Xiaomi headphones can’t see each other: why it happens and how to fix it

You took Xiaomi AirDots, Redmi Buds or FlipBuds Pro out of your case, but they stubbornly don't want to connect? One headphone connects to your phone and the other one doesn't speak up or flashes red? This problem is familiar to many owners of Xiaomi TWS- headphones -- and it's not always related to a breakdown. 80 percent of the time, it's software failures, incorrect settings, or trivial battery discharge.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons why Xiaomi’s headphones don’t see each other, from the trivial (like contaminated contacts in a case) to the serious (hardware failure of a Bluetooth module), you’ll get step-by-step instructions for each model, a firmware table, and answers to frequent questions, and if the problem turns out to be hardware, we’ll learn to distinguish it from software so we don’t waste time on useless manipulations.

Now, let's warn you, some solutions require you to reset your headphones to the factory, which will remove all the associated devices, but it's better than buying new headphones because of the cliché of firmware. Let's start with the simplest one!

1. Checking the underlying causes: charging, contacts, case

Before digging deep into the settings, make sure the problem isn't on the surface.In 30% of cases, Xiaomi headphones don't see each other because of:

• 🔋 A discharged battery in one of the headphones or case
• 🧲 Contaminated or oxidized contacts in the case
• 📦 Incorrect position of headphones in the case (e.g., inverted)
• 🔌 Damaged charging cable or adapter

Start with a visual inspection:

1. Take both earbuds out of the case and check if the lights are on, and if one of them doesn't respond to the push of a button, the problem is discharge or breakdown.
2. Look at the contacts in the case (metal dots inside the nests) that should be clean, without green coating (oxidation).
3. Put the headphones in the case correctly: AirDots Pro 2 and FlipBuds have magnets that lock them in the same position. If the headphone is crooked, the contacts don't touch.

If the headphones don't burn at all, plug the case into charging for 30 minutes. Use the original cable -- cheap ones may not give enough current. For Redmi Buds 3 Pro and newer models, check if the indicator on the case is on: if it flashes red, the battery is discharged critically.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use abrasive materials (steelpaper, needles) to clean your contacts, this will damage the coating. Also avoid wet wipes: getting moisture into the case can cause corrosion.

2. Resetting headphone settings to factory

If the basics didn't work, the next step is a hard reset, which will remove all the associated devices and return the headphones to the original settings, and the procedure varies depending on the model.

After discharge:

1. Remove the headphones from the list of Bluetooth devices on your phone (go to Settings → Bluetooth, find Mi True Wireless or a similar name, click Forget the device).
2. Get the headphones out of the case – they should automatically turn on and start searching for each other (the indicators will flash alternately red and white).
3. Hold them close together (at a distance of 1-2 cm) and wait 10-20 seconds. If the connection is established, the indicators will flash synchronously.

Critical error: If one of the headphones doesn't blink or make any noise after reset, it indicates that its Bluetooth module has failed, in which case only repair or replacement will help.

Make sure your headphones are charged (>30%)

Remove the device from the phone’s Bluetooth settings

Put the headphones in the case (if required for the model)

Prepare a stopwatch to count down the time of holding the button-->

3. Firmware and compatibility issues

Xiaomi regularly releases firmware updates for its headphones, but sometimes these updates lead to compatibility conflicts, for example, after the update on the phone to MIUI 14, owners of Redmi Buds 3 Lite massively complained that the headphones stopped syncing.

• 📱 Incompatibility of the headphone firmware version with the Bluetooth version on the phone (for example, headphones with Bluetooth 5.0 are unstable with the phone on Bluetooth 5.2)
• 🔄 Interrupted update of the firmware of the headphones (if the process was interrupted, one of the headphones can "hang" on the old version)
• 🚫 Blocking the connection with antivirus or energy-saving phone settings

How to check and correct:

1. Update the headphone firmware: For AirDots Pro 2 and newer: use the official Mi Earphones app (available in Google Play and App Gallery). For older models: update is possible only via PC using the Xiaomi Flash Tool utility (instructions on the official website).
2. Check the Bluetooth version on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and find the “Bluetooth” section. If the version on the phone is newer than the headphone version (e.g. 5.3 vs 5.0), try connecting to another device with an older version.

Turn off the power saving:

• In Settings → Battery → Power saving mode, add the Mi Earphones app to exceptions.
• Turn off the “Bluetooth Auto Disconnect” function in the connection settings.

⚠️ Warning: If the headphones stop working at all after the firmware update (don't turn on, don't charge), don't try to flash them yourself again. This may result in a complete loss of connection to the device.

4. Hardware malfunctions: how to recognize and what to do

If the software methods didn't work, the problem could be in the hardware, and here are the typical signs of a breakdown:

• 🔴 One of the headphones does not turn on at all (no indication, no response to the button)
• 🔊 The earphone may be jammed, cracked or no sound at all.
• 🔋 The earphone discharges in 10-15 minutes or holds no charge
• 📡 The Bluetooth indicator flashes a non-standard color (e.g., green or blue)

The most common hardware problems:

If you suspect a hardware malfunction, perform a diagnosis:

1. Try connecting a non-working headphone to another device (tablet, laptop), and if it's not identified, it's the problem.
2. Check the resistance of the battery with a multimeter (should be within 20-50 Ohms). If it shows 0 or 1 - a cliff.
3. Light a flashlight into the speaker: if the membrane is torn or deformed, a replacement is required.

For Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2 and later, there is a hidden test mode that helps diagnose malfunctions.

1. Get the headphones out of the case.


2 Press and hold the button on the left earphone for 5 seconds, then on the right for 3 seconds.




3. If the headphone is working, the beep will sound and the indicator will flash purple.

⚠️ Warning: Don't disassemble headphones yourself unless you have microelectronics experience. In 90% of cases, this results in permanent failure due to static electricity or damage to plumes. The cost of repairing a service (for example, replacing a speaker) usually does not exceed 1000-1500 rubles, while new headphones will cost 3-5 times more.

💡

If the earphone starts to wheez after getting moisture, put it in a bag of silica gel (from the shoe box) for 24 hours. This will help remove condensation. Don't dry the headphones with a hairdryer or battery - this will accelerate the corrosion of the contacts.

5 Conflicts with other Bluetooth devices

Xiaomi headphones may not be able to see each other due to interference from other wireless devices, especially in apartment buildings, where the same frequency of 2.4 GHz work:

• 📶 Wi-Fi routers (especially on channels 1, 6, 11)
• 🎮 Wireless mice/keyboards
• 📺 Smart light bulbs and sensors (Xiaomi, Aqara)
• 🚗 Keyless access systems in vehicles

How to check and eliminate interference:

1. Switch Wi-Fi router to 5GHz: Go to the router settings (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). Under Wireless, select the 5GHz band for your network. Connect your phone to that network and try syncing your headphones.
2. Turn off other Bluetooth devices: In Settings → Bluetooth on your phone, turn off all connected devices except headphones. Turn off smartwatches, fitness bracelets, wireless speakers.

Change the Bluetooth channel:

• In the Mi Earphones app, find the “Additional” → “Bluetooth Channel” section.
• Try manually selecting a channel (e.g. 40 instead of automatic).

If the problem only occurs in a specific location (e.g., at work), try connecting your headphones to another location. Use the WiFi Analyzer (Android) or Network Analyzer (iOS) app for the test to check the load.

💡

Wi-Fi interference is the most common cause of TWS- headphones malfunction, and even if the headphones are connected, interference can cause sound to become out of sync or communication interruptions.

6. Features of specific Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi headphone models have unique bugs that are worth knowing about:

• 🎧 AirDots (1st generation): The problem with sticking a button after long use is to gently wipe the button with alcohol.
• 🎧 Redmi Buds 3 Pro: Once upgraded to firmware V1.7.1.0, the sound may disappear in one headphone. The solution is to roll back to V1.4.5.0 via PC.
• 🎧 FlipBuds Pro: Case contacts are oxidized by moisture, the solution is a monthly preventive cleaning.
• 🎧 Haylou GT1/GT2: Incompatible with iPhone due to different Bluetooth protocols. The solution is to use an Android device for initial setup.

For the AirDots Pro 2 and Buds 4 Pro models, there are hidden features that help restore communication:

If your model is not listed in the table, check the instructions on the official Xiaomi website or in the Mi Earphones app. For rare models (for example, Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones Basic S), you may need manual firmware through Fastboot.

7. When to contact the service center

If you've tried all the methods, but the headphones still can't see each other, it's time to contact the service. Here are clear signs that self-repair is not possible:

• 🔥 Headphone warms up when charging or using
• 💥 The indicator flashes non-standard colors (green, blue, yellow)
• 🔕 The earphone is defined as an "Unknown Device" in Bluetooth settings.
• 🔋 Battery swelled (see from body deformation)

Where to repair:

1. Official service Xiaomi: Warranty repair (if the headphones were purchased less than a year ago), use original spare parts, the cost of diagnosis is 300-500 rubles.

Informal workshops:

• Cheaper (for example, replacement speaker - 800-1200 rubles).
• Faster (repair in 1-2 days instead of 2-3 weeks in the official service).
• The risk of using unoriginal details.

If the second headphone does not respond at all, its Bluetooth module is defective.