Why one Xiaomi headphone is quieter than another and how to fix it

You listen to music through Xiaomi wireless headphones (like Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless or Buds 4 Pro), and suddenly notice that the left or right earphone sounds quieter than the other. The problem not only spoils the listening experience, but can also signal serious malfunctions. In 80% of cases, the difference in volume can be fixed yourself without going to the service center. In this article, we will analyze all possible causes (from banal clogging to a firmware failure) and give step-by-step repair instructions.

It is important to understand that the volume imbalance can be both software (smartphone settings, headphone firmware) and hardware (damage to the speaker, battery or contacts). 2-3 We'll move on to more complex ones, if you're a Xiaomi user or a Xiaomi user. POCO, Pay attention to the section about branded chips MIUI — There are nuances that are not written in the standard instructions.

1. Check basic settings: volume, balance and mono mode

Before disassembling the headphones or resetting them to factory settings, make sure that the problem is not in the settings of your smartphone or player. Often users accidentally change the sound balance or activate the mode for the hearing impaired without even knowing it.

On Android smartphones (including Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO) check:

🔊 Total volume: press the volume button and make sure the slider is at maximum. Sometimes one earbud may sound quieter due to volume limit in the Sound settings → Safe volume.
⚖️ Sound balance: go to Settings → Special facilities → Hearing settings → Stereo balance. The slider should be in the middle, and if it's left or right, move it to neutral.
🎧 Mono mode: In the same Hearing Settings, check if Monoaudio is on. It combines both channels into one, which can create the illusion of different volumes.

On the iPhone, the path will be different:

📱 Go to Settings. → Universal access → Audiovisual content.
🔄 Check the stereo balance slider (should be in the center).
🚫 Make sure that the Monoaudio option is disabled.

⚠️ Note: If you use third-party players (e.g. Poweramp, VLC or Spotify), check the balance and equalizer settings within the app. Sometimes custom equalizer presets can artificially lower the volume of one of the channels.

📊 What Xiaomi headphones do you have?

Redmi AirDots (1-3 generation)

Mi True Wireless (1-2 generation)

Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro

Other wireless Xiaomi

Wired headphones

2.Brushing headphones: removing dirt and sulfur

The most common cause of varying volumes is clogging of the speaker or sound processors. Dust, earwax, fibers from cotton swabs, or even small particles of cosmetics (such as tone cream) can block sound, creating a “muffled” effect, especially for open-grid headphones like the Xiaomi Mi True Wireless 2.

How to Clean Your Headphones Correctly:

🧴 Soft brush: use a soft bristle toothbrush or a special electronics brush. Carefully walk around the speaker grille in circular motions without pressing hard.
💨 Compressed air cylinder: if the dirt is deep inside, short presses (distance) 2-3 smear the holes. Keep the cylinder vertically to avoid fluid intrusion!
🩹 Cotton swab + alcohol: lightly moisten the stick in isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%) and wipe the grille.Do not use water or wet wipes - this can damage the speaker.
🔍 Lupa and tweezers: To remove large particles (such as stuck fibers), use tweezers with thin ends.

⚠️ Warning: Never use sharp objects (needles, toothpicks, knives) to clean; the risk of damaging the membrane of the speaker or contacts inside the earphone is extremely high; if the dirt is not removed, you should contact the service.

After cleaning, check the sound. If the volume difference persists, move on to the next step. If the headphones sound better but not perfect, repeat the cleaning through the back of the headphone. 1-2 The day (sometimes the dirt doesn't go away immediately).

☑️ Checklist before cleaning headphones

Turn off the headphones and disconnect from the devicePrepare tools (brush, alcohol, cotton swabs)Working on a flat surface with good lightingDo not use water or aggressive liquidsLet the headphones dry 10-15 minutes after cleaning

Done: 0 / 5

3.Resetting Xiaomi headphone settings

If cleaning didn’t work, the next thing to try is to reset your headphones to factory settings.This eliminates software glitches that can cause different volumes (such as synchronization errors between left and right earphones or incorrect settings). EQ).

Reset instructions for most Xiaomi models:

Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
Press and hold the button on the case (usually located behind or below) for a period of time. 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white (or orange – depending on the model).
Open the case cover. The headphones should automatically reset and reset.
Connect the headphones to the smartphone again through Settings → Bluetooth.

For some models (such as the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro), the process is different:

1. Get the headphones out of the case.


2.Push and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds.




3. Wait for the double beep and the flashing of indicators.




4. Put the headphones back in the case and reconnect.

After reset, check the volume. If the problem persists, try updating the firmware (for more on this in the next section).

💡

If after resetting the headphones do not connect to the phone, remove them from the list of associated devices in Settings → Bluetooth, then search for new devices and connect again.

4. firmware update: fix software bugs

Xiaomi regularly releases firmware updates for its wireless headphones, fixing bugs with sound, sync and autonomy. If your headphones play at different volumes, the problem may have already been solved in the latest version of the software. 5-10 Minutes and requires no special skills.

How to update the firmware headphones Xiaomi:

Make sure that the headphones are at least 50% charged (preferably 100%).
Connect them to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
Download the official Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app (depending on the headphone model) from Google Play or the App Store.
Open the app, find your headphones in the list of devices and go to their settings.
Tap on Firmware Update (or Firmware Update) if you have an update, follow the instructions on the screen.

If the update is not available, try:

🔄 Reboot your smartphone and headphones.
🌐 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes updates are blocked by corporate networks).
📱 Install the latest version of the Mi app Home/Xiaomi Wear.

Model headphones	Minimum version of the application	The latest firmware version (as of May 2026)
Redmi AirDots 3 Pro	Mi Home 6.5.4+	3.7.15
Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro	Xiaomi Wear 2.12.0+	4.0.12
Mi True Wireless 2	Mi Home 5.9.0+	2.5.8
Redmi Buds 5	Xiaomi Wear 2.10.0+	1.4.3

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the firmware update process. If the headphones run out or communication is interrupted, they may fail. If the update "hangs" during the boot phase for more than 10 minutes, restart the headphones and smartphone, then try again.

5. Checking the battery and contacts in the case

Few people know, but battery discharge or poor contact in the case can affect the volume of the headphones. The fact is that at low charge, some Xiaomi models automatically reduce the sound power to prolong the running time. If one earphone discharges faster than another (due to a faulty battery or poor contact), it will sound quieter.

How to diagnose the problem:

Check the charge level of each headphone in the Mi app Home/Xiaomi Wear, if the difference is bigger. 10-15% — it's a wake-up call.
Check the contacts in the case: 🔦 Take a flashlight and look at the metal contacts in the case and on the headphones. They should be clean, without oxidation. 🧴 If the contacts are contaminated, gently clean them with a swab or cotton swab soaked in alcohol. 🔌 Make sure the headphones fit tightly into the case and the contacts touch.
Test the charging: 🔋 Put the headphones in the case for 30 minutes, then check if they are equally charged. 🔌 Try charging the case with another cable or from another power source (sometimes the problem is in the power supply).

If one of the headphones charges much slower or does not hold the charge, most likely, the problem is in the battery, in this case, only replacing the battery in the service center will help. The cost of repairs for Xiaomi models usually does not exceed 1,500-2,500 rubles.

How to check the headphone battery without an application?

If you do not have access to the official application, you can roughly estimate the state of the battery by the time of operation: - Fully charge the headphones. - Turn on the music at medium volume (50%) And you can see the time it takes for each earpiece to run out. 1-1.5 One hour, the battery of one of the headphones degraded.

6. Diagnostics of hardware malfunctions

If all software methods have been tried, but the volume difference remains, it's probably a hardware problem.

Malfunction	Signs.	Can I fix it myself?
Damage to the dynamics membrane	Wheezing, distortion of sound, complete absence of low or high frequencies in one headphone	❌ No (replacement of the speaker required)
Oxidation of contact on board	The sound disappears when moving, shaking the headphone or at high humidity	⚠️ Partially (can be cleaned with alcohol, but risk damaging the fee)
Faulty Bluetooth module	The headphone connects, but the sound is interrupted, "floating" volume	❌ No (re-solding of the module needed)
Problems with the microphone (in headphones with noise maker)	When you call, the interlocutor hears you quietly in one headphone	⚠️ Sometimes cleaning the microphone hole helps.

For accurate diagnostics, you can use the test mode (if supported by your model). For example, for Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro:

Turn off the headphones from the phone.
Place them in a case, then pull out and hold the touchpads on both headphones for 15 seconds until you hear a voice message "Test mode."
Then the headphones play the test sounds. Compare the volume of the left and right channels.

If the test confirmed the difference in volume and all previous methods did not help, there are two options:

🔧 Contact the service center (official or verified private). The cost of repair dynamics - from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles.
🛒 Buy new headphones if the repair costs more than 50% of their cost.

💡

If the headphones are warranty (usually 12 months from the date of purchase), do not try to disassemble them yourself - this will void the warranty.

7. Features MIUI: phony

If you are using a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO base MIUI, The problem may be in the branded sound settings, and there are a few "chips" in this shell that can affect the volume balance:

🎛️ equalizer MIUI: Go to Settings. → Sound. → Equalizer and select Preset by default. Custom settings can artificially lower the volume of one of the channels.
🔊 Adaptive sound: In the same audio settings, turn off the option Adaptive sound or Intelligent volume.This feature automatically adjusts the volume depending on the ambient noise, but sometimes it does not work correctly.
🎧 Mode for headphones: in Settings → Additionally. → Check if the headphone mode is on Hearing Protection or Low Consumption.
🔋 Battery Optimization: In Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization: Find the app you're listening to music through (like Spotify or YouTube Music) and turn off the optimization for it. MIUI Limits the background activity of applications, which affects the sound.

Important: In some versions MIUI (For example, 14 and above) there is a hidden Bluetooth Device Balance setting that can get lost after updates. → System system → Resetting settings → Reset your Bluetooth settings.

8. Alternative solutions: if nothing has worked

If all of the above methods have failed, try these non-standard approaches:

📱 Connect your headphones to another device: check them on another smartphone, tablet or PC. If the volume difference persists, the problem is with the headphones. If it disappears, look for the reason in your phone's settings.
🎵 Use third-party players with manual balance settings: for example, in Poweramp or Neutron Music Player you can manually adjust the volume of the left and right channels.
🔄 Update Bluetooth stacks on your smartphone: On Android: Go to Settings → System system → Update the system and check for updates. On iPhone: update iOS to Settings → Mainstream → Update of the PO.
🛠️ Reflash the headphones manually (for advanced users): How to reflash Xiaomi headphones manually?This method is only suitable for experienced users and can lead to breakage of the headphones! 1. Download the firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website or trusted forums (for example, 4PDA). 2. Install the Mi Flash Tool or Fastboot program on your PC. 3. Connect the headphones to the PC in firmware mode (usually you need to hold the button on the case when connecting to the computer). USB-C). 4. Follow the instructions of the program for installing firmware. ⚠️ Risk: The wrong firmware can "brick" headphones!

If you decide to buy new headphones, pay attention to models with support LDAC AptX Adaptive (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro or Redmi Buds 5 Pro) provides a more stable connection and is less likely to suffer from problems with synchronization of sound.

💡

Before buying new headphones, check them for a problem with different volumes right in the store. Connect them to the phone and turn on the music at maximum volume so you can immediately detect the defect.

FAQ: Frequent questions about different volume of Xiaomi headphones

❓ Why After Updating MIUI One earpiece is quieter?

Updates MIUI Sometimes they reset the audio settings or make changes to the Bluetooth stack. Try: Reset Bluetooth settings in Settings → System system → Reset settings. Disable Adaptive sound in audio settings. Update the headphone firmware through the Xiaomi Wear app. If the problem persists, roll back to the previous version. MIUI It can help (but it is risky and voids the warranty).

❓ Can you replace the speaker in headphones Xiaomi?

Theoretically, yes, but in practice, it's extremely difficult: the speakers in Xiaomi headphones are soldered to the board, and you need a soldering hair dryer and experience with microelectronics to replace. The cost of a new speaker (if you find it on sale) can exceed the price of the headphones themselves. The risk of damaging the board or battery when disassembling is very high.

❓ Why the left earphone is always quieter than the right?

It could be related to: 🎵 Physiological features: in some people, the left ear is less sensitive to high frequencies, which creates the illusion of silence. 🔊 Mixing Settings: In some tracks or movies, the left channel can actually be quieter (check on different audio files). 🔋 Headphone design: In some Xiaomi models, the left earphone is "lead" and can discharge faster, which affects the volume. Try listening to a mono file (where the sound is the same in both channels) or swap the headphones. If the problem remains, look for the reason in the settings or hardware.

❓ How to check if I have fake Xiaomi headphones?

Fake headphones often have problems with synchronization and volume. Check originality can be like this: Look at the serial number on the case and headphones - it should match the number in the Mi Home app. The original Xiaomi headphones have a branded package with a hologram and protective stickers. In the Mi Home app, the original devices are displayed with full information about the model and version of the firmware. Fake headphones usually weigh less than the original ones (check the specifications on the official website). If in doubt, compare the sound with the headphones of a friend (the same model will be different).

❓ What to do if different volume appeared after the fall of headphones?

The fall could have hurt: 🔊 Dynamics (crack in the membrane or detachment of the magnet). 🔌 Contacts between the charge and the speaker. 📡 Bluetooth antenna (if the earphone is switched off or the sound is interrupted). In this case: Try gently shaking the earphone — if you hear foreign sounds (such as rattling), most likely something has gone inside. Check if there are cracks in the case. If headphones are guaranteed, contact the service. If not, estimate the cost of repairs (sometimes it is cheaper to buy new ones).