Headphones Xiaomi Airdots do not sync: 7 ways to fix the out-of-synchronization

The Xiaomi Airdots (or Redmi Airdots) desynchronization problem is one of the most common among owners of these wireless headphones. You turn them on, and the sound comes from only one headphone, the second one is silent or connected as a separate device. Sometimes the problem appears after a firmware update, sometimes for no apparent reason. In this article, we will analyze all possible causes of desynchronization and give step-by-step instructions for eliminating them, from simple methods to deep resets.

It's important to understand that desynchronization is not always a hardware breakdown. 80 percent of the time, it's software-based, without going to the service center. We've tested all of the methods on Airdots Basic, Airdots Pro, Airdots 2/3 and Redmi Buds, so the instructions are universal. If you've tried reconnecting your headphones but nothing has worked, don't throw them away. Our recommendations will help even in the most advanced cases.

Why are Xiaomi Airdots headphones out of sync?

Before we get to the problem, we'll look at the causes of the problem.

• 🔄 Firmware failure – especially after automatic updates via the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app.
• 📱 Conflict with Bluetooth device – if the headphones previously connected to several gadgets (phone, laptop, tablet).
• 🔋 Battery discharge – if one earphone is discharged to zero and the second one is not, they may lose communication.
• 🛠️ Mechanical damage - ingress of moisture, falls or wear of contacts in the case.
• 📡 Interference from other wireless devices – Wi-Fi routers at 2.4 GHz, microwaves, radio phones.

The most common cause is a software failure, where the main headphone (usually the right one) stops "seeing" the follow (left one), which is due to errors in the firmware that is responsible for synchronization, in which cases resetting or flashing helps, and less often a hardware defect, such as oxidation of contacts in the charging case, causes one of the headphones to not receive power and cannot synchronize.

If the desynchronization occurred after a fall or moisture, it is likely that repairs will be needed, and in all other cases, the problem can be solved independently.

Method 1: Basic reset headphones Xiaomi Airdots

Start with the simplest method, software reset, which works 60 percent of the time and doesn't require any additional tools, and is suitable for all Airdots and Redmi Buds.

1. Put both headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
2. Wait 10 seconds, then open the case.
3. Press and hold the touch button on both headphones simultaneously for 15-20 seconds.
4. The indicators on the headphones will start flashing red and white – this is a signal of a successful reset.
5. Close the case, wait 30 seconds, then remove the headphones and try to connect again.

If the headphones still do not sync after reset, try an alternative method:

• 🔌 Remove the headphones from the case.
• 🔄 Press and hold the button on the right earphone for 10 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red.
• 🔄 Repeat the same for the left earpiece.
• 📱 Connect the right earphone to the phone via Bluetooth.
• 🔊 If the sound is only coming from the right, put both headphones back in the case for 1 minute, then remove - they should sync automatically.

💡

If the headphones don't flash when you reset, check the contacts in the case, they could have oxidized. Wipe them with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.

Method 2: Forced synchronization through the case

If a standard reset didn't work, try forced synchronization via a charging case.This method works when the headphones are defined as two separate devices in the phone's Bluetooth settings.

Algorithm of action:

1. Remove both headphones from the list of conjugate devices in your smartphone’s Bluetooth settings.
2. Put the headphones in the case and close the lid.
3. Connect the case to the power source (charger or Power Bank).
4. Open the case cover and press the synchronization button (usually located on the back of the case) 5 times in a row with an interval of 1 second.
5. Indicators on headphones should flash synchronously white - this is a signal of successful synchronization.
6. Remove the headphones from the case and connect them to the phone as a new device.

If there is no button on the case (as in Airdots 3), use an alternative method:

• 🔌 Connect the case to the charging.
• 🔄 Remove the headphones and put them back 3 times in a row at intervals of 5 seconds.
• 📱 For the 4th time, leave your headphones in the case and wait until the indicators start flashing synchronously.

Important: if the lights flash out of sync (one faster, the other slower), it means a hardware problem with one of the headphones, in which case only repair will help.

Method 3: Update the firmware through Mi Home

Outdated or damaged firmware is a common cause of desynchronization, and you can update it through the official Mi Home app (for Android) or Xiaomi Wear (for iOS).

Instructions for updating:

1. Install the Mi Home app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account.
3. Connect the right earphone to the phone via Bluetooth.
4. Open Mi Home, press + → Add device → Headphones.
5. Select your Airdots model and follow the instructions on the screen.
6. After connecting, go to the headphone settings and check for updates in the Firmware Update section.

If the update is available:

• 📥 Click Update and wait for the process to complete (do not remove headphones from the case!).
• 🔄 After the update, reset (see Method 1).
• 🔊 Check the sync.

⚠️ Warning: Don't interrupt the firmware update process! If the headphones run out or communication is interrupted, they can turn into a brick and require flashing through the computer.

Method 4: Hand-held firmware through a computer

If the Mi Home update didn't work, you can manually stitch the headphones with a PC, which requires some technical skill, but it's 100% effective.

You'll need:

• 💻 Windows computer 10/11.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (to connect the case).
• 📁 Firmware for your model (see table above).
• 🛠️ NRF Connect or Flashing Tool (you can download here).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install nRF Connect.
2. Connect the case with headphones to the computer through USB-cable.
3. Start nRF Connect and select DFU (Device Firmware Update).
4. Press Select File and select the downloaded firmware file (usually with the.zip or.bin extension).
5. Press Start and wait until the process is completed (about 5-10 minutes).
6. After the firmware, reset the headphones (see Method 1).

If nRF Connect doesn’t recognize headphones, try:

• 🔌 Use the other USB-port USB 2.0).
• 🔄 Reboot the computer.
• 🛠️ Install drivers for Nordic Semiconductor (download here).

💡

Hand-held firmware is the last resort, but the most reliable one, and if the headphones don't sync after it, the problem is exactly hardware (a Bluetooth module or battery is damaged).

Method 5: Checking and cleaning contacts

If software methods did not help, the cause of desynchronization may lie in the hardware — oxidized contacts, damaged wires or a discharged battery.

How to check contacts:

1. Remove the headphones from the case and inspect the gold contacts on the bottom.
2. If there is darkening, green plaque or dust - this is a sign of oxidation.
3. Take a cotton swab, moisten it in isopropyl alcohol (or vodka) and gently wipe the contacts.
4. Dry the headphones for 10-15 minutes before use.

Also check the contacts inside the charging case:

• 🔍 Use a flashlight to inspect the spring contacts.
• 🧹 If they are contaminated, clean them with alcohol or eraser (to remove oxides).
• 🔋 Make sure the case is charged (the indicator should be green when connected to the charger).

If the contacts are fine but the problem remains, try:

• 🔋 Replace the battery in a problem headphone (if it is swollen or does not hold charge).
• 🛠️ Check the integrity of the Bluetooth antenna (when it falls, it can move away from the board).

⚠️ Note: If your headphones stopped turning on after cleaning the contacts, you may have damaged the protective coating.

Method 6: Use of alternative applications

Sometimes the standard Mi Home app can't manage the headphones properly, and in such cases, third-party utilities like:

• 📱 MaterialPods (for Airdots Pro and Redmi Buds) – allows you to manually synchronize headphones and update firmware.
• 🎧 Earbuds Battery – Shows the charge level of each earphone and helps diagnose problems.
• 🔧 Bluetooth Auto Connect – automatically connects headphones and fixes synchronization errors.

Instructions for MaterialPods:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Connect the right earphone to the phone.
3. Open MaterialPods and select your Airdots model.
4. Go to Sync and press Force Sync.
5. Wait for the process to be completed and restart the headphones.

If the app doesn't see the headphones:

• 🔄 Perform reset (see Method 1).
• 📱 Turn on Developer Mode on your phone and activate Debugging over Bluetooth.
• 🔋 Make sure your headphones are charged at least 30 times%.

Method 7: Contacting a Service Center

If none of these methods worked, the problem is likely hardware, in which case we recommend contacting the official Xiaomi service center or a proven wizard.

Signs of hardware malfunction:

• 🔴 One of the headphones does not turn on at all (the indicator does not flash).
• 🔊 The sound is distorted or lost within seconds of being connected.
• 🔋 The headphone discharges in 5-10 minutes or does not charge in the case.
• 📡 Bluetooth module is not detected on any device.

The cost of repairing Xiaomi Airdots in service centers:

Before the service visit:

• 📋 Write down the headphone serial number (usually on the case or in the Mi Home settings).
• 📱 Take screenshots of errors (if they appear when connecting).
• 🔋 Make sure the problem isn’t with the phone – check the headphones on another device.

⚠️ Warning: Don't trust headphone repairs to unofficial workshops unless they're guaranteed. Often, after a headphone repair, the devices fail permanently.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Airdots desynchronization