How to turn on and connect Xiaomi Redmi wireless headphones: the full guide

Why Redmi Headphones Are Not Turned On and What to Do About It

Xiaomi Redmi wireless headphones are some of the most popular accessories due to the combination of price and quality. But even with such devices, users face problems: the headphones do not turn on, sync with each other or connect to the phone, most often due to a dead battery, a malfunction in the firmware or the wrong sequence of actions on the first turn on.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can turn on your Redmi AirDots, Redmi Buds and other headphones, and how to fix typical malfunctions. If your headphones have been idle for months, don’t throw them away — 90% of the time, the problem is solved in 5 minutes.

We'll focus on the connectivity model, whether it's via Bluetooth, whether it's via a button on the case, or if you automatically turn it on when you pull it out of the case, and how you can reset your headphones to factory headphones if they're no longer responsive to commands.

How to turn on Redmi headphones for the first time

If you’ve just bought a Xiaomi Redmi headphone and are trying to turn it on, follow this instruction.The process may vary slightly depending on the model, but the overall algorithm is the same for most devices.

To start, take the headphones out of the charging case. In most models (such as the Redmi AirDots 3 or Redmi Buds 4), they turn on automatically when removed. If this does not happen, follow the following steps:

• 🔋 Make sure the case is charged (the indicator on the front panel should burn or blink). If there is no indicator, connect the case to the charger on the 10-15 minute.
• 🎧 Get both earphones out of the case and wait. 5-10 They must emit an audible signal (usually a short squeak) and flash a white or blue light.
• 📱 Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and find the device in the list of available.The name usually contains Redmi or Mi (e.g. Redmi Buds 4 Pro).
• 🔗 Click on the headphone name in the list of Bluetooth devices to connect to. PIN-code, enter 0000.

If the headphones don’t turn on automatically, try forced activation:

1. Place both headphones back in the case.
2. Close the case cover and wait 10 seconds.
3. Open the lid and take out the headphones - they should turn on.

Manually turn on the headphones with a button

Some Redmi models (such as the Redmi AirDots S or older versions) require mechanical activation using a touch button or a physical key. If your headphones don't respond to case extraction, try this method.

Usually, the power button is located on the outside of the headphone case, to activate the device:

• 🖐️ Press and hold the touch area (or button) on the right or left earphone for a period of time. 3-5 seconds.
• 🔦 Wait until the indicator flashes red and blue (pairing mode) or white (on mode).
• 🔄 If the indicator does not light up, repeat the action by holding the button for up to 10 seconds.

For models with separate control buttons (e.g. Redmi Buds 3 Pro):

• 🎵 One short click – playback/pause.
• 🔊 Double click: the next track (on the right) or the previous one (on the left).
• 🔋 Triple Click – On/Off (in some firmware).
• 🔄 Retention 5+ Seconds – forced on/off or reset.

If you hold the button, the headphones emit a long beep and go out, it means they're off. Try again.

Charging case charged (indicator on fire)

Headphones clean (no dirt on contacts)

Bluetooth on your phone is on

Headphones removed from the case (or button pressed)

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Synchronization of left and right headphone

One of the most common problems is that only one headphone connects to the phone and the other one is silent or makes intermittent sounds, which is due to a loss of synchronization between the left (L) and right (R) headphones, and resetting and repairing are solved.

To sync the Redmi headphones:

1. Place both headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
2. Wait until the headphones go out (this means they are off).
3. Remove both headphones from the case and hold the buttons on both devices for 10-15 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white quickly.
4. Wait 20-30 seconds – the headphones should automatically sync (you will hear the beep).
5. Connect to them via Bluetooth on your phone.

If synchronization does not occur:

• 🔄 Try to change headphones in the case (sometimes it helps to change roles). Master/Slave).
• 🔋 Make sure both headphones are charged (case indicators should burn for each slot).
• 📱 Remove the headphones from the list of conjugated devices in Bluetooth settings and reconnect.

Resetting Redmi headphones to factory settings

If Xiaomi Redmi headphones don’t turn on, sync or behave unstable, a complete reset will help, which removes all stored pairing settings and returns the device to its original state.

Resetting instructions for most models:

1. Place both headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
2. Open the case cover, but don't remove the headphones.
3. Press and hold the button on the case (usually located on the back or underside) for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
4. Release the button, reset complete. The indicator should light up white (ready to pair).

For models without a button on the case (e.g. Redmi AirDots 2):

• 🖐️ Hold the touch buttons on both headphones simultaneously for 15 seconds.
• 🔦 Wait until the indicators start flashing red and blue.
• 🔄 Release the buttons - the headphones will reset.

After resetting, the headphones may not appear on the Bluetooth device list right away. 1-2 Minutes or restart Bluetooth on your phone.

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If the reset doesn't work, try connecting the headphones to another device (like a tablet or laptop), sometimes the problem lies in the Bluetooth cache on the main phone.

Connection problems and their solutions

Even after successful switching on, Redmi headphones may not connect to the phone. Let's look at common errors and how to fix them.

If the headphones are plugged in but the sound is distorted or stuttered, try:

• 📵 Shut down. LDAC or aptX in Bluetooth settings (sometimes these codecs conflict with Redmi firmware).
• 🔄 Reboot the phone and headphones.
• 🔧 Update the firmware headphones through the Mi Home app or Xiaomi Wear.

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If the headphones connect to only one device (like a phone, but not a laptop), the problem is most often a Bluetooth profile. Remove the device from the paired list and reconnect.

Update of the firmware headphones Redmi

Failures in Xiaomi Redmi headphones are often due to outdated firmware.The company regularly releases updates that fix synchronization errors, improve sound and increase battery life.

To update the firmware:

1. Install the official Xiaomi Wear app (for Android) or Mi Home (for iOS/Android).
2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
3. Open the app and find your headphones in the list of devices.
4. Go to the Device Settings section → Firmware update.
5. If a new version is available, click Update and wait for the process to complete (don’t turn off the headphones!).

Important nuances:

• 🔋 Make sure your headphones are more than 50% charged before upgrading.
• 📶 Connect your phone to stable Wi-Fi (update can weigh up to 10MB).
• ⏳ If the update is stalled, wait 10 minutes, then restart the headphones.

How do I find out the current version of the firmware?

In the Xiaomi Wear app, go to About Device, where the firmware version will be displayed. For example, for Redmi Buds 4 Pro, the current version at the time of 2026 is 4.7.1.0.

Frequent questions about Xiaomi Redmi headphones

When to contact the service center

If you have tried all the ways, but the Xiaomi Redmi headphones are still not on or are not working correctly, you may need a professional diagnosis.

• 🔋 Headphones are not charged despite clean contacts and a working case.
• 🔊 The sound is missing from both headphones (check on the other device).
• 💥 Headphones overheat or make extraneous noises (crackling, squeaking).
• 🔄 Resetting and updating firmware does not help.

Before the service visit:

• 📋 Write down the model of headphones (written on the case or in documents).
• 🔧 Make sure the problem isn’t with the phone (check the headphones on another device).
• 📅 Check the warranty period (usually 12 months from the date of purchase).

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to disassemble the headphones yourself - this voids the warranty. Inside, glue joints and miniature components are used that are easily damaged.

The cost of repairs in informal services is usually:

• Replacement of the battery in one headphone - from 800 ₽.
• Repair of charging contacts - from 500 ₽.
• Replacement of speaker - from 1200 ₽.

Official Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service.