How to properly connect Xiaomi wireless headphones with each other: instruction + error solving

Why Xiaomi headphones do not mate with each other and how to fix it

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones (Redmi Buds, Mi True Wireless, Haylou, and others) are built on TWS (True Wireless Stereo) technology, which involves automatically synchronizing the left and right earphones with each other. However, users often face the problem when one of the headphones does not connect, the sound is only in one, or the devices are not recognized by the smartphone at all. The reasons can be different from the banal discharge of the battery to software failures.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways Xiaomi headphones are paired, including forced synchronization, factory reset and fault diagnosis. You will also learn how to distinguish hardware from software failure and when to contact the service center. The instructions are suitable for most models: Redmi Buds 3/4/5 Pro, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2/3, Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro and others.

Important: If the headphones previously worked in pairs, but after updating the firmware or resetting the phone stopped synchronizing, first try the method of forced pairing (section 3), in 80% of cases this solves the problem without additional manipulation.

1. Headphone preparation for pairing: charge and condition check

Before you try to sync your headphones, make sure they're ready for it. Most of the time, the problem is the trivial stuff.

• 🔋 Battery charge: both earphones and case should be charged at least 30%.If the indicator on the case flashes red or does not burn at all, connect it to charging for 15-20 minutes.
• 🧹 Clean contacts: Oxidation or dirt on metal contacts in the case and on headphones can prevent charging and synchronization.
• 🔄 Proper placement: headphones should be in the case on the right side (usually magnets pull them in the right position). If the headphone is hanging or not fixed, check if the mounting mechanism is broken.

If the indicator on one of the headphones does not light up after charging, this may indicate a battery malfunction or damage to the controller, in which case pairing between the headphones will be impossible until repair.

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If headphones have not been used for a long time, before pairing leave them on charging in a case for 1-2 hours - this will help to "wake up" discharged batteries.

2. Standard pairing method: how it should work

In normal mode, Xiaomi headphones synchronize with each other automatically when removed from the case.

1. Take both earphones out of the case. They should turn on automatically (indicators flash white or blue).
2. The headphones will find each other and mate, and a double beep or voice alert (depending on the model) signals successful synchronization.
3. After that, one of the headphones (usually the right one) becomes the host and appears in the list of available Bluetooth devices on the phone.

If the headphones have been connected to the phone before, they must automatically connect to it. Otherwise, select them from the Bluetooth menu manually.

If the headphones are not synchronized with each other at this stage, move to the next section with forced pairing.

3. Forced pairing of headphones with each other

If automatic synchronization doesn't work, you can manually start the process, using a reset button (which depends on the model) or a special combination of taps.

Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.

Make sure the case is charged (the indicator is white or green)

Take the headphones out of the case and wait for them to turn on

If the indicators do not burn - return the headphones to the case and repeat the extraction.-->

Instructions for most Xiaomi models:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid for 5 seconds.
2. Take them out and wait for the indicators to flash (usually white or blue).
3. Press and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 10-15 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white alternately (pairing mode).
4. Release the buttons. The headphones should beep and sync with each other.
5. Then connect them to your phone via Bluetooth.

For models with a physical button (e.g. Redmi Buds 3 Lite):

1. Hold the button on the right earphone for 5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red.
2. Repeat the same for the left earpiece.
3. Put both headphones in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then pull out - they should sync automatically.

Importantly, if the headphones don't match after this manipulation, the problem may be the firmware. Try updating it through the official Mi Home app or Xiaomi Wear (section 5).

4.Reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings

If forced pairing doesn't work, do a full reset, which will remove all the saved connections and return the headphones to "out of the box."

The universal method of resetting for most models:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and hold the button on the case (if any) or touch panels on both headphones for 20-30 seconds.
3. The indicators will first light up red, then go out, and then start flashing white and red alternately - this is a signal of a successful reset.
4. Close the case cover for 10 seconds, then pull out the headphones - they should sync automatically.

For models without a button on the case (for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones 3):

1. Get the headphones out of the case.
2. Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 15 seconds until you hear the reset sound (usually a low horn).
3. Put the headphones back in the case, close the lid for 5 seconds, then pull out - they should hide.

⚠️ Note: After reset, Xiaomi headphones can be temporarily defined in Bluetooth as two separate devices (e.g., "Mi"). Earphones_L" and Earphones_R"). Don't plug them in separately! wait for automatic synchronization (usually takes a lot of time). 10–20 seconds).

5. Update to the headphone firmware via Mi Home/Xiaomi Wear

Outdated firmware is one of the common causes of pairing problems. Xiaomi regularly releases updates to its own hardware. TWS-headphones that correct synchronization errors and improve communication stability.

How to update firmware:

1. Install the official annex: 📱 For headphones. Xiaomi/Redmi: Mi Home (Android/iOS). 🎧 For headphones Haylou: Haylou Fun or Xiaomi Wear.

Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.

Open the app, find your headphones in the list of devices and go to their settings.

Update

Example of the path in Mi Home: Profile → My devices. → [Your headphones] → Settings (⚙️) → Firmware update

⚠️ Warning: Don't interrupt the firmware update process! If the headphones go off during the update, they may stop turning on.

Diagnosis of malfunctions: when pairing is not possible

If none of these things worked, maybe the problem is a hardware malfunction, and here are the most common breakdowns and their signs:

• 🔌 Charging contacts are damaged: one of the headphones is not charged in the case, the indicator is not lit. Solution: cleaning the contacts or replacing the connector.
• 📡 Bluetooth module malfunction: the earphone turns on but does not see the second earphone and phone. Solution: repair or replacement only.
• 🔋 Battery failure: the headphone discharges quickly or does not hold the charge.Solution: battery replacement.
• 💻 Controller failure: the earphone turns on but doesn't respond to touch, doesn't sync.Solution: flashing or board replacement.

How to check if the headphone is faulty:

1. Try connecting each earphone individually to your phone (if the model supports mono-connection), and if one of them is not identified, the problem is that it is there.
2. See if the earphone is charging in the case. If it's not, check the contacts.
3. Listen to whether the earphone makes sounds when you turn on/off, and if it doesn't sound, it could indicate that the speaker or the board is broken.

If headphones are guaranteed, contact the Xiaomi service center, otherwise repairs can cost 50-70% of the cost of new headphones.

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Before visiting the service center, make a reset of headphones and check them with another phone - this will help to eliminate software errors.

7. Alternative ways of connecting (if the standard ones do not work)

If the headphones stubbornly do not want to synchronize with each other, but each of them works separately, you can try non-standard methods of connection:

• 📱 Connection via app: Some models (such as Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro) allow you to force pair headphones through Mi Home. Go to the device settings and select the option "Hide the headphones".
• 🔄 Using another phone: sometimes the problem lies in the Bluetooth module of the smartphone. Try connecting the headphones to another device (for example, a tablet or laptop).
• 🎵 Mono-connection: If the headphones support Mono mode (single connection), you can use them separately. This usually requires holding the touchpad on one of the headphones for 3-5 seconds.

For dual-connection models (such as the Redmi Buds 5 Pro), you can try this trick:

1. Connect the right earphone to the phone.
2. Remove the left earphone from the case and hold the touchpad on it for 5 seconds until it connects to the right one.

If nothing works, then the last option is to flash it over a PC, which requires software like the QFlash Tool and firmware for your model, which is risky and recommended only to advanced users.

FAQ: Frequent questions about pairing Xiaomi headphones