Xiaomi headphones are not synchronized with each other – what to do?

Did you pull Xiaomi headphones out of your case and they refuse to work together? One connects to the phone and the other doesn't? Or are both earphones defined as separate devices? The problem with synchronization between headphones is one of the most common among owners of Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earbuds and others. TWS-Most often, firmware failures, incorrect Bluetooth settings or mechanical damage to contacts are to blame.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to return sync, from simple (reboot, reset) to advanced (firmware, contact repair). You will also learn how to distinguish a software failure from a hardware breakdown and when to contact the service center. All instructions are suitable for Xiaomi and Redmi models on Qualcomm and BES chips, including AirDots 3 Pro, Buds 4 and FlipBuds Pro.

Why Xiaomi headphones lose synchronization?

Before you try to fix your headphones, it's important to understand the root of the problem: the left-right-ear-ear-ear-ear-ear-headset synchronization is done through the main chip (usually in the right-ear-ear-ear-ear-ear-ear-headset) and the Bluetooth connection between them. If the connection breaks, you get one of three scenarios:

• 🔴 One headphone does not connect – the phone sees only the right or left.
• 🔴 Both headphones connect separately – in the list of Bluetooth devices are displayed as two different gadgets.
• 🔴 The sound is only in one headphone - the second is silent or makes noise.

The main causes of failure:

Critical: If the headphones don't sync after falling or getting moisture, there's an 80 percent chance that the hardware is at fault, like a broken contact or a damaged board, and in this case, self-repair rarely works.

Method 1: Reboot the headphones and phone

Start with the simplest thing, a forced reboot, and often sync failures are caused by a temporary Bluetooth stack conflict or headphone firmware freeze.

Instructions:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Wait 10 seconds, then get them out.
3. On your phone, turn off Bluetooth for 30 seconds, then turn it on again.
4. Try reconnecting.

If that doesn’t work, try a hard reset of headphones:

• 🔄 For Redmi AirDots 2/3, Mi True Wireless Earbuds 2: Press and hold the button on the cover. 15 Seconds (the indicator should go out, then blink white).
• 🔄 For the Buds. 3/4 Pro: Touch the touchpad on both headphones at the same time and hold 10 seconds.

Method 2: Reset Bluetooth settings on your phone

Sometimes the problem is not the headphones, but the Bluetooth cache on the smartphone, especially for Android 10 devices.+ and MIUI 12+, where there are often conflicts with TWS-device.

How to reset your settings:

1. Open Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth.
2. Find your headphones in the list and click on the gear (⚙️) near-name.
3. Select Forget the device (or Remove it).
4. Reboot the phone.
5. Turn the headphones into pairing mode (usually you need to hold the button on the case for 5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing quickly).
6. Reconnect it.

If you have an iPhone, the path will be different: Settings → Bluetooth → Click on the “i” next to the headphones → Forget this device.

Remove headphones from the list of devices

Reboot the phone

Make sure the headphones are charged

Insert the coupling mode on the cover-->

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (for example, MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 10) after resetting Bluetooth, you may need to disable the “Dual Audio” function in the audio settings, otherwise the headphones will be defined as two separate devices.

Method 3: Checking the charge and contacts of the case

One of the most common causes of loss of synchronization is uneven charging of headphones, and if one of them is discharged more than the other, the main chip may not see the second headphone.

What to do:

• 🔋 Put the headphones in the case and charge up to 100% (the indicator should burn green or white).
• 🔍 Check the contacts on your headphones and in your case, they should be clean, without oxidation. If necessary, wipe them with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
• 🔄 If one headphone is not charged, try to change them in the case (sometimes helps with damage to the contacts on one side).

If the case doesn't charge the headphones at all, the problem could be its battery or its power charge.

• Try charging the case with another cable/power supply.
• Check if the indicator on the case is lit when connecting to the charging.
• If the case does not respond to charging, it is likely that a replacement of the power controller is required.

Method 4: Update the firmware of headphones

Synchronization failures often occur after an incorrect firmware update or due to outdated software. For example, Redmi AirDots 2 had a known firmware bug 1.4.0.3, which caused the headphones to lose communication after 10 minutes of use.

How to update firmware:

1. Install the official Xiaomi Earphones app (for AirDots) or Mi Home (for Buds).
2. Put the headphones on the phone.
3. Open the app and go to the Updates section (usually Device Profile → Software Update).
4. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off the headphones!).

If the update has been suspended or the headphones stopped working after it:

• 🔄 Reset the headphones (see Method 1).
• 📱 Try updating your firmware from another phone (sometimes changing your device helps).
• 🔧 If the headphones are not turned on at all, perhaps the firmware has gone off - you will need to flash through the Qualcomm Flash Tool (only for experienced users!).

⚠️ Warning: Don't interrupt the firmware update process! If Xiaomi headphones lose power during firmware, they may turn into a "brick" and require repair with a soldering iron.

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If the Xiaomi Earphones app doesn’t have an update button, try removing the headphones from the list of devices, rebooting the phone and plugging them back in.Sometimes, Xiaomi’s server doesn’t send an update the first time.

Method 5: Manual synchronization of headphones (for experienced)

If standard methods don't work, you can try forced synchronization via the service menu, which doesn't work on all models, but often saves the Redmi AirDots 2/3 and Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2.

Instructions:

1. Get both earphones out of the case.
2. Press and hold the touch panels on both headphones simultaneously for 20 seconds (before the sound signal or the indicator flashes in purple).
3. Put the headphones back in the case and close the lid.
4. After 10 seconds, pull them out – they should sync automatically.

For models running a BES2300 chip (such as AirDots Youth Edition), try another method:

1. Turn on the headphones and wait until they connect to the phone.


2. Open the nRF Connect app (available for Android/iOS).




3 Find a device called Mi_TWS_... and connect to it.




4. Go to the DFU tab (Firmware Update) and click Start.




5. The headphones will reboot and sync.

Important: manual synchronization can reset all the headphone settings, including the binding to the Xiaomi account, and after the procedure, they will have to be reconnected to all devices.

Method 6: Checking for hardware breakdowns

If none of these things worked, it's probably a hardware problem. Here's how to diagnose it:

• 🔊 Check the speakers: alternately insert headphones into your ears and listen to a mono sound (like a voice assistant). If one earphone does not make any sounds, the speaker or audio track may be damaged.
• 📶 Bluetooth antenna test: Take the headphones to another room. If the connection is broken at a distance of less than 3 meters, the problem is in the antenna (often after falls).
• 🔋 Battery Diagnosis: If One Headphone Dies in 10 Minutes and the Second Is Working Normally, Battery Is To Blame.

Typical hardware breakdowns and their signs:

If you have confirmed a hardware breakdown, you have two options:

1. Contact the service center Xiaomi – the official repair will cost 1.5-3 thousand rubles (depending on the model and breakdown).
2. Repair yourself if you have a soldering iron and experience with microelectronics. AliExpress can order spare parts (for example, a speaker for AirDots 2 costs ~ 300 rubles).

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If the headphones are warranty, don’t try to repair them yourself! Xiaomi will cancel the warranty when the case is opened.

Method 7: Alternative methods (if nothing worked)

When all standard methods are exhausted, non-obvious solutions remain:

• 🛠️ PC flashing: For models on a Qualcomm chip (such as the Buds 3 Pro), you can try flashing them through the QFlash Tool. 4PDA or XDA-Developers.

If you decide to stitch headphones through a PC, remember:

⚠️ Warning: The wrong firmware can kill the headphones. Always check the firmware compatibility with your model! For example, AirDots 3 firmware won't work for AirDots 2, even if they look the same.

FAQ: Frequent questions about synchronizing Xiaomi headphones