Why Xiaomi headphones don’t want to connect to a laptop?
Xiaomi’s wireless headphones are some of the most popular gadgets, thanks to a combination of price, sound quality and battery life. However, many users face problems when connecting to a laptop for the first time: the device does not find the headphones, the connection is constantly broken or the sound is interrupted. The reasons can be different from a banal dead battery to a conflict of Bluetooth adapter drivers.
In this article, we will analyze step-by-step instructions for all operating systems (Windows 10/11, macOS, Linux), consider typical errors and their solutions, and give recommendations for adjusting sound for better quality.
If you've tried to plug in your headphones before, but you haven't succeeded, don't blame the technology. 80 percent of the time, the problem is solved by simple actions, which we'll describe below. Start with the preparation of the devices.
Preparing Xiaomi headphones for connection
Before pairing with a laptop, you need to properly activate the search mode on the headphones themselves. Xiaomi models may have different processes, but the general principle is the same.
- 🔋 Charge the headphones. Make sure the charge level of the case and the headphones themselves is at least 30.
- 🎧 Remove the headphones from the case.Most Xiaomi models automatically turn on when removed, but some (e.g. Xiaomi Air 2) SE) Require additional button retention.
- 🔄 To do this, on touch-controlled models (such as the Xiaomi Air 2 Pro), hold both touch panels simultaneously for 5-10 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white. On headphones with a mechanical button (for example, Redmi Buds 3 Lite) hold the power button for 3-5 seconds.
- 🔍 Check the indicator. Properly activated search mode is accompanied by a flashing of white/blue light (in some models alternately red and white). If the indicator is constantly on or does not blink at all, the headphones are not ready to pair.
Important: Xiaomi headphones can automatically connect to the last device you use (such as a smartphone). Before pairing with a laptop, disconnect them from other gadgets or remove them from the list of connected devices on your smartphone.
Charge headphones and case|Remove the headphones from the case|Activate the pairing mode (hold the button/sensors)|Check the indicator blinking (white/blue)|Disconnect from other devices (if necessary)-->
Connecting to a laptop on Windows 10 and 11
Windows 10 and Windows 11 have a similar algorithm for connecting Bluetooth devices, but there are nuances in the interface. Let's look at both.
Windows 10
1. Open the Start menu → Parameters (⚙) → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
2. Make sure Bluetooth is on (slider in the "On" position). If the option is not available, check if the drivers are installed on the Bluetooth adapter (more on this below).
3.Tap Add Bluetooth or another device, then select Bluetooth.
4. In the list, find your Xiaomi headphones (the name will contain a model, for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2).
5. Wait for pairing to complete. Headphones can request confirmation on the device itself (such as pressing a button) - follow the instructions on the screen.
Windows 11
In Windows 11, the process is a bit simplified:
1. Press Win + A to open the Quick Settings Panel and make sure Bluetooth is on.
2. Open Settings → Bluetooth and Devices → Add Device.
3. Select Bluetooth and wait for the headphones to appear on the list. Click on them.
4. Confirm the connection if required.
If the headphones don’t appear in the list, try the following:
- 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth Adapter: Open Device Manager (Win keys) + X), find the Bluetooth partition, right-click on the adapter and select Disable the device, then turn on the device again.
- 🗑️ Remove old connections: In Bluetooth settings, find previously connected Xiaomi devices and remove them, then repeat pairing.
- 🔧 Update drivers: in Device Manager, right-click on Bluetooth adapter and select Update driver.
Windows 10|Windows 11|macOS|Linux|other-->
Connection to MacBook (macOS)
On Apple laptops, the pairing process is easier thanks to an optimized ecosystem, but nuances can arise here, especially with Xiaomi headphones that are initially focused on Android devices.
1.Open the Apple menu (🍏) → System settings → Bluetooth.
2. Make sure Bluetooth is on (button must be blue).
3. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones (as described above).
4.In the list of devices, find your Xiaomi headphones and click Connect.
5. Wait until the process is complete. Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Air 2S) may require confirmation on the headphones themselves (holding the button).
If the headphones are connected, but the sound is not played:
- 🔊 Check the output of the sound: click on the volume icon in the menu bar and select your headphones as the output device.
- 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth module: Turn off Bluetooth in settings, wait 10 seconds and turn on again.
- 📱 Remove the headphones from the list of devices and repeat pairing.
⚠️ Note: MacOS may have a problem with Bluetooth codecs (e.g, AAC or SBC). If the sound is interrupted, try the sound settings (System settings) → Sound. → Output) change format to 16 bits, 44100 Hz.
Linux Connection (Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.)
On Linux, the connection process depends on the distribution and version of the Bluetooth stack (BlueZ).
Method 1: Graphical interface (GNOME, KDE)
1. Open Bluetooth settings (usually available via notification panel or menu settings) → Bluetooth).
2. Turn on Bluetooth and press Add Device.
3. Activate the pairing mode on Xiaomi headphones.
4. Select headphones from the list and confirm the connection.
Method 2: Terminal (for experienced users)
If the graphical interface doesn’t work, use the following commands:
Install the necessary packages (if not installed)
sudo apt install blueman bluez pulseaudio-module-bluetooth # For Debian/Ubuntu
Restart the Bluetooth service
sudo systemctl restart bluetooth
Launch Bluetooth Manager in the Terminal
blueman-managerFollow the instructions in the blueman graphical interface.
If the headphones are connected, but the sound is not:
- 🔊 Check the output in the settings PulseAudio: pactl list sinks | grep -i Name: Find your headphones and install them with the default output device.
- 🔄 Reboot PulseAudio: Pulseaudio -k && pulseaudio --start
⚠️ Note: Some distributions (such as Arch Linux) may require manual configuration. /etc/bluetooth/main.conf. If the headphones go off after a few seconds, add the AutoEnable line.=True to the configuration file and restart the Bluetooth service.
Solving Typical Connection Problems
Even with the right pairing, Xiaomi headphones can be unstable, and let's look at the most common problems and their solutions.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Headphones are not displayed in the list of devices | Inactive pairing mode, battery discharged, driver conflict | Check the indicator on headphones (must flash) Charge headphones Update Bluetooth drivers on your laptop |
| The connection is interrupted after a few seconds. | Conflict with other Bluetooth devices, outdated headphone firmware | Disable other Bluetooth gadgets Update the firmware of headphones through the Mi Home app (requires a smartphone) |
| The sound is interrupted or there is interference. | Low quality Bluetooth connection, interference from other devices | Move your laptop and headphones closer together Change your Bluetooth codec to SBC (in audio settings) |
| Headphones plug in, but the sound goes through the laptop speakers | Incorrect Default Output Device | In the audio settings, select headphones as the output device Restart the audio service (PulseAudio on Linux, Windows Audio on Windows) |
If the problem is not solved, try resetting the headphones to the factory:
- Put the headphones in the case.
- Hold the button on the case (or touchpad on the headphones) for 15-20 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white.
- Remove the headphones and repeat the pairing.
How to update the firmware headphones Xiaomi?
Optimization of sound and codec configuration
The sound quality of wireless headphones depends not only on the headphones themselves, but also on the Bluetooth codec used. By default, most devices use SBC, a universal, but not the highest quality codec. Xiaomi headphones support more advanced codecs such as AAC (for Apple devices) and aptX (on some models).
How to Change the Codec on Windows
1. Open Settings → System → Sound → Device Properties (select your headphones).
2.In the Additional Device Properties section, find the Bluetooth Codec.
3. If options are available (e.g. AAC or aptX), select them. Click Apply.
On macOS
On MacBook, the codec is automatically selected, but you can force AAC to be enabled:
1. Open the Terminal and enter:
defaults write com.apple.BluetoothAudioAgent "Apple Bitpool Min (editable)" -int 402. Reboot the laptop.
On Linux.
To change the codec, edit the file /etc/bluetooth/main.conf:
Add the lines:
[General]
Enable=Source,Sink,Media,Socket
[Policy]
AutoEnable=true
[A2DP]
SBCSources=1
AACSources=1
aptXSources=1Then restart the service:
sudo systemctl restart bluetooth💡
If the sound in Xiaomi headphones is too quiet, try turning off the Absolute Volume feature in Bluetooth settings on an Android smartphone (if the headphones have been connected to it previously), a feature that may limit maximum volume on other devices.
Tips for extending the life of the headphone battery
Xiaomi’s wireless headphones are known for long battery life, but you can increase it even further by following simple recommendations:
- 🔌 Charge the case properly. Use the original cable. USB-C and power adapter with output 5V/1A or 5V/2A. Avoid cheap chargers – they can damage the battery.
- 📴 Turn off your headphones when not in use. Even when you are in standby mode, they consume a charge (approximately 5-10% per day).
- 🎵 Turn down the volume. Maximum volume reduces the operating time by 20 to 30 percent. Optimal volume is 60 to 70 percent of the maximum.
- 🔄 Update your firmware. The manufacturer regularly releases updates that optimize your power consumption.
- 🌡️ Avoid extreme temperatures. Do not leave your headphones in the sun or in the cold (below 0)°C) – this reduces battery life.
If the headphones start to run out quickly, try resetting their settings (as described above) or check the battery status through the Mi Home app.
💡
Compliance with simple charging and use rules can increase the life of Xiaomi headphone battery by 20-30%.