How to connect both Xiaomi wireless headphones: if one does not work or sync

Why does one Xiaomi headphone not connect and the other work?

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones are among the most popular on the market due to their price-performance ratio. However, users often face the problem of one headphone connecting to the phone and the other being silent or undetected, and the reasons can range from trivial discharge to a failure of synchronization between the right and left modules.

In most cases, the problem is solved without going to the service center, the main thing is to correctly identify the source of the malfunction.

• 🔋 A discharged battery in one of the headphones (even if the indicator is on).
• 📶 Failure of Bluetooth connection between headphones or phone.
• 🔄 Incorrect connection sequence (for example, first left, then right).
• 🛠️ Software failure in the firmware of headphones or phone.
• 🎧 Mechanical damage (infection of moisture, fall).

In this article, we will break down all the working ways to synchronize Xiaomi Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless, Mi Earbuds and other models, from the simplest to the most advanced.

Step 1: Checking the charge and headphone indicators

Before you commit to complex malfunctions, make sure that the problem is not the trivial discharge.Many users forget that each earphone has its own battery and their charge levels may vary.

How to check:

1. Put both earphones in the case and close the lid. the indicator on the case should catch fire (usually white or red).
2. If the indicator doesn't burn at all, the case is discharged. Connect it to charge for 10-15 minutes.
3. Take the headphones out of the case, each one of them has a white/red LED flashing (depending on the model), and if one of the headphones is not showing signs of life, its battery is dead or malfunctioning.

⚠️ Warning: If the earphone does not charge in the case for more than 2 hours, check the contacts for oxidation or debris.

Step 2: Proper pairing of headphones with the phone

Many users make a mistake by trying to connect Xiaomi headphones in the same way as a regular mono headset. In wireless headphones, they first synchronize with each other (right + left), and then connect to the phone. If you break this order, one earphone can "lost".

Step-by-step instructions for all models:

1. Remove both headphones from the case (they must automatically turn on)

2. wait for the indicators to flash synchronously (usually white)

3. On your phone, turn on Bluetooth and find the device (name depends on the model, for example, Redmi). AirDots_R)

4. Connect to the device found – both earphones must connect automatically

5. Check the sound in both headphones by playing the test track-->

If the headphones are not synchronized with each other (the indicators flash in sync or one does not blink), perform forced synchronization:

• 🔄 Press and hold the button on the right earphone for 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white alternately.
• 🔄 Repeat the same for the left earpiece.
• 📱 Place both earbuds side by side (within 10 cm) and wait until they sync (indicators will start blinking the same way).

⚠️ Attention: Mi True Wireless 2 and newer touch controls. To reset, touch and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds.

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If the headphones connect to the phone but only sound in one, check the sound settings in the Mi Home app or Bluetooth system settings. Sometimes the stereo mode turns off automatically after updating the firmware.

Step 3: Resetting headphones to factory

If simple synchronization doesn't work, the next step is to completely reset the settings, which will remove all the stored connections and return the headphones to the "out of the box" state, and the procedure differs depending on the model.

For models with mechanical buttons (Redmi AirDots 1/2, Mi Basic):

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.


2. Open the lid and hold the buttons on both headphones for 20 seconds.




3. The indicators should be extinguished, then blink red and white.




4. Close the case cover for 5 seconds, then open and try to reconnect.

For touch-controlled models (Mi True Wireless 2, Redmi AirDots 3 Pro):

1. Get the headphones out of the case.


2. Touch and hold the touch panels on both headphones for 10-15 seconds.




3. wait until the indicators start flashing red and white alternately.




4. Place the headphones back in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then reconnect.

Once reset, the headphones will automatically reset all previous connections to the devices, and they will have to be re-matched with a smartphone, tablet or laptop.

Step 4: Update the firmware of headphones through Mi Home

If the headphones are plugged in but are not running smoothly (one periodically shuts down, the sound is interrupted), the problem may be with the outdated firmware.The manufacturer regularly releases updates to fix bugs and improve compatibility.

How to update firmware:

1. Install the official Mi Home app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
3. Open Mi Home, press + → Add device → Headphones.
4. Select your model from the list (e.g. Redmi AirDots 2).
5. If an update is available, a notification will appear. Click Update and wait until the process is complete (don't turn off Bluetooth!).

⚠️ Warning: Don't interrupt the firmware update process! If the headphones turn off during installation, they may stop turning on.

Step 5: Checking your phone compatibility and Bluetooth settings

Sometimes the problem isn't with the headphones, but with the phone's settings, especially for Android devices with custom firmware or iPhones with older versions of iOS.

What to check on your phone:

• 📱 Bluetooth Version: Xiaomi headphones require Bluetooth 4.2 or later. You can find out the version in the settings (About the phone) → Bluetooth version).
• 🔄 Pair mode: Some phones need to manually enable device search mode (Settings) → Bluetooth → Searching for devices).
• 🎧 Sound Profile: In Bluetooth settings, select your headphones and make sure your profile is enabled A2DP (stereo).
• 🚫 Conflicting devices: Remove all old headphone connections in the list of Bluetooth devices.

Features for iPhone:

On iPhone, Xiaomi headphones can connect in HSP/HFP (mono) mode instead of A2DP (stereo).

1. Forget the device in Bluetooth settings.
2. Turn off and turn on Bluetooth on your phone.
3. Reconnect the headphones after waiting for the Stereo option to appear.

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If the headphones connect to the phone but only sound in one, check the audio settings in the app that plays audio (like Spotify or YouTube), sometimes the stereo mode turns off at the application level, not the system.

Step 6: Diagnostics of hardware malfunctions

If all software methods have been tried, but one earphone still doesn't work, the problem may be hardware.

How to check the headphone for malfunction:

• 🔊 Connect your headphones to another device (PC, tablet) If the problem recurs, a malfunction in the headphone.
• 🔋 Check if the earphone is heating up when charging. Strong heating may indicate a short circuit.
• 💧 Check your earphone for corrosion or oxidation of your contacts (especially if it’s in the rain).

⚠️ Warning: If a Xiaomi headphone is in water, don't turn it on or plug it into a charger! Put it in rice or silica gel for 24 to 48 hours, then try turning it on.

Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi headphones