One wireless headphone Xiaomi Airdots does not work: what to do

A situation where only one person fails TWS-The owner may notice that the right or left module stopped turning on, does not charge in the case or simply does not play sound while the second continues to function normally. Often the problem lies in a software failure or contamination of contacts.

Before you carry the device to the service center, you need to perform a number of diagnostic actions. In most cases, you can restore the headset to work yourself by performing a full reset or clearing oxidized contacts. It is important to understand that the algorithm of actions depends on the specific model, whether it is basic Xiaomi Airdots or more advanced Redmi Buds.

In this tutorial, we will look at all possible causes of malfunction of one of the channels and provide a step-by-step guide to fix them, you will learn how to correctly interpret the indication, check the charge and synchronize the modules again, carefully following the steps will save time and money on repairs.

Main causes of failure of one channel

The first thing to do is to analyze the nature of the problem, and if one headphone fails, it can be caused by a banal battery discharge that could have occurred due to poor contact with the charging case, and the dust and villi that accumulate in the case socket often prevent full charging, causing the device to discharge to zero and stop responding to commands.

Another common reason is out-of-synchronization: Bluetooth sometimes fails and modules stop "hearing" each other, in which case the left channel can work as a standalone device, and the right channel can be silent, or vice versa, and software firmware errors that require a forced restart of the system cannot be ruled out.

A more serious problem is a hardware defect of the speaker or battery: if the device fell or was exposed to moisture, the plume could move away. However, even in such cases, sometimes "resuscitation" by deep charging or resetting helps, so you should not rush to conclusions about the breakdown of iron.

Diagnosis and verification of the charging case

Often the problem lies not in the earphone itself, but in the way it is charged. If one of the modules does not work, first check whether the indicator lights up when installed in the case. Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic models and their counterparts are characterized by the lack of indication on the body itself, so you need to focus on the LEDs inside or outside the case.

You need to look carefully at the contact areas. There are metal pins on the bottom of each earpiece and inside the recess of the case. Over time, they become oxidized or covered with skin fat. Use a cotton swab lightly soaked in alcohol to clean, but keep the liquid out of the case.

It's also worth checking the charging case itself. If its battery is completely discharged, it can't transfer power to the headphones. Connect the case to the network for 15-20 minutes, even if the indicators aren't on. Sometimes the power controller needs time to "rock" after a deep discharge.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use metal objects (needles, pins) to clean the contacts inside the case. You may damage the insulation or close contacts, which will short circuit and the electronics will fail.

Complete Reset (Hard Reset)

If physical cleaning doesn't work, the next step is a software reset, which brings the headphones back to the factory settings and makes them re-find each other. For most Xiaomi Airdots and Redmi Airdots, the algorithm is similar, but has its own nuances depending on the version.

First, remove the device from the list of paired devices on your smartphone. Go to Bluetooth settings, find your headphones and click "Forget the device" or "Unpair the pairing." After that, put both modules in the charging case and close the lid (if any) or just leave them in the sockets.

There are several ways to activate reset mode: In classic models, you need to pinch the touch pads on both headphones simultaneously, holding them in your hands (not in the case), for about 20 seconds. The indicators should flash red and then white. In models with a mechanical button on the case, you just need to press and hold the button until the color of the indicator changes.

Emission sequence:


1. Remove from Bluetooth.




2. put in the case (or take in hand).




3. Press the sensor/button for 20-30 seconds.




4. Wait for the indicator to flash.

After a successful reset, the indicators usually flash quickly, signaling a pairing mode, and now you need to re-pair the smartphone, and it is important that at this point both earbuds are next to each other for initial synchronization.

Compatibility table and indicators

Different generations of Xiaomi headphones use different color display schemes. Understanding what LED flashing means will help diagnose the problem faster. Below is a summary table for popular models.

Note that if the indicator on one headphone behaves differently than on another (for example, one flashes and the other burns constantly), this is a sure sign of desynchronization.

Also, consider that in some models, when one module is low (less than 10%), it can automatically shut down to save energy, while the second one continues to work.

Problems with Bluetooth connection

Sometimes the hardware is good, but there's a software conflict in the operating system of your smartphone. If one headset doesn't work, try connecting it to another device, a tablet or a friend's phone, and that will eliminate the problem with your phone's Bluetooth module.

In Bluetooth settings on Android, it is often useful to reset your network settings. This action will remove all stored Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, but can solve the problem of the dangling driver. The path to the function usually looks like: Settings → System → Settings Reset → Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile Internet and Bluetooth settings.

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When you connect your headphones, always wait for both devices to appear on the list or for one headset name. If you plug in only one headphone, the second one can stay asleep and not leave it automatically.

It's also worth checking if Mono mode is activated in Android's special features, which are designed for people with hearing impairments and combines a stereo signal into one channel, which can create the illusion of a second earphone malfunction. → Rumor.

⚠️ Note: When you reset your network settings, you will lose passwords from your stored Wi-Fi networks. Make sure you remember the data to connect to your home Internet before you perform this operation.

Mechanical damage and wear

If software methods have failed, consider the possibility of physical damage. Wireless headphones are compact devices that are sensitive to shocks. Falling from even a small height can lead to detachment of the speaker plume or damage to the battery.

Moisture is the main enemy of electronics. Even if the model has splash protection (IPX4), sweat or rain falling into the dynamic head can cause the contacts to corrosion, in which case the device can work for a while and then suddenly become silent.

Battery wear is a natural process. Lithium batteries degrade after 2-3 years of active use. If one earphone discharges much faster than another (for example, in 30 minutes versus 3 hours for the second), this is a sign of "dying" of the battery cell, in which case only the replacement of the battery in the service will help.

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If none of the software methods helped, and charging does not restore work, most likely, the problem lies in the physical wear of the battery or damage to the speaker.

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