How to bring music back to Xiaomi if it’s gone: a complete guide

You've turned on your favorite track on Xiaomi, but instead of music, was it silence or "Can't play" error? The problem with the sound disappearing in music apps is one of the most common on smartphones of this brand. The reasons can be either software failures (for example, after the MIUI update) or hardware problems (damaged speakers or 3.5 mm connector). In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to return music to Redmi, POCO or Mi - from basic settings to deep reset of the system.

It's important to understand that if the sound is lost in only one app (like Spotify or Yandex Music), the problem is more in the app itself. And if the music is not playing anywhere, whether through speakers, headphones, or Bluetooth, it's a system failure. We'll start with the simplest solutions and gradually move on to radical measures. Don't miss the steps: often the help lies in the little things that users don't pay attention to.

1. Checking basic sound settings

Before you dig deeper, make sure that the problem is not with the basic settings. On Xiaomi, the sound can "disappear" due to randomly activated modes or constraints.

• 🔊 Volume level: press the physical volume button and make sure the slider is not at zero, POCO F5) There is a separate regulator for media.
• 🚫 Do Not Disturb Mode: Swipe down to open the notification panel and check if the bell icon with the crossed circle is turned on. → Sound and vibration → Don't disturb.
• 🎧 Sound output: in the control panel (swipe down) click on the speaker icon and choose where the sound should go – on speakers, headphones or Bluetooth device.
• 🔄 Switching profiles: in Settings → Check if the sound and vibration are activated or if the "Silent" or "Meeting" profile is activated".

If the music doesn’t play after this manipulation, move on to the next step. Note that some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) have a separate “Dynamics” in the audio settings, where you can manually test their performance.

⚠️ Note: If you use Custom ROM (For example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience, the basic audio settings may differ. → Sound → Advanced.

2. Reboot and reset sound settings

The simple reboot of the smartphone solves up to 30% of the sound problems on Xiaomi, because the audio drivers can “hang” after a long work or conflict with background processes.

1. Press the power button for 3-5 seconds.
2. In the menu that appears, select "Reboot" (not "Switch off!").
3. Wait 1-2 minutes after activation – the system must initialize the audio drivers again.

If the reboot didn't work, try resetting the sound to the factory.

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Resetting.
2. Select "Resetting Sound Settings" (on some firmware this item is called "Resetting Media Settings").
3. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

This method is especially effective if the music is lost after updating MIUI or installing a new application. reset does not affect user data, but returns all audio parameters to default values.

3. Check the Music app and alternative players

The standard Mi Music app (or Music in newer versions of MIUI) is often a source of problems, and it can conflict with other players, not support certain formats, or just "glut." Here's what to do:

• 🔄 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Music, then click "Clear Cache" and "Clear Data".
• 📥 Update: Check for updates to the app in Google Play or Mi App Store.
• 🚫 Remove and reinstall: If the player is built-in, disable it in the application settings, and then install an alternative (e.g., Poweramp or Poweramp). VLC).
• 🎵 Test other players: try playing music through YouTube Music, Spotify or AIMP. If there is sound, there is a problem in the standard application.

If you use POCO Launcher or other custom shells, the standard player may not work properly, in which case it is better to install a third-party application from Google Play.

⚠️ Note: If the music is not only played on Spotify or Yandex Music, check the subscription status and regional restrictions.

4. Diagnostics of hardware problems

If none of the software methods worked, it could be the hardware problem.

• 🔊 Dynamics: Physical damage to the membrane or detachment of contacts (especially after falls).
• 🎧 3.5 mm connector: oxidation of contacts or break of wires inside the housing.
• 📶 Bluetooth module: failures in the chip (relevant to the POCO X3 Redmi Note 10).
• 🔋 Battery: When worn heavily, the battery may not provide enough power for the audio amplifier.

How to check the hardware:

1. Speaker test: call the phone from another device, if the person you're talking to can hear you and you're not, the problem is the top speaker (which is also used for conversations).
2. Headphone check: plug in the headphones, if you have sound, the problem is with the speakers.
3. Diagnostics through code: type in dial ##4636##, select Phone Information and check for Audio status.

If you find a hardware fault, self-repair can make things worse. Contact Xiaomi's service center - especially if the device is warranty. The cost of replacing the speaker in informal workshops starts at 800 rubles.

5. Reset all settings (Hard Reset)

If the music is gone after a MIUI update or custom firmware installation, the radical solution is a complete reset, and this method will delete all the data from the device, so first:

• 📱 Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 🖥️ Save your music on PC or in the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
• 📝 Write down logins and passwords from accounts.

Resetting instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select "Delete all data" (on some models - "Restore factory settings").
3. Enter the password from the Mi Account (if linked).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Once reset, the phone will look like new. Install the music app again and check the sound. If the problem persists, it's almost certainly a hardware malfunction.

Save contacts in SIM or Google

Download photos on PC

Write down passwords from social networks

Untie cards from Google Pay

Make sure the battery is charged >50%-->

6. Update or roll back firmware

Sometimes the music disappears after the MIUI update due to bugs in the new version. For example, in MIUI 14.0.3 for Xiaomi 12T there was a bug with audio drivers, which was fixed only in 14.0.5.

• 🔄 Update to the latest version: Go to Settings → The phone. → Update the system and check for updates.
• 📉 Reverse to the old firmware: if the problem appeared after the update, download the previous version MIUI from en.miui.com and via Fastboot.
• 🛠️ Install custom firmware: for example, Pixel Experience or ArrowOS, where audio drivers often run more stable.

You'll need an unlocked bootloader to roll back the firmware. You can find the unlock instructions on the 4PDA forum (e.g. here). Beware: wrong actions can turn the phone into a brick.

Critical information: On the POCO F4 GT and Xiaomi 12S Ultra models, the IMEI can fly after the firmware rollback. Before the procedure, save it via the MTK Engineering Mode app (for MediaTek) or Qualcomm QPST (for Snapdragon).

7. Alternative ways of playing music

If you can’t get the sound back through the speakers, try the workarounds:

• 🎧 Bluetooth speakers or headphones: connect the device through Settings → Bluetooth.Even if the smartphone's speakers don't work, the Bluetooth module can be serviceable.
• 🔊 Outside USB-C Dynamics: Some models (Xiaomi) 11T Pro, POCO F3) Support the output of sound through USB-C (need an adapter).
• 📻 FM-radio: insert headphones (they act as an antenna) and turn on the radio through the app FM Radio (pre-installed on most Xiaomi).
• 💻 Streaming on PC: Use apps like ApowerMirror or Scrcpy to stream the screen and sound to your computer.

If you often listen to music in your car, check your Bluetooth connection settings with the stereo. On some Xiaomi (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro) you need to manually enable the A2DP profile in your Bluetooth settings.

💡

If music is only played in one ear, try cleaning the 3.5mm connector with a toothpick soaked in alcohol, often the problem is oxidized contacts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi sound