Why Xiaomi’s wireless headphones make one headphone quieter than the other: 10 reasons and solutions

Introduction: The problem with the sound balance in Xiaomi headphones

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones are a popular solution for music lovers and active users, but even they are not immune to technical failures. One of the most common complaints is that one headphone plays quieter than another, which spoils the experience of listening to music or conversation. This problem can manifest itself on budget models (Redmi Airdots, Haylou GT1) and flagships (Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro, Buddy TWS 3).

The causes of sound imbalances range from simple speaker clogging to hardware malfunctions. In this article, we’ll look at all possible scenarios, including software failures, mechanical damage and firmware features. You’ll learn how to diagnose a problem yourself, which settings to check first, and when to contact a service center.

Importantly, if the volume difference suddenly appears, don't blame the manufacturer, 60 percent of the time it's the smartphone settings or physical factors (such as sulphur in the ears) that are to blame.

1. Checking the sound balance in the smartphone settings

The first thing to rule out is the software imbalance in your device settings, which is that many users accidentally knock down the volume control for the left/right channel without even knowing it, especially for owners of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones, where the sound balance function is hidden in the special features menu.

How to check:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Special facilities → Rumor (on) MIUI 12-14).
• 🔊 Find the Balance of Sound item L/R Or mono-audio. If the slider moves away from the center, put it back in position "50/50".
• 🎧 Check if One Headphone is activated (available on some models, such as the FlipBuds Pro).

On Android 10+, you should also look at the settings of a particular app (like YouTube Music or Spotify) where your equalizer can be. Sometimes bass or high frequencies are artificially muted for one channel.

2. Physical causes: clogging, damage, poor contact

If the settings are fine, but one Xiaomi earphone is quieter, physical factors may be to blame. Headphones are miniature devices sensitive to dust, moisture and mechanical stress.

Pay special attention to the speaker grid. Xiaomi headphones often attach it to glue that will eventually fade away. If the mesh shifts, it can block the sound. Carefully tuck it in with a plastic card and check if there is any dust under it.

⚠️ Warning: Never use sharp objects (needles, toothpicks) to clean - this is almost guaranteed to damage the membrane of the speaker. To remove earwax, only a special sticky paste (sold in electronics stores) or a soft brush is suitable for removing earwax.

3. Problems with Bluetooth connection and firmware

Xiaomi's wireless headphones are Bluetooth 5.0/5.2, and connection failures are a common cause of sound imbalances. The problem can be in both the headphones themselves and the signal sources (smartphone, laptop).

• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones: remove them from the list of associated devices and reconnect them. MIUI This is done in the settings → Bluetooth → ⚙️ headphone-name → Remove the device.
• 📲 Update the firmware: for models FlipBuds Pro and Buddy TWS 3 updates are coming out to fix sound bugs. Check the version in the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app.
• 🎛️ Change the codec: in the Bluetooth settings of some smartphones, you can choose a codec (SBC, AAC, Try switching to aptX. SBC — He's the most stable.

If Xiaomi headphones are connected to Windows or Mac, check the system’s audio settings. For example, in Windows 10/11, go to Control Panel → Sound → Headphone Properties → Additional and turn off all effects (such as Sound Improvement or Spatial Sound).

Check the distance to the source (no more than 10 meters)

Make sure there are no interference (Wi-Fi routers, microwaves)

Disable other Bluetooth devices

Reboot the headphones (press and hold the 10 sec button)

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4. Hardware malfunctions: what breaks most often

If the software methods didn’t help, the problem is probably hardware, and Xiaomi’s headphones have a few “weak spots” that lead to a sound imbalance:

1. A faulty amplifier (often fails after falling or getting moisture) Symptom: one earphone plays quieter, but without distortion.
2. A wire break in the plume (relevant for models with flexible antennas, such as the Redmi Airdots 3 Pro) Symptom: sound disappears when moving your head.
3. Battery failure (if one earphone discharges faster, it can automatically turn down the volume) Symptom: quiet sound + fast shutdown.

For diagnostics, try connecting your headphones to another device (like a laptop or tablet), if the problem persists, it's a malfunction in the headphones themselves, and if the sound aligns, it's the smartphone or its settings that are to blame.

⚠️ Note: Headphones Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro and Buddy TWS 3 The system is used ANC (active noise cancellation if one of the microphones ANC If it fails, it can artificially muffle the sound in one earphone, see if it improves when you turn it off. ANC Xiaomi Wear app.

5. Features of Xiaomi models: what you need to know

Xiaomi headphones have some unique features that can affect sound balance, often overlooked by blaming the problem on marriage:

• 🔋 Automatic charge balancing: In case models (e.g. Redmi Airdots 3), headphones can discharge unevenly. If one earphone sits down faster, the system artificially lowers its volume to synchronize the running time.
• 🎵 Adaptive equalizer: FlipBuds Pro has Adaptive feature EQ, It's a way of adjusting the sound to the shape of the ear, and if the sensors are contaminated, it can cause imbalance.
• 🔄 One-earphone mode: some models (e.g. Haylou) GT5) If the mode is activated accidentally, the second earpiece will be silent or play quieter.

To reset these functions:

1. Put the headphones in the case and hold the button on the case for 15 seconds (until the indicator flashes).
2. In the Xiaomi Wear app, reset to factory settings (Device Settings → Reset).

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If you have Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro, try calibrating the ANC sensors. In the Xiaomi Wear app, go to Settings → ANC → Calibration and follow the instructions. This often solves the problem of quiet sound in one earphone.

6.When to contact the service: signs of serious breakdowns

If you’ve tried all the methods, but one Xiaomi headphone still plays quieter, it’s time to think about professional diagnostics.

• 🔊 The sound in one headphone is completely absent (even after resetting).
• 💥 The headphones are overheated or turned off through 5-10 minute.
• 🔋 The battery in one headphone swelled (see on the deformed body).
• 🌊 On the board, traces of corrosion or oxidation are visible (for example, after water enters).

The cost of repairs in official service centers Xiaomi:

Important: if headphones warranty, do not open them yourself! in official Xiaomi services warranty repair takes up to 14 days, but free when confirming factory defect.

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Before visiting the service, back up your headphone settings in the Xiaomi Wear app (if it supports your model).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the sound imbalance in Xiaomi headphones