Why Xiaomi Headphones Don’t Connect to Each Other and How to Fix It
Xiaomi’s wireless headphones (AirDots, Buds, Earbuds) are TWS (True Wireless Stereo) technology, which involves automatically pairing the left and right earphones. However, users often face a situation where one headphone does not connect to the other, the sound is only in one or the devices are not determined by the phone at all.
In this article, we will analyze step-by-step instructions for all popular Xiaomi models (including Redmi AirDots 3 Pro, Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2, Xiaomi Buds 4, etc.), explain how to reset headphones to factory, and warn against typical errors that lead to synchronization problems. If you have already tried to connect headphones, but without success, do not rush to carry them into the service: in 90% of cases, the problem can be solved by yourself in 5-10 minutes.
It is important to understand that the process of pairing headphones with each other (left-handed). + And then you go to the right, and you connect them to a smartphone or other sound source, and these are two different steps, and the devices have to find each other first, and then they have to connect to the phone, and we're going to focus on the first step, because that's the one that causes most of the problems.
Preparing headphones for pairing: what to do before starting
Before you start syncing, make sure you meet all the preconditions.Neglecting these steps is the main reason why Xiaomi headphones don’t connect.
Charging both headphones to 50% or higher
Cleaning contacts on headphones and in a case with a dry napkin
Removing headphones from the list of conjugated devices on the phone
Checking the integrity of the case (whether there are cracks or damage to the magnets)-->
Pay special attention to battery power. If at least one of the headphones is discharged below 10-15%, the pairing process can be interrupted or ended in error. In some models (for example, Redmi AirDots 3 Pro), the charge indicator on the case flashes red if the battery level is critically low. Also make sure that the case is charged itself - without power it will not be able to initialize the synchronization process.
If the headphones have previously connected to another device (like a tablet or laptop), they must be “forgotten” on all gadgets. Otherwise, they may try to automatically connect to the last source used, ignoring attempts to pair each other. On Android, this is done in the Settings menu → Connected devices → Bluetooth, on iOS, in Settings → Bluetooth (click on the “i” next to the headphone name and select “Forget this device”).
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (such as Mi True Wireless Earbuds 2) can “hang” in the standby mode of the connection, if they are not removed from the case for more than 5 minutes.
Step-by-step: how to connect Xiaomi headphones with each other
The synchronization algorithm varies with the headphone model, but the overall layout is the same for most Xiaomi devices. Below we will give a universal instruction, and then clarify the nuances for specific series.
- Remove both earphones from the case and wait until they turn on automatically (light or signal). In most models, this takes 3-5 seconds.
- Put the headphones back in the case and close the lid. Wait 10 seconds, that will reset the current connection settings.
- Remove the headphones and hold the button (or touchpad) on both earphones for 10-15 seconds until the lights start flashing alternately red and white (or blue and red depending on the model), which means that the headphones have entered pairing mode.
- Wait 20 to 30 seconds until the headphones emit a double beep or a voice message (e.g., "Connected" or "Pairing successful"), which confirms that the left and right headphones are connected.
- Connect your headphones to your phone via Bluetooth, and one name should appear on the list of available devices (e.g., "Redmi"). AirDots_XXX"), Not two separate earbuds.
If you're still not syncing after this, try resetting them to factory settings.
- Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
- Press and hold the button on the case (if any) or touchpad on both headphones for 20-25 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white at the same time.
- Release the buttons and wait for the reboot (the headphones must turn off and turn on again).
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If the Xiaomi Buds 4 or Redmi AirDots 3 Pro headphones don’t respond to button retention, try using the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app to reset. There’s a “Reset” option in the headphone menu.
Features of pairing for popular Xiaomi models
Despite the general principle of operation, some Xiaomi models have unique nuances of pairing.
| Model headphones | Method of entering the coupling mode | A sound signal of successful synchronization | Typical problems |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi AirDots (1/2) | Hold the button on both headphones for 10 seconds until red/white flashes | Double beep. | Often "lost" right earphone after updating the firmware |
| Redmi AirDots 3/Pro | Triple touch of the touchpad on both headphones for 5 seconds | Voice message "Pairing successful" | They may not synchronize if the case is discharged below 30%. |
| Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 | Hold the button on the case for 15 seconds, then get the headphones | One long signal. | Connection problems with iPhone (manual reset required) |
| Xiaomi Buds 4 | Automatic pairing at the first extraction, reset – through the Xiaomi Wear app | Connection melody | Can "hang" at low charge level (10%) |
For models with active noise cancellation (for example, Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro) before pairing, it is recommended to disable the ANC function in the application settings.
What if Xiaomi headphones are defined as two separate devices?
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even when following instructions, users often make mistakes that prevent successful pairing, and these are the most common:
- 🔋 Ignoring charge level. Headphones below 20% may not be in pairing mode. Always check the indicators on the case before starting.
- 📱 Connect to the phone before the headphones sync, first the left and right headphones must connect to each other, and then to the source of the sound.
- 🔄 Interrupt the reset process: If you release the reset button ahead of time (for example, 10 seconds instead of 20), the settings will not reset completely.
- 🎧 Using headphones from different pairs. Even if the models are identical, the headphones from different sets do not sync with each other.
- 🔌 Connecting the case to charge during pairing, which can cause a Bluetooth module to malfunction.
A critical mistake: trying to pair Xiaomi headphones with headphones from another brand (for example, one headphone from Xiaomi and another from Realme). This is technically impossible - TWS protocols differ from manufacturer to device just "do not see" each other.
⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi headphones with iPhone, before pairing, disable the "Automatic Switch between Devices" function in Bluetooth settings. In some cases, this prevents correct synchronization.
What to do if Xiaomi headphones do not mate: advanced methods
If the standard methods didn’t help, try the following solutions:
- Update firmware through the official application: For Redmi AirDots - Mi Home. for Xiaomi Buds 3/4 - Xiaomi Wear.
Before upgrading, make sure the headphones are 100% charged and the phone is connected to Wi-Fi.
Reset via the engineering menu (for experienced users):
1. Connect the headphones to the phone.
2. In the Mi Home app, go to Device Settings → About program → Firmware version.
3.Tap the firmware version 10 times in a row until the engineering menu opens.
4. Select Reset to factory and confirm reset.Careful:
Physical injury check:
- Examine the contacts on headphones and in the case for oxidation or dirt.
- Check if the buttons are loose (especially for Redmi AirDots 2).
- Make sure the magnets in the case hold the headphones tightly - if they are loosened, the pairing may get lost.
If none of the methods worked, there may be a hardware problem (e.g., a Bluetooth module in one of the headphones failed), in which case, contact the Xiaomi service center - under guarantee, such repairs are usually free.
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In 80 percent of cases, the pairing problem is solved by resetting the settings and completely rebooting the headphones. Don't rush to carry them for repair if you haven't tried all the software methods.
How to check that Xiaomi headphones are successfully paired
After you've done the instructions, it's important to make sure that the left and right earbuds are actually connected.
- 🎵 Play audio on the connected device. The sound should go to both earphones at the same time. If only one is heard, the synchronization failed.
- 🔍 Check the list of Bluetooth devices on your phone. You should see one device (like "Mi True Wireless Earbuds"), not two separate devices.
- 📊 Use the diagnostic app: In Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear, open the headphone tab - it should display the status of "Connected" for both channels (L and R.
- 🔊 Test the microphone. Record the voice message - the sound should be recorded equally clearly from both headphones (if the model supports microphones in each of them).
If at least one of these tests fails, repeat the pairing process or try alternative methods from the previous section.