How to Connect Xiaomi Wireless Headphones to Your Computer via Bluetooth: The Complete Guide 2026

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular accessories due to their combination of price, sound quality and battery life. However, connecting them to a computer via Bluetooth can sometimes be more difficult than connecting to a smartphone: users face device search problems, pairing errors or audio interruptions. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways of connecting, from standard pairing to solving non-obvious bugs, and also give recommendations for optimizing communication for stable operation.

If you've never connected a Bluetooth device to a PC before, or if your Xiaomi AirDots, Redmi Buds or FlipBuds refuse to be defined by the system, don't be quick to blame the technology. 90% of the time, the problem lies in the settings of the computer, outdated drivers or the features of the firmware of the headphones themselves. We checked all the instructions on current models of 2022-2026 and took into account the nuances of different operating systems.

1. Preparing Xiaomi headphones for connection

Before you look for headphones in the list of Bluetooth devices on your computer, you need to put them in pairing mode. Xiaomi models this process may differ — it depends on the series and year of release. General rule: headphones must be turned off before activating the search mode.

For most models (AirDots 3 Pro, Redmi Buds 4, FlipBuds Pro) the algorithm is as follows:

1. Get both earphones out of the case (if that's it) TWS-model).
2. Press the touch button (or mechanical key) on both headphones simultaneously for 5-10 seconds until the indicator flashes white and red (or only white on new models).
3. Some headphones (for example, AirDots SE) need to press the button on the case, and not on the headphones themselves.

⚠️ Warning: If the light flashes red, it means low battery power. Connect the case to charge for 10-15 minutes and try again.+ (For example, Buds 4 Pro may need to reset before first connecting to a new device.

2. Connect to a computer on Windows 10/11

Windows is the most common PC OS, but its Bluetooth stack often doesn't work well, especially if drivers haven't been updated in years. Consider the step-by-step instruction for the latest versions of the system.

Step 1: Turn on Bluetooth on your computer

• 🖥️ Press Win. + A to open the notification bar and make sure Bluetooth is on (the icon must be highlighted).
• 🔍 If there is no icon, check if the Bluetooth adapter is installed in Device Manager (Win) + X → Device Manager → Network adapters).

Step 2. Find the headphones in the list of devices

• 🎧 Open the settings. → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices → Add the device.
• 🔄 Select the type of device - Bluetooth.
• ⏳ Wait for the name of your headphones to appear on the list (for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 or Redmi Buds 3 Lite).

Step 3. Confirm the pairing

• 🔗 Click on the headphone name in the list. If necessary, confirm the connection on the device itself (some models have to press the button on the headphones again).
• 🎵 After a successful connection, a new device will appear in the Audio column. Select it as the default output device.

Bluetooth Adapter is enabled in Device Manager|Headphones in pairing mode (blinking white indicator)|Bluetooth drivers updated (see section 4)|Headphones are charged at least 30 times%|-->

3. Features of connection on macOS

On Apple computers, pairing is easier, but there are nuances with Bluetooth codecs (such as AAC or aptX). Many users complain of stuttering sound when connecting Xiaomi headphones to a MacBook - this is due to suboptimal default settings.

Instructions for MacOS Ventura/Sonoma:

1. 🍎 Open System settings → Bluetooth.
2. 🔍 Make sure Bluetooth is on (in the top panel).
3. 🎧 Turn on the pairing mode on the headphones (see section 1).
4. ➕ In the list of devices will appear the name of your headphones – click Connect.

⚠️ Warning: If the sound is interrupted or there is interference, try manually selecting the audio codec:

1. Open the audio. MIDI-Setting up (find through Spotlight).
2. Select your headphones in the list of devices.
3. In the Format section, try changing the frequency from 44.1 kHz to 48 kHz or vice versa.

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On MacOS, for stable sound, disable Automatic Sound Switch in Bluetooth settings. This will prevent accidental connection breaks.

4. Problems with Bluetooth drivers on Windows: how to update

If the headphones are not detected or are connected with an error, the legacy Bluetooth adapter driver is to blame, especially for laptops with Qualcomm or Intel adapters, where manufacturers often release update curves through Windows Update.

How to update the driver manually:

• 🔧 Open Device Manager (Win) + X → Device Manager).
• 🔍 Find the Network Adapters or Bluetooth section.
• 🖱️ Right-click on a device called Bluetooth (e.g. Intel Wireless-AC 9560) and select Update Driver.
• 🌐 Select Auto Search. If the system says the driver is up to date, download it from the laptop manufacturer's website (e.g. Lenovo, HP, ASUS) from the site Intel/Qualcomm.

Critical information: On laptops with Qualcomm QCA61x4 adapters (found in Xiaomi Mi Notebook, RedmiBook), standard drivers from Microsoft work incorrectly. Download drivers ONLY from the official Qualcomm website (Bluetoothooth Software section).

Table: Popular Bluetooth adapters and drivers links

5. Solving common connection errors

Even if you do everything according to the instructions, the headphones may not connect.-5 mistakes and their solutions:

1.The device is not found on the Bluetooth list

• 🔋 Check the charge of the headphones (the indicator on the case should burn green or white).
• 🔄 Reboot the Bluetooth adapter on your PC: Turn it off in Device Manager, then turn it on again.
• 📱 Try connecting the headphones to your smartphone – if they are not detected there, the problem is in the headphones themselves (maybe you need a reset).

2. "Unable to connect" error (code 43 or 10)

• 🔧 Remove headphones from the list of devices (Parameters) → Bluetooth → Remove the device).
• 🔄 Restart the computer and repeat the pairing.
• 🛠️ If the error is repeated, update the Bluetooth driver (see Section 4).

3. The sound is interrupted or interference is occurring.

• 🎵 In sound settings (Parameters) → System system → Sound: Choose 16-bit, 44100 Hz (not 48 kHz) headphones).
• 📡 Disable other Bluetooth devices (mouse, keyboard) that may interfere.
• 🔌 Connect your computer to a 5GHz Wi-Fi network (if you use 2.4GHz, it can conflict with Bluetooth).

4.The headphones plug in, but no sound.

• 🔊 Check if they are selected as the default output device (PCM by speaker icon) → Reproduction devices).
• 🔄 Switch the headphones to headphone mode (not the headset) in the sound settings.
• 🛠️ Update your audio driver (e.g. Realtek Audio).

5. Headphones turn off in 5-10 minutes

• ⚡ Turn off the power saving of Bluetooth adapter: Device Manager → Bluetooth adapter → Properties → Power management → Remove the tick from "Allow disconnection...".
• 🔋 Charge headphones to 100% - at low charge they can spontaneously turn off.

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If Xiaomi headphones don't connect to a PC, 80% of the time it's the Bluetooth driver or the conflict with other wireless devices. Always start diagnosing with driver updates and checking the headphone charge.

6. Alternative ways to connect (if Bluetooth does not work)

If the Bluetooth module on the computer is broken or missing, alternative methods can be used:

• 🔌 Bluetooth adapter USB (It costs 300-800. ₽) — port USB-A It also adds Bluetooth 5.0 support.+. Recommended models on a chip CSR8510 or Broadcom BCM20702.
• 🎧 3.5mm audio cable (if headphones support wired connection) Most Xiaomi models have an adapter included. USB-C → 3.5 mm.
• 📱 Connection via smartphone: turn on the phone modem → Bluetooth modem and transmit audio from PC to phone over Wi-Fi (e.g., via SoundWire).

⚠️ Note: When using a USB-Bluetooth adapter, disable the built-in Bluetooth laptop module in Device Manager to avoid conflicts.

7. Sound optimization for games and video

By default, Windows and MacOS use the SBC codec for Bluetooth headphones, which provides mediocre sound quality. To improve sound, especially for games or watching movies, you need to manually select the codec (if it is supported).

How to enable aptX or AAC codec on Windows:

1. 🖥️ Install Bluetooth Audio Receiver or aptX Directory (to check codec support).
2. 🔧 Open the control panel. → Sound. → Headphone properties → Additionally.
3. 🎵 If the list is available with aptX or AAC — If not, update the Bluetooth driver (see section 4).

Settings for games (reduced delay):

• 🎮 In the game settings, select stereo sound (not stereo). 5.1/7.1).
• 🔊 To the control panel. → Sound. → Device properties disable all effects (Improving).
• 📡 Use Bluetooth 5.0+ (delay ~40 ms against ~100 ms Bluetooth 4.2).

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To watch movies, sync audio and video in the player (for example, in VLC, press J/K to adjust the sound delay by ±50 ms).

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi headphones to PC