Xiaomi AirDots are not synchronized with each other: reasons and solutions

Xiaomi AirDots wireless headphones (including Redmi AirDots, AirDots Pro, AirDots 3/SE/Pro 2) have become popular due to a combination of price and quality. However, many users face a common problem: one headphone connects to the phone, and the second one is silent or works separately, this is due to a loss of synchronization between the left (L) and right (R) modules. In 80% of cases, the problem is solved without going to the service center, just perform the correct sequence of actions.

In this article, we will look at all possible causes of desynchronization, from the banal (battery discharge) to the technical (firmware failure), you will learn how to force the headphones to sync through the reset button, update the firmware, check compatibility with the phone and even restore work after a fall.

If your AirDots stop working together, don’t throw them away. Follow the instructions below – 95% of the time, your headphones can be reconnected in 5-10 minutes.

Why AirDots are out of sync: the main reasons

The problem of asymmetrical work of Xiaomi headphones is usually associated with one of 5 reasons:

• 🔋 A discharged battery in one of the headphones (even if the indicator is green).
• 📱 Bluetooth conflict on your phone (especially on Android 12)+ or iOS 15+).
• 🔄 Synchronization failure after firmware update or abrupt shutdown.
• 🛠️ Mechanical damage (fall, ingress of moisture).
• 🖥️ Incompatibility with a device (e.g., Windows) PC MacBook).

The most common cause is a software glitch, where the headphones forget each other after a faulty disconnection from the phone, such as if you pulled one headphone out of the case and the other one stayed inside, or suddenly turned off Bluetooth on your smartphone, in which case forced synchronization helps (about it in the next section).

Less commonly, the problem lies in the hardware: oxidation of contacts in the case, damage to the Bluetooth antenna or failure of the controller. If after all the manipulations the headphones did not work together, check them in test mode (instruction below).

Method 1: Forced synchronization through the reset button

This is a versatile method that works for all AirDots models (except AirDots 3 Pro — for them, see Method 4).

Put both headphones in the case

Close the cover and wait 10 seconds.

Make sure the indicator on the case flashes white (means the headphones are charging)

Remove both earphones from the case-->

For AirDots 1st generation and Redmi AirDots:

1. Press and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 15-20 seconds.
2. The indicators will flash red and white – this is a signal of reset.
3. Put the headphones back in the case, close the lid for 30 seconds.
4. Take it out and try to connect again.

For AirDots 2/Pro/SE/3:

1. Remove the headphones from the case.
2. Press 3 times in a row on the touch panel of the right earphone (for AirDots 3 - left).
3. The indicator should flash purple (or red + white).
4. Repeat the same for the left earpiece.
5. Put the headphones in the case, close the lid for 1 minute.

If the headphones still don't sync after reset, move to the following method. Note: on AirDots Pro 2 and a newer reset, the Mi Home application may require connection (see method 3).

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If the headphones don't respond to pressing, try cleaning the contacts in the case with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Metal oxidation is a common cause of deafness in one of the modules.

Method 2: Update the firmware through Mi Home

If your AirDots support firmware updates (all models except the very first generation), the out-of-synchronization may be due to an outdated version of the software.

1. Install the Mi Home app (for Android or iOS).
2. Select your AirDots model and follow the instructions.

Important: during the update, do not remove the headphones from the case or close the application. The process takes 2-5 minutes. If the update is interrupted, the headphones may stop turning on - in this case, only a complete reset (mode 1) will help.

If there is no update section in Mi Home, then your model does not support it. OTA-In this case, try an alternative method: connect your headphones to Windows. PC via Bluetooth, then in Device Manager, check the driver version (see method 5).

Method 3: Testing in Test Mode (Hidden Function)

All Xiaomi AirDots models have a hidden test mode that allows you to check the operability of speakers, microphones and Bluetooth module. This helps to determine whether the problem is hardware (repair required) or software (can be fixed yourself).

How to run the test:

1. Remove the headphones from the case.
2. Press 4 times in a row on the touch panel of the right earphone (for AirDots 3 - left).
3. The indicator should flash blue - this is the signal of entry into test mode.
4. Hold your headphones to your ear: you will hear voice cues in Chinese (or English for new models).

What the test checks:

• 🔊 Speakers – playback of sound in each headphone.
• 🎤 Microphones – Recording and Playing Your Voice.
• 📶 Bluetooth – Connection Stability.
• 🔋 Battery charge - the level of charge of each headphone.

If in test mode one of the headphones does not make sound, this indicates a hardware malfunction (damage to the speaker or contacts). If there is sound, but the headphones do not sync in normal mode - a software problem (reset or firmware will help).

Method 4: Sync through the Mi Earphones app (for new models)

For AirDots 3/Pro 2/SE and later, Xiaomi has released a separate app, Mi Earphones (available for Android and iOS), which allows you not only to update the firmware, but also to force the headphones to sync if they lose communication with each other.

Instructions:

1. Install Mi Earphones from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Connect to the phone only the right headphone (left should be in the case).
3. Open the app and select your AirDots model.
4. Go to Settings → Synchronization of headphones.
5. Click Start Sync and follow the prompts.

The app will automatically update the firmware (if there is a new version) and reconnect the headphones. If the process is stalled during the "Device Search" stage, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📱 Turn off Bluetooth for 30 seconds, then turn it on again.
• 🔋 Charge headphones to 100% (sometimes low charge blocks synchronization).

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Mi Earphones only works with 2020 AirDots models and later. For older versions (Redmi AirDots 1), use Mi Home or manual reset.

Method 5: Manually set up Bluetooth on your phone

Sometimes the problem isn’t with the headphones, but with the Bluetooth settings on the phone, especially for Android 12+ and iOS 15+ devices, where new limitations have been introduced for wireless devices.

For Android:

1. Go to Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth.
2. Find your AirDots in the list and click on the gear next to the name.
3. Select Forget the Device (or Disable).
4. Turn on the headphone search mode (hold the touchpad for 5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing white).
5. Reconnect it.

For the iPhone:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Click on the "i" icon next to AirDots.
3. Choose Forget this device.
4. Reboot the iPhone.
5. Reconnect the headphones.

If the headphones are connected, but the sound is only in one, check the sound settings:

• 🎧 On Android: In the notification panel, hold the Bluetooth icon → Choose Stereo (not Mono).
• 🍎 On iPhone: Open Control Point, Hold Volume Slider → tap on the headphone icon → Choose Stereo.

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Some phones (such as Xiaomi with MIUI 14+) have a bug: Bluetooth automatically switches to mono mode when the headphones are low. Charge them up to 50% and reconnect.

Method 6: Diagnostics of hardware malfunctions

If neither of these methods worked, it might be a hardware problem, and here are the signs that prove it:

• 🚨 One of the headphones is not charged (the indicator does not burn when placed in the case).
• 🔊 In test mode, there is no sound in one of the headphones.
• 📉 The headphone discharges quickly (holds charge for less than 30 minutes).
• 💧 On the body or contacts, traces of oxidation or moisture are visible.

What you can do on your own:

1. Clean contacts: wipe the metal contacts in the case and on headphones with a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol (do not use water!).
2. Case check: connect the case to the charge - if the indicator does not burn, the problem is in the case battery.
3. Test with another device: try connecting your headphones to another phone or PC, and if the problem persists, it's a malfunction in your headphones.

When to contact the service:

• 🛠️ If the headphone does not turn on even after charging.
• 🔧 If after the fall there was a crunch or crack in the dynamics.
• 💦 If the headphones were in the water (even if they were dried).

The cost of repairing AirDots in Xiaomi service centers starts from 800-1500 rubles (replacement of the speaker or battery).If the headphones are guaranteed, the repair will be free - but only if there are no signs of mechanical damage.

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Don't try to disassemble the headphones yourself - 90% of the time it causes a permanent breakdown.The AirDots case is sealed and it's easy to damage the plumes when opened.

Method 7: Alternative methods (if nothing helps)

If the standard methods didn’t work, try these non-obvious solutions:

• 🔌 PC Connection: Sometimes headphones sync when connected to Windows or Mac:
• 📵 Power Saving Disconnection: Go to Settings on Android → Battery → Energy saving and disable optimization for Bluetooth.
• 🔄 Network reset on your phone: on Android, select Settings → System system → Reset → Reset the network settings. This will delete all stored Bluetooth devices.