Why Xiaomi AirDots S Headphones Stop Working Together and How to Fix It
Xiaomi AirDots S (also known as Redmi AirDots S or Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2) are some of the most popular wireless headphones. TWS-But even they have a typical problem, which is that one earbud connects to the phone, and the other one is silent or separate, because there's a problem with the right and left.
Unlike wired counterparts, where the connection is stable due to the cable, wireless headphones communicate over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). If this communication channel is lost β for example, due to battery discharge, firmware failure or mechanical damage to contacts in the case β the headphones βforgetβ each other, as a result, you hear the sound in one ear, and the second earphone either does not turn on or flashes white / red without connection.
In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to synchronize Xiaomi AirDots S, including:
- π Manual reconnection via case (the fastest method)
- π§ Resetting to factory settings (if headphones "can't see" each other)
- π± Checking compatibility with your smartphone (Android/iOS)
- β‘ Diagnostics of hardware problems (damaged contacts, battery)
Important: If you've tried to reboot your headphones or your phone, but the problem is, don't throw it away. In 90% of cases, you can restore sync without repair.
Method 1: Quick case synchronization (works 70% of the time)
The easiest way to make AirDots S headphones "see" each other is to force pairing through a charging case, which works if:
- π One earpiece is dead and the other is not.
- π΅ Headphones have not been used for a long time (more than 2 weeks)
- π The last time I connected to another device
Here's the step-by-step instruction:
- Put both earbuds in the case and close the lid. Make sure the headphones are turned off (meaning they are starting to charge).
- Open the case cover and hold the button on the back for 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white alternately.
- Take the headphones out of the case. They should automatically sync (the indicators blink in sync with white).
- Connect to headphones via Bluetooth on your phone (the list of devices will appear Mi True Wireless EBs) Basic_R or similar).
If after these actions, one earphone still does not connect, move on to the next method.
βοΈ Checking before synchronization
Method 2: Complete reset (if the headphones "can't see" each other)
If fast sync doesn't work, you'll have to do a hard reset, which will bring the headphones back to factory settings and force re-pairing.
Instructions for Xiaomi AirDots S:
- Put both headphones in the case and close the lid for 5 seconds (they should start charging).
- Remove the headphones from the case and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 20 seconds.
- The indicators will first light up red, then go out, and after 2-3 seconds they will start flashing white and red alternately - this is a signal of a successful reset.
- Put the headphones back in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then pull out - they should sync automatically.
After reset, connect the headphones to the phone again:
- Open the settings β Bluetooth on your smartphone.
- Find the Mi True Wireless EBs in the list Basic_R (Or something like that, and tap it.
- Confirm the pairing, if requested. PIN-code, enter 0000.
What if the headphones donβt flash after reset?
Table: Transcription of indicators Xiaomi AirDots S
The colors and flashing modes of the LEDs on AirDots S headphones help diagnose the problem.
| Colour/mode | Left earpiece | Right earpiece | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| π΄ Red (constantly) | β | β | Battery discharged (requires charging) |
| βͺ White (blinks once every 2 seconds) | β | β | Headphones in search mode (preparing for pairing) |
| π΄β‘οΈβͺ Alternate blinking | β | β | Resetting settings or updating firmware |
| βͺ White (flashes fast) | β | β | Headphones are not synchronized (manual connection is required) |
| π΄ Red (blinks 3 times) | β /β | β /β | Connection error or hardware failure |
If your headphones flash red 3 times in a row, it could indicate a critical error.
- π Connect the case to another charger (possibly faulty cable).
- π§Ή Clean contacts in the case and on headphones with an alcohol napkin.
- π Contact the service center if the problem recurs.
Method 3: Phone compatibility check and firmware update
Sometimes the problem is not with the headphones, but with outdated smartphone firmware or Bluetooth versions conflicting. For example, Xiaomi AirDots S is optimized to work with Bluetooth 5.0, but may not function properly with older versions (4.2 and below).
What to check:
- Bluetooth Version on Phone: On Android: Settings β About Phone β Bluetooth Version. On iPhone: Settings β Basic β About This Device β Model (check Bluetooth 5.0 support for your model).
- Firmware updates: For AirDots S, firmware updates are rarely released, but if they are, they are installed automatically when you connect to Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear. Update your smartphone firmware to the latest version.
If your phone doesnβt support Bluetooth 5.0, try:
- π± Connect headphones to another device (tablet, laptop) with modern Bluetooth.
- π Use compatibility mode (if there is in the headphone settings).
- π οΈ Buy an external Bluetooth adapter (for example, TP-Link) UB500).
π‘
If you have an iPhone, turn off Auto Switch between Devices in Bluetooth settings before connecting AirDots S, to help avoid accidental connection breaks.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many users themselves cause sync problems without knowing it. Here are 5 common mistakes and how to avoid them:
β οΈ Warning: Never press the touchpads on your headphones while charging in the case.This can cause firmware to fail!
- π Case discharge: If the case battery is below 10%, the headphones won't be able to sync even when fully charged.
- π΅ Connect to multiple devices: AirDots S does not support multipoint (simultaneous connection to two gadgets.
- π§² Magnetic interference: Do not place the case near magnets, speakers or microwaves - it can knock down Bluetooth settings.
- π¦ Moisture: Even if the headphones have protection IPX4, The water that hits the contacts of the case can cause corrosion.
- π Interrupt reset: If you release the reset buttons ahead of time, the headphones may "hang." In this case, repeat the procedure.
Another common problem is "one earpiece is quieter than the other." This is not always a defect: check if the speaker grilles are clogged with earwax or dust, clean them with a soft brush (for example, a toothbrush).
π‘
If after all the manipulations, the headphones are still not synchronized, the problem may be a hardware malfunction (for example, the Bluetooth module soldered off), in which case only repairs in the service center will help.
What to do if nothing helps: Diagnostics of hardware problems
If none of these methods worked, it could be a physical malfunction.
- Contact check in the case: Take out the headphones and flash the flashlight into the sockets of the case. Contacts (metal stripes) should be clean and smooth. If you see oxidation (greenish coating) or contamination, gently clean them with an alcohol tampon.
- Battery test: Put your headphones in your case to charge. If one of them doesn't light up, its battery might have failed. Try holding your headphone on for 1-2 hours -- sometimes a deep discharge blocks the onset.
- Microphone check: If the earphone is switching on but not synchronizing, try calling from it. If the person can't hear you, the microphone may be damaged (and he is responsible for synchronizing).
If you are sure the problem is hardware, contact the service center. repair Xiaomi AirDots S costs 800-1500 β½ (battery replacement, soldering contacts, and takes 1-3 days:
- π Write down the serial number of headphones (located on the cover of the case).
- πΈ Take a picture of the problem (e.g., a video with flashing indicators).
- π Try resetting your headphones again β sometimes it helps even before repairs.