The Chinese giant’s modern wireless headsets often come in transport mode to keep the battery alive during long-term storage in stock, especially for models with active noise cancellation and advanced Bluetooth chips that consume power even when switched off. Users who pick up a device for the first time may find themselves in a situation where the gadget does not respond to touch or press, which is puzzling.
The activation process depends on the form factor of your device: it can be TWS-True Wireless Stereo in a case or full-size overhead. In the first case, the charging case is key, which serves not only as a storage but also as a power controller; in the second case, there are physical buttons on the case that require a certain algorithm of actions. Understanding these differences is critical to getting started successfully.
In this article, we will discuss all possible activation scenarios in detail, including nuances for the popular Redmi Buds, Mi True Wireless series and Mi Headphones overhead models. You will learn how to put the device in search mode, what to do if the indicator does not light up, and how to perform a full reset if standard methods do not help.
Activation. TWS-models through the charging case
Most Xiaomi wireless headphones, such as AirDots or Redmi Buds, don't have physical power buttons on the inserts themselves. They activate automatically when removed from the charging case, but only if the case has sufficient charge. If the headset indicators do not light up after removal, the first thing you need to do is put them back into the case and connect it to the power source.
It's important to understand that some models require both inserts to be retrieved simultaneously to activate pairing mode. If you pull out only one earphone, it may not go into detection mode, but simply turn on to play back sound if it was previously paired with the phone. For initial settings, it is recommended to remove both modules simultaneously or sequentially, but at a minimum interval.
There's an important nuance about safety films, because new headphone contacts often have microscopic insulators that block charging inside the case, and until you remove those films, the device won't get powered and turned on, which is one of the most common reasons why users think the device malfunctions right after they buy it.
⚠️ Warning: If the liners don't catch fire even after a long charge of the case, check if the magnetic contacts fit tightly. Sometimes contamination or manufacturing defect prevents the contacts from closing and the headset remains in deep sleep.
Why doesn't the case charge the headphones?
Inclusion of full-size and overhead models
Full-size headsets, such as Mi Wireless Headphones or Gaming Headset games, feature a classic power button, usually located on the bottom end of one of the bowls or on the headboard. To turn on, you need to pinch this button for 2-3 seconds before the light indication or voice greeting appears. A short press is most often responsible for pause or response to a call, so holding is a prerequisite.
Unlike in the TWS-In models, there is a frequent function of automatic shutdown at low charge. If the device has been lying low for a long time, it may not respond to the switch on immediately after connecting the charging cable. Lithium polymer batteries take time to set minimum voltage before the power controller allows the system to start. 15-20 minutes, even if the charge indicator is not lit.
Some advanced models support wired connection through AUX-It's a passive headphone in this mode, but you still need power to activate the Bluetooth module and the built-in microphone. If the button doesn't respond, try using the original cable. USB-C Micro-USB, as some third-party cables can only transmit current for charging, but do not ensure stable operation of the controller.
- 🔋 Press the power button on 3-5 seconds before flashing the indicator.
- 🔌 When the battery is discharged, leave it on charging for 20 minutes before turning on.
- 🎧 Check the work in wired mode through AUX, to rule out breakage of speakers.
Pairing mode: how to make the device look for the phone
Just turn on the headphones is not enough - you need to transfer them to the detection mode (Pairing Mode) so that the smartphone sees the device in the list of available. TWS-Xiaomi models often do this automatically when they first turn on: the indicator starts flashing quickly in white or blue. If the headset was previously connected to another phone, it may try to connect to it automatically, ignoring your new device.
Forcing the pairing mode on many Redmi and Mi models requires removing the headphones from the case and, while they are outside the case, pressing and holding the touch zones on both inserts simultaneously for 5-7 seconds. The indicators must change the pattern of blinking or light up with a different color (often red and blue alternately).
In full-size models, the search mode is activated by holding the on button for a long time (more than 5-7 seconds) or a separate button with a Bluetooth image. At this point, the device stops trying to connect with old gadgets and begins to broadcast its ID. On the smartphone screen, the model name should appear in the list of devices, for example, Mi True Wireless EBs Basic.
It's worth noting that in the Xiaomi Earbuds or Mi Wear app, the process may look different. Some new models require confirmation of pairing through a pop-up window in the MIUI or HyperOS shell. If you see the connection animation on the lock screen but the sound is not coming, maybe the connection profile worked, but the audio protocol (A2DP) did not activate, in which case it helps to re-enable the pairing mode.
⚠️ Warning: Don't keep your headphones too far from your phone while pairing. 10-15 Obstacles in the form of walls or metal objects can block the signal in the initial familiarization stage of devices.
Reset procedure to factory settings (Hard Reset)
If the headphones are on but not connected, or only one channel is running, a full reset is required.This returns the device to the out-of-the-box state, removing all stored pairing profiles. TWS-Xiaomi models standard procedure is as follows: place both headphones in the case, open the lid and find the functional button on the case case case (if any). 10-15 seconds until the indicator on the case flashes several times.
For models without a button on the case (such as old AirDots), touch reset is used. Remove the headphones, turn them off (clutching the sensors), then turn them back on and immediately press the touch zones on both headphones simultaneously for 20-30 seconds. The indicators should flash red several times, signaling a successful reset. After that, remove the device from the Bluetooth list on the phone ("Forget the device") and pair them again.
Mi Headphones Comfort or Noise Cancelling overhead headphones often require a combination of buttons. Usually this is the simultaneous pressing of the power button and the volume control button (or ANC button) for 5-10 seconds. The exact combination is better specified in the instructions for a particular model, since the logic of the chips varies from generation to generation. After reset, the device may require a firmware update for stable operation.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Table of indicators and their values
Understanding color is key to quickly diagnosing the condition of the device: different colors and flashing frequencies tell the user about the current mode of operation, charge level or errors. Below is a summary table for most current Xiaomi and Redmi models.
| Color of indicator | Blinking mode | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| White | Slow blinking | Interconnection mode (device search) |
| White | Constant glow | Successful phone connection |
| Red. | Slow blinking | Low battery charge (requires charging) |
| Red. | Constant glow | The charging process is underway |
| Orange/Red | Fast blinking (3 times) | Error of pairing or resetting settings |
Note that in some budget models (Redmi Buds 3 Lite, AirDots) the indication can only be one-sided or absent from the inserts themselves, displaying only on the case. In such cases, you should focus on voice prompts in English or Chinese, which indicate the status of "Power on", "Pairing" or "Low battery".
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If the indicator is lit red and does not change after connecting to the charge, the battery or power controller inside the case may have failed.
Problem Solving: Headphones are not included
When the device is not showing signs of life, it can be caused not only by a deep discharge. Often the problem lies in the software freeze of the controller. In this case, the "reset" helps by placing the headphones in the case for a long time (more than 1 hour), and then re-attempting activation. If this does not help, try to clean the contacts with alcohol.
Another reason may be incompatibility of Bluetooth versions: Older headphone models may not work properly with the latest Android 13/14 smartphones unless you update your Bluetooth profile. In the phone settings in the For Developer section, you can try changing the Bluetooth codec version or resetting the Bluetooth stack settings, but this requires caution.
If none of the software methods work, and the device does not respond to charging even after a day at the outlet, there is a likely hardware malfunction, it can be a swollen battery, a plume break inside the case, or a failure of the control board. In this case, self-opening (especially glued) TWS-models) will lead to final breakdown, and the only solution is the service center.
- 🧹 Clean the contacts with alcohol and let them dry before re-charging.
- 🔄 Try charging the case from another power source (PowerBank, PC).
- 📱 Check whether the Android system blocks the accessory in the energy saving settings.
⚠️ Note: Do not try to disassemble sealed TWS-Headphones, if you don't have experience in microelectronics repair. The glue used by Xiaomi is very durable, and when opened, there is a high risk of damaging the battery or speaker membrane.
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If you plan to stay off your headphones for a long time (more than a month), leave them charged by about 60-70%.A fully discharged lithium-polymer battery can degrade and stop holding charge.