The problem of Xiaomi Airdots (or any modification of them — Pro, Pro 2, 3, Youth Edition) are not synchronized with each other, is familiar to many owners: one headphone connects to the phone, and the second one is silent, flashes red or does not respond at all. Sometimes the devices are recognized as two separate gadgets, making their use impossible, in 80% of cases the problem is solved software — without contacting the service center.
In this article, we'll look at all the possible causes, from a simple battery discharge to hardware faults in contacts, learn how to reset headphones to factory settings, update firmware, check compatibility with your phone, and even fix contacts at home. And for Airdots 3 Pro owners, we've added a separate section with the nuances of their branded Qualcomm QCC3040 chip.
If you’ve tried rebooting your headphones and phone before, but the result is zero, don’t throw it away. 9 out of 10 times, the problem is that the pairing sequence is wrong or the firmware is wrong. Our instructions are based on Xiaomi’s official manuals and the experience of repair shops, so they’ll be good even for legacy 2018-2020 models.
1. Why Xiaomi Airdots do not mate: top-7 cause
Before you start repairing, it is important to understand what caused the failure, and here are the most common reasons, ranked by the frequency of service center visits:
- 🔋 A discharged battery in one of the headphones (even if the indicator is green, the real charge may be below 10%).
- 🔄 Synchronization failure after updating the firmware of the phone or headphones.
- 📱 Phone incompatibility (especially relevant for iPhone and Android 13 devices)+).
- 🛠️ Factory marriage contacts in the case (frequent problem with Airdots Youth Edition).
- 🔊 Damage to the antenna in one of the headphones (for example, after a fall).
- 🖥️ Conflict with other Bluetooth devices (columns, smart watches, car radios).
- 🦠 Viral software on the phone that blocks connection (found on uncertified firmware).
Interesting fact: According to service centers, 35 percent of Airdots problems are caused by mechanical damage to the contacts in the case, and this is due to a design feature — thin gilded legs oxidize or bend over time. If your headphones stopped synchronizing after the case fell, this is likely the reason.
Another important point: Xiaomi Airdots 3 Pro uses TrueWireless Mirroring technology, which requires a mandatory update to the case firmware. If you have never updated firmware, the headphones can “unplug” after connecting to a new phone.
2. Diagnosis of the problem: how to understand what is the problem
Before you reset, make a quick diagnosis, which will save time and help you better determine the cause.
Step 1. Check the indicators on the headphones and case:
- 🟢 Green flashing - headphone in pairing mode.
- 🔴 Red flashing – low charge or connection error.
- 🟡 Yellow permanent – the headphone is connected to the phone, but not synchronized with the pair.
- ⚪ White flashing – reset settings (only for Airdots 3 Pro).
Step 2. Check the behavior of the headphones:
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| One earpiece is off. | Discharged battery or damaged contacts | Clean the contacts with alcohol, charge 30+ minutes |
| Both earphones flash red. | Firmware failure or hardware malfunction | Reset to factory settings |
| Headphones are connected as separate devices | Failure of synchronization between headphones | Reconnection through the case |
| The sound is interrupted, one earphone is turned off. | Bluetooth interference or weak signal | Reconnect to another location without interference |
Step 3: Check compatibility with your phone. Some Airdots models (especially early versions) don't work properly with:
- 📱 iPhone on iOS 16+ (Manual pairing is required through settings → Bluetooth).
- 🤖 Android 13/14 Power saving mode enabled for Bluetooth.
- 🖥️ Windows 11 Laptops (Qualcomm Atheros Driver Needed).
💡
If one of the Airdots 3 Pro headphones flashes white, it means it is in firmware update mode. Don't interrupt the process! Wait for automatic completion (up to 10 minutes).
3. Step-by-step instructions: how to reset Xiaomi Airdots
If the diagnosis didn't work, the first step is to reset the headphones hard, which will remove all the stored connections and return the devices to the factory settings.
Airdots (1st generation), Pro, Pro 2, Youth Edition:
For Airdots 3/3 Pro:
- Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until the white light flashes.
Important: After reset, Airdots 3 Pro may require a firmware update. If the headphones continue to flash white, plug them into your phone and wait for the update notification in the Mi Home app.
☑️ Checklist before reset
4. Firmware Update: Why It Matters and How to Do It
Synchronization failures often occur due to outdated firmware. Xiaomi regularly releases updates for Airdots that fix connection bugs. For example, version 1.4.0.8 for Airdots 3 Pro fixed an error that caused the headphones to "lost" each other after connecting to the iPhone.
How to update firmware:
For Airdots 3 Pro, the update can take up to 15 minutes.
- 📵 Don't remove the headphones from the case.
- 🔌 Don't turn the case off the charger.
- 📶 Stay within Bluetooth range (hold your phone close by).
What to do if the update is suspended?
⚠️ Warning: If the upgrade process is interrupted and the headphones are no longer on, don't panic. Put them in the case, close the lid and wait 30 minutes. In 70% of cases, the devices will recover automatically. If not, contact the service (self-repair can damage the chip).
How to check the firmware version without an application?
5. Repair of contacts in the case: when the reset does not help
If the headphones are still out of sync after all the manipulations, the problem may lie in the damaged contacts inside the case, which is especially true for the Airdots Youth Edition, where the gilded "legs" often depart from the board.
How to repair contacts yourself:
- Disassemble the case: Tap the lid with a plastic card (start from the side) USB-Carefully remove the top, and inside you'll see a contact board.
- Check the contacts: 🔍 If they are bent, straighten with tweezers. 🧴 If oxidized - wipe with a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol. 🔌 If you are re-sold, then re-sold (requires a soldering iron and solder).
Check the case battery.
- If the case doesn't hold a charge (earphones discharge in 10 minutes), the battery may have ballooned. Replace it with a 3.7V 300mAh.
Method 2: Use a second phone to synchronize
- 📱 Take a second phone (preferably on Android 10-12).
- Connect both headphones separately (they should be defined as Mi True Wireless Left and Right).
- After successful connection, put the headphones in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds.
- Now try connecting to the main phone - the headphones should sync.