Why Xiaomi’s Bluetooth Headphones Don’t Work – and How to Fix It in 5 Minutes

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular on the market for their price-performance ratio, but even they sometimes fail users. One of the most common problems is that one headphone connects to the phone, and the other is silent or works separately. The reasons can vary from trivial discharge to a failure in sync between headphones. In this article, we will examine all possible ways to return stereo sound, including resetting, forced synchronization and even repair in extreme cases.

Many people mistakenly think that the problem lies in the phone or firmware, but in 90% of cases the headphones themselves are to blame. For example, Redmi AirDots 2/3, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 and Xiaomi Buds 4 have a built-in mechanism "lead / follow" earphone that sometimes gets knocked off. If you have already tried to reconnect the device via Bluetooth, but nothing helped - do not rush to bring the gadget into service. Most likely, the decision will take no more than 5 minutes.

Before you start setting up, make sure the problem isn’t with the basics:

• 🔋 Both should be charged at least 20% (the indicator on the body lights up when the lid is opened).
• 📱 Device compatibility: Check if your smartphone supports Bluetooth 5.0+ (This is critical for new Xiaomi models).
• 🔄 Rebooting the phone. Sometimes it helps to banal turn off / turn on the Bluetooth module on the smartphone.

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1.How to understand that Xiaomi headphones are out of sync

The first sign of a problem is that one earphone connects to the phone as a separate device, and the second one is either not visible on the Bluetooth list, or is defined as "LE-Audio" or "Mi Earphones (Right/Left)". This means that communication between the earphones themselves is broken. In normal mode, they should be displayed as a single device (for example, "Mi True Wireless Earphones 2").

Other symptoms:

• 🎧 The sound comes from only one earphone, even if both are connected.
• 🔊 Bluetooth settings display two separate devices with similar names (e.g., "Mi"). Earbuds_L" and Earbuds_R").
• 🔄 Headphones are constantly switched off / connected alternately.
• 🚫 The indicator on the body flashes red and white at the same time - this is a signal about the synchronization failure.

If you see any of these signs, go to the next section with the instructions for restoring communication, but first check if the problem is hardware:

⚠️ Warning: If one of the headphones doesn't turn on at all (it doesn't respond to pressing, it doesn't charge), the problem may be in the battery or contacts.

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2.Reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings

The most reliable way to get back to work is to reset completely, and this procedure will remove all the stored connections and return the headphones to the "out of the box" state. Xiaomi/Redmi:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and hold the button on the case (usually side or bottom) for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Remove the headphones from the case - they should automatically go into pairing mode (indicators flash white).
4. On your phone, remove old Xiaomi devices from the Bluetooth list (Settings) → Bluetooth → ⚙️ → Delete).
5. Reconnect the headphones as a new device.

For models Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and newer reset is performed differently:

1. Headphones in the case, cover open.


2.Push and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds.




3. the indicator on the case will flash red 3 times - the reset is completed.

Make sure the headphones are charged

Remove the device from Bluetooth on your phone

Close all applications that use headphones (music, calls)

Prepare instructions for your model (see below)-->

If the reset didn’t work, try Forced Sync (described in the next section) and check if another device (e.g., a laptop or tablet) that the headphones were previously connected to is blocking the connection.

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3. Forced synchronization of headphones with each other

Sometimes Xiaomi headphones lose communication with each other, but remain intact. In this case, manual synchronization will help. TWS-Models (including Redmi AirDots 3 Pro and Mi Earbuds Basic 2):

1. Remove both earphones from the case.
2. Press and hold the touchpad (or mechanical button) on the right earphone for 5 seconds until you hear the beep.
3. Repeat the same for the left earpiece.
4. Put both headphones back in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds.
5. Get them out – they should sync automatically (the indicators will light up white).

For models with automatic connectivity (such as Xiaomi Buds 4), try this method:

• 🔄 Take the headphones out of the case and wait until they start flashing white.
• 📱 Connect to them via Bluetooth on your phone.
• 🎵 Run the music playback -- if you only have one earpiece, touch the touchpad on the silent earpiece 3 times in a row.

⚠️ Attention: If after synchronization, the headphones disconnect again when connected to the phone, the problem may be the phone's firmware. MIUI before the latest version or try to connect to another device (e.g. laptop).

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If the headphones are synchronized, but the sound is only coming from one, check the audio balance in the phone settings: Settings → Sound → Stereo Balance. Sometimes it gets 100% left/right.

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4. Problems with firmware and updates

In some cases, Xiaomi headphones are due to outdated firmware. For example, Redmi AirDots 3 had a bug that caused the headphones to lose communication after the MIUI 13 update.

To update the firmware:

1. Install the official Xiaomi Earbuds app (for new models) or Mi Home (for older models).
2. Put the headphones on the phone.
3. Open the application and go to the Firmware Update section.
4. If the update is available, follow the instructions on the screen. Don't turn off the headphones during the process!

If the update doesn't help or the headphones stopped working after it, try rolling back the firmware.

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5. Hardware malfunctions: when to carry for repair

If none of these things worked, the problem could be hardware, and here are some signs that the headphones need repair:

• 🔌 One of the headphones is not charged (the indicator does not burn when placed in the case).
• 🔊 There is sound, but very quiet or with severe interference (may indicate damage to the speaker).
• 💧 The headphone has been exposed to moisture (even if the model has protection). IPX4/IPX5).
• 🔋 The battery is discharged in 10-15 minutes (typical for the old Redmi AirDots 1).

The most common breakdowns:

Before you bring your headphones to the service, try clearing your contacts:

1. Take a cotton swab dipped in an alcohol solution (at least 70%).
2. Gently wipe the metal contacts on the headphones and inside the case.
3. Let it dry for 10-15 minutes and try to reconnect.

⚠️ Note: If headphones are warranty, do not disassemble them yourself - this will void warranty obligations).

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6. Alternative ways of connecting (if nothing helps)

If headphones stubbornly do not want to work in stereo mode, you can try non-standard methods:

• 📱 Connecting through a third-party app, such as EarTrumpet (for Windows) or SoundAssistant (for Android), sometimes allows you to manually adjust the sound balance.
• 🔄 You can use headphones in mono mode. Some models, like the Redmi AirDots S, support the connection of each headphone separately.
• 🎧 Connect to another source. Try connecting your headphones to a laptop, tablet, or even a Smart. TV. If they work normally, the phone is a problem.

For owners of smartphones Xiaomi has another life hack:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times).


2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers.




3. Find the option to turn off absolute volume and activate it.




4. Reconnect the headphones.

This trick sometimes solves problems with the incorrect distribution of sound between headphones.

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If the headphones are working normally on another device, the problem lies in the settings of your smartphone, not in the headphones themselves. Try resetting the network settings (Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth).

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7. How to avoid problems in the future

To make Xiaomi headphones last longer and not lose sync, follow these tips:

• 🔋 Charge the case regularly. Even if the headphones are not used, connect the case to a 1 to 2 hour charge once a month to prevent battery drain.
• 🧹 Clear the contacts. Dust and dirt on the case and headphone contacts is one of the main causes of poor charging and disconnection.
• 📱 Don't connect your headphones to multiple devices at the same time. This can knock your sync settings down.
• 🔄 Update your firmware. Stay tuned for Mi Home or Xiaomi Earbuds updates.
• 🌡️ Avoid extreme temperatures. Do not leave your headphones in the sun or in the cold (such as in a car in winter).

It is also worth avoiding the use of headphones during charging (unless the model officially supports this), which can lead to overheating and malfunctions.

If you often experience connectivity issues, consider buying a case with wireless charging.Qi-enabled models (such as the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) are less likely to suffer contact issues.

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FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphones