How to remove the function of headphones in the Xiaomi phone: disabling, resetting and removing

Why Xiaomi Phone Thinks Headphones Are Connected, and How to Fix It

Have you connected your headphones to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Pro, but the sound keeps going through the speakers? Or vice versa - the phone stubbornly ignores the wired headphones, believing that they do not exist? The problem with falsely triggering a 3.5 mm or Type-C connector is found in 15-20% of users of Xiaomi smartphones on MIUI 14/15. Most often the fault is contact contamination, software failures or incorrect audio settings.

In this article, we will analyze 5 working ways to remove the function of headphones on Xiaomi - from the basic disconnection through settings to radical deletion of system files via ADB. All methods have been tested on Redmi 10/11/12, POCO F4/F5, Xiaomi 13/14 and are relevant for Android 12-14. If your phone does not see headphones or, conversely, "hangs" in headphone mode - you will find a solution below.

⚠️ Warning: Methods using ADB or editing system files may result in loss of warranty or unstable operation of the device. → Google → Backup.

Method 1: Software reboot of the sound system

The safest and fastest method is to reset the audio settings through the engineering menu, which helps in 60% of cases when the Xiaomi phone “hangs” in headphone mode due to a temporary failure.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##36446337###
2. You will be taken to Engineer Mode. Go to Hardware Testing → Audio.
3. Select Headset Mode and press Disable.
4. Reboot the phone.

If the combination doesn’t work, try the alternative code for the new models:

##4636## → Phone Information → Select Headset → Disable

Method 2: Clearing the cache and resetting the sound settings

If the engineering menu didn't work, the problem could be in the damaged cache of the audio applications, and two key services are responsible for processing audio at MIUI:

• 🔊 MIUI Sound Recorder – recording and processing sound;
• 🎧 Bluetooth & Audio – Connection Management.

How to clear the cache:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search, type Sound and select MIUI Sound Recorder.
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
4. Repeat for the Bluetooth app.

If this does not work, reset the sound settings:

1. Open the Settings. → Sound and vibration.
2. In the upper right corner, press ⋮ → Reset the settings.
3. Confirm the action.

⚠️ Warning: Resetting the audio settings will return the equalizer, volume levels and sound profiles to the factory settings. If you used custom presets (for example, for Mi Sound Enhancer), they will have to be reconfigured.

Method 3: Physical cleaning of the connector (for wired headphones)

If Xiaomi’s phone doesn’t see wired headphones or “thinks” they’re connected, the problem may be a contaminated or oxidized connector, especially for models with 3.5mm (Redmi 9A, POCO M3) or Type-C (Xiaomi 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+).

What to do:

• 🧹 Alcohol cleaning: Wet the cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol (90%+) And clean the connector contacts carefully. Don't use water or wet wipes!
• 💨 Compressed air purge: A compressed air canister (for example, to clean the keyboard) will help remove dust from the depth of the connector.
• 🔍 Mechanical damage check: Light the connector with a flashlight – if the contacts are bent or missing, repair will be required.

On Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Redmi K60 Pro models, the Type-C connector is combined with an NFC antenna. Improper cleaning can damage the contactless payment module!

Method 4: Disable the function of headphones through ADB (for advanced)

If software methods don’t work, you can force the processing of headphones at the system level using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for users who are willing to work with the command line.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI Version until the notification “You’ve become a developer” appears.

USB debugging

Settings → Additional → For Developers

ADB Tools

adb shell


settings put global headset_detection_enabled 0




settings put global wired_headset_state 0




pm clear com.android.bluetooth




reboot

Once you restart, your phone will stop recognizing the headphone connection. To get it back, do this:

settings put global headset_detection_enabled 1

💡

If after disconnecting through ADB the sound has disappeared completely, check the settings of Settings → Sound → Sound output and select the Phone Speaker.

Method 5: Delete system files (last resort)

If all previous methods failed, you can delete the system files that handle the headphones, a method that requires root rights and is only suitable for advanced users.

What files are responsible for headphones in MIUI:

⚠️ Warning: Deleting or these files can result in complete loss of sound or a cyclical restart of the phone:

• 📱 Make a full backup through TWRP Or OrangeFox.
• 🔋 Charge your phone to 100%.
• 🔧 Install a file manager with root access (e.g., Root Explorer).

If after deleting the files, the phone stopped turning on, try flashing the stock firmware through Fastboot:

fastboot flash system system.img


fastboot reboot

💡

Deleting system files is a last resort, and 90 percent of the time, the first or second way to fix the problem is if you're not sure what you're doing, go to the service center.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many Xiaomi users make common mistakes when trying to remove the headphone function.

1. Use of non-original headphones: Cheap Chinese headphones with no resistance of 32-160 ohms can trick the phone into thinking that the connection is unstable. Check the headphones on another device.
2. Ignoring updates: MIUI 14.0.5+ and Android 13+ fix bugs with false-fire connector. Update firmware through Settings → System Update.
3. If the contacts are broken, don't try soldering them at home -- Xiaomi uses microscopic devices. SMD-components that are easily damaged.

If after all the manipulations the problem remains, check:

• 🔌 Charging port: On Type-C models (e.g, POCO X4 Pro) charging and sound are connected through the same connector. Contact damage can affect the recognition of headphones.
• 🔊 Audio chip: On Qualcomm Snapdragon (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S) sound is the chip WCD9385. Its failure requires replacement of the motherboard.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions