What to do if Xiaomi wireless headphones do not mate with each other

Did you pull Xiaomi wireless headphones out of the case, but they refuse to connect? One earphone works, and the other is silent or flashing red? This problem is familiar to many owners of models Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earbuds, Xiaomi Buds and others. TWS-Brand headsets. Most often, a failure occurs after a firmware update, battery discharge or mechanical impact - but there are less obvious reasons for this.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to return synchronization between headphones, from basic actions to hidden MIUI settings. You will learn how to reset the settings of a headset without a phone, what to do if one headset is not determined by the system, and why the problem may lie in the firmware of your smartphone’s Bluetooth module.

Before you start repairing or bringing your device to the service, check our recommendations – 85% of the time the problem is solved by yourself in 5-10 minutes. And if your headphone model is older than 2020, pay attention to the FAQ section: there we answered questions about compatibility with outdated versions of Bluetooth.

Basic diagnosis: Checking the obvious

Before digging deep, rule out the simplest reasons Xiaomi headphones may not pair:

• 🔋 Battery charge. Both earbuds should be charged at least 20%. If the indicator on the case flashes red, plug it into charging for 15-20 minutes. On Redmi AirDots 3 Pro and later, check the charge of each earbud separately through the Mi Home app.
• 📦 Case position. Make sure both earbuds are properly installed in the case nest (contacts must touch). Xiaomi Buds 4 and Buds 5 have magnetic locks - if the earbud is not locked, resetting will not work.
• 📱 Bluetooth on your phone. Turn off and turn on Bluetooth again on your smartphone. Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco Press the Bluetooth icon in the notification curtain → Select "Reset».
• 🔄 Reconnect. Remove the headphones from the list of associated devices (Settings) → Bluetooth → ⚙️ headset-name → Remove) and try to connect again.

If the headphones are still not connected after this, move on to the next step, and especially often the problem lies in the incorrect resetting of the settings - many users miss the key point with holding the button on the case.

2. Resetting headphone settings to factory

The most effective way to get back synchronization is hard reset, which varies depending on the model, but the general principle is the same: make the headphones forget all previous connections and return them to the state out of the box.

For most Xiaomi/Redmi models, the instructions are as follows:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Connect the case to the charging (required!).
3. Press and hold the button on the back of the case (or the touch zone of the models without the physical button) for 10-15 seconds.
4. The indicator on the case should change color from red to white (or start blinking quickly).
5. Take the headphones out of the case – they should automatically mate with each other (you will hear the beep).

For Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and Buds 5 Pro, the process is a bit different:

1. Get both earphones out of the case.


2.Push and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds.




3. wait until the indicators start flashing red and white alternately.




4. Put the headphones back in the case and close the lid for 5 seconds.

Make sure the case is at least 30% charged |

Check that both earphones are clean (no dirt on the contacts)|

Use the original cable to connect the case |

Do not interrupt the reset process until the indicator color changes-->

If the headphones don't connect after reset, the problem may be the firmware of your smartphone's Bluetooth module or a hardware malfunction in one of the headphones. Move to the next section.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse headphone reset with Bluetooth reset on your phone! rollback of network settings on your smartphone (Settings) → System system → Reset → Resetting network settings will delete all saved devices, but will not affect the synchronization of the headphones themselves.

3. Compatibility check with Bluetooth version of the smartphone

One little-known reason for the problem is the incompatibility of Bluetooth versions, such as the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro headphones support Bluetooth 5.3, and older smartphones (such as the Redmi Note 5) only work with Bluetooth 4.2, in which case the headphones can connect to the phone, but not synchronize with each other.

Check the Bluetooth version on your device:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Full spec.
2. Find the line "Bluetooth version".
3. Compare with the requirements of your headphone model (see table below).

If the Bluetooth version on your phone is lower than required, update your smartphone firmware (Settings → System Update). Models older than 2019 (such as Redmi 7 or Mi 8) may require custom firmware to support new standards.

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If your smartphone doesn't support the right Bluetooth version, try connecting your headphones to another device (tablet, laptop) and checking their synchronization. If they work there, the problem is the phone.

4. Update the firmware of headphones through Mi Home

Xiaomi regularly releases firmware updates for its headphones to fix plug-in bugs. If your Buds or AirDots don't match, check the relevance of the software:

1. Install the Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Wear for new models) from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Connect your headphones to your phone (even if they are not synchronized with each other).
3. Open Mi Home → go to Devices → select your headphones.
4. If an update is available, the “Update firmware” notification will appear. Click on it and wait for the process to be completed (don’t turn off Bluetooth!).

For Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and the latest firmware update is only available through the Xiaomi Wear app. If there is no update button in the Mi Home, check:

• 📱 Phone compatibility (requires Android 8.0)+ or iOS 12+).
• 🌍 Mi Account region (some updates come first to China, then to the global version).
• 🔄 Internet connection stability (update weighs 1-3 MB, but interruption of download can damage firmware).

⚠️ Note: If during the firmware update the headphones become depleted or communication with the phone is interrupted, they may stop turning on, in which case a forced reset through the service menu will be required (see section 6).

5. Checking for hardware malfunctions

If the software didn't work, the problem might be the physical damage to one of the earbuds or the case.

• 🔍 Visual inspection: Check the contacts on the headphones and in the case for oxidation or dirt (clean with alcohol). Make sure there are no cracks or dents on the case (especially the microphone and speaker).
• 🎧 Test of individual headphones: Try connecting each headphone separately to the phone (get one of the case, leave the other inside). If one of the headphones is not identified at all - the problem is in its Bluetooth module.
• 🔋 Case test: Connect the case to the charger and see if the indicator is on. If not, the battery or power controller is faulty. Try charging the case from another cable/charging (sometimes the problem is in the port). USB-C).

Typical hardware faults:

• 🔌 Oxidation of contacts (especially after moisture is ingested).
• 🔊 Bluetooth antenna damage (often after falling).
• 🔋 Bloating of the battery in the headphone or case (seen by the deformation of the case).

If you find physical damage, contact the service center Xiaomi. for models under warranty (up to 12 months) repair will be free. the cost of replacing the Bluetooth module out of warranty – from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles depending on the model.

6. Hidden settings and service commands

For advanced users, some Xiaomi models support service commands that force a Bluetooth module to restart or access error logs, which are risky but can help if a standard reset doesn’t work.

For headphones on the Qualcomm QCC3040 chip (e.g. Redmi AirDots 3 Pro):

1. Install the nRF Connect app from Google Play.
2. Connect to the headphones manually (they can be displayed as QCC3040).
3. Go to the Unknown Service tab → find the characteristic from UUID 0000fff1-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb.
4. Send the AT+RESET command (without quotes) and reboot the headphones.

For models on the BES2300 chip (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4):

1. Connect the headphones to the PC via Bluetooth.


2. Use the BES Audio Tool (available on GitHub).




3. Enter the command:




set factory_reset 1




4.Push Execute and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use of service commands can lead to a complete loss of functionality of the headphones. Use these methods only if you are confident in your actions or under the guidance of a specialist.

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Service teams only work on debugging headphones. For most consumer devices, these methods won't work -- use them as a last resort.

7. Alternative ways of connecting

If the headphones stubbornly do not want to mate through standard Bluetooth, try alternative methods:

• 🎮 Connecting to PC/laptop: On Windows: Options → Devices → Adding Bluetooth → Choose headphones. If headphones are defined as two separate devices, manually pair each one.
• 📺 Connecting to the TV: On Xiaomi TV or Redmi TV Go to Settings. → Bluetooth → Device search: Some TV models "see" headphones better than smartphones.
• 📱 Use Bluetooth adapter: If your phone has a broken Bluetooth module, buy an external adapter (like Xiaomi Bluetooth Audio Receiver). Connect the adapter to the headphones and it to the phone via the phone. AUX or USB-C.

For Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro and later, there is another trick: forced pairing through the app. Open Mi Home, find your headphones in the list of devices and hold their name for 3 seconds. The Forced Sync menu will appear, select it and follow the instructions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphone problems