How to remove the headphone icon on Xiaomi Redmi S2: causes and corrections

The Xiaomi Redmi S2 is a popular smartphone, but many users are faced with an annoying problem: the headphone icon is constantly displayed on the screen, even though they are long disabled. The icon can interfere, mislead or signal system problems. In this article, we will analyze why this happens and how to remove the headphone icon on the Redmi S2 in various ways, from simple to technically complex.

The reason for the ghost icon is a software or hardware failure, and the most common is a 3.5mm connector that has oxidized, contaminated, or physically damaged, and less often it is a firmware, audio settings, or application conflict problem, and we tested all the methods on Redmi S2 (codenamed ysl) and only selected the working solutions.

Why does the Redmi S2 have a headphone icon if it’s not connected?

The status bar headphone icon appears when the system thinks the headset is connected, and this can happen for several reasons:

• 🔌 Pollution or oxidation of the 3.5mm connector is the most common case, and dust, moisture, or corrosion close the contacts, simulating the connection of headphones.
• 📱 The audio driver malfunctioned after the update. MIUI or installing third-party applications (e.g., players or sound modifications) the driver may not work properly.
• 🔄 Sometimes the system forgets to return the sound to the speakers after the headphones are turned off.
• 🛠️ Hardware failure: damage to the connector, plume or audio chip (for example, after a fall or hit of liquid).

The Redmi S2 is compounded by the fact that it was released in 2018 and no longer receives official MIUI updates, meaning that software bugs can accumulate and hardware components wear out faster, but in 90% of cases, the icon can be removed without repair.

Method 1: Rebooting your smartphone is a simple solution to a complex problem

Start with the obvious thing: rebooting your device, which helps 30 to 40 percent of the time, especially if the failure is caused by a temporary conflict of processes.

1. Press the power button for 3-5 seconds.
2. In the menu that appears, select Restart.
3. Wait for the smartphone to be turned off completely (usually takes 20-30 seconds).

If the icon disappeared after the reboot, the problem was a temporary OS failure. If not, proceed to the following methods.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use the Quick Reboot feature (if you have one in your firmware) Full shutdown and power on resets the state of hardware components, including the audio chip.

Method 2: Cleaning of the 3.5 mm connector - mechanical solution

If the reboot didn't work, check the headphone jack. On the Redmi S2, it's located on the top of the device and often gets clogged with dust or oxidized.

Toothpick or plastic spatula|Alcohol (isopropyl or medical 90%+)|Cotton or cotton swabs|Fryer (for drying)|Lupa (optional)-->

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone to avoid short circuits.
2. Light the connector with a flashlight and inspect for debris, corrosion, or bent contacts.
3. Carefully clean the connector with a toothpick, removing visible contaminants. Do not use metal objects!
4. Soak the cotton swab in alcohol and wipe the contacts inside the connector. Repeat 2-3 times.
5. Let the connector dry for 10-15 minutes (you can speed up the process with a hairdryer at minimum power).
6. Turn on the phone and check if the icon is gone.

If after cleaning the problem remained, try several times to connect and turn off the headphones - it can "reset" the connector state.

Method 3: Resetting the sound settings to the factory

If the problem is software, resetting the audio settings will help, and this will return all audio parameters to the "out of the box" state, including the settings of the headphones, speakers and microphone.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → Sound and vibration.
2. Scroll down and select Additional settings.
3. Click Reset the sound settings (or Reset the default settings).
4. Confirm the action.

After reset, reboot your smartphone. If the icon is gone, the problem was the setting conflict. If not, move on to the next one.

Method 4: Update or reinstall MIUI

On the Redmi S2, the latest official firmware is MIUI 12.5 (based on Android 8.1).If your version is older, update the system:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If a new version is available, download it and install it.

If there are no updates or they don't help, try reinstalling MIUI via Fastboot.This is a radical method, but it fixes deep software glitches.

⚠️ Attention: Fastboot Flash Flashing deletes all data from the device. Pre-backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

For flashing:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi S2 (ysl code) from MIUI Downloads.
2. Unpack the archive and connect the phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the phone is off).
3. Run the script. flash_all.bat (For Windows, use the command: fastboot flash all

💡

If the headphone icon reappears after the MIUI update, check the jack for physical damage. It may be a hardware problem that cannot be solved software.

Method 5: Disable headphones through the engineering menu (for advanced)

If standard methods fail, you can try the Engineering Mode, which requires caution, as the wrong settings can make the device worse.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##36446337##
2. You will be taken to Engineer Mode. Go to Hardware Testing → Audio.
3. Select Headset Mode and set the Disabled value.
4. Save the settings and restart the phone.

If the engineering menu is missing or the code is not working, your firmware is blocking it, in which case try an alternative method using ADB.

💡

The engineering menu is a powerful tool, but changing incomprehensible parameters can cause modules (sound, network, sensors) to fail. Use it only if you are confident in your actions.

Hardware repair: when without service can not do

If neither of these methods worked, the problem is probably hardware. The Redmi S2 most often fails:

• 🔌 3.5 mm connector - oxidation or break of contacts.
• 📶 Audio chip (e.g. Qualcomm) WCD9335) — responsible for sound processing.
• 🔗 Motherboard plume - may depart after falls.

Cost of repairs in service centers:

Check the warranty before you visit the service (if the phone is officially purchased). On the Redmi S2, the warranty period is usually 12 months, but many service centers repair audio components after it expires.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the headphone icon on the Redmi S2