Xiaomi headphones don’t connect to each other: a complete guide to synchronization repair

You pulled Xiaomi headphones out of your case, but instead of the usual sound signal, silence? One headphone connects to the phone, and the second one is silent or flashing red? This problem is familiar to many owners of the brand's wireless headsets, from the budget Redmi AirDots to the flagship Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro. The causes can lie in software failures and hardware malfunctions - but in 90% of cases, the situation can be fixed on its own without going to the service.

In this article, we will analyze all possible reasons why Xiaomi headphones stop connecting to each other, from the banal discharge of the battery to damage to contacts in the case. You will receive step-by-step instructions with photos, a table of compatibility models, and tips on how to prevent problems in the future. MIUI, People who are often ignored by even experienced users.

Why Xiaomi Headphones Are Not Synchronized With Each Other

The first thing to understand is that when one earbud doesn't connect to another, it doesn't always mean that it's broken, and most often it's software failures or user missteps. Here are the main reasons:

• 🔋 A discharged battery in one of the headphones or case (even if the indicator is green).
• 📱 Failure of the firmware of headphones after updating or incorrect disconnection.
• 🔄 Incorrect connection sequence (for example, first turned on the right earphone, and then left).
• 🧲 Interference from other Bluetooth devices or damaged Bluetooth cache on your smartphone.
• 🔌 Oxidation of contacts in the case or mechanical damage (falls, moisture ingestion).
• 🤖 Conflict with MIUI: Some versions of the shell block the connection of "uncertified" accessories.

Fun fact: Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro and FlipBuds Pro use dual-connection technology, where each earphone can work independently. If the synchronization is lost, they start broadcasting on different channels — so you only hear sound in one. You can fix this with a forced reset.

Checking the basic parameters before repair

Before you reset your settings or disassemble your case, make sure that the problem is not the basics.

Put both earphones in a case for 30 seconds, then pull out

Check the indicators on the headphones (must flash white/red)

Make sure that Bluetooth on your phone is turned on and the headphones appear in the list of devices.

Try connecting to another smartphone/tablet

Check if the "Mono" mode is enabled in the sound settings-->

If the headphones are not detected on any device, the problem is more hardware. If they are detected, but not synchronized with each other, it is the fault of the software.

⚠️ Note: If the indicator on one of the headphones does not light up at all (even after charging), this may indicate a break in the contacts inside the case.

Resetting Xiaomi headphones to factory settings

The most reliable way to get back synchronization is hard reset. The instructions are suitable for all models, but there are nuances:

1. Put both earphones in the case and close the lid. Wait 10 seconds.
2. Pull out the headphones and hold the buttons on both for 15 seconds (for AirDots) or 20 seconds (for Buds Pro).
3. The indicators should flash red 2 times, then white. This is a signal of a successful reset.
4. Place the headphones back in the case for 5 seconds, then pull out - they should automatically sync (the indicators will light up in blue).

For touch-controlled models (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4):

1. Touch and hold the touchpad on both headphones for 10 seconds.


2. Wait for the double red blink.




3. Reconnect to the phone.

💡

If the headphones don’t sync after reset, try connecting them to another device (like a tablet or laptop), sometimes because of the Bluetooth cache on the main smartphone.

Update the firmware headphones through Mi Fit/Life

Outdated firmware is a common cause of connectivity issues. Xiaomi regularly releases updates for its headphones, but they are only installed through official apps: Mi Fit (for older models) or Mi Life (for newer ones).

How to check and update the firmware:

1. Install the Mi Fit or Mi Life app (depending on the headphone model).
2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
3. Open the app → go to Profile → My devices → [Your headphone model].
4. Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Update the firmware.
5. If the update is available, follow the instructions on the screen. Don't turn off the headphones during the process!

List of the latest firmware versions for popular models (as of May 2026):

⚠️ Warning: If the headphones stop working after the upgrade, reset (section 3) and repeat the procedure. In 1% of cases, the firmware "flys" - this is treated with a re-installation.

Cleaning contacts and checking the cover

If software methods fail, the problem may be physical contact between the headphones and the case, and over time, metal contacts (usually in gold color) accumulate oxide or dirt, which disrupts charging and synchronization.

How to clean contacts:

• 🧴 Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol (at least 70%).
• 🔍 Gently wipe the contacts on the headphones and inside the case.
• 🌬️ Let dry 5-10 minutes before connecting.
• 🔋 Check if the headphones in the case are charged (the indicator should burn red at low charge).

If the case does not charge the headphones:

1. Try another cable/charger.
2. Check if the indicator on the case is lit when connecting to the outlet.
3. If the case does not respond to charging, the problem is in its battery - a replacement is required.

Bluetooth settings on Xiaomi smartphone

Sometimes the problem isn’t with the headphones, but with the Bluetooth settings on the phone, especially for MIUI 12-14 smartphones, where there are hidden accessory restrictions.

What to check:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Find your headphones in the list of devices → click on the gear next to the name.
3. Make sure that options are included: 🔊 High-quality audio (AAC/aptX) 🔄 Automatic connection 📱 Connection to two devices (if supported)

If you have a Bluetooth Reset option, do it.

For MIUI 14+, there is a hidden setting that can block the connection:

1. Open the settings → About the phone.


2.Tap 5 times on the MIUI version to enable Developer Mode.




3. Go back to Settings → Additional → For developers.




4. Find Bluetooth Debugging and turn it on.




5. Reboot the phone.

💡

There's a bug on Xiaomi's MIUI 13+ smartphones: If the Bluetooth menu has "Sound Quality Priority" enabled, the headphones can turn off when you play music. Try turning it off.

Hardware malfunctions: when to contact the service

If none of these things worked, it's probably a hardware problem, and here are some signs you should go to the service center.

• 🔊 One of the headphones is not fully turned on (no indication, does not respond to charging).
• 💧 Headphones got into the water or were subjected to severe humidity.
• 🔨 The body of the headphone cracked or deformed after falling.
• 🔋 The case does not charge or hold the charge (even after cleaning the contacts).
• 🎛️ In the headphones, extraneous noises / wheezing, not related to music, can be heard.

Average repair cost in official Xiaomi services (for 2026):

⚠️ Note: If headphones are warranty, do not open them yourself - this will cancel the warranty obligations. In official Xiaomi services, diagnostics is free, even if you refuse to repair them later.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphones