Xiaomi headphones are connected separately: reasons and 7 ways to fix

You took out the Xiaomi Redmi AirDots or Mi True Wireless Earbuds, but instead of synchronizing, they connect separately, left and right, like two different devices? TWS-It's 80 percent the fault of the firmware or the wrong pairing, but sometimes it's the settings of the smartphone or the physical damage.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible causes of headphone disconnection, from trivial discharge to hardware malfunctions. You’ll get step-by-step instructions for each model (including the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, FlipBuds Pro, and the budget Redmi Buds 5), and how to prevent the problem from recurring. If the standard reset doesn’t work, we have an exclusive method using the Bluetooth engineering menu that works even for bricks after a failed update.

Why Xiaomi Headphones Are Connected Separately: 5 Main Reasons

Before we get to the solution, it's important to understand what caused the disconnect.-5 Reasons why yours TWS-Headphones have become two separate devices:

• 🔋 A discharged case, if the case battery sat down to 0%, The headphones lose communication with each other and try to connect to the phone independently. 2/3.
• 📱 Failure to update or interrupted sync leads to "splitting" of the headphones. Typical for Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 after updating via Mi Home.
• 🔄 Improper pairing: If you manually plug in only one headphone (e.g., the right one), the second one may "forget" the pair ID.
• 🛠️ Mechanical damage: Falling or getting moisture often disrupts the contacts between the headphones and the case, leading to loss of synchronization.
• 🤖 Android Bluetooth stack conflict: On some smartphones (especially custom firmware) the Bluetooth driver is not handling correctly TWS-device.

Interesting fact: models Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro and newer issues often arise after using dual connectivity (simultaneous work with two devices), in which case the left earphone can "stick" on the old gadget, and the right - try to connect to the new one.

⚠️ Warning: If the headphones are disconnected after falling or contacting water, do not try to reflash them - this can completely disable them.

Method 1: Hard resetting of headphones (works in 90% of cases)

The most versatile method that helps for almost all models Xiaomi/Redmi — Full reset. The procedure varies depending on the generation of headphones:

Make sure the cover is at least 30 times charged%|Get both earphones out of the case.|Disconnect them from all devices in Bluetooth settings|Prepare the pin to press the reset button (if any)

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For models with a reset button (Redmi AirDots) 2/3, 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 back of the case 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Get the headphones out – they should automatically sync and appear in the Bluetooth list as a single device.

For models without a button (Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, FlipBuds Pro):

1. Get both earphones out of the case.
2. Press the touch panels on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until you hear the reset beep.
3. Put the headphones back in the case for 30 seconds, then pull out - they should sync.

For older models (Mi AirDots Youth, Redmi AirDots 1):

1. Put the headphones in the case


2. Open the lid and press the button on the case for 30 seconds.




3. Close the lid, wait 1 minute




4.Put out the headphones - they should flash alternately red/white

⚠️ Note: After reset, Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro and later headphones may require a firmware update via Mi Home. If the update freezes by 0%, do not interrupt the process - wait at least 20 minutes.

Redmi AirDots 2/3|Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro|Mi True Wireless Earbuds|FlipBuds Pro|Redmi Buds 5|Another model

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Method 2: Manual pairing via Bluetooth engineering menu

If hard reset doesn't work, you'll have to use Android's hidden settings, which works on all smartphones. Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO and most other brands with Qualcomm chipset.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI and press 7 times on the item Version MIUI.
2. Go back to the main settings menu, find the Developer section.
3. Enable Bluetooth Debugging and Advanced Bluetooth Log Management HCI.
4. Install the Bluetooth Auto Connect app (or nRF Connect for advanced users).
5. In the app, find both headphones (they will be displayed as LE-Xiaomi_XX:XX), Select the main (usually right) and press Connect.
6. After connecting the main headphone, the second should automatically synchronize.

For Xiaomi Buds models 3T Pro and newer may require an additional step:

• 📱 Open Mi Home → pick out the headphones → Settings of the device → Reset to factory.
• 🔄 After resetting, update the firmware immediately through the same app.

Method 3: Checking and cleaning contacts in the case

If the headphones are physically damaged or the contacts in the case are oxidized, no software methods will help.

Signs of physical malfunction:

• 🔴 Headphones do not charge in the case (the indicator does not burn)
• 🎧 One earphone is connected, the second is not (even after resetting)
• 💧 On the case or headphones visible traces of corrosion
• 🔌 When the case is shaken, an extraneous noise is heard (collapsed details)

How to clean contacts:

1. Get your headphones out and inspect the gold contacts on the bottom (3-4 point).
2. Take a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol (90%+), and clean your contacts carefully.
3. Blow the contacts in the case with compressed air (you can use a can to clean the equipment).
4. Check if the contacts inside the case are bent - if so, bend them gently with tweezers.

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If your headphones don't sync after cleaning your contacts, try connecting them to another phone (preferably on iOS) and if the problem persists, it's a hardware malfunction and needs repair.

Method 4: Update the firmware through Mi Home (for new models)

For headphones Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, FlipBuds Pro and Redmi Buds 5 often helps forced firmware updates.

1. Install the latest version of Mi Home from Google Play or App Store.
2. Connect both headphones to your phone (even if they are displayed separately).
3. Open Mi Home → Find the headphones in the list of devices → tap on them.
4. Go to the device settings (cog in the upper right corner).
5. Click Firmware Update and wait for the process to be completed.

If the update is hanging:

• 🔄 Do not turn off the headphones and do not close the application.
• 📶 Make sure your phone is connected to stable Wi-Fi (non-mobile data).
• ⏳ Wait at least 30 minutes – sometimes the process takes longer than the progress bar shows.

⚠️ Note: After the firmware update, the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro headphones can reset the noise maker settings. They will have to be reconfigured in Mi Home.

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Updating the firmware through Mi Home is the only official way to fix software sync errors. Don't use third-party firmware, it can completely disable the headphones!

Method 5: Using a second phone to reconnect

Sometimes the problem isn't with the headphones, but with the Bluetooth stack on your smartphone.

1. Take a second phone (preferably on a different OS – if you have Android, try an iPhone, and vice versa).
2. Reset the headphones (see Method 1).
3. Connect them to the second phone. If they're synchronized, the problem is with the first gadget.

How to fix the problem on the main phone:

• 📱 For Android: Go to Settings → Annexes → Show all applications → Bluetooth → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🍎 For iPhone: Go to Settings → Bluetooth, find the headphones in the list, click "Forget this device", then restart the phone.
• 🔄 For Xiaomi/Redmi: Additional reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth.

If the headphones work normally on the second phone, but they don't sync on the main one, the problem is the Bluetooth stack.

• 📲 Try rolling back the Bluetooth update via Settings → System system → Updating the system → Press three points. → Remove the update (if available).
• 🔧 Install an alternative Bluetooth stack (e.g. Bluetooth Auto Connect or BlueStacks for advanced users).

Method 6: Checking for compatibility with the device

Some Xiaomi headphone models have compatibility issues with certain smartphones or versions Android/iOS. Here are some of the known conflicts:

To check the compatibility:

1. See the Bluetooth version of your phone in Settings → The phone. → Bluetooth version.
2. Compare with the requirements of headphones (specified in the instructions or on the Xiaomi website).
3. If the Bluetooth version of the phone is lower than what is required for headphones, update the firmware of the gadget or use the headphones in limited mode.

Method 7: Contact a service center (if nothing helps)

If all of the above methods didn't work, it's probably a hardware problem, and here's when you should go to the service:

• 🔧 Headphones do not respond to reset and do not turn on.
• 💥 Physical damage is visible (cracks, dents, traces of oxidation).
• 🔊 One of the headphones does not emit a sound (even after resetting).
• 🔋 The case does not charge headphones (only red lights burn).

How to prepare for a visit to the service:

1. Make a photo/video problem (as headphones are connected separately).
2. Bring a case, charging cable and box (if any).
3. Check by phone if they are repairing Xiaomi (not all services work with wearables).
4. If the headphones are guaranteed, do not open them yourself!

Cost of repair (example):

• 🔧 Replacement of the battery in the case: 800-1500 ₽
• 🔊 Replacement of the speaker in the headphone: 1200-2000 ₽
• 📡 Repair of Bluetooth module: 1500-2500 ₽
• 🔋 Replacement of contact group: 500–1000 ₽

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Before visiting the service, check if your model is not subject to an extended warranty from Xiaomi. For example, for Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro, it is 18 months.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the separation of headphones Xiaomi