The sound in the headphones Xiaomi: a full analysis of the causes and solutions

Have you turned on your favorite playlist, but Xiaomi headphones don't make a sound? Or the sound comes and goes? This problem is familiar to many owners of wireless and wired models of the brand - from the budget Redmi AirDots to the flagship Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro. In 80% of cases, the fault can be fixed yourself without contacting the service center.

In this article, we will analyze all possible causes, from the banal discharge of the battery to hidden defects in the board, as well as give step-by-step instructions with photos and videos (where this is critical). 2022–2026 Years with Qualcomm chips QCC3040/QCC5141, And they have a problem with sound, often because of the firmware of the Bluetooth module. 11/10 Or macOS, you can find solutions for your OS here.

Warning: If your headphones fall into the water or are crushed, your chances of recovery are minimal. In all other cases, follow our recommendations in order, starting with the simplest steps.

1. Checking basic settings: why sound can be turned off software

Before disassembling or carrying your headphones, make sure that the problem is not in your device settings. Often the sound is lost due to a failure in the Bluetooth connection or system settings of the smartphone.

Let's start with the obvious:

• 🔊 Volume level: check if the slider is worth zero (some Xiaomi models have a separate controller for Bluetooth devices).
• 📱 Do Not Disturb: Activated mode can block media playback. Open the notification curtain and turn it off.
• 🔄 Reconnect headphones: remove the device from the list of conjugated in Settings → Bluetooth, then re-search and connect.
• 🎵 Sound output: on Android, check if the sound has switched to the phone speaker (in the Quick Settings Panel or in the Player app).

If you use Xiaomi Buds with Mi Earphones (or Xiaomi Wear for new models), upgrade to the latest version. In older versions, there was a bug that caused the headphones to “forget” the sound profile after rebooting the smartphone.

⚠️ Note: On iPhone, sound may be lost due to iOS restrictions for third-party Bluetooth devices.Try to disable Low Bluetooth Power Feature in Settings → Bluetooth → i (information) → Turn off low consumption.

2. Hardware malfunctions: what breaks in headphones physically

If the software settings are fine but still no sound, the problem lies in the hardware. Xiaomi wireless headphones most often suffer from the following defects:

To diagnose wired headphones, connect them to another device (like a laptop or player) If sound is not everywhere, the problem is with the headphones themselves. If there is sound, look for the reason in the smartphone or its settings.

For wireless models (Redmi AirDots, Xiaomi Buds) perform the test:

1. Put the headphones in the case and wait for full charging (the indicator should burn green).
2. Take them out and check if the white LED flashes (the device’s search signal).
3. If the indicator does not burn, there is a power problem (battery or charging controller).

3.Reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings

If the headphones are plugged in but no sound is coming or it's interrupted, try hard reset, which clears the memory of the device and returns all parameters to the "out of the box" state.

For Redmi AirDots (1S, 2, 3), Xiaomi Air 2/2S, Buds 4:

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case for 15-20 seconds (the indicator should go out, then blink red).
3. Open the lid - the headphones will automatically reboot.

For Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro, FlipBuds Pro:

1. Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds.

Disable headphones from all devices in Bluetooth | settings

Charge the case and headphones to at least 50%|

Make sure there are no other active Bluetooth devices around|

Prepare a second smartphone for testing after reset-->

Once reset, the headphones will appear as new devices on the list of available devices. Connect them again and check the sound. If there is a problem, move to the next section.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi Buds models 3T Pro and newer reset can reset firmware to the factory version. Once connected to the smartphone, Xiaomi will automatically offer to update the software - agree, otherwise there may be problems with synchronizing the sound.

4. Bluetooth problems: why the connection breaks or the sound is lagging

One of the most common causes of loss of sound is an unstable Bluetooth connection, which can be due to:

• 📶 Interference from other devices (Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, wireless mice).
• 🔋 Weak signal due to low battery charge headphones or smartphone.
• 🖥️ Outdated Bluetooth stack on a smartphone or PC.
• 🔄 Codec conflict (e.g., aptX or AAC).

How to diagnose and correct:

On Android:

1. Open the Settings. → System system → For developers (if there is no item, tap 7 times on the build number in About phone).
2. Find the Bluetooth Codec option and select SBC (The most compatible, but with less quality).
3. Turn off the absolute volume of Bluetooth (may cause distortion).

On Windows 10/11:

1. Open the settings → Devices → Bluetooth.
2. Find your headphones, press Remove the device.
3. Install the Qualcomm Atheros Bluetooth driver from the official website (even if Windows says the driver is up to date).
4. Restart the PC and reconnect the headphones.

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If the sound is interrupted only in games or videos, try to disable the Dynamic Sound Quality option in the game settings "3D-audio. These functions may conflict with Bluetooth codecs.

For MacBook or iMac owners: upgrade macOS to the latest version. in macOS Monterey and later, bugs with Xiaomi Buds connection via Bluetooth 5.0 are fixed.

5. firmware update: why it's critical for sound

Many users don't know that Xiaomi's wireless headphones have their own firmware that can be updated.

• 🔇 Total lack of sound.
• 🎚️ Self-reducing volume.
• 🔄 Sound delays (lags) when watching video.
• 🎧 Stereo sound synchronization (sound only in one headphone).

How to update firmware:

Method 1. Through the Xiaomi Wear app (for new models):

1. Connect the headphones to your smartphone.
2. Open the Xiaomi Wear app (download from Google Play or App Store if not already installed).
3. Go to the section My devices → [Your headphone model] → Update of the PO.
4. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off the headphones!).

Method 2: Manually via PC (for advanced users):

Some models (such as the Xiaomi Air 2 Pro) require manual upgrades via the QFlash Tool.

1. Download the firmware from the official Xiaomi website (support section).
2. Connect the headphones to the PC in firmware mode (usually by pressing the button on the case for 10 seconds).
3. Run the QFlash Tool and select the downloaded.bin file.

💡

The firmware update resets all headphone settings (including device binding) and you'll have to pair again after the procedure.

If after updating the sound is completely lost - reset the headphones (see section 3) and reconnect.

6. Repair with your own hands: when justified

If all the software methods have been tried and there is still no sound, there are two options: hand repair or contacting the service.

1. Replace the battery in the case or headphones

Symptoms: the indicator does not burn, headphones discharge in 10-15 minutes, do not hold a charge.

What do you need?

• 🔧 Screwdriver. T5 or T6 (case-breaker).
• 🔋 A battery of similar capacity (for example, for Redmi AirDots 2 – 300 mAh).
• 🔥 A soldering iron with a thin sting (for weeding off an old battery).

2. Cleaning of contacts (for wired models)

Symptoms: the sound disappears when the stack moves, only one ear works.

What to do:

1. Plenty of cotton swab isopropyl alcohol (at least 90%).
2. Gently wipe the contacts on the plug and in the socket of the smartphone.
3. Blow the connector with compressed air (for example, a canister to clean the keyboard).

Replacement of the speaker

Symptoms: wheezing, distortion or complete absence of sound in one earpiece.

What do you need?

• 🛠️ A set of plastic mediators for disassembling the body.
• 🔊 A speaker of similar size (for example, for Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro – 10 mm diameter).
• 🎬 Video instructions for disassembly (see YouTube by model).

⚠️ Warning: When disassembling Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and newer, be careful with the antenna module - it is glued to the body and easily tears. Use a dryer to soften the glue.

If you are not sure about your skills, you should contact the service.The cost of repairing the speaker or replacing the battery in official Xiaomi centers starts from 1,200 ₽.

7.When to blame smartphone: diagnosis on the side of the sound source

Sometimes the problem isn't with the headphones, but with the smartphone or other device they're connected to.

1. Sound settings on Android:

• 🔊 Open the Settings. → Sound. → Sound quality and choose Adaptive or High quality.
• 🔄 Make sure that Mono-audio mode is not activated (in the same audio settings).
• 🎵 Check if the volume limit is worth the Settings → Special facilities → Improved hearing.

Annex conflict:

Some programs (e.g. Equalizer) FX, ViPER4Android) They can block the sound in Bluetooth devices:

1. Turn off all sound modifiers.
2. Clear the Bluetooth app cache in Settings → Annexes.
3. Reboot your smartphone in Safe Mode (hold the switch off button) → Safe regime).

Problems with the connector (for wired headphones):

• 🔌 Check if there is any debris in the nest 3.5 mm or USB-C (use a flashlight).
• 🔧 Clean the connector with a toothpick (not metal objects) carefully!).
• 📱 Connect other headphones – if there is no sound, the problem is in the smartphone.

On iPhones, sound may be lost due to iOS restrictions on uncertified accessories. Try connecting headphones to an Android device - if there is sound, Apple's policy is a problem.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the sound in Xiaomi headphones