Xiaomi’s Bluetooth Headphones Don’t Connect to Each Other: A Complete Communication Repair Guide

Did you pull out of a Xiaomi Redmi AirDots or Mi True Wireless Earbuds case, but one headphone is silent and the other can't find a pair? Or do both devices flash white/red but not sync? This problem is familiar to many owners TWS-Xiaomi headphones, especially after a firmware update, prolonged downtime or mechanical damage, 80% of the time, the malfunction is solved software-based, without going to the service center.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons why Xiaomi headphones don’t connect to each other, from the banal (discharged case) to the hidden (Bluetooth controller firmware failure), you’ll get step-by-step instructions with your photos, a model compatibility table, and tips on how to avoid a problem in the future. If your headphones aren’t determined by your phone or work only one at a time, here’s the solution.

Basic checks: cover, charge and indicators

Before you reset your settings or search for a service center, do 4 mandatory checks. In 30% of cases, the problem is solved at this stage:

• 🔋 Charge of the case and headphones: Connect the case to the charge on 10–15 Even if the indicator is on, the voltage may have dropped below the critical (especially for Redmi AirDots). 2/3). Try using a different cable and power supply.
• 🔄 Reboot the headphones: Take both headphones out of the case, put them back in and close the lid for 20 seconds. then remove them again - sometimes enough to re-initiate the connection.
• 📱 Reset Bluetooth on your phone: Turn off the headphones in Bluetooth settings, then reboot the phone. For Android: go to Settings → Annexes → All applications → Bluetooth and press "Stop».
• 🎧 Indicator check: If one earbud flashes red 3 times in a row and the other flashes white, it's a sign of hardware disconnect (reset or repair required). Normal synchronization looks like alternate flashing white on both devices.

If the headphones are still not connected after this, move to the next section. Please note that Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro models may require a firmware update for the case - read more about this below.

2. Resetting headphones to factory settings

Hard reset is a universal way to bring headphones back to life if they have forgotten each other or are in conflict with the phone.

Disconnect Headphones from All Devices in Bluetooth Settings

Charge the case to at least 30%

Prepare a paperclip or toothpick for the reset button (if any)

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For Redmi AirDots (all models) and Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic/2:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (located behind or inside) for 15-20 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white alternately.
3. Release the button. The headphones will reset, and the case will start charging them again.
4. Get your headphones out – they should automatically sync (the indicators will flash white).

Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro and Mi True Wireless Earbuds 3:

1. Remove the headphones from the case.
2. Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until you hear the reset beep.
3. Put the headphones back in the case for 30 seconds.
4. Get them out, the synchronization has to be restored.

Important: Once reset, the headphones will disappear from the list of conjugated devices on the phone, and they need to be reconnected like new ones.

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If the reset button on the case does not respond, try pressing it with a paper clip through a small hole (relevant to Redmi AirDots S).

3. Update of the firmware of headphones and case

Outdated firmware is one of the main reasons why Xiaomi headphones stop seeing each other.The manufacturer regularly releases patches to fix synchronization bugs, especially after Android/iOS updates.

How to update firmware:

1. Install the Xiaomi Earbuds app (for Android) or Mi Home (for iOS).
2. Put the headphones on the phone.
3. Open the application and go to the Device Settings → Firmware Update.
4. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t remove the headphones from the case!).

Critical error: If the case dies or communication is interrupted during the upgrade, the headphones can turn into a “brick”, in which case only the firmware through the PC will help (instructions in the next section).

4. Manual firmware via PC (for experienced)

If the automatic methods don’t work and the headphones still don’t sync, you have to manually flash them, which is suitable for models on a Qualcomm chip (most Xiaomi TWS) and requires:

• 🖥️ Computer on Windows 7/10/11;
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (for cover);
• 📁 The firmware for your model (you can download it on the 4PDA or XDA Developers);
• 🛠️ QFlash Tool or Qualcomm Flash Image Loader.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and unpack the archive with firmware (for example, Redmi_AirDots_3_Pro_1.7.0.9.rar).
2. Connect the case with headphones to the PC in firmware mode: 1. Get the headphones out of the case. 2. Press the reset button on the case 4 successively. 3. Connect the case to the PC - you must decide how to QUD_WINUSB.
3. Launch the QFlash Tool, select the firmware file (.hex or.mbn) and press Start.
4. Wait until it's finished (don't turn off the case!) After the reboot, the headphones should sync.

⚠️ Warning: Wrong firmware can permanently put your headphones out of order.If you're not sure what you're doing, contact Xiaomi's service center.

5. Compatibility and Bluetooth stack problems

Sometimes Xiaomi headphones don’t connect to each other due to conflict with the Bluetooth stack of the phone or PC.

• 📱 Smartphones on Android 12+ custom-made;
• 💻 Bluetooth 4.0 laptops (an outdated standard);
• 🍎 Apple devices older than the iPhone 8 (problems with the iPhone) AAC-codec).

How to check compatibility:

1. On Android: go to Settings → About Phone → Bluetooth Version. Xiaomi TWS needs Bluetooth 5.0+ for stable operation.
2. On Windows: Open Device Manager → Bluetooth and check the adapter version.
3. If the version is lower than 5.0, try connecting the headphones to another device, and if they sync, it's a problem with your phone/PC.

Solutions for incompatible devices:

• 🔄 Update. Android/iOS last-minute.
• 🔌 Use a Bluetooth transmitter (e.g. Xiaomi Bluetooth Audio Receiver).
• 📱 For iPhone: disable the function Automatic switching sound in the headphone settings.

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If the headphones work separately but don't sync, the problem is 90% software (firmware or reset) and if both don't work, check the case and charging cable.

6. Hardware malfunctions: when repairs are needed

If all the software methods have been tried and the headphones are still not connected, the reason may be a hardware breakdown.

How to diagnose a hardware breakdown:

1. Try connecting your headphones to another phone, and if there's a problem, it's a malfunction in your headphones.
2. Check the contacts of the cover for oxidation or contamination (use a magnifying glass).
3. Listen, if there are any extraneous sounds (coding, squeaking) - this is a sign of damage to the speaker.

⚠️ Warning: If the headphones are in the water or hit, don't try to sew them or drop them. This can lead to a short circuit!

7 Prevention: How to avoid problems in the future

To Xiaomi-earphones last a long time and do not lose communication, follow these rules:

• 🔋 Charging: Do not leave the headphones in a discharged case for a long time (risk of deep battery discharge%.
• 🌡️ Temperature: Do not use headphones in temperatures below -10°C or higher +45°C (especially relevant for Redmi AirDots with Lithium Polymer Batteries).
• 📲 Updates: Regularly check the relevance of the firmware through Mi Home (every 2-3 months).
• 🧼 Clean: Clean the contacts of the case and headphones with isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%) once a month.

What can't be done:

• ❌ Use fast charging with higher power to charge the case 5W (Risk of overheating of the controller).
• ❌ Keep headphones in a wet room (for example, in the bathroom).
• ❌ Press the touch panels of headphones with sharp objects (risk of damage to the membrane).

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If you often lose communication between headphones, try disabling Bluetooth Energy Saving in your phone settings. On Android, this is done in Settings → Bluetooth → Additional.

FAQ: Frequent questions about synchronizing Xiaomi headphones