How to set up the second headphone Xiaomi: synchronization, reset and error elimination

The problem with connecting the second headphone Xiaomi is one of the most common among owners TWS-You take your headphones out of your case, and you only sound in one, and the other one is silent or flashing red, or not even determined by your smartphone, and there are things that can be different, from a simple battery discharge to a firmware failure. But in 90% of cases, the problem can be solved independently in 5-10 minutes without contacting the service center.

In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to synchronize the second headphone for popular Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco models: from the classic Redmi AirDots to the flagship Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro. And also find out why headphones can β€œunconnect” and how to prevent this in the future. If you have already tried to reboot your phone or case, do not give up: there will be non-obvious solutions that are not written in the standard instructions.

Let me just say, if your headphones hit the water or fell from a height of more than 1.5 meters, the problem may be hardware. In this case, it is better to contact the service - self-repair can break the board. In all other cases, follow our recommendations in order.

1. Check the basic conditions before setting up

Before you start complex manipulations, make sure that the minimum requirements for proper headphone performance are met, and users often miss the obvious points and spend time finding a solution where there is none.

First, check the charge of the case and the headphones, and even if the indicator on the case is green, it doesn't guarantee that both earphones are charged.

  • πŸ”΄ Red flashing - discharged (you need to put in the case for 10-15 minutes).
  • 🟒 Green constant – charged at more than 60 times%.
  • 🟑 Yellow/orange charge from 10% to 50%.

If one earphone is discharged more than the other, the case may prioritize charging the weaker device. Wait until both light up green.

Second, make sure your smartphone supports Bluetooth 5.0 or later.Outdated versions (4.2 and below) may not work properly with your phone. TWS-headphones, especially if there are many other Bluetooth devices in range. β†’ The phone. β†’ Bluetooth version.

πŸ“Š What is your model of headphones Xiaomi?
Redmi AirDots (any version)
Xiaomi Buds (3/4 Pro)
Poco Buds
Another model
I don't know.

2. Standard synchronization of headphones through the case

If the second Xiaomi earphone doesn’t connect, try forced case resynchronization first.This method works for most models, including the Redmi AirDots 2/3, Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro and Poco Buds X1.

Step instructions:

  1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds.
  2. Open the lid and get your headphones out. They should turn on automatically (the indicator flashes).
  3. Press and hold the button on the case (usually side or bottom) for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white (or red and blue for some models).
  4. On your phone, go to Settings β†’ Bluetooth and remove the old pair of headphones (click on the gear β†’ β€œForget the device”).
  5. Go back to the device list and select a new Xiaomi pair (the name will contain the device). LE_ or R/L).

If the second headphone still doesn’t work, then you can move on to the next one. Note: Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and newer models can have a touch button, so instead of pressing it, rub it for 10 seconds.

β˜‘οΈ Preparation for synchronization

Done: 0 / 4

3. Resetting headphones to factory settings

If standard synchronization doesn't work, you'll have to do a hard reset, which will delete all the settings you saved and return the headphones to the boxy state, and it works for all models, but the sequence of actions may be slightly different.

For Redmi AirDots 1/2/3, Xiaomi Air 2/2S and similar:

  1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
  2. Open the lid and press the case button 5 times in a row (with intervals of ~1 second).
  3. Close the lid and wait 30 seconds.
  4. Open the lid - the headphones should automatically go into pairing mode.

For Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro and Poco Buds Pro:

  1. Get the headphones out of the case.
  2. Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until you hear the beep.
  3. Put the headphones back in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds.
  4. Open the lid and connect again via Bluetooth.

After reset, the headphones may require a firmware update. If a notification appears on the phone about an available firmware, agree. It is not recommended to refuse the update: this can lead to repeated sync failures.

What to do if the button on the case does not respond?
If the button is not pressed or the indicator does not flash, try: 1. Clean the contacts of the case with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. 2. Connect the case to charging for 10 minutes - sometimes a discharged battery blocks the button. 3. For models with a touch button (for example, Buds 4 Pro), try pressing not with your finger, but with a plastic pen (the sensor may not respond to wet skin).

4.Firmware problems and their solution

If the reset didn’t work, it could be outdated or damaged firmware, especially for headphones bought on AliExpress or other sites β€” often with raw versions of the software.

You can check the firmware version through the Mi Home or Xiaomi Earbuds app (depending on the model). If the version is older than the [official Xiaomi website](https://www.mi.com/global/service/support/), it needs to be updated.

How to update firmware:

  • πŸ“± Install the official app (Mi Home for AirDots, Xiaomi Earbuds for Buds).
  • πŸ”— Connect your headphones to your phone via Bluetooth.
  • πŸ”„ In the application, go to the headphones section and find the item "Firmware updateΒ».
  • ⚠️ Don't interrupt! If the update is hanging, wait 10 minutes - sometimes it's okay.

If the update doesn’t start, try:

  1. Remove the headphones from the phone memory and connect again.
  2. Use a different smartphone (preferably on MIUI or Android 11+).
  3. Reset the headphones to factory settings (see Section 3).

⚠️ Note: Do not update the firmware through third-party applications (for example, TWS Updater)! This can lead to a complete loss of headphone functionality. Use only official Xiaomi software.

5. Checking compatibility with the phone

Sometimes the problem isn't with the headphones, it's with the smartphone, especially if you're using an iPhone or an Android Go device, because Xiaomi is optimizing its headphones primarily for the MIUI ecosystem, and there can be conflict on other platforms.

Compatibility table of popular models:

Model headphonesAndroid (MIUI)Android (others)iOSWindows/Mac
Redmi AirDots 1/2βœ… Complete.βœ… Partial (no gestures)⚠️ Basic (mono sound)❌ No support.
Xiaomi Buds 3 Proβœ… Complete.βœ… Almost complete.βœ… Basic (without) ANC)βœ… Through Bluetooth.
Poco Buds X1βœ… Complete.βœ… Partial (no firmware)⚠️ No touch gestures.❌ No support.
Xiaomi Buds 4 Proβœ… Complete.βœ… Full (with update)βœ… Basic (without) LDAC)βœ… Through Bluetooth 5.2

If you are using an iPhone, try the following:

  • πŸ”„ Restart your phone before connecting.
  • πŸ“± Forget the device in Bluetooth settings and connect again.
  • 🎧 In some models (for example, AirDots 3) for iOS you need to manually activate the iOS Mode mode - press the touch panel for 5 seconds before the sound signal.

πŸ’‘

If the headphones connect to an iPhone but only sound in one, try turning on Mono Audio mode in your phone settings: Settings β†’ Universal Access β†’ Audio Visual Content β†’ Mono Audio. This is a temporary solution, but often helps.

6. Hardware malfunctions and when to contact the service

If none of these methods worked, the problem may be hardware, and here are some signs you should contact a service center:

  • πŸ”‹ One headphone does not charge (the indicator does not burn even after an hour in the case).
  • πŸŽ›οΈ The headphone is not determined by the case (does not flash when extracted).
  • πŸ’§ There are traces of moisture or mechanical damage.
  • πŸ”Š There is sound, but very quiet or with severe interference (may indicate damage to the speaker).

Before visiting the service, check the warranty card. Official Xiaomi dealers usually have a warranty of 12 months, but only if you have a check. If the headphones were bought on AliExpress or Wildberries, check the terms of return from the seller.

Cost of repair in unofficial services:

  • Battery replacement in one headphone: 800-1500 β‚½.
  • Toll repair (after fall/bay): 1500–3000 β‚½.
  • Dynamic replacement: 1000–2000 β‚½.

⚠️ Warning: If your headphones are warranty, don't open them yourself! This will void the warranty. Even for cleaning contacts, use only cotton swabs -- no screwdrivers or knives.

7. How to prevent future problems

To prevent the second headphone Xiaomi does not fall off again, follow these recommendations:

  • πŸ”‹ Keep your case or headphones out of full discharge. Charge when the indicator turns yellow.
  • πŸ“± Regularly update the firmware through the official application.
  • 🧹 Clean the contacts of the case and headphones once a month with a dry cotton swab.
  • 🚫 Do not use headphones at a lower temperature. -10Β°C or higher +40Β°C is bad for the battery.
  • 🎧 Keep your headphones in your case when not in use – this protects against dust and accidental pressing.

If you often encounter connection problems, try using the Xiaomi Earbuds app (available for Android).

    πŸ’‘

    Regular firmware updates and careful handling of case contacts reduce the risk of synchronization problems by 80%.

    FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up the second Xiaomi headphone

    πŸ”Ή Why the second headphone flashes red but doesn't plug in?
    A red flashing indicator means that the earphone is discharged or out of sync with the case. Put it in the case for 15-20 minutes. If the indicator has not changed to green, try resetting (see section 3). If the earphone is charged but still flashes red, there may be a problem with the contacts of the case. Clean them with alcohol and check if the legs are bent inside the connector.
    πŸ”Ή Can I use one headphone separately?
    Yes, but only if it's successfully synchronized with the case. Pull the right earphone out of the case, it'll automatically go to Mono mode. However, some models (e.g., Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro) require that the second earphone be in the case for stable operation. If one earphone doesn't work in mono mode, reset (section 3) and try again.
    πŸ”Ή Why did the microphone stop working after the firmware update?
    This is a well-known problem with some firmware versions for Redmi AirDots 3 and Xiaomi Buds 3. Solutions: Roll back the firmware through the Xiaomi Earbuds app (if available). Reset your headphones to factory settings. Contact Xiaomi for model and firmware version support. Temporary workaround: use your phone's microphone during calls (turn off the headphone microphone in Bluetooth settings).
    πŸ”Ή How to check if the original headphones?
    Fake Xiaomi headphones often have problems with synchronization. You can check the originality by: Packaging: the box should be QR-code that leads to the official Xiaomi website. Serial number: enter it on the site [checkmi.com](https://checkmi.com). Sound quality: original headphones support codecs AAC Weight: counterfeits are usually easier on the Internet 1–2 If the headphones are fake, you can return them within a few minutes. 14 days under the law on consumer protection (if you bought in an official store).
    πŸ”Ή What to do if the case does not charge the headphones?
    Causes and solutions: πŸ”Œ Case discharged: connect it to charging for 30 minutes, then check the indicator. 🧲 Contaminated contacts: Clean them with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol. πŸ”‹ Faulty Case Battery: If the Case Does Not Hold a Charge (Discharged in an Hour), Replacement of the Battery Is Required. πŸ”Œ Problem with cable/power supply: try another USB-If the case does not respond to charging at all (the indicator does not burn), the power controller may have burned.