The situation when Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic (formerly known as Airdots) wireless headphones stop working in pairs is familiar to many users. Instead of stereo, you hear music from only one headphone, or the devices appear in the Bluetooth list of the smartphone as two separate devices. This is not a malfunction, but a synchronization failure that is easy to fix yourself without going to the service center.
The problem is that the left and right modules lose communication with each other and start working independently. To return to full sound, you need to force them to "get acquainted" again. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to restore communication between headphones, including full resetting and manual synchronization.
Before you start complex manipulations, it is worth checking the basic settings of your smartphone. Make sure that Bluetooth is active and there are no old records of your Airdots in the list of associated devices. Often it is the “junk” in the phone’s memory that interferes with the correct connection. If simple retraining does not help, move on to the next steps.
Why do headphones stop seeing each other?
The main reason for this is because of the TWS (True Wireless Stereo) protocol, which is usually a master device that transmits a signal to the right, and if this communication channel is interrupted due to interference or battery discharge, the pair will break up, and understanding the cause helps prevent the problem from recurring in the future.
A common mistake users make is to remove the headphones from the case incorrectly, and if you take out one headphone, start using it, and the second one is only taken out after a few minutes, they may not be able to shake hands and synchronize. Different levels of charge also affect: if one module is completely sat down and the second one is still charged, there may be a conflict between the versions or the battery status when you charge and then turn on.
⚠️ Note: If one of the headphones is discharged to zero, put both in the case at least on the 15-20 Attempting to synchronize at critically low charge often leads to an error.
Sometimes the problem is that the smartphone itself is software glitched. Android and iOS can cache data about connected devices incorrectly, and not only does it help to reset the headphones, but it also helps to clean the Bluetooth list on the phone. Don't ignore this step, because it's the foundation for successful customization.
Preparation for the interface procedure
Before any action to restore communication between modules is taken, a number of preparatory operations must be performed, which will eliminate the influence of external factors and the purity of the experiment, and ignoring the preparation is the most common reason why the instruction "does not work" in inexperienced users.
First, open your Bluetooth settings on your smartphone. Find your headphones on your device list (they may be called Mi True Wireless EBs). Basic_L Click on the gear or information icon and select "Forget device" or "Cancel pairing." This is a critical step.
Once removed from the list, it is recommended to completely turn off Bluetooth on the phone, this will break all background connection attempts, also check the charge of the case and the headphones themselves, make sure that the contact areas inside the case and on the headphones are clean, oxidation or dust can prevent proper charging and data transfer.
- 🔹 Delete old headphone records in your phone's Bluetooth settings.
- 🔹 Turn off the Bluetooth module on your smartphone during the procedure.
- 🔹 Clean headphone contacts with dry soft cloth.
- 🔹 Make sure that both earbuds have a battery charge.
☑️ Ready to dump
Manual synchronization method without resetting
There's a quick way to try to reconnect without completely resetting, and this works in cases where the desynchronization happened by accident, like when you're out of range of Bluetooth, which is less radical and takes less time.
Put both headphones back in the charge case and close the lid (if you have one in your model) or just leave them in the contacts for 5-10 seconds. Then pull out both headphones at the same time. Ideally, they should blink quickly and find each other. If the indicators flash synchronously, the connection is restored.
If one earbud flashes frequently after retrieval and the other blinks slowly or not at all, then they can't see each other. In this case, put them back, not in the case, but just on the table next to each other, and press the touch zones (or physical buttons) on both devices simultaneously. Hold for about 5 seconds until the characteristic sound or display changes.
⚠️ Attention: When manually synchronizing, don't press buttons too long, otherwise you'll start pairing with your phone instead of each other. Short press on, long tap reset or mode.
Once you've done something, the indicators have to behave the same way, which usually means that one channel has become a master, so you can turn on Bluetooth on your phone and search for the device, and you have to have one item on the list with the model name, not two.
What to do if the indicators flash differently?
Full reset (Hard Reset)
If simple methods don't work, you need to do Hard Reset, which brings the headphones back to factory settings, erasing all temporary files and connection history, and is the most effective way to solve left- and right-channel desynchronization problems.
There are several variations of reset performance depending on the particular model (Airdots 1, 2, S, Pro). However, the universal algorithm for classic Airdots looks like this: remove the headphones from the case. Press and hold the touchpads (or buttons) on both headphones simultaneously for 20-30 seconds. Do not let go, even if you hear voice commands or see a blink.
It is important to keep the headphones out of the case during this procedure. The indicators will flash several times: first on, then pairing mode, and only after prolonged retention (about 20 seconds) they should go out or blink red / white, signaling a reset. After that, put them in the case for 10 seconds.
| Model | Action. | Duration | Indication of success |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airdots / Mi Basic | Sensor retention | 20-30 seconds | Double blinking. |
| Airdots 2 / Redmi | Sensor retention | 15-20 seconds | The indicator goes out |
| Airdots Pro | Area retention | 10-15 sec. | Orange light |
| Airdots 3 | Retention 5 sec x3 | 3 times 5sec | Fast blinking. |
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The key to success in resetting is synchronicity, so you need to press the buttons on the left and right earphones simultaneously, with a difference of no more than 0.5 seconds.
Connection to the phone after reset
After the reset is successful, the headphones go into active search mode (Pairing Mode), the indicators begin to flash white often, and now you need to turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and start looking for new devices.
One name should appear on the list of available devices that matches your model, such as Mi True Wireless EBs Basic. Don't choose devices with a R or L name. If you see two devices, then the synchronization between the headphones did not go well, and the reset procedure should be repeated, paying more attention to simultaneous pressing.
When connected, the system can request permission to access contacts or call logs. This is a standard procedure for headsets that allows you to see the name of the caller. After connecting, it is recommended to check the balance (if supported) or charge level through the Mi Wear widget or the standard Bluetooth menu.
- 🎧 Turn on Bluetooth on your phone only after the headphones go into search mode.
- 🎧 Choose only one main device in the list without endings.
- 🎧 If the phone asks for a code, try 0000 or 1234 (rarely, but it happens).
Typical errors and their solution
Even following the instructions, users may encounter difficulties. Often the problem lies not in the headphones, but in the way they interact with a particular smartphone. For example, some MIUI shells aggressively save battery and can kill the process of connecting Bluetooth in the background.
Another common mistake is trying to connect the headphones while they are in the case. Some models (especially newer ones) do not pair inside the charging case. Always remove them for adjustment. It is also worth checking whether your headphones are connected to another device (tablet, laptop) that is nearby and automatically “twist” the connection.
⚠️ Warning: If the headphones connect to the phone after reset, but the sound comes from only one, check the balance settings in the "Special features" section of your smartphone.
In rare cases, it helps to update the firmware of headphones through the Mi Wear app (for new models) or Xiaomi Earbuds. Manufacturers periodically release patches that improve the stability of the connection. If nothing helps, perhaps a hardware problem — for example, the Bluetooth module in one of the headphones failed.
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Try connecting your headphones to another smartphone, and if they're in stereo mode on another device, it's a problem with your main phone's Bluetooth settings.
Prevention of Connection Problems
To avoid the problem of "how to connect your Xiaomi airdots headphones to each other" in the future, follow simple rules of operation. Always put your headphones in the case after use, which not only charges them, but turns them off, preventing discharge and accidental connections.
Try not to take your smartphone too far away from the headphones. Bluetooth range is limited, and when you leave the coverage area, the communication between the master earphone and the phone can break, which sometimes leads to the pair out of sync.
Rub the contacts regularly. Sweat and moisture, when they get on the charging contacts, create an oxide film that interferes with data transmission and charging. Clean contact is the key to the long life of the device. Use a dry cotton swab to clean.