comes from only one headphone? Or did the left/right speaker stop working after the firmware update? This problem is familiar to many Xiaomi headphone owners, from the budget Redmi Buds to the flagship Mi TrueWireless. 80% of the time, the malfunction is solved in 5-10 minutes without going to the service center.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons why both Xiaomi headphones don’t play, from the banal battery discharge to firmware failures. You’ll get unique instructions for models from 2022-2026 that you won’t find in standard manuals, as well as a compatibility table with devices of different brands. If you’ve tried reconnecting your headphones but the problem remains, don’t rush to carry them for repairs: 9 out of 10 cases, the solution lies on the surface.

1. Checking the basic settings: why is one earphone silent

Before you dig deep, make sure that the problem isn't in the obvious minutiae, and let's start by diagnosing the connection and the audio settings on your device.

The first thing you need to do is check the sound balance in your smartphone settings. On Android (including MIUI), the path is: Settings → Sound → Stereo Balance. If the slider is moved left or right, one of the headphones will be silent. Return it to the center position. On the iPhone, the same setting is in Settings → Universal Access → Audiovisual Content → Stereo Balance.

Second, reset your headphones.

• 🔋 Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
• 📱 Get them out in 10-15 seconds.
• 🔄 Hold the button on the case (if any) or touchpad on the headphones for 5-7 seconds until the indicator flashes red/white.

Third, check your physical condition. Check your headphones for contaminants in your speakers (especially if you often carry them in your pockets or bags). Sometimes dust or pile blocks the sound. Carefully clean the holes with a soft brush or toothpick (not a metal object!).

2.Reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings

If the basic diagnostics didn't work, the next step is to completely reset the settings, which removes all the connections you've saved and returns the headphones to the "out of the box" state, and the instructions vary depending on the model.

For Redmi Buds 3/4, Mi TrueWireless 2/3:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and hold the button on the case (or touchpad on the headphones) for 15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white alternately.
3. Release the button and the headphones will drop.

For Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, FlipBuds Pro:

1. Get the headphones out of the case.
2. Hold the touch panels on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until you hear the reset beep.
3. Return the headphones to the case - they will automatically reboot.

Once reset, the headphones will disappear from the Bluetooth paired device list, and you'll need to reconnect them, just like when you first used them, and if you have a problem after that, move on to the next section.

Make sure your headphones are at least 30 times charged%|

Close all Bluetooth apps (music, games) |

Disconnect your headphones from other devices (laptop, tablet) |

Prepare the connection instructions for your model-->

3. Update the firmware of headphones through Mi Fit or Xiaomi Earbuds

One of the most common reasons why both Xiaomi headphones don't work is the outdated firmware, which regularly releases updates to fix bugs with sound and connection, and you can check and update the firmware through official apps:

For most models (Redmi Buds, Mi TrueWireless) use Mi Fit:

1. Connect the headphones to the smartphone via Bluetooth.
2. Open Mi Fit and go to Profile → My Devices → [Your headphone model].
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Firmware Update.
4. If a new version is available, follow the instructions on the screen.

For flagship models (Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, FlipBuds Pro) use Xiaomi Earbuds:

1. In the app, go to Settings → Update firmware.
2. Make sure the headphones are connected and charged at least 50%.
3. Click Check Updates and wait for the process to complete.

Updating the firmware can take up to 10 minutes. Do not interrupt the process and do not remove the headphones from the case (if required by the instructions).

4. Bluetooth problems: how to connect headphones correctly

If the headphones are connected, but the sound is only going to one channel, the problem may be in the wrong Bluetooth connection.

1. Mono/stereo mode: Some apps (e.g. WhatsApp or Zoom) automatically switch the headphones to mono (single channel) for voice calls to return the stereo:

• 📱 Close all applications that use the microphone.
• 🔊 Play any music or video – the sound should be restored in stereo.
• 🎧 If the problem persists, reconnect the headphones manually through Settings → Bluetooth.

2. Device conflict: If the headphones have previously been connected to another phone, tablet or laptop, they may "forget" the correct sound profile.

• 📱 On the main device, remove the headphones from the list of Bluetooth devices.
• 🔄 Turn off Bluetooth on all other devices that your headphones have ever connected to.
• 🔗 Connect the headphones back to the main device.

3. Bluetooth codecs. On Android, Xiaomi headphones may not work properly with the aptX or LDAC codec.

1. Open Settings → System → Developer → Bluetooth audio settings (if there is no “Developers” item, activate it by clicking 7 times on the Build Number in Settings → About Phone).
2. Select the Bluetooth Codec and set AAC or SBC.
3. Reconnect the headphones.

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If the headphones are plugged in but the sound is interrupted or late, try turning off the Absolute Volume feature in the developer settings, which often solves problems with synchronizing sound in games and videos.

5. Diagnostics of hardware malfunctions

If none of the software methods worked, maybe the problem is the hardware.

1. Battery check: If one of the headphones is discharged more than the other, it can automatically turn off to save energy.

• 🔋 Put your headphones in your case and watch the charge indicators. Both should blink the same way.
• 📊 In the Mi Fit or Xiaomi Earbuds app, look at the charge level of each headphone separately.

2 Speaker test. Connect your headphones to another device (like a laptop or tablet) If both of your headphones are working, the problem is the settings of your smartphone. If the same headphone is silent, it's a malfunction in the headphone itself.

3. Contact check. Xiaomi cases often contaminate charging contacts, which causes one earphone to not charge or turn on. Clean contacts in the case and on headphones with an alcohol napkin.

Diagnostics of the microphone: In some models (Redmi Buds 4 Active), the microphone is built into only one earphone. If it is locked, the device may "think" that the earphone is defective. Blow into the microphone or clean it carefully.

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If the headphones fall into the water or are subjected to severe vibrations (for example, in a backpack while running), there is a high probability of hardware damage, in which case the software methods will not help - repair is required.

6. Features of models: Redmi Buds vs Mi TrueWireless

Not all Xiaomi headphones are the same – different models have unique sores that affect the performance of both speakers.

Redmi Buds 3/4 (including Lite and Active)

• 🔊 Frequent problem: Left earphone shuts down when battery power is low (below 20%.
• 📱 Incompatibility with iPhone older than iOS 14: sound can only go in mono.Update the firmware of headphones.
• 🔄 Automatically disable one earphone when talking on the phone (a feature, not a bug.

Mi TrueWireless 2/3:

• 🎵 Sound problems in Spotify or YouTube Music because of the aptX codec. AAC.
• 🔋 If the headphones have been lying unused for more than a month, they may "forget" pair mode.
• 📡 Poor subway or elevator connectivity due to weak Bluetooth 5.0. in newer models (2023)+) Bluetooth 5.3 is used.

Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro / FlipBuds Pro:

• 🎧 Function LDHC (High-resolution codecs can conflict with older smartphones. Disable it in Xiaomi Earbuds.
• 🔊 The Earth Tip Fit Test sometimes gets confused.
• 📱 When connecting to Windows, the microphone may not work.Install the Qualcomm Atheros driver.

If your model is not on the list, check the official documentation on the Xiaomi Support website. For rare models (for example, Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2S), specific firmware may be required.

7. Alternative solutions: if nothing has worked

You've tried every way, but one earpiece still doesn't speak?

1. Check on another device. Connect your headphones to another smartphone, tablet or laptop. If the problem recurs, it's a malfunction in your headphones. If the sound comes up, it's a problem in your main device (possibly a Bluetooth module failure).

2. Feedback to Xiaomi. Write to the official Xiaomi support chat (via Mi Community or website).

• 📸 Photo of headphones and case (especially indicators).
• 📱 Screenshot of the firmware version from the Mi Fit app.
• 🎥 Video showing the problem (if possible).

3. Warranty repairs. If the headphones are under a year old, you are entitled to free repairs under warranty. Contact Xiaomi Service Center. The average repair time is 5-7 days.

• 📄 Check or confirmation of purchase (e-check will suit).
• 📱 Device to which the headphones were connected (for diagnosis).
• 🔋 Charging cable (if the case is not charged).

4. Self-repair. If the warranty is over, and the service called exorbitant price, you can try to fix the headphones yourself. AliExpress sells repair kits (speakers, plumes) for 300-800 rubles.

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Before visiting the service center, reset your headphones to the factory settings and remove them from all devices, which will speed up the diagnosis and eliminate claims due to the user’s fault.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphones

If your question isn't covered in the FAQ, describe the problem in detail in the comments, we'll try to help! Specify the headphone model, the device you're connecting to, and the steps you've tried. The more details, the more accurate the solution will be.