What to do if two headphones Xiaomi do not mate: the complete guide

You took Xiaomi headphones out of your case, but instead of hearing the same sound in both channels, do you hear only one? Or do you even refuse to connect to your phone? TWS-Headphones of this brand, whether it's Redmi AirDots, Xiaomi Buds or models from the FlipBuds series. Most often, software failures, battery discharge or mechanical damage to contacts are to blame, but in 90% of cases, the problem can be solved independently without contacting the service.

In this article, we will analyze all the possible reasons why the two Xiaomi headphones stopped synchronizing with each other, and also give step-by-step instructions for each model – from the budget Redmi AirDots 2 to the flagship Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro. You will learn how to reset, check contacts in the case, update the firmware and even restore the work of the headphones after the fall.

Why two Xiaomi headphones do not mate: the main reasons

Before you start repairing, it's important to understand what caused the failure.-7 Reasons Why Xiaomi Headphones Can Stop Working in Couples:

• 🔋 A discharged battery in one of the headphones or case – even if the indicator is on, the voltage may not be enough to synchronize.
• 📱 Failure of firmware after updating or due to incorrect disconnection from the phone.
• 🔌 Contaminated or oxidized contacts in the case or on the headphones themselves – this disrupts charging and communication between devices.
• 🎧 Mechanical damage to a Bluetooth antenna or chip (for example, after a fall).
• 🔄 Incorrect order of connection – if you first connect the headphones to the phone, and not between themselves.
• 🛠️ Resetting settings on one of the headphones (for example, after accidentally pressing buttons).
• 📦 Marriage or wear and tear – cheap models (such as the Redmi AirDots S) often fall off contacts after a year of use.

The most insidious reason is a software conflict where the headphones connect to the phone but don't sync with each other, in which case only one headphone can be displayed in the Bluetooth settings, and the second one is not visible to the system at all, most often treated by forced reset or flashing, but more on that later.

First steps: what to check before resetting your settings

Before you make a hard reset, make sure that the problem is not the basics. Here's a quick checklist for a quick diagnosis:

Charge the case and headphones to 100% (the indicator should burn green)

Try connecting to another phone/PC

Clean contacts in the case and on headphones with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol

Make sure the headphones are properly positioned in the case (magnets must be triggered)

Check if Mono mode (unilateral sound) is enabled in Bluetooth settings-->

If you don't pair your headphones after that, you can take a bigger step, but remember, resetting your settings erases all user settings, including your Mi Account and connection history. Mi AI Assistant models (such as the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) may require reauthorization after reset.

⚠️ Note: If the headphones were connected to the phone through the Mi Earphones or Xiaomi Wear app, untie them manually before resetting. Otherwise, after restarting, they may not be determined by the system.

How to reset the settings of headphones Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

The reset procedure varies depending on the model, and below are the universal methods for the most popular lines.

For Redmi AirDots (all versions) and Xiaomi Buds 3/4

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (usually located behind) for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Open the lid – the headphones should automatically restart and enter pairing mode (the indicators will flash alternately).
4. Connect them to your phone as a new device.

For Xiaomi FlipBuds and Buds Pro

In these models, the reset is performed through sensory control:

1. Get the headphones out of the case.
2. Touch and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds.
3. Wait for the beep (voice message "Reset successful" or double squeak).
4. Put the headphones back in the case and wait for the synchronization (the indicators should catch fire the same way).

If the reset didn’t help, try an alternative method:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open the Xiaomi Wear app (or Mi Earphones for older models).
3. Go to the device settings → Reset settings.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

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If the headphones are not identified by the phone after reset, try connecting them to another device (like a laptop), sometimes the problem lies in the Bluetooth cache on the main gadget.

Update firmware: how to fix software errors

Outdated or damaged firmware is a common reason Xiaomi headphones stop syncing, especially for models with support. ANC (active noise cancellation) and LDAC-codec, where the software part is responsible for the stability of the connection.

Here's how to update the firmware:

1. Install the official app: For Redmi AirDots - Mi Earphones (Android/iOS). For Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro - Xiaomi Wear (Android only).

Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.

Firmware update

Update

Important: during the upgrade, the headphones should be in the case with the lid open, and the case charge level should be at least 50%, and if the process is interrupted, the devices may stop turning on at all.

⚠️ Note: If after the update, the headphones began to work worse (for example, there were interferences or one earphone turned off), try rolling back the firmware. For this, the option “Restore the previous version” is sometimes available in the Xiaomi Wear app".

Cleaning contacts and repairing the case: if the problem is in the mechanics

If the headphones don't charge or if one of them isn't case-specific, the contacts are to blame, and over time they become oxidized or contaminated, leading to a poor connection. Here's how to clean them properly:

1. Turn off the case from the power supply (get the cable if it is connected).
2. Take a cotton swab, moisten it in isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%).
3. Gently wipe the contacts on the headphones and inside the case. Don't press hard - on the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, for example, the contacts are very fragile.
4. Let it dry for 5-10 minutes, then try to connect again.

If cleaning didn't work, check the magnets in the case. On Redmi AirDots 3 and older, they often fall off, causing the headphones to not fix correctly.

• 🧲 The case cover closes too easily (without clicking).
• 🔋 Headphones do not start charging immediately after putting in the case.
• 🎧 One earpiece "falls out" of the case when shaken.

For a temporary solution, you can put a thin layer of bilateral tape under the magnets, but it is better to take the case to the service for replacing magnets (the cost of repair is from 500 rubles).

Bluetooth problems: phone settings and conflicts

Sometimes the problem isn't with the headphones, but with the Bluetooth settings on the phone.

• 📱 Bluetooth Cash: Go to Android Settings → Annexes → Show all applications → Bluetooth, then press Storage. → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Compatibility Mode: On some smartphones (such as Xiaomi or Realme), you need to disable the option “Dual Connection” in Bluetooth settings.
• 🚫 Conflicting devices: Remove all previously connected headphones and speakers from your phone’s memory, then try pairing again.
• 🔧 Bluetooth Codecs: In Android Developers (Settings) → The phone. → Assembly number → 7 taps) select Bluetooth Audio Codec → SBC (The most stable, though not the highest quality).

On iPhone, Xiaomi headphone connection problems are often solved by updating iOS or resetting network settings (Settings → Main → Move or Reset → Reset → Reset Network Settings).

If the headphones are connected, but the sound is only in one channel, check the sound balance in the phone settings. On Android, this is how you do it:

1. Open the settings → Sound → Sound Balance.
2. Make sure the slider is in the middle.
3. If you don’t have an option, check the settings in the player app (e.g. Spotify or YouTube Music).

When to contact the service: signs of hardware breakdown

If none of these things worked, it might be a hardware problem, and here are the signs that the headphones need to be repaired:

• 🔴 One headphone does not turn on at all (does not respond to pressing, does not flash the indicator).
• 🎛️ Xiaomi Wear App Apps Show “Device Error” or “Hardware Failure” Error".
• 🔊 There is sound, but very quiet or with a strong noise (may indicate damage to the speaker).
• 🔋 Headphones discharge in 10-15 minutes (battery malfunction).

The cost of repair depends on the breakdown:

For models cheaper than 2,000 rubles (for example, Redmi AirDots 2 or Xiaomi Buds 3 Lite), repair is usually impractical - it is easier to buy new ones. ₽) fix.

⚠️ Note: If headphones are warranty, don't disassemble them yourself! Xiaomi will cancel the warranty when you're in the middle of an autopsy. Contact the official service center - warranty repair (e.g., when contacts are married) usually free.

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Before visiting the service, make a backup of the headphone settings (if they are saved in the Mi Account) - after repair, you may need to reconfigure.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions