Xiaomi phone shows connected headphones - how to remove the icon and return sound to the speakers

Did you plug your headphones into your Xiaomi smartphone hours ago, and the system still persistently signals their presence? Or does the phone even "see" a headset that never was? This bug occurs on Redmi, POCO and Mi devices regardless of model — from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. The problem is not only annoying with a permanent icon in the status bar, but also blocks the output of sound through speakers, making the phone almost useless for calls or listening to music.

90% of the time, a contaminated 3.5mm connector (if any) or a software failure in Bluetooth/Type-C signal processing is to blame. Less commonly, hardware malfunctions of the audio chip or contacts. In this article, we will look at all the ways to diagnose and fix the problem, from basic (reboot) to advanced (edit system files), and also find out why the error is more common after MIUI updates and how to avoid it in the future.

Why Xiaomi Misidingly Identifies Connected Headphones

The headphone icon in the notification panel and the lack of sound in the speakers is a consequence, not a cause. MIUI receives a false signal about the headset connection and blocks the main audio outputs.

• 🔌 Closing the contacts in the 3.5mm connector (for models with audio jacks) Dust, moisture or mechanical damage causes the system to "think" that the headphones are connected.
• 📱 The audio driver malfunctions, often after updates. MIUI or custom-built.
• 🔄 Bluetooth Settings Error: If you previously connected your Bluetooth headset, the system may forget to turn it off software.
• 🔧 Audio chip damage (most rare case) Typical for phones after falling or getting moisture.

On Type-C devices (without 3.5mm), the problem is usually due to the adapter malfunctioning or contamination of the connector contacts. For example, if you used an unoriginal headphone adapter, it could have cheated the system, and now she insists that the headset is connected.

Especially vulnerable are models with MIUI 13/14 based on Android 12/13 — in these versions, bugs were noticed in the processing of audio signals. For example, after connecting Bluetooth AirDots headphones, the system could “hang” in headset mode even after they were turned off.

Quick ways to remove the icon headphones (without reset)

Before you go into settings or disassemble your phone, try these methods. They work 70 percent of the time and don't require any special knowledge.

1. Reboot your phone. It's trivial, but it helps with temporary crashes. Press the power button, select Reboot, and wait for full power.
2. Insert and remove the headphones (if you have a 3.5 mm connector). Sometimes the mechanical impact "resets" the contacts. Repeat the action 3-4 times.
3. Turn off Bluetooth. Go to Settings → Bluetooth and deactivate the function. If the icon disappeared, the problem was with the "hung" headset.
4. Clean the Type-C/3.5mm connector. Use wood toothpicks (not metal!) or compressed air. Do not use alcohol or liquids - this can damage the contacts.

Try rebooting.

Check the garbage connector.

Turn off Bluetooth

Make sure the headphones aren’t physically connected

Try another cable/adapter (for Type-C)-->

If neither of these things worked, you can go to some more serious measures, but first make sure that the problem isn't with the headphones themselves: plug them into another device, and if they work properly, it's the phone's fault.

Advanced methods: resetting sound and audio settings

When the basics don't work, you'll have to tamper with the system settings, and let's start with the safest one, which is resetting the audio settings.

Resetting the settings of the applications “Phone” and “Media”

These applications control audio routing, and resetting them often solves the problem:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Phone (or Calls), open its settings and select Warehouse → Clear the data.
3. Repeat the same for the Media (or Music) app.
4. Reboot the phone.

Reset all sound settings

This method will return the audio parameters to the factory:

1. Open the Settings. → Sound and vibration.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Reset.
3. Confirm the action. The phone will reboot.

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If the sound is completely gone after reset, check the volume level – sometimes it is reset to zero.

If the headphone icon is left, the problem lies deeper in the drivers or hardware, in which case only resetting to factory settings or manual intervention through ADB will help.

Manual fix via ADB (for experienced users)

This method requires a computer and basic knowledge of working with ADB. It is suitable if the resetting did not help, and there is no hardware damage.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version, then return to the additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-Type-C Cable (Original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm access to debugging.
2. Open the command line (cmd) and enter:

adb shell


su




echo 0 > /sys/class/switch/h2w/state




exit




exit

If the command is correct, restart the phone. The headphone icon should disappear.

⚠️ Attention: Wrong commands ADB If you're not sure what you're doing, you can skip this method.

Hardware reasons: when to carry in the service

If none of the software methods worked, the problem is probably hardware, and here are some signs that the phone needs repair:

• 🔧 The headphone icon appears immediately after turning on the phone, even without connecting the headset.
• 💧 The phone fell into the water or was exposed to severe humidity (for example, in the bathroom).
• 🔌 Connector. 3.5 mm/Type-C visually damaged (bent contacts, traces of oxidation).
• 🔊 The sound in the speakers is distorted or absent completely, even after resetting.

In these cases, self-repair is not possible. Contact Xiaomi service center or a trusted workshop.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is warranty, don't open it yourself! This will void warranty obligations. Contact the official Xiaomi service with a check and a box.

How to prevent the recurrence of an error

To prevent the problem from returning, follow these recommendations:

• 🔌 Use only original Type-C adapters. Cheap Chinese adapters often cause failures.
• 🧹 Clean the connectors with compressed air regularly (1 time in 2-3 months).
• 📱 Don't update. MIUI In the first 2 weeks after the release – wait for reviews about bugs.
• 🔄 Reset Bluetooth settings periodically (Settings) → Bluetooth → ⚙️ → Resetting settings).

If you frequently connect Bluetooth headphones, turn them off with the power button before turning them off, rather than just taking them out of your ears.

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The most common reason for relapses is the use of uncertified accessories, and even if they work, they can damage the software part of the audio system.

Frequent questions and myths about the error with headphones