Xiaomi’s wireless headphones (Mi True Wireless, Redmi Buds, Haylou, and others) are built on TWS (True Wireless Stereo) technology, where each headphone works independently, but for stereo sound they must be synchronized with each other. However, users often face a problem: one of the headphones (usually the left) does not connect to the right, the sound is only in one channel, or the devices are not determined by the phone at all. The reasons can vary from banal discharge to firmware failure.
In this article, we will discuss all the ways Xiaomi headphones are paired together, including forced reset, manual synchronization and fault diagnosis. Instructions are suitable for most models, from old Mi AirDots to new Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro. If your headphones stopped working in pairs, do not rush to carry them into service: in 90% of cases, the problem can be solved independently in 5-10 minutes.
Why are Xiaomi headphones not paired with each other?
Before you try to connect your headphones, it's important to understand why the connection is broken, and here are the most common scenarios.
- 🔋 The battery is drained in one of the headphones (most often the left one), and even if the indicator is on, the voltage may not be enough to synchronize.
- 🔄 Failure of firmware after updating or incorrectly disconnecting.This leads to the "forgetting" of the paired device.
- 📱 Phone conflict: Headphones may be tied to another device in memory (for example, if you previously connected to a laptop).
- 🛠️ Mechanical damage: oxidation of contacts in the case, falling or getting moisture.
- 🔊 Hardware defect of one of the speakers (less often) - in this case, the earphone may not make a sound, but physically connect.
In 70% of cases, the problem is solved by rebooting the headphones or resetting the settings, but if the headphones are new and have never worked in a pair, you may lose your headphones in the workplace, in which case you need to replace them under warranty.
Preparation for pairing: what to do before the beginning
Before starting synchronization, follow the mandatory preparatory steps:
Fully charge the case and headphones (the indicator should burn green)
Remove headphones from the list of conjugated devices on your phone
Turn off Bluetooth on all devices that your headphones have previously connected to
Check that both headphones are clean (no dirt on contacts in the case)
Prepare a needle or toothpick for resetting (if required)
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Pay special attention to battery power. If the case is less than 30% dead, the headphones may not sync due to insufficient power. Also make sure that both headphones are in the case - some models (for example, Redmi Buds 3 Pro) block pairing if one of the modules is out of the case.
⚠️ Note: If the headphones were connected to a MacBook, Windows PC, or other phone, you should definitely “forget” them on these devices, otherwise they can automatically connect to the last host, ignoring attempts to sync with each other.
Method 1: Automatic pairing (standard method)
Most Xiaomi models support automatic synchronization when first turned on or after reset.
- Place both headphones in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds.
- Open the case cover - the indicator should flash white / red (connection waiting mode).
- Take both earbuds out of the case. They should automatically connect with each other (the indicators on both earbuds will flash in sync).
- Connect to your headphones via Bluetooth, and one name should appear on the list of devices (for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2).
If the lights flash out of sync (one is on, the other is not), then the pairing did not occur. In this case, move to manual methods (see the next section).
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On some models (for example, Redmi Buds 4) for forced synchronization, you need to hold the touch panel on both headphones for 5 seconds until the signal sounds.
Method 2: Manual pairing through resetting settings
If the automatic method does not work, you will need to reset the headphones.
| Model headphones | Resetting method | Sign of successful discharge |
|---|---|---|
| Mi AirDots / Redmi AirDots | Hold the button on the case for 15 seconds (indicator red → white → red) | Double flashing white |
| Mi True Wireless 2 / Redmi Buds 3 | THREE TURN TOUCH PLAYER OF THE LEFT EARCH OFFICER IN THE CASSE | The indicator flashes red and white |
| Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro | Hold the sensor on both headphones for 10 seconds (in case) | Voice message "Reset successful" |
| Haylou GT1/GT2 | Hold the button on the case for 20 seconds (until the indicator goes out) | The indicator lights up green. |
After discharge:
- Close the case for 30 seconds.
- Open the lid – the headphones should automatically sync (the indicators flash synchronously).
- Connect to them from your phone as a new device.
⚠️ Note: On models with a Qualcomm chip (such as the Redmi Buds 4 Pro) after a reset, you may need to update the firmware through the Mi Home app.
Method 3: Sync with Mi Home / Xiaomi Earbuds app
Some models (especially new ones) require software synchronization through the official app. Here is a step-by-step instruction:
- Install the app: 📱 Mi Home (for older models) 📱 Xiaomi Earbuds (for new ones, for example, Buds 4 Pro)
Add the device → Headphones
Follow the instructions on the screen. The app will prompt you to connect the headphones if they are not synchronized.
Device settings → Software update
If the app doesn't see the headphones:
- 🔄 Restart your phone and headphones.
- 📶 Enable geolocation and allow the app to access Bluetooth and Warehouse.
- 🔌 Try connecting from another phone (sometimes helps).
What to do if the application does not update the firmware?
Diagnostics of malfunctions: why pairing does not work
If none of these methods worked, the problem could be hardware.
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90% of pairing problems are related to contacts in a case or a discharged battery.
| Symptoms. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| One earphone doesn't charge in the case | Oxidation/contamination of contacts | Clean contacts with alcohol and cotton swab |
| Case indicator doesn't burn. | Case battery malfunction | Try charging another cable/power unit |
| Headphones are connected separately, but not together | Failure of the firmware of the master headphone (usually right) | Reset + Software Update via Application |
| There is only sound in one headphone. | Incorrect settings of sound balance on the phone | Check Settings → Special. features → Monoaudio (should be turned off) |
If the headphones are physically damaged (for example, after a fall or water hit), self-repair can exacerbate the problem.
Frequent errors of users when pairing
Many people try to connect the headphones incorrectly, which only complicates the situation.
- 🚫 Use headphones from different pairs. Even if the models are identical, each earpiece is tied to its own "brother" in a unique way. ID. Mixing headphones from different cases will never work.
- 🚫 Trying to connect to the headphones separately. TWS They must be paired with each other before connecting to the phone.
- 🚫 Ignoring firmware updates. Headphones may not match due to incompatibility between the left and right versions of the software.
- 🚫 Using a non-original charging cable, cheap cables may not provide enough current to charge the case, causing failures.
If you bought a used Xiaomi headphone, chances are that the previous owner didn’t reset them to the factory settings, in which case the headphones can be tied to his Mi Account, and you will need a full reset through the app.