Why Xiaomi Headphones Stopped Working: A Complete Analysis of Causes and Solutions

Xiaomi headphones are some of the most popular accessories because of their combination of price, quality and functionality. But even the most reliable appliances can fail: suddenly the sound disappears, the device does not connect to the phone, or one speaker is quieter than another. If your Xiaomi wireless headphones (be they Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless or Buds 4) cease to function correctly, do not rush to carry them to the service center.

In 80% of cases, you can solve the problem yourself in 5-15 minutes, following proven algorithms, and this article will help you understand why Xiaomi headphones do not work properly, and what to do in each case. We will consider both software failures (for example, Bluetooth errors or firmware) and hardware malfunctions (damage to speakers, battery or contacts). MIUI, People who are often ignored by even experienced users.

1. Xiaomi headphones don't connect to the phone

The most common problem is when the headphones are not defined by the smartphone or plugged in, but immediately shut down, and the reasons can be on the side of the headphones, and on the side of the phone (or other device you are trying to connect to).

The first thing to check is the pairing mode. Most Xiaomi models require:

• 🔋 Hold the button on the headphone case (usually 3-5 seconds) until the indicator flashes.
• 📱 Make sure your phone is Bluetooth enabled (Settings) → Connections → Bluetooth).
• 🔄 Reboot the headphones (you often need to hold the button 10-15 seconds before resetting).

If Xiaomi headphones have previously connected to this phone, but now I don’t see you, try:

1. Remove them from the list of associated devices (Bluetooth Settings) → Headphone name → Forget the device).
2. Turn off/on Bluetooth on your phone.
3. Reboot your smartphone (sometimes helps even with hardware failures of the Bluetooth module).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (such as Mi True Wireless Earphones 2) require you to press the button on both headphones at the same time to reset the settings.

2. Headphones are connected, but no sound.

The situation when the headphones successfully mate with the smartphone, but the sound goes through the speaker of the phone (or not at all), usually associated with the settings of the audio output. MIUI There are a few “pitfalls” that many people don’t know about.

First, check:

• 🎵 Volume level on headphones (sometimes it is reset after connecting).
• 🔊 Settings of the audio device in the notification panel (tap on the speaker icon and select headphones).
• 📱 Do not disturb or do not sound (Settings) → Sound and vibration).

If the sound is still not coming, follow the following steps:

1. Open Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.
2. Find your headphones in the list and tap the gear (⚙️) near-name.
3. Make sure the Audio and Media Audio options are enabled (on some firmware they may be disabled by default).

Make sure that the headphones are selected as the output device

Check the volume on headphones and phone

Turn off Do Not Disturb mode.

Reconnect the headphones manually

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If the problem persists, try forcibly switching the audio route:

adb shell settings put global force_bt_sco 1

This command (introduced through ADB) causes the system to use the headphones as the primary audio device.

3.One earphone is not working or quieter than the other

Asymmetrical sound (when one earphone is silent or sounds quieter) is one of the most unpleasant problems. Half of the time, it's the contaminated speakers or damaged contacts, but sometimes it's the stereobalance settings.

First, check:

• 🧹 Clean speakers (dust and earwax can block sound).
• 🔋 Charging headphones (sometimes a weak battery leads to the disconnection of one of them).
• 🔊 Sound balance in settings (Settings) → Special facilities → Monoaudio balance).

If one headphone is not working completely:

1. Try to connect it separately (some Xiaomi models support mono-connection).
2. Check if the indicator is on a broken headphone (if not, a power or contact problem).
3. Reset the headphone settings (hold the 10-15 second button until red/white flashes).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi Buds models 3/4 There's a lot of detachment defects in the right earbud, and if you have a problem after reset, and the light doesn't burn, you're likely to need repairs.

4. Xiaomi headphones discharge quickly or do not charge

Battery issues are a scourge of all wireless headphones, and Xiaomi is no exception. If the headphones discharge in a couple of hours or do not charge at all in a case, the reasons may be as follows:

For diagnosis:

1. Check if the indicator on the case is lit when connecting to the charging.
2. Make sure the headphones are properly installed in the case (magnets should work).
3. Try charging the case from another source (computer or powerbank).

If the case is charging, but the headphones are not, the problem may be the contacts inside the case. Gently wipe them with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. On Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro models, a defect in the detachment of the contact springs is often found - in this case, only repair will help.

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If the headphones are running too fast, turn off the "Automatic Ear Disconnect" feature in Bluetooth settings (if any).This option uses sensors all the time, which increases battery consumption.

5.Microphone problems in Xiaomi headphones

If your interlocutors complain that they can’t hear you during calls, or your voice is transmitted with interference, the problem can be in the microphone settings or hardware malfunctions. Xiaomi headphones use a built-in microphone that sometimes conflicts with the main microphone of the smartphone.

What to check first:

• 🎤 In the call settings, is the microphone of the headphones selected (Settings) → Calls. → Audio-march).
• 📞 Software restrictions (some apps, such as WhatsApp, can block access to the microphone).
• 🔇 Physical damage (check the microphone hole on the headphone – it should not be clogged with dust).

To test the microphone:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open the tape recorder and record a few seconds of speech.
3. Listen to the recording – if the voice sounds quiet or with noises, the problem is in the microphone of the headphones.

If the microphone doesn’t work, try:

• 🔄 Reset the headphone settings.
• 📱 Update the firmware of the smartphone (in new versions) MIUI Fixed bugs with audio routing).
• 🛠️ Contact the service (if the microphone is physically damaged).

6. Xiaomi headphones are turned off during use

Spontaneous shutdowns are one of the most annoying problems, and they can be related to:

• 📶 Bluetooth signal (too long distance from your phone).
• 🔋 Weak battery charge (earphones are turned off at 5-10% charge).
• 🤖 Conflict with other connected devices (e.g. smartwatches).
• 📱 Software bugs in the firmware of the phone or headphones.

How to diagnose and correct:

1. Check the distance: Bluetooth 5.0 is stable at up to 10 meters, but walls and interference shorten that radius.
2. Disable other devices: If a smartwatch or speaker is connected to the phone, they can create conflicts.
3. Update the firmware: In Settings → The phone. → Update the system check the relevance of the software.
4. Reset network settings: Sometimes resetting network settings (Settings) helps → System system → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi smartphones (e.g. Redmi Note) 10/11) There is a bug with Bluetooth energy saving, because of which the device forcibly turns off the headphones through 5–10 To fix this, add Bluetooth Settings to battery optimization exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications).

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If the headphones turn off while listening to music, try turning off the Absolute Volume feature in the developer settings, which can cause conflicts with some audio players.

7. Xiaomi headphones don't update or don't work properly after the update

Xiaomi’s branded headphones (such as Mi True Wireless Earphones 3 or Buds 4 Pro) support firmware updates via the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app, but sometimes this process is flawed, leading to bugs.

Signs of firmware failure:

• 🔄 The headphones are constantly rebooting.
• 🎵 The sound is interrupted or distorted.
• 📱 No settings are saved (for example, reset when connected to another device).

How to update the firmware correctly:

1. Install the latest version of the Xiaomi Wear or Mi Home app.
2. Put the headphones on the phone.
3. Open the app, find your headphones in the list of devices.
4. If an update is available, follow the instructions on the screen.

If the update has been suspended or the headphones stopped working after it:

• 🔋 Completely discharge the headphones, then charge to 100%.
• 🔄 Reset them to factory settings (hold the button 15-20 seconds).
• 📱 Reinstall the Xiaomi Wear app and repeat the procedure.

For Xiaomi Buds models 3T Pro and later, you can roll back the firmware through service mode to activate it,:

1. Turn off the headphones from the phone.


2 Hold the button on the case for 10 seconds (the indicator will flash red and blue).




3. Connect the headphones to the PC via cable (use the original USB-C cable).




4. Run the Mi Flash Tool program and select the firmware to roll back.

8 Hardware breakdowns: when you need help from the service

If all software methods have been tried, but Xiaomi’s headphones still don’t work, the problem is likely hardware.

• 🔥 Headphones don’t turn on even after full charging (power controller may have burned out).
• 💧 Ingestion of liquid (corrosion on the board, unstable work).
• 🔊 Complete lack of sound in both headphones (damage to speakers or audio chip).
• 🧲 The work of magnets in the case is disturbed (earphones are not fixed, do not charge).

Average cost of repairs in informal services:

Before contacting the service:

• 📋 Save a check or confirmation of purchase (if headphones are guaranteed).
• 🔍 Check if there are any autopsy marks on the case (this may void the warranty).
• 📱 Reset the headphone settings (sometimes it is required in the service before diagnosis).

⚠️ Note: Official Xiaomi service centers in Russia often refuse to repair headphones purchased from unofficial stores (for example, on AliExpress.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphones