What to do if Xiaomi Redmi Airdots do not mate with each other: the complete guide

Xiaomi Redmi Airdots wireless headphones (including Airdots Basic, Airdots S, Airdots 2 and Airdots 3) sometimes refuse to sync with each other — one headphone connects to the phone, and the second “silent” or flashes white/red without connection. The problem arises from firmware failures, battery discharge, mechanical damage or errors in Bluetooth settings. 80% of cases, the malfunction is fixed by software methods without contacting the service center.

In this article, we will look at all the possible causes of headphones not pairing, from basic (battery discharge) to complex (breaking the Bluetooth antenna). You will receive step-by-step instructions with illustrations, a table of device compatibility and answers to frequent questions. If after reading the problem remains, there is a checklist at the end of the article for diagnosing hardware.

1. Check the basic conditions before setting up

Before you drop your headphones or update your firmware, make sure that the minimum requirements for them are met. Often users miss the obvious points that make Redmi Airdots out of sync:

• 🔋 Battery charge: Both earbuds should be charged at least 30%. If the indicator on one of them does not burn when extracted from the case, connect the case to charge for 15-20 minutes.
• 📱 Device compatibility: Headphones work with Bluetooth 4.2+. Older smartphones (until 2016 release) may lack protocols for synchronization.
• 🔄 Distance between headphones: When you first pair them, keep them at a distance of no more than 10 cm from each other. In the future, the maximum distance is up to 10 meters (without obstacles).
• 🚫 Connected Devices: Remove Redmi Airdots from the list of associated devices on all gadgets (smartphone, laptop, tablet) to avoid conflicts.

If the headphones are discharged, but the case shows a charge, try forcibly rebooting them: put both headphones in the case, close the lid, then remove and hold the buttons on both headphones for 10 seconds. After rebooting (the indicators blink in red), repeat the pairing attempt.

2. Resetting headphones to factory settings

The most effective way to get back sync is hard reset. The procedure is different for different Redmi Airdots models, but the general principle is the same: reset Bluetooth and return to "clean" state. Importantly, after reset, the headphones will forget all previously mated devices, and they will have to reconnect.

Instructions for Airdots Basic / Airdots S:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Wait until the headphones go out (10-15 seconds).
3. Remove both earphones from the case.
4. Press and hold the touch buttons on both headphones simultaneously for 20 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white alternately.
5. Put the headphones back in the case, close the lid, then remove - they should automatically mate (white light will burn constantly).

Instructions for Airdots 2 / Airdots 3:

1. Remove the headphones from the case.
2. Press the touchpads on both headphones for 10 seconds until you hear the beep and see a flash of purple (Airdots 2) or orange (Airdots 3).
3. Put the headphones in the case, close the lid for 5 seconds, then pull out - they should sync automatically.

If after resetting the headphones still do not mate, move to the next section - the problem may be in the firmware or hardware.

3. Update to the headphone firmware

Outdated firmware is a common cause of sync failures, especially after an OS update on a smartphone. Xiaomi regularly releases patches for Redmi Airdots that fix connection errors. The update is performed through the official Mi Home app (for Android) or Xiaomi Wear (for iOS).

Step-by-step:

1. Install the Mi Home app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Connect the right earphone to your phone via Bluetooth (the left will connect automatically after the update).
3. Open Mi Home → Profile → Settings → Add the device → Headphones.
4. Select the Redmi Airdots model from the list. The app will prompt you to update your firmware if a new version is available.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen. Don't interrupt the process, which can lead to the headphones becoming "bricky."

⚠️ Note: If after updating the firmware headphones stopped turning on or squeaking, reset (section 2) and repeat the procedure. If the problem persists - the firmware is damaged, you will need to reflash the headphones through the PC (instruction in section 5).

4. Diagnostics of hardware malfunctions

If the software methods didn't work, the problem could be physical damage to the headphones, and most of the time, the headphones fail.

• 🔌 Charging contacts: Oxidation or contamination of contacts in the case or on headphones leads to undercharging of one of the devices.
• 📡 Bluetooth antenna: Falling or getting moisture can damage the antenna, which is why the headphones do not “see” each other.
• 🔋 Battery: Bloating or critical battery wear leads to spontaneous shutdowns.
• 🎛️ Touch buttons: Sticking or failing buttons blocks entry into pairing mode.

How to check:

1. Contacts: Wipe the contacts on your headphones and in your case with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, check if there is plaque or corrosion.
2. Antenna: Hold your headphones to your ear and see if there is crackling or noise, which is a sign of antenna damage.
3. Battery: If the headphone is discharged in 10-15 minutes, the battery needs to be replaced.
4. Buttons: Press the touch panels, they should bend with a slight click. If the button is on, gently tuck it in with a thin screwdriver.

⚠️ Warning: If headphones have fallen into water or been hit hard, don't try to repair them yourself - contact the service center. Damage after "handicraft" repairs often make the device unrepairable.

5. flashing headphones through PC (advanced method)

If the standard Mi Home update didn’t help and the headphones are unstable after reset (for example, one of them is constantly turned off), manual flashing through the computer may be necessary.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Windows PC 10/11 macOS.
• 🔌 USB-Type-C Cable (to connect the case).
• 📦 Archive with firmware for your model (you can download on the forums) 4PDA or Xiaomi.eu).
• 🛠️ NRF Connect (for Bluetooth diagnostics) or Flash Tool (for firmware).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install nRF Connect.
2. Connect the right earphone to the PC via Bluetooth (the left should be in the case).
3. Open nRF Connect, select your headphones from the list of devices.
4. Go to the DFU (Device Firmware Update) tab and download the firmware file (.zip or.bin).
5. Press Start and wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes).
6. After the update, reset (Section 2) and check the sync.

💡

If nRF Connect can’t see the headphones, try connecting them to the PC via the case: open the case cover, press and hold the button on the case for 5 seconds until the white indicator lights up. Then connect the case to the PC with a Type-C cable and try again.

6. Alternative ways of connecting

If the headphones still don’t match, try out-of-the-box methods that sometimes work even after unsuccessful resets:

• 📱 Connecting via another device: Try pairing your headphones with another smartphone, tablet or PC. Sometimes conflict arises because of the Bluetooth cache on the main device.
• 🔄 Use Mono Connection Mode: Connect the right earbud to the phone, then manually add the left through Bluetooth settings (you may need to enter) PIN-code 0000).
• 🔌 Charging from another source: Connect the case to charging from another power unit (e.g., power bank).Sometimes faulty chargers don't provide enough current.
• 🌡️ Overheating/cooling: If the headphones overheat (for example, after prolonged use), put them in a case for 10 minutes. If they are cold, warm up in your hands for 1-2 minutes (condensation could disrupt contacts).

Instructions for forced monoconnection (if one headphone is not visible):

1. Open Bluetooth settings on your phone.
2. Click Add a new device.
3. Select the left earphone from the list (usually called Redmi). Airdots_L).
4. If you request a PIN, enter 0000.
5. After connecting the left earphone, take the right one out of the case - they should sync automatically.

💡

If the headphones are connected separately but don't work together, the problem is the sync protocol, and then you can just reset or flash it.

7. When to contact the service center

If none of the methods worked, the headphones are likely to have a hardware fault that cannot be fixed at home.

• 🔴 One of the headphones is not turned on (does not respond to pressing, does not burn the indicator).
• 🔊 Headphones can hear wheezing, cracking or no sound even after resetting.
• 🔥 Headphones overheat or turn off after 5-10 minutes of operation.
• 💧 On the case or inside the case, traces of oxidation or moisture are visible.
• 📉 The battery holds a charge of less than 30 minutes (when fully charged).

How to find the official Xiaomi service:

1. Go to the Mi Service website.
2. Choose a country and a city.
3. Check the reviews about the service center (for example, on Yandex.Maps or Google Maps).
4. Check the cost of diagnosis by phone (in official centers it is often free).

The average cost of repairing Redmi Airdots in 2026:

• Battery replacement: 800–1,500 ₽.
• Repair of Bluetooth module: 1,200–2,000 ₽.
• Touch panel replacement: 600–1000 ₽.
• Contact cleansing: 300-500 ₽.

⚠️ Warning: Before visiting the service center, make a backup of the data (if the headphones connect to the phone) - after repair, you may need to reset all settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi Airdots issues