Why Xiaomi wireless headphones don’t pair: a complete troubleshooting guide

Xiaomi's wireless headphones are some of the most popular accessories because of the combination of price and quality. But even proven models like the AirDots Pro 2, Buds 4 Pro or FlipBuds Pro sometimes have problems connecting. One earbud is not identified, both are not on the list of devices, or the connection is constantly broken after a few seconds, and the situation is aggravated by the fact that the reasons can be hidden in the headphones themselves, or in the smartphone, tablet or even the operating system.

In this article, we'll look at all the possible reasons why Xiaomi's headphones don't match the device, from the clichés to the hidden firmware bugs. You'll get step-by-step instructions for each model, learn how to reset to factory settings, update software, and even restore one dead headphone to work, and if the problem turns out to be hardware, learn to distinguish it from software so you don't waste time on useless manipulations.

We will pay special attention to the hidden Bluetooth settings in MIUI And Android, which is often ignored even in service centers, for example, did you know that in some versions of the firmware, Xiaomi automatically blocks the connection of headphones from other brands, if the system already has a device of the same model? Or that the power saving mode can completely disable the discovery mode for new gadgets?

Before you carry your headphones for repair or buy new ones, check all the items in this article. 90% of the time, the problem is solved in 5-10 minutes without special tools.

1. Checking the basic connection conditions

Start with the obvious, but these are the things that are most often overlooked. Even if you're sure you did the right thing, double-check.

✅ Battery charge: Xiaomi headphones don't give audible discharge signals below 5%, and the indicator on the case can flash orange even at 0% charge. Connect the case to charge for 10-15 minutes, then try pairing again. USB-C (For example, Buds 4 Pro) use the original cable – cheap analogues may not provide enough current.

✅ Pairing Mode: Most Xiaomi headphones automatically go into search mode when they first pull out of the case, but if they've already been connected to another device, you need to manually activate discovery mode:

1. Put both earphones in the case.
2. Close the lid and wait 5 seconds.
3. Open the lid and hold the button on the case (or touchpad on the headphones) for 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing white and red alternately.

✅ Device compatibility: Xiaomi headphones support Bluetooth 5.0/5.2/5.3, But some budget smartphones (especially on MediaTek Helio) may have pairing problems. Check the Bluetooth version on your device in the Settings menu. → The phone. → Bluetooth version. If the version is lower 4.2, Headphones can be connected, but with constant breaks.

2. Resetting headphones to factory settings

If the headphones were previously paired with another device or one of the modules “hangs”, hard reset will help.

🔹 For AirDots (all generations) and Redmi Buds:

1. Press and hold the button on the case for 20 seconds until the indicator flashes red 4 times in a row (this is a signal of a successful reset).

🔹 Buds 4 Pro and FlipBuds Pro:

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Note: After reset, Xiaomi earphones lose all stored connection profiles. If they were paired with multiple devices (such as a phone and laptop), you will have to configure the connection again on each of them.

If the reset didn't work, check the physical condition of the contacts in the case. Oxidation or contamination can block charging of one of the headphones, which prevents it from turning on. Wipe the contacts with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.

Make sure both earphones are at least 30 times charged%|

Put the headphones in the case and close the lid|

Connect the case to charging for 5 minutes (to stabilize the voltage)|

Perform the reset according to the instructions for your model|

After reset, wait for automatic transition to pairing mode (blinking white indicator)-->

3. Bluetooth problems on a smartphone or PC

Sometimes the problem isn't with the headphones, but with the device you're trying to connect them to.

📱 On a smartphone. Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO:

• 🔧 Turn off power saving for Bluetooth: in Settings → Battery → Energy saving regime → Settings → Energy saving for applications find Bluetooth and install Without Limits.

💻 On a Windows PC:

• 🚫 Remove old devices: in Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices remove all previously connected Xiaomi headphones, then try pairing again.

🍎 On a Mac or iPhone:

Apple devices often conflict with Xiaomi headphones due to different codec protocols. If the headphones connect, but the sound is intermittent or absent:

4. Update to the headphone firmware

The manufacturer regularly releases updates to fix plug-in bugs. For example, AirDots 3 Pro firmware version 1.4.7 fixed the problem with one-way sound, and Buds 4 Pro update 2.1.15 added support LC3 codec for stable connection.

📲 How to update firmware:

1. Connect headphones to the Xiaomi smartphone (update is possible only through official software) MIUI).
2. Open the Mi Earphones app (download from Google Play or AppGallery if it’s not on the system).
3. Go to the Firmware Update section. If an update is available, follow the instructions on the screen.
4. Do not turn off the headphones during the process (it takes 2-5 minutes).

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Note: If the battery fails during the upgrade (e.g., the battery dies or the headphones lose communication), they may stop turning on, in which case you will need to force flashing through Fastboot mode (instruction in section 6).

🔍 How to find out the current version of the firmware:

For most models:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.
3. Find your headphones in the list and click on the gear next to the name.
4. Scroll down to the Device Information section - there will be a version of the software string.

If the Mi Earphones app doesn't see headphones, try:

• Remove them from the list of Bluetooth devices and connect again.
• Clear the Mi Earphones app data in your phone settings.
• Use a different smartphone on the MIUI 12+ (On custom firmware, the update may not work).

💡

If Mi Earphones is not available in your area, download it. APK From the official website of Xiaomi (Subsection "Support" → Accessory software. Avoid third-party sources, which may contain viruses.

5. Problems with one headphone (left or right)

A situation where only one headphone is connected, for models with a main / master module (usually the right one), here are the possible reasons and solutions:

🔋 Battery discharged in one headphone:

Even if the case shows a green light, one of the headphones might have been undercharged.

• Take both of these headphones out of the case and look at their lights. If one doesn't blink, it's discharged.
• Put the headphones in the case, close the lid, and plug it into the charger for 30 minutes, and then try to reconnect.
• For the Buds 4 Pro: If the right earphone doesn't turn on, try pinching the touchpad on the left earphone for 10 seconds - this can force the pair to activate.

🔊 Failure of synchronization between headphones:

If one earphone is connected and the other is not, perform forced synchronization:

1. Put both earphones in the case.
2. Only get the one that works and wait 10 seconds.
3. Take out the second headphone – they should sync automatically (you will hear the beep).
4. If synchronization does not occur, reset the settings (section 2) and repeat the procedure.

🛠️ Hardware malfunction:

If none of the methods helped, the following breakdowns are possible:

💡 Tip: If headphones are warranty, do not disassemble them yourself - this will void the warranty. Contact the Xiaomi service center with a check or confirmation of purchase from the official store.

6. Manual flashing of headphones

If the standard update doesn’t help or the headphones are “bricked” after a crash, you can try forced firmware through Fastboot mode, which is suitable for power users and requires a Windows PC.

🖥️ What's the matter:

• Cable USB-A → USB-C (case-connection).
• MiFlash (download from the official Xiaomi website).
• Firmware for your model (you can find it on the forums) 4PDA or XDA Developers).
• Qualcomm drivers (if headphones are on a chip) QCC30xx).

⚙️ Step-by-step instruction:

1. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Xiaomi\Buds4Pro).
2. Install MiFlash and drivers.
3. Connect the case with headphones to the PC with the cover closed.
4. Press the button on the case for 30 seconds until the PC determines the device in Fastboot mode (in the Device Manager will appear Qualcomm). HS-USB QDLoader 9008).
5. Open MiFlash, select the firmware folder, and press Refresh. The device should appear in the list.
6. Press Flash and wait until the process is over (don’t turn off the case!).
7. After successful firmware, turn off the case, take out the headphones and try pairing again.

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Warning: The wrong firmware can permanently disable the headphones. Use only files designed for your model! For example, AirDots 3 Pro firmware won't work for Buds 4 Pro, even if the chips are similar.

📌 Where to get firmware:

Official firmware for Xiaomi headphones is rarely posted on the manufacturer's website.

• Topics on 4PDA (For example, the section on Xiaomi AirDots).
• GitHub repositories (search on request by Xiaomi [model] firmware).
• Telegram channels dedicated to firmware for Xiaomi (for example, @miui_firmware).

💡

Forced firmware is a last resort, and 80 percent of the time, it helps to reset or update through official software, and if you're not sure about your skills, you better go to the service.

7 Conflicts with other devices and software

Xiaomi headphones may not connect due to interference from third-party apps or conflicts with other Bluetooth devices.

📱 Conflict with other headphones or speakers:

If other Bluetooth devices have previously connected to your phone (for example, JBL Or Sony, they can block a new gadget:

• Open Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.
• Remove all unnecessary devices from the list.
• Turn off the dual audio function (if enabled in Bluetooth settings).

🛡️ Blocking with an antivirus or optimizer:

Apps like Avast, Clean Master or DU Battery Saver can block background Bluetooth activity:

1. Launch Security (in) MIUI) or your antivirus.
2. Find the AutoRun or Permissions section.
3. Make sure that all permissions are set for Bluetooth and Mi Earphones.
4. Add the Mi Earphones app to the antivirus exceptions.

🎧 Conflict with other Xiaomi headphones:

If you have other headphones of the same brand (like AirDots 2 and Buds 4 Pro), the system may confuse their profiles.

• Temporarily “forget” all Xiaomi devices in Bluetooth settings.
• Turn off the second set of headphones (put in the case).
• Reconnect the right headphones.

🔄 Resetting the phone's network settings:

If nothing helps, reset your network settings (this won’t delete your data, but will reset all stored Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices):

1. Open Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. Select Network Resetting.
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.
4. After rebooting, try pairing again.

8.When to contact the service center

If you’ve tried all the ways in this article, but the headphones still don’t connect, it’s probably a hardware problem.

🚨 Symptoms of critical malfunctions:

• 🔋 Headphones do not charge in the case (the indicator does not burn even after an hour on charging).
• 🔊 One or both earbuds make a constant squeak or crackle, even without a connection.
• 💥 Case or headphones have visible damage (bloated battery, chipped on board).
• 🔄 Headphones are determined by the phone, but immediately turn off with the error "Can not connect".

🛠️ What they'll check on the service:

📌 How to choose a service:

• 🏢 Xiaomi’s official service center: warranty repair, original parts, but high cost and queues.
• 🔧 Unofficial workshops: cheaper and faster, but the risk of poor quality spare parts.
• 🛒 Replacement with new ones: if repair costs more than 50% of the price of new headphones, it is more logical to buy a new pair.

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Note: If headphones warranty, do not open them yourself! in the official service Xiaomi may refuse repair if they find traces of opening (for example, scratches on screws or lack of warranty stickers).

💡 Advice for warranty repair:

When you contact the service, take with you:

• Check or confirmation of purchase (e-cheque from the post office).
• Case and all accessories (even if they are workers).
• The phone the headphones were trying to connect to (to demonstrate the problem).

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi headphones