How to reset Xiaomi headphone settings: the full guide

Modern wireless headphones from Xiaomi, Redmi and Mi are often indispensable companions in everyday life, but sometimes face software failures that interfere with normal use. You may notice that the device stopped connecting to the smartphone, the sound became quieter or there was a strange crackle, and the charging indicators behave unpredictable. In most cases, you do not need to carry the gadget to the service center, since the problem can be solved by yourself, returning the device to the factory state.

Known as hard reset or full reset, the procedure clears the internal memory of accessories from temporary errors and broken pairings. This is especially true for AirDots, Redmi Buds and Mi True Wireless models, which have complex logic of touch panels and Bluetooth protocols. Before you start taking decisive action, it is important to understand what exactly happened to your device and choose the right recovery method.

In this article, we will take a look at all the known reboot and reset methods for the Chinese giant’s various product lines, learn how to distinguish software glitch from physical breakdown, and get step-by-step instructions to bring the device back to life without losing warranty. Resetting does not delete music or files, since they are stored on your phone, not in the memory of the headphones.

When you need a full reset of headphones Xiaomi

The first sign that your device needs intervention is an unstable connection to the sound source. If the Bluetooth module is interrupted, the music is constantly interrupted or the voice assistant turns on on on itself, this is the right signal for the cleaning procedure.

Another common reason is the desynchronization of the left and right earphones, which normally have to connect to each other automatically, creating a stereo pair, but sometimes one channel starts to work independently, and in such situations, a standard reconnection in the phone menu often does not help, and a deeper cleaning of the pairing cache is required.

Notice the behavior of the charging indicators. If the LEDs are flashing differently than described in the manual, or if the case stopped seeing one of the headphones, a software failure could affect the power controller, in which case the reset helps recalibrate the energy management system.

  • 🔊 There were extraneous noises, cracking or dips in the sound during playback.
  • 📱 Headphones are not visible in the list of available devices or do not pair.
  • ⚡ Case does not charge one of the headphones or shows the wrong percentage of charge.

⚠️ If the headphones have been in water or have visible mechanical damage, a software reset may not help, and in rare cases even aggravate the situation with oxidation of contacts.

Sometimes the problem isn't with the headphones themselves, but with the overflowing pairing list in your phone's memory. If you connect to different devices often, the list may overflow and the new gadget simply won't be able to add, in which case resetting Xiaomi's headphone settings becomes the only surefire solution to clean up your connection history.

Preparation for the resetting procedure

Before you start manipulating the buttons and sensors, you need to perform a series of preparatory steps that guarantee the success of the operation, first of all, you need to completely discharge the case and the headphones themselves, and then charge them to 100% to eliminate the effect of low battery voltage on the operation of the controller, an important step that is often ignored, although low charge can block the entry into reset mode.

It is also critical to remove the old pairing from your smartphone’s memory: Go to Bluetooth settings, find your Mi True Wireless Earbuds or Redmi Buds, and click “Forget the device” or “Disable” – this action will break the current connection and make room for a new connection once the procedure is complete.

☑️ Preparation for discharge

Done: 0 / 4

It is not superfluous to wipe the charging contacts on the headphones themselves and inside the case with dry soft cloth. Oxidation or dust can create false resistance, which the system perceives as an error that prevents normal reset. Clean contacts will ensure the correct identification of the device with the case during the procedure.

Make sure there are no other active Bluetooth devices nearby that can try to automatically connect to your headphones during the reset process, and it’s best to do the procedure away from routers, microwaves and other sources of interference in the 2.4GHz band.

Redmi AirDots and Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic

Redmi AirDots models (including versions 1, 2, S and Basic) are some of the most popular but also the most capricious in terms of reconnection. To reset these models, there is a classic method that requires exact timing. First remove both headphones from the case and wait for them to light up (usually in red), and then turn them off by holding the touch panels for 5-7 seconds.

After switching off, you need to turn the device back on, but now hold your finger on the sensors for much longer - about 20-30 seconds, at which point the indicators should flash red several times (usually 2 or 3 times), which will signal a successful entry into reset mode. Release the sensors only after you see these blinks.

What to do if the indicator does not flash?
If after 30 seconds of holding, the indicator didn't flash red, maybe the timing was knocked down. Try repeating the procedure, but this time, keep the headphones in your hands, not in the case, and make sure you touch the touch zone clearly and without interruption. Sometimes, a slight tap on the body during holding helps.

There's an alternative method for some of the revisions of these headphones when they're in the case, which is to open the lid, remove the headphones, and quickly press the sensors 5 times in a row. If this works, the indicators will flash, confirming the reset, but this method does not work on all versions of firmware.

Once you've done the work, put the headphones back in the case, close it and wait 10 seconds. Then open the case again, the devices must go into pairing mode, and one of the headphones will blink quickly in white, waiting to connect to the phone.

Instructions for Redmi Buds 3, 4 and Pro versions

More modern models like the Redmi Buds 3 Pro and Redmi Buds 4 often feature a double-press or special application reset function, but the classic retention method is also relevant. To begin, place both headphones in a charging case and leave the lid open. Find a function button on the case case case case case body (usually located on the back wall or inside between compartments).

Press and hold this button for 10-15 seconds. The indicator on the front of the case should start flashing yellow or white (color depends on the particular model), which means starting the process of cleaning the settings. Do not release the button until you see a characteristic blink.

📊 What's your headphone model?
Redmi AirDots
Mi True Wireless
Redmi Buds 3/4
Mi Buds 3/4 Pro
Another model

In some cases, especially for the Redmi Buds 3 Pro, you can reset via the Xiaomi Earbuds or Mi Home app. To do this, connect your headphones to your smartphone, open the app, select your device and scroll down to “Reset” or “Factory Reset” menu, which is more secure and eliminates the timing error.

If the button on the case is missing (as in some versions of Redmi Buds 3 Lite), use the method with touch panels. Remove the headphones, turn them off (holding 5 seconds), and then turn on and hold the sensors for 20 seconds until the indicator double flashes.

To restore the stereo mode, simply put them in the case, close the lid and retrieve them – they should automatically sync.

Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 and 2S

The Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 and 2S have their own specifics in the logic of touch controllers. The standard procedure for them is to place the headphones in the case, open the lid and press the touch areas of both headphones at the same time 5 times, which initiates a reset mode without having to remove the devices.

If the five-push method didn't work, try the classic hold option. Remove the headphones, turn them off, and then turn on and hold your fingers on the sensors until the indicators flash red. Some batches of these models require you to hold the sensors for up to 40 seconds, so be patient.

ModelResetting methodIndication of successRetention time
AirDots 1/2/SSensor retention 20 secondsTriple flashing red20-30 seconds
Basic 2 / 2S5 taps in the caseThe indicator goes out and lights up.~2sec on pressing
Redmi Buds 3The button on the caseBlinking white/yellow10-15 sec.
Mi Buds 3 ProAppendix or buttonSound signal + light10 seconds.

After you do the steps, make sure to check if the Bluetooth device on your phone has disappeared. If it remains, manually remove it again, only then you can try to pair again, as with a new device.

💡

If one earphone is reset and the other is not, put both in the case, close the lid for 1 minute, and then repeat the reset procedure simultaneously for both channels.

A common mistake users make is to try to reset just one earpiece. Remember that for a stereo pair to work properly, you need to perform the procedure for both channels, even if you only have problems with one of them, which ensures that the firmware versions are synchronized within the pair.

Problem Solving: Headphones Cannot See Each Other

The situation where the left and right headphones do not connect is one of the most common after a failed upgrade or battery discharge to zero. In this case, simply resetting the Bluetooth settings on the phone will not help, since the problem is inside the set of headphones, you need to force them to initiate their search for each other.

First, do a full reset using the instructions described above for your model. Then, without connecting to the phone, remove both earbuds from the case at the same time. They should start blinking quickly, trying to find a pair. If only one flashes, then the second one has "fallen asleep" or lost touch.

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to connect your headphones to your phone until they're in sync with each other.If you only connect one channel to your phone, the second channel may lock up and stop trying to find a pair.

If automatic synchronization does not occur, try the following trick: connect only one earphone (for example, the left one), play music, then turn off Bluetooth on the phone. After that, reset both headphones again and try to connect them together without the phone. Sometimes it takes 2-3 cycles of this action.

In rare cases, deep discharge helps. Leave the headphones off the case on until they are completely discharged and turned off. Then put them in the case to charge for 2-3 hours, a process that can restart the controllers and eliminate synchronization errors.

💡

The main secret of success is to perform all actions quickly and clearly, observing intervals, since Xiaomi’s reset timer is often limited to 3-5 seconds.

It's also worth checking if the contacts are dirty, and the dirt can prevent one of the headphones in the case from charging, which can cause it to be turned off while the other one is running, wipe the contacts with an alcohol napkin, and repeat the procedure.

Frequent Questions and Answers (FAQ)

Will the warranty be reset after hard? reset_ headphone?
No, software resetting is a standard feature provided by the manufacturer to troubleshoot. It is not a design interference or unauthorized firmware change, so warranty obligations are retained in full.
What if after resetting the headphones stopped responding to touch?
Perhaps the touchpads are locked or require calibration. Try to completely discharge the headphones before turning them off, then charge them in a case for at least 2 hours. If the problem persists, check if the tight case is on the case, which can push the buttons, or contact the service.
Can I reset Xiaomi headphones without a case?
Most models (AirDots, Basic) require a case to initiate a reset or to store headphones during the process. However, some models allow resets by holding sensors on weight. Without a case, it is difficult to guarantee simultaneous on and synchronization of channels, so the presence of a case is highly desirable.
Why does the phone only see one headphone after resetting?
This means that the headphones didn't pair together in TWS (True Wireless Stereo) mode. You need to put them back in the case, close the lid, wait 10 seconds, remove and wait until they start flashing at the same time, signaling readiness to pair as a single device.
Is there a difference in reset for Android and iOS?
No, the reset procedure is performed exclusively on the headphone side (buttons or sensors) and does not depend on the phone's operating system. The difference may only be during subsequent pairing, but the factory reset algorithm itself is universal for all platforms.