Why Xiaomi’s second headphone doesn’t turn on: from reset to repair

The situation when one headphone from a pair stops working, familiar to many owners of wireless headsets. Especially offensive when it happens with high-quality models from Xiaomi, such as Redmi Buds or Mi True Wireless Earphones. Usually the problem lies not in the physical breakdown of the speaker, but in the desynchronization of devices or software failure of the power controller.

The first thing to understand is that if the indicator on the problem earphone does not light up when placed in the case, it does not always mean the death of the battery. Often, oxidation of contacts or sticking of software blocks charging. Before carrying the gadget into the service, you should try to revive it with software methods and deep cleaning.

In this article, we will look at all possible causes of failure of the second headphone and offer a step-by-step algorithm of actions, you will learn how to perform a hard reset, check the status of the battery and determine whether intervention in the hardware is required.

Diagnosis of the problem: why is the second headphone silent?

Before we go into action, we need to locate the source of the malfunction, and most often, users are faced with the left or right module simply “does not see” the phone or does not turn on after being removed from the case, this can be caused by a deep discharge when the power controller goes into sleep mode protection.

Another common cause is communication disruption between modules: In TWS (True Wireless Stereo), one earpiece is a master and the other is a slave (or they operate in independent connection mode). If the communication protocol is broken, the second channel simply does not activate. Also consider physical contamination: earwax and dust can block microphone holes or charging pins.

⚠️ Warning: If the earphone falls into the water or is hit hard, a software reset may not help, and in such cases, there is a high probability of damage to the internal board or battery.

Sometimes the problem lies in the smartphone itself. The phone's Bluetooth module may misallocate resources or have a crowded cache of paired devices, so the diagnosis must be comprehensive, from checking the case to analyzing the OS settings.

Methods of complete reset and reset settings

The most effective way to bring a dead earpiece back to life is through a full Hard Reset, a procedure that forces the modules to open and clears temporary firmware errors. Most Xiaomi and Redmi models share a similar but nuanced algorithm.

You'll need to put both earbuds in a charge case. Make sure the lid is open and the devices sit tightly in the sockets. If there's a reset button on the case (usually located on the end or inside), it needs to be pinched for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes white or orange. If there's no physical button, touch is used.

To reset, touch the touch zones of both headphones simultaneously and hold them for about 5-10 seconds while they are in or out of the case (depending on the model).

After a successful reset, remove the headset profile from the Bluetooth list on the phone (“Forget the device”) and pair again, a critical step as the old settings may conflict with the new ones.

Charging problems and contact oxidation

Often the reason for the second headphone's death is trivial -- it's not charged, unlike the smartphone we charge every day, TWS-Headphones can lie in a case for months, causing a deep discharge of lithium-polymer batteries. If the voltage drops below a critical threshold, the controller blocks charging for safety reasons.

But it's often the dirt that's to blame. The microscopic layer of fat, dust, or oxides on the contact pins creates a high resistance. The current just doesn't pass, and the earphone doesn't charge even if the indicator on the case is on.

💡

Use a cotton swab lightly soaked in isopropyl alcohol to clean the contacts carefully. Do not use water or aggressive chemistry!

To rock the battery, try leaving the headphones in the case for a few hours to charge, even if the indicators do not respond. Sometimes the controller takes time to raise the voltage to the working level. Also check if the magnets fit tightly - if the seat is broken, contact may not be.

Program conflicts and reconnection

Difficulties can arise at the level of the smartphone operating system. If you have many old Bluetooth devices in your memory, this can cause addressing conflicts. Clear the list of associated devices, leaving only those that you use regularly.

It's also worth checking your energy saving settings. Some MIUI or HyperOS shells can aggressively limit background activity of Bluetooth headsets, considering them battery dischargers. Go to Bluetooth settings, select your headphones, and make sure they don't have background restrictions.

If you have access to another smartphone (Android or iOS), try connecting your headphones to it, which will let you know whether the problem is in the headset or in your main phone, and if everything is working perfectly on the other device, then it is the software of your gadget.

Comparison of popular models and their vulnerabilities

Different Xiaomi models have different designs and therefore different diseases. Understanding the specifics of your model will help you find a solution faster. Below is a table with the characteristic problems of the popular series.

Owners of budget models like AirDots should be especially careful about the reset procedure, they often have a bug when the headphones “forget” each other and start working as two independent mono-device with the same name, in which case only a complete reset and repairing helps.

Update the firmware through the application

Manufacturers often release updates that fix bugs of connection stability. For Xiaomi and Redmi devices, the main management tool is the Xiaomi Earbuds app (for the global market) or Mi Wear (for China).

Go to the app, plug in your headphones and check the Software Update section. If a new version is available, be sure to install it. During the upgrade, both headphones should be in your ears or in a case next to your phone, and the battery should be at least 50%.

Updating the firmware can overwrite damaged sectors of the Bluetooth controller memory, which often solves the problem of “falling off” the second channel.The process takes several minutes, during which time do not open the application or turn off Bluetooth.

When repairs are needed: signs of hardware breakdown

If all the software methods, cleaning and resetting have not helped, most likely the problem is hardware. TWS-They're very small, they have a limited lifetime of charge cycles, and over time, their capacity drops, and they stop holding the charge or they swell.

Signs indicating the need to replace the battery or board:

• 🔋 The earpiece only works. 5-10 minutes after full charge.
• 🔥 The body of the headphone is noticeably heated during charging.
• 🔊 There was a crack, wheezing or sound became much quieter than the second module.
• 💡 The charge indicator on the problem headphone does not light up even after a long cleaning of contacts.

In such cases, self-repair is difficult due to the miniaturization of components and the use of adhesive joints. TWS-headphones require a microscope and a soldering station with a thin sting, as conventional tools can damage the fragile board.

💡

If the headphone does not respond to charging for more than 30 minutes and does not show signs of life after reset, the battery or power controller is likely to have failed.

The cost of repairs in the service can be up to 70% of the price of a new device, so it is often more rational to purchase a new pair, especially if the warranty has already expired.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)