Xiaomi Airdots headphones unsynchronization 2: causes and step-by-step solution

Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 (known as Airdots 2) has been a hit for its price-performance ratio, but even these are not immune to technical failures. One of the most common is earphone desynchronization, when the right and left modules stop working together: one connects to the phone and the other is silent, or both play latency sound. According to service centers, up to 15% of model owners face this problem.

Most of the time, the out-of-sync is caused by software errors, not hardware breakdowns. This means that 90% of the out-of-service malfunctions can be fixed without going to the service, saving time and money. This article is about the causes, step-by-step instructions with illustrations (including hidden Airdots 2 features), error code tables, and answers to frequent questions. If your headphones have “settled” after updating the firmware, falling, or simply stopped syncing, read on.

Why Xiaomi Airdots 2 is out of sync: 5 main reasons

Before you start repairing, it is important to understand the root of the problem: Airdots 2 is never unsynchronized – it is always preceded by one of the following events:

• 🔋 A discharged battery in one of the headphones (especially if the charge is below 10%). Xiaomi modules are turned off at a critical charge level, but sometimes "hang" occurs before the automatic shutdown is triggered.
• 📱 Failure of firmware after a failed update through the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app, most often when the update process is interrupted.
• 🎧 Mechanical impact: fall, ingress of moisture (despite the stated IPX4), or strong compression of the body (for example, if the headphones were lying under the weight in the bag).
• 🔄 Connection conflict, where headphones try to connect to two devices at the same time (e.g., a smartphone and a laptop).
• 🛠️ Hardware wear of contacts in the charging case or microphone in one of the modules (relevant for headphones older than 2 years).

Fun fact: in 2021, Xiaomi admitted a defect in the Airdots 2 batch released in the first quarter of 2020, which was desynchronized by a defective Realtek RTL8763B wireless chip, and if your headphones are from that batch (serial number starts in 2001 or 2002), the problem may recur even after reset.

How to determine if the headphones are really out of sync

It's not always quiet in one of the headphones that means out of sync. Sometimes the problem is settings on your smartphone or physical damage to your speaker.

1. Check the indicators: when turned on, both earbuds should flash white (search for the device) or red (low charge). If one of the indicators is not on, there is a problem with power or contacts.
2. Connect the headphones separately: Take both of the headphones out of the case. Press and hold the button on the right earphone for 5 seconds until you hear the connection sound. Repeat for the left. If one of them doesn't connect, the problem is in it, not in sync.
3. Listen to the sound: if both earphones are connected, but the sound comes from only one, and the second makes a hiss or crackle – this is a dissynchron.

🔍 Hardware crash test: Put your headphones in the case, close the lid and wait 10 seconds. Then pull them out and check for sync. If the problem persists, it's a software glitch. If the headphones are working, it's the case contact (you need to clean or bend the springs).

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If your headphones connect to your phone, but you only have one sound, try manually selecting stereo mode in your Bluetooth settings. On Android, it's like this: Settings. → Bluetooth → Settings (⚙️) near Airdots 2 → Audio profile → stereo (A2DP)

Reset Xiaomi Airdots 2 to factory settings: step-by-step instructions

In 80 percent of cases, desynchronization is eliminated by a complete reset, which erases all the stored connections and returns the headphones to a "clean" state, and importantly, after the reset, you have to pair the headphones with the phone again.

Make sure both earphones are charged (minimum 30%)

Put the headphones in the case and close the lid for 5 seconds.

Take them out of the case and wait for automatic activation.

Disable Airdots 2 from all devices in Bluetooth settings

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Resetting instructions:

1. Press and hold the buttons on both headphones simultaneously for 15 seconds (until the indicators start flashing red and white).
2. Release the buttons. The headphones must turn off.
3. Put them back in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then pull them out.
4. Press the button on the right earphone 2 times – it should start flashing white (mating mode).
5. Connect your headphones to your phone via Bluetooth, and if the reset is successful, both modules sync automatically.

⚠️ Note: if the headphones still do not sync after reset, do not repeat the procedure more than 2 times in a row. This can damage the firmware).

Additional ways to correct desynchronization

If the reset didn’t help, try these methods – from simple to complex:

1. manually reconnect (for Android/iOS):

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Bluetooth on your phone.
• 🔄 Find Xiaomi Airdots 2 in the list of devices and click “Forget” (or “Disable»).
• 🎧 Remove the headphones from the case and press the button on the right module 2 times (should sound the connection signal).
• 🔍 Connect your headphones again via Bluetooth.

2. Update firmware through Mi Home:

If your Airdots 2 hasn't been updated for more than a year, chances are that the problem is outdated software.

1. Install the Mi Home app (for Android) or Xiaomi Wear (for iOS).
2. Put the headphones on the phone.
3. Open the app, find Airdots 2 in the device list, and check for updates.
4. If an update is available, install it without interrupting the process.

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The firmware update through Mi Home only works for headphones purchased in official stores. For gray devices, use alternative methods (see the manual firmware section).

Cleaning of the charging case contacts:

Oxidation or contamination of contacts is a common cause of desynchronization. Take a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%) and gently wipe:

• 🔌 Contacts on headphones (3 metal dots in the lower part).
• 🔋 Contacts inside the case (spring connectors).
• 🧲 Magnets in the case (they are responsible for fixing headphones).

After cleaning, put the headphones in the case for 10 minutes, then check the synchronization.

Hand-held flashing Xiaomi Airdots 2: an extreme measure

If none of these methods work, then you have manual flashing, which is suitable for power users because it requires software and can get the headphones to scratch if you make a mistake, but it solves the problem of out-of-synchronization caused by a firmware failure in 95% of cases.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer 7/10/11.
• 🔌 Micro-USB cable (to connect the case).
• 📁 Firmware for Airdots 2 (you can download on the forums) 4PDA or XDA-Developers).
• 🛠️ Flashing Tool (for example, Realtek Flash Tool).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and unpack the archive with firmware (for example, Airdots2_v1.4.0_2023.bin).
2. Connect the case with headphones to your computer via Micro-USB.
3. Start the Flashing Tool, select the firmware file and press Start.
4. Wait for the process to be completed (indicators on the case should flash green).
5. Turn off the case, take out the headphones and reset (see section above).

⚠️ Warning: If the indicators on the case go out or go red during firmware, immediately turn off the cable and repeat the procedure.

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Before you run the firmware, check the version of your headphone chip. Open the case and look at the markings on the board (e.g. RTL8763B or AC696X).

What to do if nothing helps: hardware solutions

If the software methods are exhausted and the desynchronization is left, the problem is probably in the hardware.

• 🔧 Microphone check: 10% of the time, the microphone malfunctions in one of the headphones. Blow into the microphone hole - if the sound in the earphone is distorted, the microphone needs to be replaced.
• 🔋 Battery replacement: If one of the headphones runs out in 10-15 minutes, its battery is worn out. 3.7V 40mAh (model BL-5B).
• 📡 Bluetooth antenna repair: If you fall, you can break off the antenna wire, and you can see this when you disassemble -- a thin black wire going from board to body.
• 🔄 Replacement of the board: if the headphone is not turned on at all, a replacement of the motherboard will be required (cost) ~50% of the price of the new Airdots 2).

💡 Tip: Check your headphones on another phone or tablet before repairing. Sometimes the problem lies in your smartphone's Bluetooth module, not Airdots 2.

If you are not sure about your skills, it is better to contact the service. The average cost of diagnosis is 300-500 rubles, repair (replacement of the microphone / battery) - 800-1500 rubles. For Xiaomi Airdots 2 it is often unprofitable, as new headphones cost from 2000 rubles.

Preventing out-of-synchronization: 5 rules for caring for Airdots 2

To avoid repeated failures, follow these guidelines:

• 🔋 Charge the headphones regularly, not allowing a full discharge (optimally - recharge at 20-30% charge).
• 🧼 Clean contacts once a month with a cotton swab with alcohol.
• 📱 Do not connect your headphones to multiple devices at the same time (e.g., your phone and laptop).
• 🌡️ Avoid overheating: Do not leave headphones in the sun or near heat sources (e.g. on a car torpedo).
• 📦 Keep it in the case when not in use, and it protects against dust and mechanical damage.

⚠️ Warning: If you use Airdots 2 for sports, dry your headphones for 1-2 hours after workout at room temperature.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Airdots 2 desynchronization