Why Xiaomi headphones can only work one at a time?
You took out a Xiaomi AirDots or Redmi Buds case, connected them to a smartphone, but instead of the usual stereo sound, you hear music in only one headphone? This problem is familiar to many owners of Xiaomi wireless headphones — and it has several reasons. Most often, faulty synchronization between headphones, firmware errors or incorrect Bluetooth settings on a smartphone.
In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons why Xiaomi headphones can work separately, and give you step-by-step troubleshooting instructions, learn how to reset, update firmware, and even manually synchronize headphones with each other — without going to the service center.
Importantly, if the problem occurs after a fall or moisture, it may indicate a hardware breakdown, in which case repairs will be required, but in 90% of cases the software is to blame, and you can fix it yourself.
The main reasons for the separate work of headphones
Before you start repairing, you need to understand why Xiaomi headphones stopped working in pairs.
- 🔄 Synchronization failure between right and left earphone (often occurs after long downtime or battery discharge).
- 📱 Bluetooth errors on your smartphone – an outdated version of the protocol, a conflict with other devices or a failure in settings.
- 🔋 Different charge levels – if one earphone is discharged more severely, it may shut down or work unstablely.
- 🛠️ Outdated headphone firmware – especially relevant for AirDots Pro 2 or Buds 4 models.
- 🎧 Mechanical damage - oxidation of contacts in the case, falling or getting moisture.
- 🔄 Incorrect connection – if you first connected only one earphone, the second may not sync automatically.
In most cases, the problem is solved by software methods such as resetting, reconnecting or updating, but if the headphones are physically damaged (for example, after a fall), you may need to replace the Bluetooth module or repair contacts.
How to check that the problem is not in the smartphone
Before you blame the headphones, make sure the problem isn't on the smartphone side. Here's a quick checklist for diagnosis:
Try connecting your headphones to another device (tablet, laptop, second phone)
Turn off Bluetooth on your smartphone, restart it and turn on Bluetooth again
Remove the headphones from the list of associated devices and connect again
Check if the "Monosound" mode is turned on in the special features settings-->
If the other device has the headphones working normally, the problem is with your smartphone settings, and if it doesn't, it's the headphones or the firmware.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi smartphones (especially with the MIUI 12 and older) there is a bug that Bluetooth can "forget" the headphone settings after the system update, in which case resetting the network settings (Settings) will help. → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting network settings).
Also check if Monosound mode is activated (it duplicates the sound in both earphones, but sometimes it doesn't work correctly). On Xiaomi, it can be found in Settings → Special Features → Sound → Monosound.
Step-by-step: how to synchronize headphones Xiaomi again
If the headphones are connected separately, but they don't work together, you have to force them to sync.
- Put both earphones in the case and close the lid. Wait 10 seconds.
- Take both earphones out of the case. They should automatically turn on and start flashing white and red (pairing mode).
- On your smartphone, remove the headphones from the list of associated devices (Settings → Bluetooth → Press the gear next to the headphone name → Delete).
- Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and wait for the name of your headphones (like Mi True Wireless Earphones) to appear on the list.
- If the headphones are still connected one at a time, reset them to factory settings (instructions below).
On some models (for example, Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro) to reset you need to quickly press the touch panel of the headphone 5 times within 3 seconds after removing from the case.
What if the headphones do not blink when removed from the case?
Resetting Xiaomi headphones to factory settings
If simple synchronization doesn't work, do a full reset.
| Model headphones | Resetting method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi AirDots (1-3 generation) | Press and hold the touchpad on both headphones for 15 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white. | After resetting, the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode. |
| Redmi Buds 3/4, AirDots Pro | Put the headphones in the case, then press and hold the button on the case for 10-15 seconds (the indicator flashes red). | The button is usually located at the back or bottom of the cover. |
| Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro | THREE TIME, FASTLY PACK THE TOUCH PLAY OF THE RIGHT EARCH OFFER within 2 seconds after being removed from the case. | After resetting, the headphones will emit an audible signal. |
| Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro | Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones for 10 seconds until you hear a voice message. | The voice confirmation can be in Chinese ("Reset Successful"). |
Once reset, the headphones will automatically reset all settings, including connection history and custom gesture settings, and have to reconnect to the smartphone, as after purchase.
⚠️ Note: Some models (such as AirDots 2) may require a firmware update after a reset via the official Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app.
Update of the firmware headphones Xiaomi
Outdated firmware is one of the main reasons Xiaomi headphones start working separately, especially for models with support. ANC (active noise cancellation) or LC3-codec (e.g. Buds 4 Pro).
To update the firmware:
- Install the official app: For most models, Xiaomi Wear (available on Google Play and AppGallery). For older models (AirDots 1-2), Mi Home.
Connect the headphones to the smartphone via Bluetooth.
Open the app, find your headphones in the list of devices and go to their settings.
If an update is available, a notification will appear. Click Update and wait until the process is complete (don't turn off the headphones!).
The update usually takes 2-5 minutes, and then the headphones will automatically restart, and if there is no update button in the app, your firmware is already up to date.
1. Remove them from the Bluetooth settings of the smartphone and connect again.
2.Reinstall the Xiaomi Wear app.
3. Enable Developer Mode on your smartphone and activate the Bluetooth Debugging option (in some cases, this helps).-->
What do you do if nothing helps?
If you've tried all of these, but Xiaomi's headphones still work separately, it's probably a hardware problem.
- 🔧 Check the contacts in the case - sometimes they become oxidized or contaminated, causing one of the headphones to not charge or sync. Clean them with a cotton swab with alcohol.
- 🔋 Check the battery -- if one earphone runs out in 10 minutes, its battery could have failed.
- 🎛️ Contact the service center — if the headphones fall or were exposed to moisture, the Bluetooth module could be damaged. Repair will cost less than buying new ones.
- 🛒 Check the warranty – if the headphones were purchased less than a year ago, they can be replaced under warranty (even if you didn’t save the check, check your purchase history with the Mi Account).
Forums often advise "sweeten contacts" or "sweeten headphones manually," but without experience, this can permanently disable them. If you are not sure of your skills, you better take the device to the service.
💡
Before visiting the service center, back up your headphone settings (if they are saved in Xiaomi Wear) and reset them to factory settings – this will speed up the diagnosis.