Why Xiaomi True Wireless is not connected and how to fix it

Xiaomi True Wireless headphones (including popular Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earphones and Xiaomi Buds) sometimes face a problem when one of the headphones stops connecting to the phone or synchronizing with the paired device, most often after a firmware update, battery discharge or mechanical failure. 80% of the time the problem is solved by software methods without contacting the service center.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for restoring the second headphone, including resetting, forced synchronization, and checking for hardware malfunctions, and we will also look at common mistakes users make when trying to fix a problem on their own, and give recommendations for preventing such failures.

If your Xiaomi headphone flashes red, doesn’t make sounds, or just doesn’t get picked up by your phone, don’t throw it away. In most cases, the device can be “reanimated” in 5-10 minutes.

Why Xiaomi’s second headphone doesn’t connect: the main reasons

Before you start repairing, it's important to understand what caused the failure.-5 Reasons why one of the headphones may refuse to work:

• 🔋 Battery discharge – if the headphone lay unused for a long time, its battery could discharge to zero, which led to a synchronization failure.
• 📱 Firmware failure – after updating the software through the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear application, a software conflict could occur.
• 🔄 Loss of communication between headphones – if you took them out of the case at the same time or interrupted the connection process.
• 🎧 Mechanical damage - ingress of moisture, fall or wear of contacts in the case.
• 📡 Bluetooth conflict – the phone could change the settings of wireless communication (for example, power saving mode is enabled).

According to service centers, 60% of the time the problem lies in the discharged battery of one of the headphones or the failure of synchronization between them, less often to blame hardware malfunctions (15%) or firmware errors (25%).

If the headphone is physically damaged (cracks on the body, traces of oxidation on the contacts), it is better to contact the service immediately. In all other cases, try the methods described below.

Preparation for recovery: what to check before resetting

Before you reset your settings or re-flash your headphones, do basic checks:

1. Make sure the case is charged. Connect it to the charger for 10-15 minutes. The indicator on the case should burn red (charges) or green (fully charged).
2. Check the contacts inside the case and on the headphones, they should be clean, without oxidation, and if necessary, wipe them with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
3. Update the firmware of the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app in Google Play/App Store. The outdated version may not work properly with headphones.
4. Sometimes Bluetooth crashes are caused by temporary errors in the operating system.

If after these actions the second headphone is still not connected, proceed to forced synchronization.

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Before resetting your headphones, write down their current firmware in the Mi Home app (Device section), which will help you roll back to the old version if the new one is unstable.

How to synchronize headphones Xiaomi with each other: step-by-step instructions

If one earphone connects to the phone and the other doesn't, there's probably been a loss of communication between the two.

Algorithm of action:

1. Take both headphones out of the case and put them next to you.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (usually located on the side or bottom) for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Place both earbuds back in the case and close the lid. Wait 10 seconds.
4. Remove the headphones – they should automatically sync (the indicators will burn blue or white).
5. Connect them to your phone via Bluetooth, as you would with your first use.

If the headphones don't flash synchronously (for example, one is red and the other is blue), repeat the procedure again.

⚠️ Warning: Do not press the reset button on the case for longer than 25 seconds - this can lead to a complete reset and loss of communication with the phone. If the indicator is gone and does not turn on, disconnect the case from charging and try again in 5 minutes.

Resetting Xiaomi headphones to factory

If syncing doesn't work, try a full reset, which will bring the headphones back to the box-like state and often solves connection problems.

Method 1: via the button on the case

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Connect the case to the charger (the indicator should burn red).
3. Press and hold the button on the case for 30 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white alternately.
4. Release the button, the reset is complete. Now you need to reconnect the headphones to the phone.

Method 2: via the Mi Home app (for supported models)

1. Open the Mi Home app and go to the headphone section.
2. Tap the three-point menu (⋮) top-right.
3. Select the device settings → Reset.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

Once reset, the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode. On the phone, remove them from the list of Bluetooth devices and reconnect them.

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If after resetting one of the headphones still does not connect, the problem may be a hardware malfunction (for example, a Bluetooth module is damaged).

Update the firmware headphones through Mi Home

Outdated or damaged firmware is one of the common causes of a broken earphone.

1. Make sure that the phone has the latest version of the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app installed.
2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
3. Open the app and go to the section of your headphones.
4. If an update is available, a notification will appear, New firmware is available.
5. Confirm the installation and wait for the completion (earphones should lie in a case with an open lid).

The update process takes 3-7 minutes, and don't interrupt or close the app, and when it's done, the headphones will automatically restart.

⚠️ Note: If during the update the case is discharged or communication with the phone is interrupted, the headphones may stop turning on, in this case, only a forced reset (see previous section) or contacting the service will help.

If the update doesn't solve the problem, try to roll back to the previous firmware version.

1. In the Mi Home app, go to Device Settings → About the device.
2. Slip on the firmware version 10 times in a row - a hidden menu will open.
3. Select Roll Back Firmware (if the option is available).

Checking hardware malfunctions

If the software didn't work, maybe the problem is the physical breakdown.

• 🔍 Look at the contacts on the headphones and inside the case, and they should be clean, without green oxidation or scratches.
• 🔊 Check the speaker. Hold the earphone to your ear and play the music. If the sound is intermittent or absent, the speaker or audio chip may be damaged.
• 🔋 Battery test. Put the earphone in the case for 30 minutes. If the charger doesn't light up, the battery might have failed.
• 📶 Bluetooth module check: If the headphone is not detected by any device (phone, tablet, PC), the communication module could burn down.

The most vulnerable models:

• Redmi AirDots 1 – often suffer from contact oxidation due to poor case tightness.
• Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 SE - Mitigue after falls
• Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro – sensitive to overheating when charging.

If you find physical damage, do not try to repair the headphones yourself - this can lead to a short circuit.

Frequent User Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many people try to fix their headphones with the wrong methods, which only makes the problem worse.

• 🚫 Using needles or metal objects to clean contacts – this can damage the coating.
• 🚫 Charge the case from powerful adapters (more 5V/1A) — This reduces the battery life.
• 🚫 Update the firmware through VPN or mobile Internet – interrupting the download can “kill” headphones.
• 🚫 Keeping headphones in a wet place (for example, in the bathroom) - this leads to corrosion of contacts.

Right action:

• ✅ To clean the contacts, use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol (not in water!).
• ✅ Charge the case only from the original cable or adapter with output 5V/0.5–1A.
• ✅ Update the firmware only through stable Wi-Fi with a charged case (>50%).
• ✅ Keep your headphones in a dry place, away from direct sunlight.

If you followed the instructions, but the second headphone still doesn't work, it may be time to consider replacing. Xiaomi's wireless headphones have an average lifespan of 2-3 years in heavy use.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions