Why both Xiaomi headphones don’t work and how to fix it: the full guide 2026

Did you pull out of the box a new Xiaomi wireless headphone, but you found that only one was working? Or did the left/right headphone stop connecting after the firmware update? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless, Buddy and other models. The reasons can be different, from a banal battery discharge to a failure of synchronization between headphones.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can get both headphones back on track, from simple checks to deep resets, how to connect your headphones to Android and iPhone, what to do if one headphone isn’t identified, and how to avoid problems in the future. And if your model supports dual connectivity (like the Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro), we’ll show you how to use it.

Don't rush your headphones to the service center, because 90% of the time, you can solve the problem yourself in 5-10 minutes.

1. Checking the basic parameters: battery, charging, physical damage

Before digging deep into the settings, make sure the problem isn't on the surface.More often than not, one of Xiaomi's headphones doesn't work because of:

• 🔋 Battery discharged – even if the headphone was in the case, it could not charge due to poor contact.
• 🔌 Mud on contacts – dust or oxidation interferes with charging and synchronization.
• 🎧 Mechanical damage – falling, moisture, clamped cable (for semiconductor models).
• 📱 Bluetooth problems on the phone – sometimes the failure occurs from the smartphone, not the headphones.

What to do:

1. Put both earbuds in the case and close the lid. Wait at least 10 minutes - sometimes it takes longer to fully charge than the indicator indicates.
2. Check the contacts on headphones and in the case: wipe them with a dry cotton swab soaked in alcohol (do not use wet wipes!).
3. Try connecting your headphones to another device (tablet, laptop, second phone) if both are working, your smartphone is a problem.

⚠️ Warning: If one earphone flashes red and the other flashes white after charging, it indicates a loss of sync.

2.Resetting headphones Xiaomi: a universal way

If the basic checks didn’t work, the next step is hard reset, which will bring the headphones back to the factory settings and make them sync again, and it’s good for most Xiaomi models, but there are nuances.

Common algorithm:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and hold the button on the case (usually on the side or bottom) for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Get the headphones out of the case – they should automatically synchronize (the indicators on both will flash the same).
4. Connect your headphones to your phone as a new device.

For some models, the process is different:

Make sure your headphones are over 30% charged

Disable them from all devices in Bluetooth settings

Put both headphones in the case and close the lid

Have a second device on hand to check the connection-->

If after resetting the headphones still do not sync:

• 🔄 Try resetting only a problem headphone (for models with separate reset).
• 📱 Restart your smartphone – sometimes the Bluetooth module freezes.
• 🔧 Update the headphone firmware through the Mi Home app (if available for your model).

3. Dual Mode settings on supported models

Some Xiaomi headphones (e.g. FlipBuds Pro, Buddy) support dual-connection mode, allowing each headphone to be used separately from different devices. However, this mode can conflict with standard synchronization. Here's how to set it up or turn it off.

To enable/disable Dual Mode:

1. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
2. Open the Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Wear for new models).
3. Select your headphones in the list of devices.
4. Go to Settings → Connection mode.
5. Select Stereo — both headphones work together. Dual — headphones can be connected separately.

If after activation of Dual Mode one headphone stopped working:

1. Bring the regime back to Stereo.
2. Reset the headphones (see section 2).
3. Reconnect the headphones after waiting for a double beep (confirmation of synchronization).

1. Put both earphones in the case.

2. Take out only one earphone and connect it to the phone.

3. Repeat for the second headphone (it will be visible as a standalone device, such as the Mi True). Wireless_R).-->

4. firmware issues and updates through Mi Home

Outdated or damaged firmware is a common reason why one of Xiaomi’s headphones stops working, the manufacturer regularly releases updates to fix synchronization bugs, and you can check and update the firmware through the official app.

Instructions:

1. Install the Mi Home app (for Android) or Xiaomi Wear (for iOS).
2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
3. Open the app and find your headphones in the list of devices.
4. If an update is available, a notification will appear. Click Update and wait until it is completed (don't turn off the headphones!).

Important: If the connection is interrupted during the firmware update, the headphones may stop turning on, in which case only resetting through the button on the case (hold 20+ seconds) will help.

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi headphone model is released before 2020 (e.g. Redmi AirDots 1), official firmware updates may not be available.

5. Features of connecting to iPhone (iOS) and Mac

Xiaomi headphones are optimized for Android, but most models are compatible with the iPhone. However, there are nuances: for example, the battery indication or touch control may not work. If one of the headphones does not work on iOS, try the following steps:

• 📱 Forget the device in Bluetooth settings (Settings) → Bluetooth → (i) → Forget this device).
• 🔄 Reboot your iPhone – it will reset the Bluetooth cache.
• 🎧 Connect the headphones in search mode (take out of the case and hold the touch panel until you blink white).
• 🔋 Check that the iPhone is enabled Low power mode – it can limit the operation of Bluetooth.

For Mac, the algorithm is similar, but there is an additional trick:

1. Open the Terminal (via Spotlight or Programs → Utilities).
2. Enter the command to reset the Bluetooth module: sudo pkill bluetoothd
3. Restart the Mac and reconnect the headphones.

6. Hardware malfunctions: when without repairs can not do

If none of these methods worked, it may be a hardware breakdown, and here are the signs that the headphones need to be brought into service:

• 🔊 One earphone does not turn on at all (does not blink, does not respond to charging).
• 💧 Getting moisture – even if the headphones have protection IPX4/IPX5, Long-term exposure to water can damage contacts.
• 🔋 The battery does not hold a charge (earphone discharges in 10-15 minutes).
• 🎛️ The speaker is damaged (wheezing, lack of sound when the indicator is working).

What you can do on your own:

• 🔧 Disassemble the headphone (if it is guaranteed - it is better not to risk!) and check the soldering of the contacts of the battery.
• 🧹 Clean the speaker of dust with a soft brush or a spray of compressed air.
• 🔋 Check the battery voltage with a multimeter (should be 3.7–4.2V).

If headphones are warranty, contact the official service center Xiaomi.

⚠️ Warning: Some "unofficial" services offer cheap repairs but use substandard parts. For example, after the battery is replaced, the headphones may stop syncing. Always ask what parts will be used and demand a guarantee for work.

7 Prevention: How to avoid problems in the future

To ensure that your Xiaomi headphones work consistently, follow these recommendations:

• 🔋 Charge your headphones correctly: Do not leave them in a case for more than 24 hours on charge. Use the original cable and power adapter. Avoid overheating (do not put the case under direct sunlight).
• 🧼 Care for contacts: Wash contacts on headphones and in a case 1 time a week. do not use sharp objects to clean.
• 📱 Update your firmware: Check for updates in Mi Home every 1-2 months.
• 🎧 Store correctly: Don't throw your headphones into your bag without a case. Avoid getting moisture (even if the model is waterproof).

If you use headphones for sports, choose models with IPX5 protection and higher (for example, Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro or Redmi AirDots 3 Pro).

💡

Regularly cleaning contacts and updating firmware prevent 80% of problems with synchronization of Xiaomi headphones.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphones