One Xiaomi headphone does not connect to the phone: reasons and solutions [2026]

You took out a Xiaomi AirDots, Buds 4 or another model, but one of them stubbornly doesn't want to connect to the phone? The problem is familiar to many owners of wireless headsets — according to service centers, one in five cases of contact is due to a unilateral failure of the earphone. The reasons can be rooted in software failures and hardware malfunctions. But before carrying the device for repair, it is worth trying to solve the problem yourself.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons why a single Xiaomi headphone might not connect, from a trivial battery drain to a Bluetooth module damage. You’ll get step-by-step instructions with illustrations, a model compatibility table, and answers to frequent questions. We’ll focus on the hidden MIUI settings that even experienced users often ignore.

1. Checking the physical condition of the headphones and case

Before you go through the phone settings, make sure that the problem isn't mechanical damage or contamination.

• 🔍 Contacts in the case: often oxidation or contamination of contact areas leads to the fact that one earphone does not charge and, accordingly, does not turn on.
• 💧 Moisture inside: If the headphones were exposed to moisture (even condensation), it could cause the board to corrosion. Check the moisture indicator - on most models it is located under the speaker grid.
• 🔋 Battery status: try putting a non-working headphone in your case for 10 to 15 minutes. If the charge indicator doesn't light up, the battery may be the problem.

Pay special attention to the magnets in the case, which are responsible for fixing the headphones and closing the charging contacts. If the magnet is weakened or shifted, the earphone may not charge, which will lead to its failure. Check this out simply: hold a metal object (for example, a paper clip) to the case - if the attraction is weak, the magnets need to be replaced.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use abrasive materials ( sandpaper, needles) to clean contacts - this can damage the protective coating and aggravate the problem.

2. Resetting headphones to factory settings

If the headphones are physically OK, but one of them still doesn't connect, the next step is a hard reset, which clears all the stored connection settings and returns the device to a "out of the box" state.

• 🔄 Xiaomi AirDots (1-3 generation): Put both headphones in the case and close the lid. Press and hold the button on the case for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white. Pull out the headphones - they will automatically go into pairing mode.

Xiaomi Buds 4/4 Pro, FlipBuds

1. Open the cover.
2. Press and hold the touchpad on the working headphone for 10 seconds until you hear the beep.
3. Repeat the action for the second headphone.

After reset, remove the headphones from the list of conjugated devices in your phone's Bluetooth settings and reconnect them. If one headphone is still undetectable, move on to the next step.

3. Compatibility check with the phone and MIUI version

Not all Xiaomi headphones work equally well with different smartphones. For example, AirDots Pro 2 may have problems connecting to Android 12+ phones due to changes in the Bluetooth protocol.

If your phone doesn’t meet the minimum requirements, the headphones may connect partially or unstable. For example, on the Redmi Note 8 (Android 9), Buds 4 Pro will work, but without support for high-resolution codecs. Check the MIUI version in the phone settings: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

⚠️ Note: On phones with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), Xiaomi headphones may not connect due to the lack of drivers for branded Broadcom chips.

4. Update the firmware of headphones and phone

The manufacturer regularly releases updates for wireless headphones that correct connection errors. You can check the relevance of the firmware through the official Mi Home or Xiaomi Earbuds app (depending on the model).

1. Install the app from Google Play or AppGallery.
2. Put the headphones on the phone.
3. Open the app and go to the Devices section → [Your model] → Update of the PO.
4. If a new version is available, follow the instructions on the screen.

Also update the phone’s firmware: Settings → About Phone → System Update. This is especially true for devices on MIUI 13/14, where Bluetooth-connected bugs were detected in versions up to 14.0.5.

5. Bluetooth setup on Xiaomi phone

Sometimes the problem isn't with the headphones, but with the Bluetooth settings of the phone itself. There are a few hidden settings on Xiaomi devices that can affect the connection:

• 📱 Developer Mode: Enable it (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — tap 7 times) and activate the Bluetooth debugging option in Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• 🔄 Network reset: go to Settings → Connections → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings will remove all stored devices, but often solves connection problems.
• 🎧 Priority of codecs: in MIUI 14, you have the option of selecting an audio codec. Try switching from AAC on Bluetooth settings (near the headphone name).

If you use dual connectivity (headphones and laptops at the same time), disable the second device. Some Xiaomi models (such as AirDots 3 Pro) do not support multipoint, which can cause conflicts.

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If the headphones are plugged in but the sound is interrupted, try turning off the Absolute Volume feature in the developer settings, which can cause volume control conflicts on some models.

6. Diagnostics of hardware malfunctions

If all the software methods have been tried, but one earphone still doesn't connect, it's probably hardware.

• 🔋 Faulty battery: if the headphone is not charged in the case, check the voltage on the contacts with a multimeter (should be ~3.7V). When disassembling, pay attention to the bloating of the battery.
• 📡 A damaged Bluetooth module: a characteristic feature of the headphone flashing, but not detected by any device.
• 🔌 Antenna break: often occurs after falls. Visually check the integrity of the thin wire running from board to speaker.

For self-diagnosis, you can use a resistance tester:

1. Take the headphone apart (carefully so as not to damage the plumes!).
2. Call the circuits from charging contacts to battery and Bluetooth module.
3. Compare the readings with a working headphone (resistance should differ by no more than 10%).

⚠️ Attention: Disassembling headphones deprives you of warranty! If the device is warranty, contact the service center Xiaomi with a check. the average cost of repairing one headphone is from 800 to 2000 rubles (depending on the model and type of malfunction).

7. Alternative ways of connecting

If the standard connection doesn’t work, try to bypass the system’s limitations:

• 📱 Guest Mode: Create a second user on your phone (Settings) → System system → Multiple users) and try connecting headphones under a new account.
• 🔄 Adapter usage: some users solve the problem with a Bluetooth adapter (e.g. Avantek) USB Bluetooth 5.0 connected to the phone via OTG.
• 🎧 Forced apps: Utilities like Bluetooth Auto Connect or Btool can make your phone see the headphone, but this is a temporary solution, because the problem will come back after the reboot.

For models that support Fast Pair (such as Buds 4 Pro), try connecting via Google services:

1. Open Settings → Google → Devices and Exchange → Fast Pair.
2. Make sure the function is on.
3. Open the cover of the case – next to the phone should appear a notification about the new device.

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If one earphone only connects after multiple attempts, the problem is most likely the firmware of the phone's Bluetooth module, in which case only the MIUI update or a rollback to the previous version will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi headphones