How Redmi Airdots Headphones Work and Why They Can “Distance”
Xiaomi Redmi Airdots wireless headphones (including Redmi Airdots S, Redmi Airdots 2, Redmi Airdots 3) are built on True Wireless Stereo (TWS) technology, where each headphone connects to the sound source independently, but synchronizes with each other. In normal mode, the lead earphone (usually the right one) transmits an audio signal to the slave (left) using Bluetooth 5.0 protocol with low latency. However, users often face a situation where the headphones stop “seeing” each other: one connects to the phone, and the second one connects with a white flash or flash.
It's not always a problem. 80 percent of the time, it's software failures, a faulty connection sequence, or a firmware conflict. For example, if you upgraded your smartphone software but didn't reset your headphones, they might lose touch. In this article, we'll look at all the possible causes, from a simple battery drain to a Bluetooth controller hardware defect, and we'll give you diagnostic checklists and step-by-step recovery instructions.
Reason. №1: Battery discharge or battery failure
The most obvious but often overlooked reason is that one of the headphones is undercharged, and if the charge level is below 10%, the headphone may turn on but not sync with the pair, especially for the Redmi Airdots 2 and Redmi Airdots 3 Pro models, where power consumption is higher due to active noise cancellation.
How to check:
- 🔋 Place both headphones in the case and connect it to charge at 30+ minutes (even if the indicator is green).
- 🔍 Take out your headphones and look at the lights: White flashing is ready to pair, red flashing is discharged or error, red constant is critically low.
- 📱 Check the charge level in the Mi Home app (if the headphones are connected to at least one device).
⚠️ Note: If one of the headphones still doesn’t turn on after full charging, the problem may be in the battery bloating (a common problem after 2).+ In this case, the battery will need to be replaced.
Reason. №2: Sync failure after firmware update
Xiaomi headphones are periodically updated with firmware through the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app. If the update is interrupted or passed incorrectly, the headphones may lose communication with each other. For example, after upgrading to version 1.7.0.3, many Redmi Airdots 3 Pro users complained about the inability to sync.
How to fix it:
- Remove the headphones from the list of conjugate devices on the phone (Settings → Bluetooth).
- Make a hard reset of the headphones: Place both headphones in the case. Press and hold the button on the case for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
Mi Home
Make sure the case is 50%+ charged
Take the headphones out of the case
Forget the device in the Bluetooth phone settings
Hold the reset button on the case for 15+ seconds-->
If the reset didn't help, try rolling back the firmware (relevant for models with manual update support).
- Download the old firmware version for your model (e.g. 1.4.0.0 for Redmi Airdots 2) from the official Xiaomi forum.
- Rename the file to fw_update.bin And put it in the root folder of the phone.
- Connect your headphones to your phone and launch the update via Mi Home.
How to solve the problem:
- Turn off Bluetooth on all devices within a 10 meter radius (except the phone you connect your headphones to).
- Remove all unnecessary devices from your phone’s memory (Settings → Bluetooth → Saved Devices).
- Reboot your phone and try to reconnect the headphones.
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If you have multiple pairs TWS-Headphones, give them unique names in Bluetooth settings (e.g, "Airdots_"Work" and "Airdots_Sport”). This will help to avoid conflicts when connecting.
Reason. №4: Hardware malfunctions (contacts, antenna, controller)
If the software methods did not help, the problem may lie in physical damage:
| Malfunction | Signs. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Oxidation of contacts in the case | Headphones do not charge, flash red when placed in a case | Clean contacts with alcohol and cotton swab |
| Damage to Bluetooth antenna | One earphone connects, the second does not, even after resetting. | Replacement of antennas in the service center |
| Failure of the power controller | The headphone does not turn on despite charging | Repair or replacement of fees |
| Mechanical damage to the hull | Cracks, dents, water inside | Diagnostics in the service |
To check the contacts:
- Take the headphones out of the case and inspect the gold contacts for oxidation or dirt.
- If the contacts are blackened, wipe them with isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%).
- Check whether the headphones fit tightly into the case - if there is a backlash, the contacts may not touch the charging pads.
⚠️ Warning: If the headphones fell into the water or were subjected to severe vibration (for example, in a backpack without a case), the antenna plume could depart.
Reason. №5: Incompatibility with the phone operating system
Redmi Airdots headphones are optimized for MIUI, but can conflict with other OSes, especially with:
- 🤖 Android 12+ (Due to changes in the Bluetooth stack).
- 🍎 iOS 15/16 (Apple's restrictions on uncertified devices).
- 🪟 Windows 10/11 (Problems with the aptX codec).
How to connect headphones to an incompatible system:
- 📱 On Android: Enable Developer Mode (Settings) → The phone. → Build number, press 7 times. Activate Bluetooth debugging in the developer settings. Install Bluetooth Auto Connect for forced connection.
iPhone
- Forget the device in Settings → Bluetooth.
- Turn off and turn on Bluetooth.
- Connect the headphones manually, holding the button on the case for 5 seconds (until flashing white).
Why does Redmi Airdots work poorly with iPhone?
Reason. №6: Software failure after connecting to multiple devices
Redmi Airdots headphones can store up to 8 devices in their memory. If you switch between your phone, laptop and tablet frequently, there may be a conflict of connection profiles, for example, headphones "think" they should connect to a laptop, not a phone, and ignore sync commands.
How to clean the memory of headphones:
- Put both earbuds in the case.
- Press and hold the button on the case for 20 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white alternately (this is a signal of a complete memory reset).
- Reconnect the headphones, starting with the lead (right).
If the reset didn't help, try forced reconnection:
- Connect only the right earphone to the phone.
- Wait for stable connection (the indicator is lit white).
- Take the left earphone out of the case – it should automatically sync.
- If synchronization has not occurred, place both headphones back in the case and repeat the procedure.
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If the headphones previously connected to an Android 11+ device, they could save the LE Audio (Low Energy Audio) settings that are not supported by older Bluetooth versions, in which case only a full reset of the headphone memory will help.
Reason. №7: Failed headphones or fake
If you bought Redmi Airdots at a suspiciously low price (for example, less than 1500)₽ For the Airdots 3 Pro, there's a high risk of a fake:
| Sign. | Original | Fake. |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging | Thick cardboard with hologram, font clear | Soft box, blurred inscriptions, typos |
| Indicators | Soft white/red glow | Bright blue or green light |
| Sound. | Balanced low/high frequencies | Loud but "empty" basses, wheezing at high frequencies |
| Mi Home appendix | Defines the model, shows the charge | Does not find a device or shows an error |
What to do if you buy a fake:
- 🛒 Return the goods to the seller (if you bought on Wildberries, Ozon or AliExpress, use the warranty).
- 🔧 If you are not eligible for a return, try reflashing the headphones on custom firmware (for example, TWS Toolbox for Redmi Airdots 2).
- ⚠️ Do not use fake batteries for long-term use – cheap batteries can swell.