One Xiaomi headphone plays quieter than another: causes and solutions for wireless models

If your Xiaomi wireless headphones suddenly start playing sound at different volumes, it’s not only annoying, it can signal serious malfunctions. The problem of one headphone playing quieter than another is found in Redmi Buds 3/4 Pro, Mi AirDots 2/3, Xiaomi Buds 4 and even flagship FlipBuds Pro. In 80% of cases, it’s not hardware breakdowns that are to blame, but software failures or incorrect settings.

Many users mistakenly believe that the sound imbalance is a manufacturer's fault and immediately bring the device to the service center. However, in 6 out of 10 cases, the problem can be solved independently in 5-15 minutes without resorting to repair. In this article, we will examine all possible causes from banal clogging of the speaker to hidden Bluetooth settings, and also give step-by-step instructions with visual hints.

Before you start diagnosing, make sure that the problem is not related to the source of the sound. Try connecting the headphones to another device (smartphone, tablet, PC) and check if the volume difference persists. If so, it's the headphones themselves. If not, look for the reason in the settings of the first gadget.

1. Checking basic settings: volume and sound balance

Start with the obvious: checking the volume settings on the connected device. Android and iOS have separate controls for the left and right earbuds that can go off after an update or accidental tap.

On Android (MIUI):

1. Open Settings → Sound.
2. Select Sound Balance (or Headphone Settings for some models).
3. Make sure the slider is in the middle. If it's not there, move on to the next item.

On the iPhone:

1. Go to Settings → Universal Access → Audiovisual content.
2. Check the stereo balance parameter – it should be at 0.

If the balance is lost, but after adjusting the problem remained, try resetting the sound settings to the factory:

• 🔄 Nana Xiaomi/Redmi: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset the sound settings.
• 📱 On iPhone: Settings → Mainstream → Reset → Reset all settings (does not delete data!).

⚠️ Warning: If after reset, the headphones began to work normally, but after a while the problem returned - the fault is the device's software. Update the firmware of the smartphone or roll back to the stable version.

2. Cleaning speakers and headphone mesh

One of the most common causes of sound imbalance is clogging of the speaker or protective mesh, and dust, earwax or small debris can partially block the sound waves, causing one earphone to play quieter, especially for models with an open design (Redmi Buds 3 Lite, Mi AirDots Youth).

For cleaning, you will need:

• 🧻 Cotton swabs (better with a plastic base).
• 💧 Alcohol wipes or isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%).
• 🔦 Lantern (for illumination of hard-to-reach places).
• 🧲 Magnetic tip (optional, to remove metal particles).

Step-by-step:

1. Carefully remove silicone embustures (if they are removable).
2. Illuminate the speaker with a flashlight - if debris is visible, remove it with a dry cotton swab with rotational movements.
3. Soak the cotton swab in alcohol and wipe the safety net.
4. Allow the headphones to dry for 10-15 minutes before use.

If the sound is not restored after cleaning, try blowing the speaker with compressed air (for example, a canister to clean the keyboard). Keep the balloon at a distance of 5-7 cm so as not to damage the membrane.

⚠️ Warning: Never use sharp objects (needles, toothpicks) to clean - it is almost guaranteed to damage the speaker. Also avoid water-based liquids (such as hydrogen peroxide) that can oxidize the contacts.

3. Resetting and reconnecting headphones

Software failures in the firmware of headphones or Bluetooth conflicts often lead to an imbalance in sound, in which case a complete reset and re-pairing with the device helps.

How to Reset Xiaomi Headphones:

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (or the touchpad on the headphones) for 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white.
3. For models without a button (such as Xiaomi Buds 4), use the combination: press the sensor 4 times on both headphones at the same time.
4. After reset, connect the headphones again through Settings → Bluetooth.

If the reset didn't help, try forced reconnection:

• 📱 Remove headphones from the list of conjugated devices on your smartphone.
• 🔋 Turn off Bluetooth for 30 seconds, then turn it on again.
• 🎧 Remove the headphones from the case and wait for the pairing mode (blinking white light).
• 🔄 Connect them as a new device.

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If the headphones aren’t in pairing mode, try holding them near the case (but not inside) and pressing the touchpad for 5 seconds.This will work for most Xiaomi models from 2022-2026.

For models that support the Mi Earphones application (for example, FlipBuds Pro) after reset, be sure to update the firmware through the official software.

1. Download Mi Earphones from Google Play or App Store.
2. Connect the headphones and open the application.
3. Go to Settings → Update firmware.

4. Checking for hardware malfunctions

If the software didn't work, maybe the problem is that one of the headphones actually broke down, and here's how to diagnose it.

Signs of hardware malfunctions:

• 🔊 One earphone doesn't work completely (no sound even at maximum volume).
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge in one of the headphones (for example, the left sits down in 30 minutes, and the right in 3 hours).
• 🎵 Sound distortions: wheezing, crackling or "bubbling" in one headphone.
• 🔌 The headphone is not determined by the case (does not charge, does not synchronize).

Self-diagnosis:

1. Microphone test: Call someone and see if they hear you equally well on both earphones, and if one microphone doesn't work, it could be due to a plume injury.
2. Connection test: Try using each headphone separately (if the model supports mono mode). If one of them does not connect, the problem is in the Bluetooth module.
3. Charging test: See how fast each earphone discharges, and a sharp difference (over 50%) indicates a malfunctioning battery.

If you find any of these signs, you will likely need to have your headphone repaired or replaced, and the table below shows the approximate repair prices at Xiaomi service centers (current for 2026):

⚠️ Note: If the headphones are warranty (usually 12 months), do not try to disassemble them yourself - this will void the warranty.

5. Update of firmware and sound calibration

The manufacturer regularly releases firmware updates for headphones that fix sound bugs. For example, in Redmi Buds 4 Pro, firmware version 4.7.1.0 fixed the problem with sound imbalance when connecting to the iPhone. You can check and update the firmware through the official Mi Earphones app.

How to update firmware:

1. Install the Mi Earphones app (links: Android/IOS).
2. Connect the headphones and open the application.
3. Go to the Firmware Update section.
4. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off the headphones!).

After the update, perform the sound calibration:

• 🎧 Turn on your headphones and set the volume to 70-80%.
• 📱 In the Mi Earphones app, select Sound Settings → Sizing.
• 🔊 Follow the voice instructions (usually confirm if you hear a sound in each earpiece).

If the app doesn’t have a calibration feature, use third-party utilities like Wavelet (for Android) or Equalizer Fx. They let you manually adjust the sound balance by frequency.

Verification of compatibility with the device

Sometimes the problem is not headphones, but incompatibility with the sound source. For example, some Xiaomi models (especially budget) do not work well with the iPhone due to different Bluetooth standards (AAC vs SBC), and imbalance can appear when connecting to Windows or MacOS.

How to check compatibility:

• 📱 On Android: Go to Settings → Connected devices → Headphones → Additional settings. See which codec is used (AAC, SBC, The best option is aptX or AAC.
• 🍎 On iPhone: Go to Settings → Bluetooth → Information (i) next to the headphones. AAC, The sound will be reproduced with distortion.
• 💻 On Windows: Open the settings → System system → Sound. → Device properties and select maximum quality (24 bits, 48 kHz).

If you use an SBC codec, try switching to AAC:

1. On Android, install Developer Options (or enable Developer Mode via Settings → About Phone → Build Number).
2. In Developer Settings, find the Bluetooth Codec and select AAC.
3. Reconnect the headphones.

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If your Xiaomi headphones don’t support aptX or AAC, the sound will play through SBC – this can cause volume imbalance and loss of quality.

For Windows, it is also recommended to disable exceptional sound modes:

1. Right-click on the sound icon in the tray → Open the sound parameters.
2. In the Exit section, select your headphones → Device Properties.
3. Turn off Allow apps to control this device and Use audio enhancements.

7. When to contact the service center

If none of the above methods worked, the problem is likely to require professional intervention, and here are the critical signs in which self-repair is impossible or dangerous:

Symptoms of serious malfunctions:

• 🔥 The headphone warms up when used (risk of fire!).
• 💥 Extraneous sounds (crackling, hissing) even without playing music.
• 🔋 The headphone does not charge at all (the indicator does not burn).
• 🧲 Loss of synchronization between headphones (for example, left switches off after 5 minutes).
• 💦 Traces of oxidation or corrosion on contacts.

What to do before visiting the service:

1. Take a photo/video problem (for example, record the sound from each headphone separately).
2. Save the check and box (if the headphones are guaranteed).
3. Check with Xiaomi support if there are active service programs (sometimes repairs are carried out for free even after warranty).

The cost of repairs in unofficial services may be lower, but there is a risk of installing non-original spare parts. Xiaomi official centers in Russia (data for 2026) can be found here.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the sound imbalance in Xiaomi headphones