Xiaomi headphones are connected separately: causes and solutions

Did you pull out Xiaomi headphones from the case and they connected to the phone separately — left, right, or even only one of them works? TWS-The most common fault is a synchronization failure between headphones, battery discharge or software glitch. In this article, we will analyze all possible causes and give step-by-step instructions on how to return the headphones to synchronization without going to the service center.

It's important to understand that separate connectivity isn't always a breakdown. Some models (like the Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro) have a Mono Connect mode where you can only use one earbud. But if you haven't activated that mode consciously and the headphones are suddenly working separately, that's a diagnostic reason. We've put together proven methods that help in 90% of cases, including resetting, updating your firmware, and even hardware checks.

Why Xiaomi Headphones Are Connected Separately: The Main Reasons

Before you try to fix your headphones, you need to figure out what went wrong.-5 Why Xiaomi can work as two separate devices:

• 🔋 A discharged battery in one of the headphones (even if the indicator in the case is green, this does not guarantee 100% charge of both headphones).
• 📡 Synchronization failure between left and right earphone (often occurs after a firmware update or abrupt shutdown).
• 📱 Bluetooth problems on a smartphone (especially relevant for devices on the smartphone) MIUI unstable-assembly).
• 🔄 Activation of mono-connection mode (in some models this is done by random long-term pressing on the sensor).
• 🛠️ Hardware malfunction (damage of contacts in the case, failure of the Bluetooth module in one of the headphones).

The most common cause is a pair failure between the headphones after an incorrect extraction from the case or interrupted connection, for example, if you took out the headphones but didn't wait for the full connection to the phone, or the case died during charging, in which case the headphones "forget" that they have to work together, and connect as two independent devices.

The problem may also be in the firmware, where some models (like the Redmi AirDots 3 Pro) had bugs in early versions of the software that caused the headphones to lose communication with each other, in which case only the update or rollback of the firmware will help.

How to check that the problem is in the headphones, not the phone

Before you reset your headphones, make sure they're the ones to blame, not your smartphone. Here's a quick checklist for diagnosis:

If the other device has the headphones working normally, the problem is your smartphone.

• 📲 Clear the Bluetooth cache: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Bluetooth, press Clear cache.
• 🔄 Reset your network settings: in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset network settings (this will delete all stored Bluetooth devices).
• 📱 Update. MIUI: Sometimes Bluetooth bugs are fixed in new firmware versions.

If the headphones on the second device are connected separately, the problem is exactly in them.

⚠️ Warning: Some users are trying to "flash" their headphones through third-party utilities found on forums. This is dangerous - unofficial software can permanently bring the device down. Xiaomi does not provide public tools for manual firmware TWS-headphone.

Reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings

The most reliable way to get back synchronized is to reset completely, and the instructions are suitable for most models (Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless, Xiaomi Buds, etc.) Importantly, after reset, the headphones will be removed from the list of conjugated devices on all gadgets.

Step-by-step:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Wait 10 seconds, then open the lid.
3. Press and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 15-20 seconds (until the red and white light flash).
4. Close the case, wait 30 seconds, then remove the headphones – they should automatically sync and connect as a single device.

If after resetting the headphones are still connected separately:

• 🔌 Check whether the case closes tightly - sometimes contacts do not close due to dirt or deformation.
• 🔋 Pour headphones 100% (even if the indicator shows a full charge, keep them in the case for 1-2 hours).
• 📱 Remove headphones from the list of Bluetooth devices on your phone before reconnecting.

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If the touchpads on the headphones do not respond to prolonged pressing, try pressing them alternately (first left, then right) at intervals of 2 seconds, in some models this is an alternative way of resetting.

Update of the headphone firmware through the official application

Outdated firmware is a common cause of plug-in glitches. Xiaomi regularly releases updates to its own devices. TWS-headphones that fix sync bugs to update the firmware:

1. Download the official app: For Redmi AirDots – Mi Home (available in the App Store and Google Play). For Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro – Xiaomi Earphones.

Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.

Open the app, find your model in the list of devices.

If an update is available, a notification will appear – follow the instructions on the screen.

Important nuances:

• 🔋 Make sure your headphones are over 50% charged, otherwise the update will be interrupted.
• 📶 Connect your phone to stable Wi-Fi (update can weigh up to 10-15 MB).
• ⏳ If the update takes more than 5 minutes, don't remove the headphones from the case.

If the app doesn't have an update button, you already have the latest firmware installed, in which case, try other ways from this article.

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Updating your firmware through an official app is the only safe way to do this: Don't use custom firmware on the Internet, because it will take away your warranty and may put your headphones out of order.

Checking the contacts of the case and headphones

If the software methods didn't work, the problem could be the hardware, and most of the time, it's the fault of:

• 🔌 Oxidized or contaminated contacts in a case or on headphones.
• 🔋 Worn-out spring contacts (over time they lose elasticity and fit poorly).
• 💧 Getting moisture (even if the headphones have protection) IPX4, condensate may disrupt the connection).

How to check and clean your contacts:

1. Take a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol (or regular vodka), and gently wipe the contacts on the headphones and in the case.
2. Check if the spring contacts in the case are bent - if so, try straightening them gently with a plastic toothpick.
3. Light a flashlight in the case - whether there are any foreign objects inside (dust, villi, debris) that interfere with the closure.

If the headphones are connected separately after cleaning, try the following test:

⚠️ Warning: Connect each earphone individually to your phone, and if one of them is not detected at all (the indicator does not blink, does not make sounds), this may indicate a Bluetooth module has broken, in which case only repairs at the service center will help.

Alternative ways to synchronize headphones

If the standard reset didn’t work, try alternative forced synchronization methods that are suitable for most Xiaomi models, but may differ in detail.

Method 1: Forced pairing through the case

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Connect the case to the charger (even if it is charged).
3. Open the lid and hold the button on the case (if any) for 10 seconds.
4. Wait for the flashing of the indicator on the case and headphones - this is a signal of successful synchronization.

Method 2: Manual Bluetooth connection (if the headphones are defined as two devices):

1. Forget both headphones in Bluetooth settings.
2. Turn on the search mode on the right earphone (usually with a long press of the sensor).
3. Connect to it via Bluetooth.
4. Take the left earphone out of the case - it should automatically connect to the right one.

Method 3: Use the Factory Couple mode (for Redmi AirDots 3 Pro and later):

1. Put the headphones in the case.
2. Three times quickly press the sensor on the right earphone.
3. The indicator should flash purple - this means that the headphones have entered the pair recovery mode.

If neither of the methods worked, there are two options: contact the service center or try to reflash the headphones through the engineering menu (if such an opportunity is provided for your model).

When to contact the service center

Not all problems can be solved on their own, but here are the signs of a serious malfunction that you should consult a specialist:

• 🔴 One of the headphones does not turn on at all (does not respond to pressing, does not charge).
• 🎧 Headphones are connected separately even after a complete reset and firmware update.
• 🔊 There is no sound in one of the headphones (it connects and flashes).
• 🔥 Case or headphones overheat during charging / work.

The cost of repairs in official service centers Xiaomi:

Before the service visit:

• 📋 Check if the warranty is valid (usually 12 months from the date of purchase).
• 🛒 Keep checks and boxes – they may be needed for warranty repairs.
• 🔍 Please check the official Xiaomi service center address (the list is available on the website mi.com).

⚠️ Note: If headphones are warranty, do not disassemble them yourself - this will cancel warranty obligations. Also avoid "handicraft" workshops that promise to repair cheaper than official services - often after such repairs, the device fails completely.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the separate connection of headphones Xiaomi