Why Xiaomi’s Headphones Don’t Work and How to Fix It in 10 Minutes

Did you take Xiaomi headphones out of your case, turn on the music, but the sound comes from only one? Or do both headphones connect, but the synchronization is constantly getting lost? This problem is familiar to many owners of Xiaomi wireless headphones, from the budget Redmi AirDots to the flagship Mi True Wireless 3. The reasons can be different: from a banal battery discharge to a firmware failure.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to restore both headphones, from simple (reboot, reset) to complex (flashing, repairing contacts), how to check sync, what to do if one headphone is not detected by the system, and how to avoid repeated failures, and a unique method of restoring pairs through the engineering menu, which is not described in the official instructions of Xiaomi.

1. Checking the basic settings: why is one earphone silent

Before disassembling the headphones or dropping them to factory settings, make sure the problem isn't trivial things.More often than not, one Xiaomi headphone doesn't work because of:

• 🔋 A discharged battery in one of the headphones (even if the case is charged).
• 🎧 Incorrect position in the cover (contacts are not closed).
• 📱 Failure in Bluetooth settings on a smartphone.
• 🔊 Hardware damage (infection of moisture, fall).

Start with the simplest:

1. Put both earbuds in the case for 10-15 seconds, then pull it out. Wait for the lights to flash red/white (meaning you're looking for the device).
2. On your smartphone, turn off Bluetooth, then turn it back on, remove the headphones from the list of associated devices, and reconnect.
3. Check the charge level of each headphone in the Mi Home or Xiaomi Earphones app (if supported).If one shows 0%, the battery is the problem.

If after these manipulations, the sound still comes from only one headphone, move on to the next section.

2.Reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings

Hard reset is a universal way to get your headphones back on track if they are glitchy or not synchronized. The instructions are suitable for most Xiaomi models, but there are nuances:

• 🔄 Redmi AirDots 1/2/3, Mi True Wireless 1/2: press the button on the case on 10–15 seconds until the indicator flashes red/white.
• 🔄 Mi True Wireless 3, Mi Earbuds Basic 2: Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds.
• 🔄 Mi Neckband: Press the power button for 8 seconds until you hear the beep.

After discharge:

1. Remove the headphones from the list of Bluetooth devices on all previously connected gadgets.
2. Put the headphones in the case, then take out - they should automatically turn on the pairing mode.
3. Connect again via Bluetooth settings.

If the reset didn’t help, the problem could be in the firmware or hardware.

Make sure the cover is 30%+ charged

Disconnect headphones from all devices

Check that both earphones are clean (no dirt on the contacts)

Prepare a smartphone for re-conjugation-->

3. firmware update: if Xiaomi headphones don't sync

Failures in wireless headphones are often associated with outdated firmware. Xiaomi regularly releases updates for its gadgets, fixing bugs with connection and sound. You can check and update the firmware through the official application:

1. Install Mi Home (for older models) or Xiaomi Earphones (for newer ones).
2. Connect the headphones to the smartphone via Bluetooth.
3. Open the app, find your headphones in the list of devices.
4. Go to the Settings section → Update the firmware.
5. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off the headphones!).

Important:

• ⚠️ Don’t interrupt the upgrade process – it can permanently put the headphones out of action.
• ⚠️ Make sure the charge level of the case is not below 50%.
• ⚠️ After the update, reset (Section 2) if the problem persists.

For some models (for example, Redmi AirDots 3 Pro), the firmware update is available only through the PC.

1. Download the Xiaomi Flash Tool from the official website.
2. Connect the headphone case to your computer via a USB-C cable.
3. Follow the program instructions.

4. Checking contacts and cleaning headphones

If the software methods did not help, the problem may lie in physical damage:

• 🔌 Oxidized or contaminated contacts in a case or on headphones.
• 💧 Getting moisture (even if the headphones have protection) IPX4).
• 🔨 Mechanical damage after falling.

How to clean contacts:

1. Take a cotton swab dipped in an alcohol solution (at least 70%).
2. Gently wipe the metal contacts on the headphones and inside the case.
3. Let it dry for 10-15 minutes.
4. Check whether the headphones fit tightly into the case - if the backlash, the contacts may not close.

If one earphone still doesn't charge or turn on after cleaning, try swapping the headphones in the case. Sometimes the problem is with the faulty slot.

💡

To check the contacts, use the multimeter in "vertebrae" mode. Touch the contacts on the headphone and case with probes - if resistance is going to infinity, the contact is damaged.

5. Manual pairing of headphones through the engineering menu

This method works for most Xiaomi models, but is not dokumented in the official instructions.It helps when the headphones are not synchronized with each other, although both connect to the phone separately.

Instructions:

1. Put both earphones in the case.
2. Press the button on the case for 20 seconds until the indicator flashes red-blue-red (engineering menu mode).
3. Get the headphones out of the case – they should automatically mate with each other (the indicators on both will flash white).
4. Connect to them via Bluetooth as a new device.

If the lights flash in turn (first on one, then on the other), then the headphones can't see each other.

• Repeat the procedure 2-3 times.
• Try using another smartphone to connect.
• If it doesn’t help, there’s a problem with the Bluetooth module of one of the headphones (requires repair).

💡

The engineering menu is the last chance to restore sync without repair, and if this method doesn't work, one of the headphones is likely to be faulty.

6. Diagnostics of malfunctions: when you need help from the service

If none of these things worked, maybe your headphones went down, and you can tell by the following:

If you are confident in your skills, you can try to disassemble the headphones and check:

• 🔋 Battery condition (blown, leakage of electrolyte).
• 🔧 soldered contacts on the board (often fall off after falling).
• 🎛️ Integrity of flexible plumes (in models with neck strap).

The repairs will require:

• 🛠️ Set of screwdrivers (including T3 and T5).
• 🔥 A soldering iron with a thin sting (power not more than 30 W).
• 🔍 Loop or microscope to inspect the board.

⚠️ Note: Disassembly of headphones Xiaomi deprives of warranty. If the device is warranty, contact the service center - repair can be free.

7. Alternative ways to use one headphone

If you can't repair a pair, but one earpiece works, you can use it separately.

1. Connect a working headphone to the phone in mono mode:

duality

Redmi AirDots 3 Pro

Bluetooth 5.0

If you need stereo, consider buying one replacement headphone. AliExpress or service centers often sell separate headphones for popular Xiaomi models (such as Redmi AirDots 2), which cost from 500 to 1500 rubles.

⚠️ Warning: When buying a separate earpiece, make sure that its firmware version matches your working earpiece.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphones