Have you taken Xiaomi's new wireless headphones out of the box, turned them on — and they stubbornly refuse to connect with each other? Or suddenly stopped working synchronously after the upgrade? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless or Xiaomi Buds models. The reasons can be due to software failures and hardware malfunctions.
Unlike wired analogues, TWS-True Wireless Stereo headphones require a stable connection via Bluetooth Low Energy, and if this process is disrupted, you can hear sound in only one headphone or you can’t connect to your smartphone at all. In 80 percent of cases, you can solve the problem yourself without going to the service center.
Why Xiaomi headphones do not mate with each other: the main reasons
Before you start repairing, it's important to understand what went wrong.-5 Reasons why Xiaomi headphones refuse to work in pairs:
- 🔋 A discharged battery in one of the headphones (even if the indicator is on, the charge can be critically low).
- 📱 Outdated firmware headphones or smartphones (especially relevant for models older than 2 years).
- 🔄 Synchronization failure after incorrect shutdown or update.
- 🎧 Mechanical damage to contacts in the case or the headphones themselves (infection of moisture, falls).
- 📡 Interference from other devices operating at 2.4 GHz (Wi-Fi routers, microwaves).
Interesting fact: in Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 and Redmi AirDots 3 Pro models, the problem often arises from incompatibility of the firmware of the left and right earphones, this happens if one of them was updated separately through a third-party application, in which case forced synchronization is required.
Step 1: Check the charge and correct placement in the case
Start with a basic diagnosis. Often users miss the obvious:
- Make sure both headphones are in the case correctly - the contacts on the back should fit tightly with the charging pins. In the Redmi AirDots S and Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro models, the contacts are asymmetrical, so it is easy to confuse the sides.
- Check the charge indicators: 🟢 Green/blue – charge above 50%. 🟡 Yellow/orange charge from 10% to 50%. 🔴 Red or flashing – charge below 10% (recharge required). ⚫ No indication - the headphone is not charged (check the case and cable).
Connect the case to charging for 15-20 minutes
Critical error: If one of the headphones is not charged at all (the indicator does not light up), the problem may be oxidized contacts or a damaged battery, in which case disassembly and cleaning with alcohol (or replacement of the battery) are required.
Put both earphones in the right side of the case |
Connect the case to the charger for 20 minutes |
Check the headphone indicators after retrieval |
Try to connect to the phone again.
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Step 2: Forced resetting of headphones (Hard Reset)
If the charge is fine, but the headphones are still not paired, perform a hard reset, which clears all settings and returns the device to factory condition.
| Model headphones | Resetting method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi AirDots (1/2/3), Mi True Wireless 2 | Press and hold the button on the case for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white. | After resetting, the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode. |
| Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro, FlipBuds Pro | Press the touch panels on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds. | Indicators should flash purple 3 times. |
| Redmi Buds 3 Lite, Mi Earbuds Basic 2 | Remove the headphones from the case, press the button on the case for 8 seconds until orange blinks. | Before resetting, make sure the headphones are discharged to 0% (this increases the chances of success). |
After discharge:
- Put the headphones back in the case for 30 seconds.
- Take them out and wait for automatic switching on (indicators should flash white).
- Connect to them through Settings → Bluetooth on your smartphone.
⚠️ Warning: If one of the headphones is not switched on or detected by the phone after reset, it may indicate damage to the Bluetooth module.
Step 3: Update the firmware of headphones through Mi Fit or Xiaomi Wear
Outdated software is a common cause of pairing problems. Xiaomi regularly releases updates to its headphones to fix connection bugs.
- Install the official annex: 📱 For most models, Mi Fit (available on Google Play and App Store). 🎧 For Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro — Xiaomi Wear.
Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
Devices → [Your model] → Update of the PO
Update
Important: during the upgrade, the headphones should lie next to the phone (no more than 50 cm) and have a charge of more than 50%. If the process is interrupted, a breeze (complete failure of the device) can occur.
What to do if the update is suspended?
Step 4: Checking compatibility with the phone and eliminating interference
Sometimes the problem isn't with the headphones, it's with the smartphone or the environment.
- 📱 Update the firmware of your smartphone. POCO For this, go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
If you have an iPhone, try forgetting the device in your Bluetooth settings, then reconnect the headphones. On Android, further clear the Settings app cache → Apps → Bluetooth → Storage → Clear the cache.
💡
If the headphones connect to the phone but only sound in one, try manually selecting an A2DP profile (for music) instead of an HFP (for calls). To do this, in Bluetooth settings, click on the gear icon next to the headphone name and select Use for Media.
Step 5: Diagnostics of hardware malfunctions
If the software methods didn't work, the problem could be mechanical.
- 🔌 One of the headphones does not charge in the case (check the contacts with a magnifying glass - they should be clean and not bent).
- 🎛️ The earphone is turned on, but does not emit sounds (possibly damaged speaker or audio track).
- 🔍 On the body visible traces of oxidation or moisture (especially important after falling in the rain).
- 📉 The headphone discharges quickly (the battery is worn out).
For self-repair:
- Clean the contacts with a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol (do not use vodka or acetone!).
- Check the integrity of rubber seals – they can block contacts.
- If the headphone doesn’t turn on, try charging it directly through tweezers by feeding 3.7V to contacts (only for power users!).
⚠️ Note: Disassembly of Xiaomi headphones often leads to loss of tightness and voids the warranty. If the device is warranty, contact the service center with a check. The average cost of repairing contacts is 500-1500 ₽, Battery replacement: 1000–2500 ₽.
Step 6: Alternative ways to connect (if nothing helps)
If the headphones still do not mate, but each of them works separately, try these methods:
- 🔗 Forced pairing via engineering menu (Android only): Enter the dialer code: ##4636##. → Bluetooth.Tap Update list and try connecting to the headphones manually.
Use third-party apps
Bluetooth Auto Connect
TWS Earphones Fix
Google Play
Try connecting to another device.
Last chance: If Xiaomi headphones are still guaranteed, contact the official service.
- Check or electronic certificate of purchase.
- Box and all components (case, cable, documentation).
- IMEI headphones (indicated on the box or in Bluetooth settings).
However, in this mode you will lose the function of stereo sound – each earpiece will play monophonic sound.