What to do if Xiaomi headphones do not sync with each other: the complete guide

Did you pull Xiaomi headphones out of the case, but instead of the usual stereo sound, you hear only one channel, left or right? Or do both headphones connect to the phone separately, but do not want to work together? This problem is familiar to many owners of Mi Airdots, Redmi Buds and other models. TWS-Xiaomi headphones. Most often, desynchronization occurs after a firmware update, battery discharge, or mechanical impact — but the good news is that in 90% of cases, it can be fixed by yourself.

In this article, we will analyze all possible reasons why Xiaomi headphones stopped synchronizing with each other, and give step-by-step instructions for restoring their operation – from simple actions like rebooting to deep resetting. You will also learn how to prevent the problem from recurring and what to do if none of the methods worked. 2/2S/3, Redmi AirDots 2/3, Xiaomi Buds 4/4 Pro and others.

Before you start repairing, check the obvious: whether the headphones are charged (the indicators on the case should burn white or green), whether the contacts in the case or on the headphones themselves are dirty, and whether the phone is not on Mono mode (one-way sound).

1.Why Xiaomi headphones are out of sync: the main reasons

The mismatch between left and right earphones is a common problem for everyone. TWS-It's not just Xiaomi. It's the software that's the fault, but sometimes it's the hardware that's the problem:

• 🔋 A discharged battery of one of the headphones (even if the indicator shows a charge, the contact could be broken).
• 📱 Firmware failure after automatic update or incorrect disconnection.
• 🔄 Disturbance of the pairing process between headphones (for example, if one of them connected to another device separately).
• 🎧 Mechanical damage to contacts in the case or on the headphone board (fall, moisture ingestion).
• 📵 Interference from other Bluetooth devices (especially in offices or apartment buildings).
• 🔧 Resetting settings on your phone or headphones without subsequent re-synchronization.

According to service centers, 60 percent of the time, the problem is solved by simply rebooting the headphones or resetting them to factory settings. Another 25 percent is due to hardware malfunctions (most often oxidation of contacts in the case), and the remaining 15 percent are software failures that require flashing or replacing the Bluetooth module.

If your Xiaomi headphones are new (up to 1 month of use), there is a high probability that the build defect is to blame - in this case, it is better to immediately contact the store for replacement under warranty.

2. Quick ways to return synchronization (without reset)

Start with the simplest methods – they take less than a minute and solve the problem half the time.

Rebooting headphones through the case

This method works for all Xiaomi models with a charging case:

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Wait 10-15 seconds until the lights go out (this means that the headphones are completely switched off).
3. Open the case cover – the headphones should automatically turn on and synchronize (the indicators will flash alternately).
4. Connect to them via Bluetooth on your phone.

If the headphones still don’t work together after that, try a forced reboot:

• 🔄 Get both earphones out of the case.
• 🎧 Press the touch buttons on both headphones simultaneously for 15-20 seconds (until double beep or flashing the indicators in red).
• 📱 Place the headphones back in the case, then pull out and try to connect again.

Disconnect and re-pair in the phone settings

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

1. Open the Settings. → Bluetooth on your phone.
2. Find your Xiaomi headphones in the list of devices and click on the gear (⚙️) near-name.
3. Select “Forget the device” (or “Disable”).
4. Return the headphones to the case, then take them out and connect again as a new device.

On Android, you may need to reboot your phone after that – sometimes the system doesn’t immediately “forget” the old pairing.

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If the headphones connect to the phone, but the sound is only in one, check the sound settings in the application through which the audio is played (for example, YouTube or Spotify can be enabled “Mono”).

3.Reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings

If a simple reboot doesn't work, the next step is a hard reset, which will remove all the pairing settings you saved and return the headphones to the box-like state, and the instructions vary depending on the model:

After discharge:

1. Place the headphones in the case for 10 seconds.
2. Get them out – they should automatically sync (the indicators will flash alternately).
3. Connect to them via Bluetooth as a new device.

Make sure your headphones are charged (>30%)

Check the cleanliness of contacts in the case

Disable headphones from all devices in Bluetooth settings

Prepare instructions for your model (see table above)-->

If the headphones don't sync after reset, it could be the firmware or the hardware, so move on to the next section.

4. Update of Xiaomi headphone firmware

Outdated or damaged firmware is one of the most common causes of desynchronization. Xiaomi regularly releases updates for its headphones that fix plug-in bugs. You can check and update the firmware through the official Mi Home app (for older models) or Xiaomi Earbuds (for new ones).

Instructions for updating:

1. Install the Xiaomi Earbuds app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Connect the headphones to your phone (even if they are not synchronized, the app can detect them).
3. Open the app and go to the Firmware Update (or Firmware Update) section.
4. If a new version is available, click Update and wait for the process to complete (don’t turn off the headphones!).

It can take up to 10 minutes to update, and when it's done, the headphones will automatically reboot, and if there's no update button in the app, you already have the latest firmware installed.

Important! Don't interrupt the upgrade process, it can cause the headphones to become completely unusable. If the connection is interrupted during the upgrade, try repeating the procedure or contact the service center.

5. Checking hardware faults

If the software methods didn't work, the problem could be physical damage.

Contacts in the case and on headphones

Over time, charging contacts become oxidized or contaminated, leading to poor connection and desynchronization.

• 🔌 Case contacts (small metal dots) – they should be clean and shiny.
• 🎧 Contacts on headphones (usually located on the bottom of the leg).

Use:

• 🧴 Cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%).
• 🧲 Soft toothbrush for dust removal.
• 🧷 Needle or toothpick for careful removal of dirt (without pressing!).

After cleaning, wipe the contacts with a dry wipe and let them dry for 5-10 minutes before use.

Headphone battery

If one of the headphones discharges much faster than the other, it can cause dissynchronization.

• Through the Xiaomi Earbuds app (Battery Status section).
• By work time: if one headphone holds a charge 2-3 times less than the second, its battery is worn out.

If the difference in charge level is more than 30%, this can be the cause of the problem, in which case only replacing the battery in the service center will help.

Mechanical damage

Check the headphones for the presence of:

• 💧 Traces of moisture ingestion (corrosion, murky spots under the speaker grid).
• 🔨 Cracks on the body or leg (especially near touch buttons).
• 🔊 Sound distortions (wheezing, interruptions) – this may indicate damage to the speaker.

If physical damage is found, self-repair is unlikely - it is better to contact the service. Exception: if the problem is only in contacts (see paragraph 5.1).

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If after cleaning the contacts and resetting the settings, the headphones still do not sync and there is no visible damage, the problem is likely in the Bluetooth module, in which case a diagnosis is required at the service center.

6. Alternative methods (if nothing helps)

If the standard methods didn’t work, try these non-obvious solutions:

Connection to another device

Sometimes the headphones refuse to sync because of conflicts with the Bluetooth cache on the main device.

1. Reset your headphones (see Section 3).
2. Turn on Bluetooth on the second device.
3. Connect the headphones as a new device.
4. If they work together, the problem is in the first device (see section 6.2).

6.2 Reset Bluetooth settings on your phone

On Android:

1. Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. Select “Network Reset” (or “Wi-Fi, Mobile Network, and Bluetooth Reset”).
3. Confirm the reset and restart the phone.
4. Reconnect the headphones.

On the iPhone:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Click on the “i” next to the headphones and select “Forget this device.”
3. Reboot the iPhone.
4. Connect the headphones as a new device.

6.3.Use of Developer Mode (for Android)

If the headphones are connected, but the sound is only in one, try turning on the absolute volume:

1. Activate Developer Mode (click 7 times on “Build Number” in Settings) → The phone).
2. Go back to Settings → System → Developer Mode.
3. Find the option “Switch off absolute volume” and turn it off.
4. Restart the phone and check the sound.

This method helps if the problem is due to a protocol malfunction. A2DP (responsible for transmitting sound over Bluetooth).

7. When to contact the service center

If you’ve tried all the methods in this article, but Xiaomi’s headphones still don’t sync, it’s likely a hardware problem.

• 🔧 Headphones do not respond to reset (do not blink, do not emit sounds).
• 🔋 One of the headphones does not charge or discharge instantly.
• 💥 You can see traces of a short circuit (blackening of the board, the smell of burning).
• 🎛️ After the firmware update, the headphones stopped turning on.
• 🔊 There is no sound in both headphones (even when connected separately).

The cost of repair in official Xiaomi services:

Tip: Before visiting the service, make a reset of your headphones and check them on another device - this will help the wizard diagnose the problem faster. Also bring a check or a warranty card (if you have one).

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If the headphones are warranty (up to 1 year), repairs must be free – even if the problem occurred due to your fault (for example, after a fall).

FAQ: Frequent questions about synchronizing Xiaomi headphones