Xiaomi headphones don’t sync with each other: a complete repair guide

You took out a Xiaomi AirDots, Redmi Buds or Mi True Wireless case, but instead of the usual stereo sound, you hear only one headphone? Or both connect to the phone but work as two separate devices? TWS-This is a brand name, and it's most often caused by a firmware update, battery discharge, or mechanical damage, and 80 percent of the time, you can solve it yourself without going to the service center.

In this article, we’ll look at all possible causes, from a simple Bluetooth failure to hardware malfunctions, and give step-by-step instructions for each model (including AirDots Pro 2, Buds 4 and FlipBuds Pro).

Why Xiaomi headphones stop syncing?

Synchronization mechanism in TWS-The True Wireless Stereo is based on three key elements:

• 🔋 Power – if one of the headphones is discharged more than the other, it can “fall off” from the pair.
• 📡 Bluetooth module – responsible for communication between headphones and phone, as well as for headphone synchronization.
• 🤖 Firmware – manages connection logic, volume balance and sound channel distribution.

According to statistics of Xiaomi service centers, most often the problem arises from:

1. Software failures (35% of cases) - after software update or incorrect disconnection.
2. Charge imbalances (25%) – when one earphone discharges faster than the second.
3. Mechanical damage (20%) - ingress of moisture, falls, wear of contacts in the case.
4. Phone conflicts (15%) are errors in Bluetooth cache or firmware incompatibility.
5. Hardware malfunctions (5%) - failure of the synchronization chip or antenna.

If your headphones have never synced since you bought them, it's probably a marriage or a fake, and if you have a warranty replacement, if you have a problem over time, read on.

Method 1: Hard Reset (Hard Reset)

This is the first and most effective method that works in 60% Resetting brings the headphones back to factory settings, erasing all the stored connections and synchronization errors. Xiaomi/Redmi:

Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.

Make sure the cover is at least 30% charged.

Disconnect Headphones from All Devices in Bluetooth Settings

Prepare your phone to reconnect

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Follow the steps:

1. Remove both headphones from the case and hold the control buttons on both for 15-20 seconds (for AirDots Pro 2 – touch panels, for Buds 3 – physical buttons).
2. The indicators on the headphones should flash red 3 times, then go out - this is a signal of a successful reset.
3. Put the headphones back in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then pull out and try to connect again.

If the headphones still don’t sync after reset, try an alternative method for Mi-enabled models. AI Assistant:

1. Hold the button on the case (if any) for 10 seconds.


2 Open the lid - the indicator should flash white and red alternately.




3. Connect to the headphones through the Mi Home app (section "Add device → Headphones").

💡

If the headphones are connected separately after reset, try connecting the right one first (it is usually the main one), and then adding the left one through Bluetooth settings as the second device.

Method 2: Balancing the battery charge

One of the most obscure causes of out-of-synchronization is the difference in charge between the left and right headphones, and if one of them is 20% or more discharged relative to the other, the system can block the synchronization to avoid interruption of sound.

For the forced charge alignment:

1. Put both headphones in the case and wait until the indicators go out (full discharge).
2. Connect the case to the charger and do not use headphones for 3-4 hours.
3. After full charging, take out the headphones and check the synchronization.

Method 3: Update the firmware through Mi Home

Xiaomi regularly releases updates for its headphones to fix synchronization errors. However, automatic updates do not always work — especially if the headphones have not been connected to the Mi Home app for a long time.

Step 1. Install the latest version of Mi Home (you can download here).

Step 2. Connect the headphones to your phone via Bluetooth.

Step 3. Open Mi Home → Choose your headphones. → Go to Settings. → Firmware update.

If the update button is inactive:

• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones to the phone.
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone.
• 🌍 Check the region in Mi Home (should match the region of the headphone purchase).

💡

For AirDots Pro 2 and later, firmware updates are only possible through the original application, TWS Checker can show a version of the software, but does not update it!

After the update, be sure to reset the headphones (see Method 1) - this will clear the cache and apply new synchronization settings.

Method 4: Manual synchronization through service menu

Few people know, but Xiaomi headphones have a hidden service menu that allows you to force the left and right modules to synchronize. QCC3040 (Redmi Buds 3 Pro, AirDots 3 and newer.

Instructions:

1. Get both earphones out of the case.
2. Press 5 times on the right earphone touchpad (for models with buttons, press 3 times).
3. Wait 5 seconds and the voice signal "Pairing" should sound.
4. Press 2 times on the left earphone. If the sync is successful, "Connected" sounds.

If there are no voice prompts, watch for the indicators:

• ⚪➡️🔴 — Headphones looking for each other.
• ⚪⚪ — synchronization is successful.
• 🔴🔴 — error, repeat the procedure.

💡

For FlipBuds Pro models, use the combination: hold the touchpad on both headphones for 8 seconds until the purple indicator flashes. Then put them in the case for 10 seconds and pull them back.

Method 5: Checking Compatibility with the Phone

Sometimes the problem isn't with the headphones, it's with the phone or the firmware. MIUI 12.5 and older, there is a bug that makes Bluetooth forget settings TWS-That's what we do:

For phones. Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco:

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Find your headphones in the list and click on ⚙️ (gear).
3. Select Forget the device, then restart the phone.
4. After restarting, reconnect the headphones.

For other brands (Samsung, iPhone, etc.):

• 📱 Turn off power saving mode (it may limit Bluetooth operation).
• 🔄 Reboot your phone with Bluetooth disabled.
• 🎧 Connect the headphones in Developer Mode (how to turn on – see below).

If the headphones are still out of sync, try connecting them to another phone, and if the second device is working normally, it's a problem in your smartphone (maybe you need to reset your network settings).

Method 6: Diagnostics of hardware malfunctions

If none of the software methods worked, it might be a hardware problem.

⚠️ Warning: Don't disassemble the headphones yourself, it will take away your warranty.

Signs of hardware malfunctions:

• 🔊 One earphone does not fully turn on (does not respond to buttons, does not charge).
• 💧 On the body or contacts, traces of oxidation or moisture are visible.
• 📶 The headphone is connected, but the sound is interrupted every 2-3 seconds (antenna problem).
• 🔋 The charge indicator flashes in a non-standard color (for example, green or blue).

What you can do on your own:

1. Check the contacts in the case and on the headphones - they should be clean and not bent. Clean them with a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol.
2. Check the case, plug it into the charger. If the indicator doesn't burn, the problem is in the case (possibly the charging controller burned).
3. Test on another device, try connecting your headphones to your laptop or tablet, and if the problem recurs, it's a malfunction in your headphones.

If the headphones are guaranteed, contact the Xiaomi service center.

1. Save a check or confirmation of purchase (electronic).
2. Pack your headphones and case in the original box (if any).
3. Contact the official website or the company store.

💡

The average warranty repair time is 7-14 days, and if the headphones are not warranty, it will cost between 1,500 and 3,000 to replace the battery or synchronization chip. ₽ (model-wise).

Method 7: Alternative methods (for advanced users)

If the standard methods didn’t work, you can try non-obvious solutions that sometimes help you get back synchronized.

1. Flashing through ADB (Android only)

This method is suitable for Qualcomm-based models (e.g. Redmi Buds 3 Lite).

• 📱 Phone with Android 8.0+ and the debugging included USB.
• 💻 Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 🔧 Firmware for your model (can be found at xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).

Commands for flashing (enter in Command Prompt):

adb devices


adb shell am start -n com.miui.bluetooth/.device.BluetoothDeviceListActivity




adb push firmware.bin /sdcard/




adb shell su -c "dd if=/sdcard/firmware.bin of=/dev/block/by-name/bluetooth"

⚠️ Attention: Wrong firmware can permanently disable your headphones. Use this method only if you are confident in your actions!

2.Use of the annex TWS Checker

This third-party software allows:

• View the current version of each headphone firmware.
• Testing the sound delay and channel balance.
• Forced reboot the headphones.

You can download it on Google Play.

3. Reset via engineering menu (for FlipBuds Pro)

Press and hold both touchpads for 10 seconds until the double signal is heard.

1. Put the headphones in the case.
2. Close the lid and wait 30 seconds.
3. Open the lid – the headphones should automatically sync.

FAQ: Frequent questions about synchronizing Xiaomi headphones