Why Xiaomi AirDots Headphones Are Not Synced and What to Do
Xiaomi AirDots headphones (including Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earbuds and AirDots Pro) are some of the most popular wireless headsets in Russia. But even proven devices have crashes: one earbud doesn't connect, only one sound comes in, or the headset is not defined by the phone at all, and 90% of the time the problem lies in the loss of synchronization between the headphones.
Synchronization is the process of pairing the left and right earphones together, and without it, the devices work as two separate Bluetooth modules, resulting in communication interruptions, no stereo sound, or complete failure. In this article, we will discuss all the synchronization methods, including forced reset, manual connection, and solving typical errors.
Important: the instructions below are suitable for all models of the AirDots line, including AirDots 2/3/Pro/SE, Redmi AirDots 2/3 and Mi True Wireless Earbuds 2/2S. The differences are only in the location of buttons and indicators - we will warn about this separately.
Preparing for synchronization: what to check before starting
Before you reset or reconnect your headphones, make sure that the problem is synchronization. Here are 4 key signs of a disconnect between the headphones:
- π The sound is only in one headphone (left or right).
- π± The list of Bluetooth devices shows only one headphone (for example, Mi True Wireless Earbuds Right).
- π The indicator on one of the headphones flashes white / red, and on the second β no.
- π΅ When listening to music, you hear cliffs or the sound βjumpsβ between the channels.
If any of these points match, the headphones are out of touch, but just do a simple check before you reset.
Completely discharge and charge the headphones (minimum 1 hour)
Make sure both headphones are in the case and the contacts are clean.
Check that the Bluetooth on your phone is on and the headphones are not connected to another device.
Reboot your smartphone (sometimes the error lies in the system, not in the headset)-->
If after these actions the problem remains β go to forced synchronization.
Method 1: Standard case synchronization (for most models)
This is a basic method that works 80% of the time, and is suitable for Xiaomi AirDots 2/3, Redmi AirDots 2/3 and Mi True Wireless Earbuds 2/2S.
- Put both earbuds in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds. Make sure the headphones go out (meaning they start charging).
- Take both headphones out of the case and wait 5-7 seconds. They should automatically turn on and sync (the indicators will flash alternately white and red).
- Connect to headphones via Bluetooth: On Android: Settings β Bluetooth β Mi True Wireless Earbuds. On iPhone: Settings β Bluetooth β Xiaomi AirDots.
If the headphones are synchronized successfully, the list of Bluetooth devices will show one device (for example, Mi True Wireless Earbuds), rather than two separate ones. If the list still has two headphones or only one, move on to the next method.
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If the headphones don't sync the first time, try putting them in a case, closing the lid for 30 seconds, and then repeating the procedure. Sometimes a "hard" reboot of the Bluetooth module helps.
Method 2: Forced reset and manual synchronization
If the standard method doesn't work, you'll have to reset the headphones completely, and this procedure will bring them back to the factory settings and make them re-synchronize.
Xiaomi AirDots 2 / Redmi AirDots 2:
- Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
- Press and hold the button on the case (side or back) for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
- Open the case cover - the headphones will automatically reboot and synchronize.
For Xiaomi AirDots 3 / Pro / SE:
- Get both earphones out of the case.
- Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until the indicators start flashing red.
- Put the headphones back in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then pull out - they should sync.
Once reset, the headphones will be like new ones, you'll have to reconnect them to your phone. If that doesn't work, check the firmware version (more on that below).
What to do if the button on the case does not respond?
Method 3: Update the firmware (if the headphones don't sync after reset)
If the headphones are still out of sync, the problem may be with outdated firmware. Xiaomi regularly releases updates for AirDots to fix communication errors.
- Connect your headphones to your phone (even if only one works).
- Open the Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Wear for new models).
- Go to Profile β My Devices β Xiaomi Headphones.
- If an update is available, click Update firmware and wait until it is completed (donβt turn off Bluetooth!).
If the headphones still disconnect, try rolling back the firmware to the previous version (instructions below) or contact the service center.
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The main reason for the loss of sync is Bluetooth connection conflict, always disconnect the headphones from other devices before connecting to a new one.
How to roll back firmware if the update broke sync
Sometimes the new software makes a bug in the Bluetooth module, so if the headphones stop syncing after the update, you can return the old firmware version.
- Remove the headphones from the list of Bluetooth devices.
- Download the official firmware for your model (see Firmware section).
- Connect the headphones to the PC via Bluetooth.
- Use the Mi Flash Tool or QFil for firmware (the instructions are available on the Xiaomi forum).
β οΈ Attention: Non-professional firmware can completely disable your headphones. If you're not sure about your skills, contact the service center.
After the firmware rollback, perform a forced reset (method 2) and check the synchronization.
What to do if nothing helps: service or replacement
If you have tried all the methods, but the headphones are still not synchronized, hardware malfunctions are possible:
- π The Bluetooth module is damaged (most often in the right headphone).
- π Battery Fails (Earphone Not Turned On or Shut Down After 5 Seconds).
- π‘ Contacts in the case or on headphones oxidized.
Check the warranty: if the headphones were purchased less than a year ago, they must be replaced or repaired for free at the official Xiaomi service center.
- π Moscow: Letnikovsky Street, 10
- π St. Petersburg: Marshal Govorov str., 35
- π Regions: addresses on the official website
If the warranty is over, the repair will cost 1,500-3,000 rubles (depending on the breakdown), in some cases it is cheaper to buy new headphones - for example, Redmi AirDots 3 cost about 2,500 rubles.
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Before you visit the service center, make a video to demonstrate the problem, which will help the master to diagnose the malfunction faster.