Why one Xiaomi headphone connects and the second does not: a full analysis of the problem

The problem with connecting one headphone Xiaomi: what to do first

You took Xiaomi AirDots, Redmi Buds or Mi True Wireless out of your case, but only one of them sees the phone? Or does the sound come from the left, then the right, and the second one stays silent? This problem occurs in 30% of owners of Xiaomi wireless headphones — and in 90% of cases it can be solved independently without contacting the service.

The causes of uneven connectivity fall into two groups: hardware (physical damage, battery discharge) and software (Bluetooth failures, firmware errors). In this article, we will examine the unique nuances for Xiaomi — for example, why headphones can “forget” the pair channel after updating MIUI, or how resetting to factory settings affects synchronization.

1. Basic checks: case, charging and Bluetooth

Before you dig deeper, make sure that the problem is not the basics. Most often, the second earpiece will not connect because:

• 🔋 A discharged battery in the case or earphone itself (even if the indicator is green).
• 📱 Incorrect order of extraction from the case (first you need to get the main headphone - usually the right one).
• 🔄 Conflict with other Bluetooth devices (columns, smart watches).
• 📲 Outdated version of Bluetooth on a smartphone (e.g. Bluetooth 4.0 instead of 5.0)+).

Take your headphones and follow the steps:

Take both headphones out of the case and put them next to you.|Check the charge indicators (should flash white/red)|Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (Settings) → Bluetooth → Off./On.)|Try connecting to another device (laptop, tablet)|Make sure that the sound settings do not select the "Mono" mode"-->

If the second headphone is still undetectable after this, move on to the following sections. Special attention: Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2 and Redmi Buds 3 Pro models have a proprietary bug - they can "hang" in standby mode if you put them in the case too quickly after use, in which case only a full reset (more about this below) will help.

2.Reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings

The most effective way to get headphone synchronization back is hard reset. The procedure varies depending on the model, but the general principle is the same: reset the connection settings and repair the devices. For most Xiaomi models, the algorithm is as follows:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (usually located behind) for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Remove the headphones from the case – they should automatically go into mating mode (indicators flash alternately).
4. Connect to them via Bluetooth on your phone (Settings → Bluetooth → “Mi True Wireless” or similar name).

For models with touch control (for example, Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro or Redmi Buds 4), the reset is performed differently:

1. Touch and hold the touchpad on both headphones at the same time.


2 Hold for 10-12 seconds until you hear the reset beep.




3. Put the headphones in the case, then pull out - they should sync.

💡

If the headphones don't pair after reset, try connecting them to another device (like a laptop), sometimes the Bluetooth cache on your smartphone sticks, and the new gadget helps wake up the headphones.

3.Firmware and MIUI problems: hidden bugs

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones on MIUI 12-14 often find that the headphones are not connected correctly due to firmware errors, for example, after updating the system, the Bluetooth A2DP protocol responsible for stereo sound can be lost.

• 🎧 One earpiece is connected as "Mi True". Wireless_L", The second is a separate device called "Mi True". Wireless_R".
• 🔊 The sound comes from only one earphone, although both are connected.
• 🔄 Headphones are constantly reconnected (every 5-10 seconds).

Decisions:

1. Update your headphone firmware through the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app (if the model is supported). To do this: Open the app → Find the headphones in the list of devices → “Firmware Update”
2. Clear the Bluetooth cache on your smartphone: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points (⋮) → Show system-based → Bluetooth → Warehouse → Clear the cache
3. Turn off power saving for Bluetooth: Settings → Battery → Power saving mode → Additional → Turn off Bluetooth Optimization

If the problem occurred after the MIUI update, try rolling back to the previous version or wait for a patch. For example, MIUI 13.0.4 had a bug with Bluetooth LE Audio, which caused the Xiaomi Buds 4 headphones to lose sync.

4. Hardware malfunctions: when replacement is needed

If the software methods didn't work, the problem could be physical damage.

To check the contacts, take the earpiece out of the case and inspect the metal connectors on the case and inside the case. If they are darkened or covered with plaque, gently wipe them with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Do not use water or acetone - this can damage the coating!

Yeah, one earphone stopped working.|Yeah, there were connection issues.|Yeah, but I fixed it myself.|No, they work perfectly.|Other-->

If the headphone is physically damaged (for example, after a fall or moisture), home repairs rarely help. Xiaomi service centers estimate that replacing one headphone for AirDots or Redmi Buds models is 1,500-3,000. ₽, The exception is the premium segment (FlipBuds Pro, Buds 4 Pro) models, where replacement is cheaper than buying a new set.

5. Conflicts with other devices and OS

Xiaomi headphones may refuse to connect correctly if:

• 💻 They were previously paired with another device (laptop, tablet) and not disconnected from it.
• 🎮 Used together with a gamepad, keyboard or other Bluetooth gadgets.
• 📱 The smartphone runs on custom firmware (like LineageOS), where Bluetooth drivers are not optimized.

To avoid conflicts:

1. On all devices that the headphones have connected to, execute the command "Forget the device" (Settings → Bluetooth → Press on the headphones → "Forget").
2. Turn off other Bluetooth devices within a 10 meter radius.
3. If you are using Windows, update your Bluetooth drivers through Device Manager.

💡

Xiaomi headphones can store up to 8 devices in memory. If the list of paired gadgets is full, they may start connecting incorrectly.

Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro features are newer: they support multi-connection (to phone and laptop at the same time).If this feature is unstable, turn it off in the settings of the Xiaomi Wear app:

Open the app → Select headphones → “Additional settings” → Disable “Connection to two devices”

6. Alternative ways of connecting

If standard pairing doesn't work, try manual plug-in mode. It helps when the headphones are defined as two separate devices (Mi True). Wireless_L and Mi True. Wireless_R).

Instructions for Android:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Click on "Search for Devices" and wait until both headphones appear.
3. First connect to R (right), then to L (left).
4. After connecting both headphones, they should sync automatically.

For iPhone or Mac:

1. Press the button on the case for 20 seconds to force the mating mode to be turned on.
2. In Bluetooth settings, select "Mi True Wireless" (without L/R).
3. If the device does not appear, restart the iPhone.

💡

On some models (e.g. Redmi Buds 3 Lite), you need to touch the touchpad on the right earphone 3 times and then on the left to manually connect, which activates the "forced synchronization" mode.

If the headphones are connected, but the sound comes from only one, check the sound settings on the device:

• On Android: Settings → Sound → Stereo balance (should be in the middle).
• On iOS: Settings → Universal Access → Audiovisual → Monoaudio Balance (turn off this option).

7.When to contact the service: signs of serious breakdowns

If you've tried all the ways, but the second headphone still doesn't work, you might need professional intervention.

⚠️ Warning: If the headphone warms up when charging or smells like a burn, stop using immediately! This is a sign of a short circuit in the battery - the risk of fire.

• 🔥 The headphone heats up even without use.
• 🔋 The battery discharges in 10-15 minutes (with normal operation - 3-4 hours).
• 🎛️ The earpiece is defined as an "Unknown Device" or LE-Audio-Device.
• 🔊 The sound is distorted even when connected to another device.

In the service centers Xiaomi diagnostics costs 300-500 ₽, repair (replacement of speaker, battery or Bluetooth module) – from 1000 ₽. If the headphones are warranty, the repair will be free, but check if you have violated the terms (for example, getting moisture will void the warranty).

For self-diagnosis, you can use a multimeter (call circuits) or Bluetooth Auto Connect (shows detailed information about the connection). However, without experience, it is better not to take risks - improper repair can completely disable the headphones.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi headphones