Xiaomi wireless headphones don’t connect to each other: a complete guide to restoring sync

Did you pull out of the Xiaomi AirDots, Redmi Buds or Mi True Wireless case, but one earbud is silent and the other is working? Or do both headphones connect to the phone separately but don't sync with each other? TWS-Xiaomi headphones, and it's solvable, and 90 percent of the time, it's not hardware failures, but software failures, incorrect settings, or mechanical factors (such as contamination of contacts in the case).

In this article, we will look at all the possible reasons why Xiaomi wireless headphones stop connecting to each other, and give step-by-step instructions for restoring synchronization — from a basic reset to a factory reset. Here you will find alternative solutions, including AirDots 3 Pro, Buds 4 and FlipBuds Pro, since their firmware often fails after updates. If you have tried standard methods (like removing headphones from the list of Bluetooth devices), but the result is zero, you will find alternative solutions, including an engineering menu and manual work.

Before you start repairing or carrying headphones to the service center, check out 5 key points:

• 🔋 Case and headphone charge: even if the indicator is on, the battery could discharge below the critical level (especially important for AirDots Youth Edition).
• 📱 Bluetooth version on the phone: Xiaomi headphones require Bluetooth 5.0+ stable-synchronization.
• 🔄 Latest updates: crashes often occur after an automatic firmware update (e.g. in Buds) 3T Pro after version 1.4.6).
• 🧲 External interference: Other wireless devices (routers, microwaves) can block the signal at 2.4 GHz.
• 🛠️ Physical damage: Check contacts in the case and headphones for oxidation or dirt.

Basic checks: charge, connection and interference

Start with the simplest one, a hardware condition diagnosis, and 30 percent of the time, the problem is a simple discharge or a mechanical defect, and this is what you need to do before you do any software manipulation.

First, fully charge the case and headphones. Connect the case to the power source (preferably the original Xiaomi charger with output). 5V/1A) Leave it on 2–3 Even if the indicator shows charge, the battery could run out to a level where the headphones can't sync. 3 Pro and FlipBuds Pro critical charge level not lower 20% — Otherwise, they go into energy saving mode and ignore commands.

Two: check the contacts in the case and on the headphones. Take a flashlight and inspect the metal connectors for oxidation, dirt or scratches. If the contacts are contaminated, carefully clean them with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol (do not use water or acetone!). Redmi Buds 3 Lite models have a problem with "rotting" contacts after a year of operation, in which case it will require soldering.

Third, eliminate external interference. Xiaomi's wireless headphones run at 2.4 GHz, which is overloaded with signals from Wi-Fi routers, wireless mice and microwave ovens.

• 📶 Disable Wi-Fi on your phone and router.
• 🖱️ Remove other Bluetooth devices (fitness bracelets, keyboards).
• 🏠 Move to another room (for example, if there is a microwave nearby).

2. Connection reset and reconnection

If the basic diagnosis did not help, proceed to a software reset. Most often, Xiaomi headphones lose synchronization due to a failure in the pairing protocol. A2DP or Bluetooth profile conflict. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Remove the headphones from the list of devices on all previously connected gadgets (smartphone, laptop, tablet).

1. Open the Settings. → Bluetooth on your phone.
2. Find your Xiaomi headphones on the list (the name usually includes a model, such as Mi True Wireless). SE).
3. Click on the icon. ⚙️ or “Forget the device” (on iPhone – “Delete this device").

Step 2: Reset your headphones. For most Xiaomi models, the procedure is the same:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Wait 10 seconds, then open the lid.
3. Press and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 15-20 seconds until the lights start flashing red and white (for AirDots 3 Pro) or just white (for Redmi Buds 4).
4. Close the case and wait 30 seconds – the headphones should automatically sync.

Step 3: Reconnect the headphones. After reset:

1. Open the case cover - the headphones should go into pairing mode (the indicator flashes white).
2. On your phone, turn on Bluetooth and select headphones from the list of available devices.
3. Confirm the connection (if you need to enter the code, use 0000).

Remove headphones from all devices|Charge the case and headphones to 100%|Checking contacts for pollution|Disable other Bluetooth devices nearby-->

If the headphones still don’t sync after this, move on to the next section.Special attention: FlipBuds Pro and AirDots 3 Pro models may need to update the firmware through the Mi Home app – read more about this.

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If one earbud connects after reset and the other doesn't, try connecting them separately: first the right (main), then the left. To do this, remove only the right earbud from the case and wait 10 seconds until it appears in the Bluetooth list.

3. Update firmware through Mi Home

Synchronization failures are often associated with outdated or damaged firmware, such as Redmi Buds 3 Pro, which has been upgraded to version 1.7.1, and many users have experienced a “one-working headphone” problem, the solution being forced to upgrade via the official Mi Home app.

Instructions for Android:

1. Install the latest version of Mi Home from Google Play (version at least 6.5.4).
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (required!).
3. Connect the headphones to your phone manually (unless they are automatically detected).
4. Open Mi Home, go to Profile → Settings → Add the device → Headphones.
5. Select your model from the list. If it's not available, select Another device. → Headphones.
6. After connecting, go to Device Settings → Firmware Update.

For iOS, the process is similar, but the app is called Mi Home (not to be confused with Xiaomi Home for a smart home).

• 🔋 The headphone charge should be at least 50%.
• 📶 Connect your phone to stable Wi-Fi (non-mobile internet).
• ⏳ Don’t interrupt the process – it can take up to 10 minutes.

If the update doesn’t help or the app doesn’t see the headphones, try:

• 📱 Reinstall Mi Home and clear its cache (Phone Settings) → Annexes → Mi Home → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 🔄 Reset the headphones again (see section 2) and reconnect.
• 🌐 Use another region in Mi Home (e.g. China instead of Russia), as some firmware is only available for certain countries.

4 Manual switching of the main headphone

V TWS-Xiaomi headphones have one headphone always being the "main" (usually the right one) and the second being the "subject." If the main headphone fails or loses communication, both stop synchronizing. In some cases, you can force the main headphone to be assigned manually.

This method works for models:

• 🎧 AirDots 2/3/Pro
• 🎧 Redmi Buds 3/4/Pro
• 🎧 Mi True Wireless 2

Instructions:

1. Get both earphones out of the case.
2. Press and hold the touchpad on the left earphone for 10 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red.
3. Repeat the same for the right earpiece.
4. Put both headphones back in the case and close the lid for 30 seconds.
5. Get your headphones out - now the left should be the main one (the indicator will burn white, not blink).

If the headphones are running after this procedure, but the sound is out of sync (latency between right and left), reset again and return the main status to the right earpiece. For FlipBuds Pro models, this method may not work - they require firmware through Mi Home.

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Switching the headphone helps in 60% of cases when one earphone is connected and the second one is not. If both earphones flash red after the procedure, a reset through the engineering menu is required (see section 6).

5. Problems with specific models: AirDots, Buds, FlipBuds

Some Xiaomi models have unique bugs that cannot be solved by standard methods, and below is a table with typical problems and solutions for popular lines:

There's another hidden method for AirDots 3 Pro and FlipBuds Pro: resetting through an engineering menu.

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open the Mi Home app and go to the headphone settings.
3. Click on the device icon 5 times in a row - the hidden menu should open.
4. Select Reset to Factory (if the menu is in English) or (if in Chinese).

Important: Engineering menu is available only for chip-only models BES2300 or newer (e.g. AirDots 3 Pro, Buds 4 Pro). For older models (AirDots 1), this method does not work.

6. Hardware malfunctions: when you need help from the service

If none of the software methods worked, the problem is likely hardware, and here are signs that the headphones need repair:

• 🔴 One of the headphones is not charged (the indicator does not burn when placed in the case).
• 🔊 There is a sound, but very quiet or distorted (damaged speaker).
• 🔋 The case does not hold the charge (discharges in a few hours without using it).
• 📡 Headphones are connected, but with constant breaks (problem with the antenna).

The most frequent hardware breakdowns:

1. Oxidation of contacts in the case or on headphones (solved by cleaning or replacing the contact group).
2. Failure of the Bluetooth module (requires soldering of the chip).
3. Damage to the battery (blown, leakage of electrolyte).
4. Antenna break (often after falls or severe bends).

The cost of repairs in Xiaomi service centers (as of 2026):

Warning: if headphones are warranty, do not open them yourself - this will void the warranty. Contact the official service center Xiaomi with a check or warranty card. For models older than 1 year, repair may cost more than buying new headphones (for example, Redmi Buds 4 Lite are worth it). ~2 000 ₽, a repair of Bluetooth module – 2,500 ₽).

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Check before you contact the service to see if your model falls under the extended warranty Xiaomi. for example, AirDots 3 Pro and FlipBuds Pro are 18 months warranty instead of the standard 12.

7. Alternative methods: firmware through AT-team

For advanced users willing to take a risk, there is a way to manually update the firmware through AT-This is a method that works for chip models. BES2300, BES2500 qualcomm QCC3040 (For example, AirDots 3 Pro, Buds 4 Pro. Attention: the wrong commands can permanently disable the headphones!

What you need:

• 📱 Android smartphone with root rights (or PC with Bluetooth adapter 5.0)+).
• 🖥️ NRF Connect (for Android) or Bluetooth Commander (for PC).
• 📄 Firmware for your model (can be found on the forums) 4PDA or Xiaomi.eu).

Step-by-step (for nRF Connect):

1. Connect the headphones to the phone in pairing mode.
2. Open nRF Connect and select your headphones from the list.
3. Go to the tab. AT Commands.
4. Enter a command to check the current firmware: AT+VER? The species' response should come back. BES2300YP_V1.7.1.
5. For reset to factory settings, use: AT+RESET
6. To update the firmware, download the.bin file and send a command: AT+UPGRADE=file.bin

Warning: If the headphones stop responding after you type in the command (don't blink, don't plug in), don't remove them from the case for 10 minutes - it's probably an update process. If there's no change after 15 minutes, try resetting them with a button on the case (click for 30 seconds).

FAQ: Frequent questions about synchronizing Xiaomi headphones