Why One Xiaomi Headphone Doesn't Connect to Another: A Complete Diagnostics and Repair Guide

The problem of one Xiaomi wireless headphone refusing to connect to another is familiar to many owners of Airdots, Buds or FlipBuds models. The situation is especially annoying when the headphones worked perfectly yesterday, and today one of them is silent, flashing red or does not show signs of life at all, the causes of this behavior can be hidden in software failures and hardware malfunctions – from a discharged battery to damage to the contacts of the charging case.

In this article, we have systematized all possible causes of Xiaomi headphones missynchronization, from the banal (battery discharge) to the exotic (breaking the Bluetooth module in the smartphone). For each problem, step-by-step instructions with illustrations (where necessary), warnings about typical errors and prevention tips. Particular attention was paid to the models of Redmi Airdots 2/3, Mi True Wireless Earbuds 2 and Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro, as their firmware have unique bugs.

If you've tried to reboot your headphones or reset them to factory settings, but nothing has worked, don't rush to throw the device away. 80 percent of the time, the problem is solved without going to the service center. The main thing is to correctly diagnose the source of the malfunction.

1.Discharged battery: why one earphone "died" before another

The most obvious, but often ignored, reason is the different charge levels in the left and right earbuds, and even if the case shows that both devices are charged, one of them might not have recharged because of:

• 🔋 Poor contact with pins in the case (oxidation, pollution or mechanical displacement).
• 🔌 Power controller malfunctions in the headphone itself (a common problem with Redmi Airdots 2 after a year of use).
• ⚡ Incorrect indication: the case shows 100%, but the actual charge of one earphone is 0%.

To check out this version:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Connect the case to charge for 30-60 minutes (even if the indicator is green).
3. Take out the headphones and check if they are synchronized.

⚠️ Warning: If one headphone does not turn on after charging anyway, do not try to "wake" it with the repeated press of a button. This can lead to a complete discharge of the power controller and final failure.

For Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro and later, there is an additional test: connect the headphones to the Mi Earphones app (available on Google Play and AppGallery), in the Battery Status section, you will display the exact percentage of charge of each headphone, if the difference is greater than 20%, the problem is precisely the power.

2. Resetting: How to Make a Hard Reset Right

If Xiaomi headphones are not synchronized with each other, but both are on and flashing, the first thing to do is to perform a full reset.

For Redmi Airdots / Airdots 2 / Airdots 3:

For Mi True Wireless Earbuds 2 / Buds 3 / Buds 3 Pro:

1. Hold the touch panels on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds.

Once reset, Xiaomi headphones may not connect to the phone automatically.

⚠️ Note: On models Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro after reset may be lost firmware, and the headphones will work in the "mono" mode (only one earphone plays sound.

Make sure both earphones are at least 30% charged

Close all applications using Bluetooth (music, games, instant messengers)

Disconnect headphones from all previously paired devices

Find the instructions for a specific model (the procedure is different!)

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Bluetooth Problems: Conflicts and Protocol Limitations

Sometimes the problem isn't with the headphones, but with the Bluetooth module of the smartphone or the protocol conflict.

• 📱 Outdated version of Bluetooth on the phone (below 5.0). Xiaomi headphones require at least Bluetooth 4.2 for stable synchronization.
• 🔄 Conflict with other devices: if a smartwatch, fitness bracelet or speaker is connected to the phone, they can “clog” the channel.
• 🚫 OS limitations: on iPhone (especially with iOS 14 and below) headphones Xiaomi can work in mode A2DP Sink that blocks stereo sound.

How to diagnose:

1. Check out the Bluetooth version on your phone: Settings → About Phone → Bluetooth version.
2. Turn off all other Bluetooth devices and restart the phone.
3. Try connecting your headphones to another smartphone (preferably on Android 10+).

If the second phone has earphones synced, the problem is your smartphone.

• Update your phone to the latest version.
• Enable the Allow High Sound Quality mode in Bluetooth settings (for Android).
• For iPhone: Forget the device, turn off/on Bluetooth and reconnect the headphones.

Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro headphones use the LC3 (Low Complexity Communication Codec) protocol, which is not supported by smartphones older than 2020, and if your phone is released earlier, the stereo mode will not work.

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Before buying new headphones Xiaomi check compatibility with your smartphone on the official website. For example, for full operation Buds 4 Pro requires Android 11+ or iOS 15+.

4.Mechanical damage: what breaks most often

If the software methods didn't work, it's worth checking the headphones for physical malfunctions.

To diagnose mechanical problems:

1. Carefully examine the contacts in the case and on the headphones under the magnifying glass. Oxidation or contamination will be visible as dark spots.
2. Shake the headphone – if you hear a knock, it is a sign of a detached element (for example, a battery).
3. Try connecting the problem headphone to the phone in mono mode (if it is somehow determined).

⚠️ Warning: If you notice one Xiaomi headphone starting to warm up while charging or working, stop using immediately.This is a sign of a short circuit in the battery, which can lead to a fire.

5. firmware and software: updates that break synchronization

Official firmware updates for Xiaomi headphones are rare, but sometimes they can break compatibility with older smartphones. For example, after upgrading to version 1.4.0.8, many Mi True Wireless Earbuds 2 users experienced a problem when the headphones connected to the phone separately, but did not sync with each other.

How to check the firmware version:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open the Mi Earphones app (or Xiaomi Wear for new models).
3. Go to Settings. → About the programme.

If the firmware version is newer than 1.7.0, but the headphones don’t sync, try:

• 🔄 Roll back the firmware (only via PC and special software, for example, Mi Flash Tool).
• 📱 Update the firmware of the phone (sometimes the problem is solved by updating the Bluetooth stack on the smartphone).
• 🔧 Reset headphone settings through the application (in some versions of the software there is a separate button Reset to factory).

For Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro and later, there is a hidden forced upgrade feature:

1. Put the headphones in the case.
2. Connect the case to the charger.
3. Hold the button on the case for 30 seconds until the indicator starts flashing purple.
4. Open the Xiaomi Wear app – a notification about the update should appear.

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If after updating the firmware headphones stopped synchronizing, and rollback is impossible - contact the Xiaomi service center with a demand to return the previous version of the software.

6.External interference: why headphones lose touch

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones run at 2.4GHz, which is used by many devices, from Wi-Fi routers to microwave ovens. External interference can cause loss of synchronization between headphones, especially in apartment buildings or offices.

Sources of interference:

• 📶 Wi-Fi routers on channels 1–11 (overlap the Bluetooth frequency).
• 🍳 Microwave ovens (emit noise in the 2.4 GHz range).
• 🚗 Wireless charging (especially cheap models without shielding).
• 🎮 Gaming controllers (e.g. DualShock 4 or Xbox Wireless Controller).

How to reduce the impact of interference:

1. Switch the router to channel 12 or 13 (if supported).
2. Turn off the microwave while using the headphones.
3. Make sure there are no obstacles between the headphones and the phone (walls, metal objects).
4. Try using the headphones in another room.

If the problem only occurs in certain places (for example, at work), but everything is stable at home, external interference is to blame, in this case, only changing the headphones to a model that supports Bluetooth 5.2+ (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro), which better filters noise.

7. Warranty and service: when self-repair is not possible

If you’ve tried all of these, but one Xiaomi headphone still doesn’t connect to another, it may be a hardware fault that can’t be fixed at home.

• 🔥 The headphone is warming, smells of a burn or traces of melting are visible on the body.
• 🔋 The battery swelled (seems to deform the body).
• 🎛️ The earphone is defined by the phone but does not reproduce sound (problem with speaker or amplifier).
• 🔄 After resetting, the headphones do not turn on at all (the controller burned down).

Before visiting the service center:

1. Check if the warranty is valid (usually 12 months from the date of purchase).
2. Save a check or confirmation of purchase (e-check, screenshot from the bank).
3. Reset the headphones to factory settings (this is required in 90% of services).
4. Check whether the problem is warranty (for example, a bloated battery is a warranty case, but mechanical damage is not).

The cost of repairing Xiaomi headphones in unofficial services:

⚠️ Note: If you are offered to replace the Bluetooth module in the headphone, and its cost exceeds 60% of the price of new headphones - it is better to buy a new pair.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphones that don't work