Why Xiaomi Headphones Connect One at a Time: 7 Reasons and How to Fix It

You took Xiaomi AirDots, Redmi Buds or Mi True Wireless out of your case, but instead of synchronously connecting to your phone, they are defined as two separate devices? Or does one headphone connect and the other hang in standby? This problem is familiar to many owners of Xiaomi wireless headphones — and it is not always related to a breakdown. Most often the fault is Bluetooth settings, firmware errors or the features of the headphones themselves.

In this article, we will discuss the 7 main reasons why Xiaomi headphones connect one at a time, as well as give step-by-step instructions for fixing the problem for different models - from the budget Redmi Buds 3 to the flagship Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro. You will learn how to reset your headphones, update your firmware and avoid "splitting" in the future.

1.Why are Xiaomi headphones defined as two separate devices?

When Xiaomi wireless headphones are connected one at a time, it means that the master and the slave modules are not synchronized with each other. In normal operation, one headphone (usually the right one) acts as the "main one" - it connects to the phone and then transmits a signal to the second earphone via a separate channel, and if this process is disrupted, the system sees them as two independent gadgets.

The reasons for this behavior can be divided into hardware (breakdown, battery discharge) and software (bluetooth errors, firmware failure).

• 🔋 Different charge levels – if one earphone is discharged more, it can “fall off” from the pair.
• 📱 Bluetooth errors on a smartphone – especially relevant for devices on the Internet MIUI older than 12th version.
• 🔄 Synchronization failure after updating the firmware of headphones or phone.
• 🎧 Mechanical damage to contacts in the case or inside the headphones.
• 🔌 Improper manual connection (for example, if you tried to connect headphones to two different devices at the same time).

80 percent of the time, the problem is solved software-- without going to the service center, but first you have to pinpoint the source.

2.How to check that the headphones are not broken?

Before you reset or update your firmware, make sure the problem isn't hardware-based. Here are 3 tests to help diagnose the condition of your headphones:

1. Charge check: Put both earphones in a case for 10-15 minutes, then pull out. If the lights on both are the same (for example, white or blue), the charge is synchronized. If one flashes red, it needs to be charged separately.
2. Connection test to another device: try pairing your headphones with another smartphone or tablet, and if they work as a pair, your phone is a problem.
3. Check physical contacts: Check the metal contacts on the headphones and in the case. Oxidation or contamination can disrupt charging and synchronization.

If all three tests are passed successfully, but the headphones are still connected one by one – go to software methods of solving.

3. Resetting headphones Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

The most effective way to get your headphones back to synchrony is to reset them to factory settings, and the procedure varies depending on the model, but the general principle is the same: wipe all the stored connections and return the headphones to the "out of the box" state.

Here is a general guide for most Xiaomi/Redmi models:

For specific models, there are nuances:

If the reset didn’t help, try updating the headphone firmware through the official Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app.

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Once reset, the headphones can be temporarily defined as two devices. Don't plug them in separately, wait until they sync together (usually in 10 to 30 seconds).

4. Firmware Update: How to Fix Synchronization Errors

Errors in the firmware of headphones are one of the main reasons why they start connecting one at a time. Xiaomi regularly releases updates for its wireless gadgets, fixing bugs with Bluetooth connection. You can check and update the firmware through the Mi Home app (for older models) or Xiaomi Wear (for new ones).

Instructions for updating:

1. Install the Xiaomi Wear app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
3. Open the app, find your headphones in the list of devices and go to Settings → Firmware Update.
4. If a new version is available, click Update and wait for the process to complete (don’t turn off the headphones!).

Important: if during the firmware update communication is interrupted, the headphones may stop turning on, in which case you will need to reset through the service menu (instruction below).

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Updating the firmware through Xiaomi Wear is the only official way to fix headphone software errors.Do not use third-party utilities: they can damage the device.

5. Bluetooth settings on your smartphone: what prevents synchronization?

Sometimes the problem isn't with the headphones, but with the Bluetooth settings on your smartphone, and this is especially true for MIUI devices, which have a number of features for wireless gadgets.

• 📵 Turn off power savings for Bluetooth: Go to Settings → Battery → Energy saving apps and add Bluetooth to exceptions.
• 🔄 Reset your network settings: in Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth.
• 📱 Update the firmware of the smartphone: go to Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🚫 Remove “extra” devices from the list of conjugates: sometimes conflicts arise due to a large number of saved gadgets.

If you’re not using a smartphone on MIUI (like an iPhone or Samsung), try forgetting the device in the Bluetooth settings, then plug the headphones back in. On Android, it will also help to disable the Audio Dual feature, which can interfere with the synchronization of the stereo pair.

Mechanical causes: case, contacts, battery

If the software methods did not help, it is worth checking the physical condition of the headphones and case.

• 🔌 Oxidized contacts - clean them with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
• 🔋 Bloated battery – if the case begins to close poorly, this may be a sign of a malfunction of the battery.
• 🎧 Damaged plume inside the headphone (for example, after falling).
• 📦 Faulty case – try charging headphones from another case (if possible).

If the headphones fell or were exposed to moisture, the probability of hardware failure is high, in this case, only repairs in the service center will help. The average cost of diagnosis is from 500 rubles, replacing the battery or Bluetooth controller will cost 1,000-2 500 rubles depending on the model.

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To check if the case is working, plug it into the charger and look at the indicator. If it doesn't burn or flashes abnormally (for example, green when the battery is dead), the case is defective.

7 What should I do if nothing helps?

If you’ve tried all the ways, but Xiaomi’s headphones still connect one at a time, there are two options left:

1. Contact the service center - especially if the headphones are guaranteed.A list of official Xiaomi SC can be found on the website mi.com.
2. Buy a new case or headphones — if the repair will cost more than 50% of the cost of new, it is more advisable to consider a replacement. For example, Redmi Buds 4 cost about 2000 rubles, and repairing an old model can cost 1,500-2000 rubles.

Before you carry your headphones for repair, check if they are covered by an extended warranty (for example, if you bought them through the Mi Store or from official partners), in some cases, the warranty period can be extended to 2 years.

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If headphones connect to only one particular device (for example, to a phone, but not to a laptop), the problem is not exactly in them – look for the reason in the settings of this gadget.

⚠️ Warning: Never disassemble headphones yourself unless you have experience in electronics repair. Inside, you use adhesives and miniature plumes that are easily damaged. This voids warranty and can render the device completely inoperable.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi headphones