Did you pull out of the case Xiaomi Mi True Wireless, Redmi AirDots or another model, but they refuse to connect to each other? One earpiece works, and the other is silent or flashing red? This problem is familiar to many owners. TWS-Xiaomi headphones -- and they're solvable -- 90 percent of the time, it's not hardware failures, it's software failures, battery drains, or settings that are wrong.
In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons why Xiaomi headphones don’t match, from the banal discharge to hidden firmware errors. You’ll get step-by-step instructions for each model (including the Mi Air 2 SE, Redmi Buds 3 Pro, Mi True Wireless 2), and also learn when to contact the service center.
If the headphones are physically damaged (for example, after a fall or moisture), software methods will not help. Otherwise, follow our recommendations and you will save time and money on repairs.
1. Checking of baseline conditions: battery, case and indicators
Before digging deep into the settings, make sure the problem isn't with the basics.In 40% of cases, the headphones don't pair because of a dead battery or an incorrect position in the case.
Here's what you need to do first:
- 🔋 Check the charge of the case and headphones. Connect the case to charge for 10-15 minutes, even if the indicator is on. Sometimes the power controller fails, and the real charge is lower than it shows. LED.
- 📦 Take both earbuds out of the case and put them back, making sure the contacts on the headphones and in the nests of the case match. On Redmi AirDots 2 and Mi Air 2 models, it often happens that one earbud is not fully inserted.
- 🔄 Reset the case: unload it from charging, pull out the headphones, then insert it back in and close the cover for 10 seconds. Open the lid and check the indication.
- 🎧 Look at the LEDs on the headphones: White flashing is a pairing headphone (normal). Red flashing is discharged or a connection error. Red constant is critically low charge or hardware malfunction. No indication - the headphone does not receive power (check contacts or charging cable).
If the headphones are still not paired after this manipulation, move on to the next step. If the indication changes (for example, the red flashing changed to white), try connecting to the phone again.
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On Xiaomi Mi True Wireless 2 and later, the case supports wireless charging. If the headphones are not charging via USB, try putting the case on Qi charging - sometimes this resets the power controller errors.
2. Resetting headphones to factory settings
The most effective way to bring the headphones back to life is to reset them completely, which clears all pairing settings and returns the device to a boxy state, and the instructions vary depending on the model:
| Model headphones | Resetting method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mi True Wireless 2, Mi Air 2 SE | Press and hold the buttons on both headphones for 15 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white. | On the Mi Air 2 SE, the buttons are touch-sensitive – touch and hold for 15 seconds. |
| Redmi AirDots (all versions) | Put both headphones in the case, then press and hold the button on the case for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red. | On Redmi AirDots 3 Pro, the reset button is located inside the case (under a rubber plug). |
| Redmi Buds 3/3 Pro, Redmi Buds 4 | Touch and hold the touchpads on both headphones for 10 seconds until you hear the beep. | After resetting, the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode. |
| Mi True Wireless (First Generation) | Press the button on the case 5 times in a row, then hold it for 5 seconds. The indicator should flash red 3 times. | If the button does not respond, check the case charge - with a low charge, the reset may not work. |
After discharge:
- Get the headphones out of the case - they should automatically turn on and start flashing white.
- On your phone, remove the old pair of headphones from the list of Bluetooth devices (Settings) → Bluetooth → ⚙️ headphone-name → Delete).
- Start your search for new devices and select Mi True Wireless (or your model) from the list.
Remove old pair from Bluetooth |Reboot phone |Reboot both headphones from the case simultaneously |Pushed "Connect" in Bluetooth menu |Put both headphones flashing white-->
If the reset didn't work, there might be a problem with the firmware or the hardware.
3. Update to the headphone firmware
Xiaomi regularly releases updates for its TWS-It's a headphone that fixes pairing errors, improves communication stability, and adds new features. If your headphones haven't been updated in a long time, that could be causing problems.
You can check and update the firmware through the official Mi Home app (for older models) or Xiaomi Earbuds (for new ones).
- Install the app: Mi True Wireless 2, Redmi AirDots 3 Pro and newer Xiaomi Earbuds. For older models (Mi AirDots, Redmi AirDots) - Mi Home.
Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
Open the app and select your headphone model.
Firmware update
Xiaomi Earbuds
Update
What to do if the update is suspended?
Important: The Redmi AirDots 2 and Mi True Wireless (first generation) headphones don’t support firmware updates through the app.
After the update, check the pairing of the headphones. If the problem persists, proceed to the diagnosis of hardware malfunctions.
4. Diagnostics of hardware problems
If the software methods didn't work, it might be a physical malfunction, and here are the most common hardware reasons why Xiaomi headphones don't pair:
- 🔌 Damaged contacts in a case or on headphones, check if there is any oxidation, dirt or mechanical damage on the metal contacts, clean them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
- 🔋 The bloated battery in one of the headphones, if the earphone is not charging or discharges quickly, the battery could fail.
- 📡 The Bluetooth module is damaged. If one earphone doesn't turn on at all or doesn't respond to a reset, the communication chip may have burned.
- 💧 Moisture is ingested, even if the headphones are protected. IPX4, Prolonged exposure to moisture can cause corrosion of boards.
How to check for hardware faults:
- Look at the headphones in bright light: whether there are bloating of the body, traces of oxidation or liquid inside.
- Try charging each earphone separately (if the case supports individual charging).If one of them is not charging, the problem is the battery or controller.
- Connect your headphones to another phone or tablet, and if the problem is repeated, it's the headphones, not your device.
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If one earpiece is working and the other isn't, 80 percent of the time it's the battery or contacts that are to blame. Try gently moving the earpiece in the case: if the charging indication appears at a certain position, the problem is poor contact.
If you suspect a hardware malfunction, but are not confident in their abilities, it is better to contact the service center.
5. Bluetooth problems on the phone
Sometimes the problem is not with the headphones, but with the Bluetooth settings on your smartphone, especially for Xiaomi devices where there may be conflicts with Bluetooth profiles.
Here's what we need to do:
- 📱 Reboot the phone. This will reset the Bluetooth module's temporary errors.
- 🔄 Reset network settings: Go to Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings. Confirm reset and restart your device.
- 🚫 Turn off battery savings for Bluetooth: Open Settings → Battery → Power Saving Mode: Find Bluetooth on the list and turn off optimization for it.
Check conflicts with other devices
It's also worth upgrading the firmware to the latest version. MIUI There were bugs with Bluetooth 5.0 support+, which may have caused problems with the TWS-headphone.
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Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later have a hidden Bluetooth diagnostic function. To enable it, type the ##284## (Bluetooth Test Mode) code in the Phone app and follow the instructions.
Alternative methods of pairing
If the standard methods didn’t work, try the non-obvious tricks that sometimes help wake up your headphones:
- 🔌 Cable connection (for wired-mode models): Some Xiaomi headphones (such as Mi True Wireless 2) can be connected to a phone via a wired mode USB-C → 3.5mm adapter. That'll make them reboot and can reconnect with each other.
- 📡 Forced pairing via app: The Xiaomi Earbuds app has a manual pairing feature. Press the button on the case (or touchpad on headphones) for 5-7 seconds until the app detects the device.
- 🔄 Change the main headphone: In some models (e.g. Redmi AirDots 3 Pro) you can manually assign the main headphone. 1. Get both headphones out of the case. 2. Touch and hold the touchpad on the right earphone for 5 seconds. 3. Repeat the same for the left earphone. 4. Put the headphones back in the case and pull out in 10 seconds.
If none of these methods work, then the last chance is to flash it manually, which is a complicated procedure that requires special equipment, so we recommend you go to the service center.
7. When to contact the service center?
If you've tried all the methods in this article, but the headphones still don't match, it's probably a hardware problem. Here are the signs of a malfunction that you should consult a specialist:
- ⚡ One of the headphones does not turn on at all (no indication, does not respond to charging).
- 🔥 The headphone warms up when charging or using.
- 💥 On the body visible swelling, cracks or traces of oxidation.
- 🎛️ Headphones are defined by the phone as two separate devices (e.g. Mi True). Wireless_L and Mi True. Wireless_R), but they don't combine into a stereo pair.
Where to repair:
- 🏢 Official Xiaomi service centers. mi.com/ru/service You can find the nearest center.
- 🔧 Unofficial workshops. repair costs will be lower, but there is no guarantee of work.Clarify if the wizard has experience with Xiaomi TWS.
- 📦 If the headphones are warranty (usually 12 months), go to the store with a check. In most cases, you will be replaced with a new one.
The cost of repairing headphones Xiaomi:
| Type of malfunction | Cost of repair (₽) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Battery replacement | 800–1 500 | Includes disassembly and soldering |
| Repair of charging contacts | 500–1 200 | Often requires cleaning or replacement of the connector |
| Replacement of Bluetooth module | 1 500–2 500 | Expensive, but cheaper than new headphones |
| Cleaning for moisture/oxidation | 600–1 300 | Effective if the problem is detected quickly |
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If the headphones are warranty, don't try to repair them yourself! opening the case will void the warranty.