Why Xiaomi Headphones Don’t Work at the Same Time and How to Fix It

You took out the new Xiaomi headphones, plugged them into your smartphone, but the sound is in only one ear — or none at all? This problem is found in both the budget Redmi AirDots and the flagship Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro. The reasons can lie in hardware malfunctions, pairing errors or software failures. In 80% of cases, the problem can be solved independently without going to the service center.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons why Xiaomi’s headphones stopped working at the same time, from the banal battery discharge to damage to the Bluetooth module. You’ll learn how to diagnose a malfunction, which settings to check first, and when to really carry the device for repair. Particular attention will be paid to models with TrueWireless (TWS) support, where synchronization between the right and left earphones is often confused due to interference or outdated firmware.

If your Xiaomi headphones used to work normally, and now one of them is silent or shuts down, don't rush to throw them away. Most of the time, it's not the hardware defect, but the software conflict between the device and the sound source. Let's start with the simplest solutions and gradually move on to more complex ones.

1. Check basic settings: battery, connection, sound

Before digging deep into Bluetooth settings or disassembling headphones, make sure the problem isn't on the surface.

• 🔋 Battery charge: Check the charge level of the headphones and case. If the indicator on the case flashes red or one of the headphones is discharged stronger than the other, connect the case to charge for 15-20 minutes. Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro and other models with fast charging can recover 50% of the charge in 10 minutes.
• 🔊 Loudness on the device: Make sure the sound is not turned off on your smartphone or PC. On Android, check the volume slider in the notification panel, on iOS, at Control Point. Sometimes the problem lies in the separate volume control for Bluetooth devices.
• 📱 Connect to the correct device: Xiaomi headphones can automatically connect to the last used gadget (for example, a laptop instead of a phone).

If Xiaomi headphones are connected, but the sound is only in one ear, try manually switching the audio output:

1. On Android: Open Settings → Sound → Sound output and select your headphones.
2. On iOS: Swipe up to call Control Point, press and hold the sound bar, then select the headphones in the list of devices.

⚠️ Warning: If the light on one of the headphones doesn't burn at all (even when you press the touchpad), it may indicate a hardware malfunction, such as damage to the contacts or the power controller, in which case self-repair is not recommended.

2. Resetting headphone settings and re-pairing

One of the most effective ways to get back to work is to reset your headphones to factory settings and reconnect them, which helps if you:

• The headphones are connected, but the sound is only in one ear.
• One headphone is constantly switched off;
• There was a firmware failure after the update.

Reset instructions for most Xiaomi models (including Redmi AirDots 3 Pro, Xiaomi Buds 4):

For models with physical buttons (e.g. Redmi AirDots S):

1. Take the headphones out of the case.
2. Press the button on the right earphone for 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white.
3. Repeat the same for the left earpiece.
4. Place both headphones back in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then re-pair.

After reset, Xiaomi headphones should appear on the list of available devices as new. If one of them still does not connect, try connecting it separately:

• Take out the right earphone from the case and connect it to the phone.
• After a successful connection, pull out the left one – it should automatically sync.

⚠️ Warning: On some models (e.g., Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro), resetting will result in the loss of custom equalizer settings in the Mi Home app.

Bluetooth problems: interference, protocol version, codec

If Xiaomi headphones are unstable (connect, then not), the problem may lie in the Bluetooth connection.

• 📶 Interference from other devices: Wi-Fi routers, microwave ovens, or other Bluetooth gadgets (such as fitness bracelets) can cause interference. Try using headphones elsewhere.
• 🔄 Bluetooth Version: Outdated Bluetooth 4.0 smartphones may not work properly with Xiaomi's new headphones requiring Bluetooth 5.0+. Check your phone's specifications.
• 🎵 Audio codec: Some models (e.g., Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) support LC3 or AAC, but can automatically switch to outdated SBC, which leads to audio interruptions. In the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → Assembly Number – tap 7 times), select Bluetooth Audio Codec and set AAC.

To rule out a problem with the sound source, try connecting the headphones to another device (tablet, laptop, second smartphone). If both headphones work normally on the other gadget, the problem is the settings of your main device.

If you use headphones from a Windows PC, update the Bluetooth driver:

1. Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
2. Find the Bluetooth partition, right-click on the adapter and select Update driver.
3. Select Automatic Search.

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If Xiaomi headphones connect to a PC, but the sound is only in one ear, check the sound settings: right-hand button for the speaker icon → Open sound parameters → in the section “Output” select your headphones and click “Eliminate troubleshooting”.

4. Update the firmware of headphones through Mi Home

More than 30% of Xiaomi headphone synchronization problems are solved by updating the firmware through the official Mi Home app. Many users are unaware that Xiaomi headphones (especially models with Mi AI support) receive firmware updates that fix connection bugs.

Instructions for updating:

1. Install the Mi Home app (for Android or iOS).
2. Connect the headphones to the phone and open the application.
3. Go to Profile → My devices and find your headphones.
4. If an update is available, a firmware update notification will appear. Click on it and wait for the process to be completed (don't turn off the headphones!).

For models without Mi Home support (such as Redmi AirDots S), the firmware update is only possible through the service center. If the problem persists after the update, try rolling back the firmware:

• Remove the headphones from the Mi Home.
• Reset them to factory settings (see section 2).
• Connect again - the application will offer to install the latest version of the software.

⚠️ Warning: Don't interrupt the firmware update process! If Xiaomi headphones run out or shut down during the update, they may stop turning on altogether. Charge the case to 100% before starting.

5. Hardware malfunctions: when to carry for repair

If none of the software methods worked, the problem could be hardware, and here are the signs that you're going to break:

• 🔌 Damaged contacts in case: If the headphones are not charging or are only charging in a certain position, examine the contacts in the case and on the headphones themselves. Oxidation or contamination can be neatly cleaned with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
• 🎧 Speaker not working: If one of the headphones does not emit any sounds (including connection signals), even after reset, the speaker or audio track is likely damaged.
• 🔋 Bloated battery: If the headphone lid started to bulge or they didn't hold the charge, the battery could fail. It's dangerous -- you can't use these headphones!
• 📡 Bluetooth module damaged: If the headphones are not detected by any device, a Bluetooth chip may have burned, one of the most expensive failures.

Some faults can be eliminated on their own:

• Contact cleaning: Use a wooden toothpick or soft brush to remove dirt from the connectors.
• Replacement of silicone earpieces: Sometimes the tight fit of the earpieces blocks the infrared sensor, which causes the earpiece to "think" it's not worn, and shuts down. Try changing the earpieces to the other ones in the kit.

For serious breakdowns (for example, replacement of the speaker or battery), it is better to contact the Xiaomi service center.

• Replacement of the battery: from 800 to 1500 rubles;
• Replacement of the speaker: from 1000 to 2500 rubles;
• Repair of Bluetooth module: from 1500 rubles (sometimes cheaper to buy new headphones).

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If Xiaomi headphones are warranty, don't disassemble them yourself! This will void the warranty. Contact the official service center with a check or confirmation of purchase.

Problems with specific models and their solutions

Some Xiaomi headphones have typical problems with their design or firmware, and here are the most common cases:

Redmi AirDots 2/3: One earphone shuts down during a conversation

Reason: Conflict with microphone. In these models, the microphone only works on the right earpiece, and when you call, the left can turn off.

Decision:

1. Turn off Mono mode in Bluetooth settings (if any).
2. In Mi Home, turn off the option Automatic Switch to Mono.

Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro: No sound in one headphone after the update

Reason: The synchronization failure between the headphones due to the new firmware.

Decision:

• Reset your headphones (see section 2).
• Connect them to an Android smartphone (on iOS there may be problems with the LC3 codec).
• Update your firmware through Mi Home to the latest version.

Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro: headphones are not synchronized with each other

Reason: Problem with Hall sensor (responsible for determining the position of headphones in the case).

Decision:

• Place the headphones in the case and close the lid for 30 seconds.
• Take them out and wait for automatic synchronization (the indicators should flash synchronously).
• If it doesn’t work, reset your settings (hold the touch panels for 20 seconds).

Redmi Buds 4 Active: Left earphone is not connected

Reason: A firmware error related to energy saving.

Decision:

• Completely discharge the headphones (up to 0%).
• Charge them to 100% without interruption.
• Perform reset and re-pair.

7. Alternative methods: use of headphones in mono mode

If you need to use headphones urgently, but one of them doesn't work, you can try mono mode, which is a temporary solution, but it will at least allow you to listen to music or talk.

How to turn on mono mode on Xiaomi:

1. Take out only the working headphone (for example, the right one).
2. Connect him to the phone as usual.
3. On Android in Bluetooth settings, click on the gear icon next to the headphones and select Use as Mono (if the option is available).
4. On iOS, the mono-mode turns on automatically if the second headphone is turned off.

Limitations of mono-mode:

• 🎤 The microphone will only work on the connected earphone.
• 🎵 The stereo effect will disappear (the sound will be monophonic).
• 🔋 Battery consumption will increase as one earphone takes over the entire load.

For models with Mi AI support (such as Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro), additional features such as transparent mode (transmission of external sounds) can be available in mono mode to enable it:

1. Put one earpiece on.
2. Open Mi Home.
3. Go to the headphone settings and activate Transparent Mode.

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If mono mode is not enabled, try connecting the headphone to another device (for example, a laptop), sometimes the smartphone operating system imposes restrictions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphones that don't work