The situation when Xiaomi smartphone displays the icon of connected headphones, but the audio continues to sound through the speaker or silence, puzzles many users. This is a common software failure of the MIUI or HyperOS interface, in which the system incorrectly routes the audio stream. Instead of switching the output of the sound to the headset, the operating system “hangs” in an intermediate state, considering the device is active, but not transmitting data to it.
The most common problem is not physical damage to the speaker or accessory itself, but a conflict of Bluetooth profiles or an error in the AudioService system process. The user sees the status of "Connected" in the notification curtain, but the real connection to transmit media content does not occur. Sometimes the cause is a banal software "glitch", which is easy to fix by rebooting, but in 30% of cases, deeper intervention in settings is required.
In this article, we’ll look at all possible causes, from simple Bluetooth bugs to complex codec conflicts, learn how to force audio redirects, clear service caches, and reset network settings to return audio devices to full operation. We’ll also look at specific settings for different models, including Redmi and POCO, where the logic of the sound engine may differ.
Diagnostics of Bluetooth connection status
The first step should always be to thoroughly diagnose the current pairing status. Often, the phone “thinks” that the connection is active, although the data channel is already broken or is unstable. Check the list of conjugated devices in the Settings → Bluetooth menu. If there is an icon next to the name of your headphones, but when playing music, the volume indicator on the screen does not respond to the headset buttons, then the A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) profile is not activated.
Note the type of connection. Xiaomi smartphones support different protocols, and sometimes the system mistakenly chooses a Call Only profile over Media Audio. This is a common problem when connecting to car radios or older headsets. To check this, click on the gear or arrow next to the device name in the Bluetooth list. Make sure the Media Audio switch is active. If it is off or unavailable (gray), the problem is in matching the profiles.
⚠️ Note: If the Media Audio item is missing in the device profile completely, try removing the device from the list and pairing again, keeping the headphones as close to the phone as possible (no more than 10 cm).
It's also worth checking if another app has been intercepted, and there's a "Second Space" or "Do Not Disturb" feature in the MIUI shell that can block audio output to external devices in certain scenarios. Try running music right after you're connected, without waiting for the phone to go to sleep, which will help you understand if the problem is systemic or only occurs after you lock the screen.
Software resetting of Bluetooth module
If a simple Bluetooth reboot doesn't help, you need to do a deeper reset of the communication module. Standard shutdown and turn on the slider in the curtain often only masks the problem, leaving the processes in the memory active. To completely clear the cache of connections, you better use the developer menu or special commands if you have access to ADB, but we will go through the standard settings available to everyone.
Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Bluetooth. Click on the three dots in the top right corner (or menu button) and select Forget All Devices or a similar item if available in your firmware version. If you don't have that option, you'll have to manually remove the devices. After that, don't rush to connect again. First, perform a full smartphone reboot to clear RAM from the hung audio service processes.
There is also a hidden method of resetting through the engineering menu, but it requires caution: dialer code ##6484## (CIF Test), select Bluetooth Test and run the test. If the test shows an error, the problem may be hardware. If the test is successful, but the sound is not going, the software problem helps in most cases, cleaning the data of the Bluetooth system application.
☑️ Bluetooth reset algorithm
It's important to understand the difference between a forgotten device and a deactivated one. When you choose "Forget," the phone erases encryption keys and profiles, and when you reconnect, you have complete protocol renegotiation, which often solves the problem of codec desynchronization.
Developer and codec settings for sound
One of the most common reasons why Xiaomi shows connectivity but doesn't output sound is codec conflict: A smartphone may be trying to use a high-quality codec (like LDAC or aptX HD) that your headset doesn't support or doesn't support stable, resulting in the system "seeing" the device but can't decode the audio stream and the sound is silent.
To solve this problem, activate the developer menu. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI version (or OS version) 7 times. Once you have become a developer, go back to the main settings menu, go to Additional → For Developers. Find the Audio or Bluetooth section.
Inside, you'll find the Bluetooth Codec, which is the default, and it might be "aptX" or "LDAC." Try switching it to the basic SBC. It's a universal codec that all Bluetooth devices support, and if you switched to SBC, the sound came up, then the problem was that the high-resolution codecs were incompatible.
What are LDAC and AptX?
There's also an option on the developer menu called "Switch off absolute volume." Try activating or deactivating this switch. Sometimes, when you de-synchronize the phone and headphone volume levels, the system thinks that the volume is zero, even if the slider is twisted to the maximum.
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If you don't find the developer menu, make sure you make 7 quick clicks on the build number, not the model name.
Specificity of wired headphones and adapters
Owners of modern Xiaomi models, lacking a 3.5 mm connector, often face problems when using Type-C adapters by 3.5 mm. The situation when the phone “sees” the connection (there is an icon of headphones), but no sound, is typical of unoriginal or cheap adapters. The fact is that many modern Xiaomi smartphones output digital sound (Digital Audio), and cheap adapters can only work with analog signal (Analog Audio), and vice versa.
If you use wired headphones through an adapter, make sure that the adapter specification states support for DAC (Digital Analog Converter). Without a built-in DAC in the adapter, the phone will not be able to transmit sound, although the physical connection of contacts will determine. In some cases, it helps to enable OTG mode in the settings, although newer versions of MIUI it must be determined automatically.
| Type of connection | Possible cause of silence | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth (TWS) | Codec Conflict (LDAC/aptX) | Change the codec to SBC in the developer menu |
| Wires (3.5 mm) | Contact contamination or oxidation | Clean the connector with alcohol, check the plug |
| Type-C adapter | Lack of DAC support in the adapter | Replace the adapter with a DAC model |
| USB-headset | Port power shortage | Use active USB-hub |
Another nuance is the presence of dust and pile in the Type-C connector. A mechanical obstacle can close the contacts for determining the presence of headphones, which makes the phone think that the headset is inserted, but the audio contacts do not touch. Carefully clean the port with a wooden toothpick or antistatic brush.
Network reset and system errors
If none of the above methods worked, there may have been a significant build-up of critical errors in network configuration files. Network resets are a radical but often the only way to fix the problem. Note: this operation will delete all stored Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth device lists, but will not affect your personal files, photos or contacts.
To perform the reset, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. Click Reset and confirm the action. Once rebooted, the phone will be as new as network connections. This eliminates software conflicts that arose after updating the firmware or installing questionable applications.
⚠️ Note: Before resetting your network settings, make sure you remember passwords from important Wi-Fi networks, as they will have to be re-entered.
It’s also worth checking if you have an equalizer app or a sound amplifier installed from third-party developers (like Dolby Atmos of fashion, Viper4Android) who can intercept the audio stream and not give it to a Bluetooth device. Try to remove such applications or temporarily disable their services.
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Network reset eliminates 90% of software routing errors caused by system updates or profile conflicts.
Hardware malfunctions and service center
If the phone shows connectivity but no sound on any device (checked on different headphones), the problem could be a Bluetooth antenna of the smartphone or an audio codec on the motherboard, especially for devices that have been hit or dropped.
Symptoms of hardware breakdown can be: fast battery discharge with Bluetooth on (the antenna is working for wear), heating the bottom of the phone (where the communication module is located), or a complete lack of devices in the search after reset.
If your phone is warranty-free and you have tried all methods, including factory reset, be sure to contact an authorized service center. Self-opening of the device will result in a loss of warranty. Engineers will diagnose on a special stand and replace the communication module if necessary.