How to connect headphones Xiaomi Redmi: all ways and solutions to problems

Introduction: Why Xiaomi Redmi headphones can't connect?

Xiaomi Redmi headphones are a popular solution for music lovers and gamers, but their connection sometimes raises questions, problems arise with both wired models (Redmi Buds 3 Lite, Redmi AirDots 3) and wireless ones (Redmi Buds 4 Pro, Redmi Buds 5), most often due to improper Bluetooth settings, physical damage to connectors or outdated software.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can connect your Redmi headphones to your smartphones (including MIUI 14/15), tablets, and PCs, and focus on solving common mistakes, from no sound to pairing problems, and if your headphones don’t work, you’ll find the answer here.

For convenience, we have divided instructions by device type and headphone model. Start with the section that suits your situation, or swipe through to the FAQ if you need quick help.

1. Connecting wired headphones Redmi to the smartphone

Wired headphones Xiaomi Redmi (for example, Redmi Hi-Res Wired Earphones) connect via a standard 3.5 mm audio jack or USB-C (depending on the smartphone model). If there is no sound, check the following points:

• 🔌 Check the connector: often dust or debris enters the nest. Clean it carefully with a toothpick (not metal objects!).
• 🎧 Test the headphones on another device: if they don’t work there, the problem is in the cable or speakers.
• 📱 Sound settings: on Xiaomi smartphones go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound quality and select High Quality Mode (for Hi-Res Audio-enabled models).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone: sometimes the audio driver “hangs” after the system update.

Important for smartphones without a 3.5mm connector: if you use a USB-C → 3.5mm adapter, make sure it’s original. Cheap adapters often don’t support the microphone or produce distorted sound.

⚠️ Note: On smartphones Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and newer when connecting headphones through USB-C The speaker may automatically turn off. To return the sound to the headphones, restart the device or turn off/connect the plug again.

Ensure the integrity of the cable

Clean the audio jack

Check the sound settings in MIUI

Reboot your smartphone

Testing the headphones on another device-->

2 Connecting Redmi wireless headphones over Bluetooth

Xiaomi Redmi wireless headphones (AirDots series, Buds) connect via Bluetooth 5.0/5.2/5.3. The pairing process is standard, but there are nuances for different models.

1. Activate pairing mode: For Redmi Buds 3 Lite/AirDots 3: press the button on the case for 3-5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white. For Redmi Buds 4 Pro/Buds 5: open the case cover - the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode (the indicator flashes white).

On a smartphone.

Settings → Bluetooth

Confirm the conjugation

Buds 4 Pro

Connect

If the headphones are not displayed in the list of devices:

• 🔋 Check the case charge (earphones will not turn on if the level is below 10%).
• 📱 Reboot the Bluetooth module of the smartphone: turn it off / turn it on in the settings.
• 🔄 Reset the headphone settings: for Buds 4 Pro, press the button on the case for 10 seconds (the indicator will flash red).

⚠️ Note: On smartphones Xiaomi with MIUI 13 and below may not work aptX Adaptive for Redmi Buds 5. Update your firmware or use your headphones in mode AAC (the sound is a little worse).

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If the headphones are connected, but the sound is interrupted, turn off the Absolute Volume option in the Bluetooth settings (located in additional device parameters).

3. Connecting Redmi headphones to a PC or laptop

You can connect Redmi Buds to your computer via a Bluetooth adapter (built-in or external) and the algorithm is similar to a smartphone, but there are some nuances:

1. Make sure your PC is enabled with Bluetooth: Windows: Start → Settings → Devices → Bluetooth. macOS: System settings → Bluetooth.

Put the headphones in pairing mode (see section above).

Connect

If the headphones are connected but there is no sound:

• 🎛️ Check the default playback device: right-click on the sound icon in the tray → Open sound parameters → Choose Redmi Buds.
• 🔊 Update the Bluetooth driver: Find your adapter and update the software in Device Manager.
• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth: net stop bthserv net start bthserv

For Redmi Buds 4 Pro and later on Windows 11, you may need to turn off audio compression:

1. Go to the Control Panel. → Sound.
2. Select Redmi Buds → Properties → tab More.
3. Uncheck the tick with Allow Apps Exclusive Control.

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On a Linux PC, Xiaomi Redmi headphones can only connect in HSP/HFP (low-quality audio) mode. For a full-fledged A2DP, install the pulseaudio-modules-bt package.

4. Solving Connection Problems

If Xiaomi Redmi headphones are not connected or are unstable, use this instruction:

4.1 Headphones not detectable

• 🔋 Check the case charge: the indicator should burn white when opened.
• 📱 Reboot Bluetooth on your smartphone: disable / turn on the module in the settings.
• 🔄 Reset your headphone settings: For AirDots 3/Buds 3 Lite: press the button on 10 Seconds (indicator flashes red). For Buds 4 Pro/Buds 5: press the button on the case 15 seconds.

4.2. Connection is available, but no sound.

• 🎵 Check the sound mode: on Xiaomi smartphones go to Settings → Sound. → Sound quality and select High.
• 🔊 Turn off mono mode: in Bluetooth settings, click on the icon ⚙️ Next to the headphones and deactivate Monozound.
• 📱 Update your headphone firmware (relevant to Buds 4 Pro and newer) through the Mi Home app.

The sound is interrupted or distorted

• 📶 Reduce the distance between the headphones and the device (maximum 10 meters without obstacles).
• 🔋 Charge headphones up to 50% or higher – with a low charge, stability may fall.
• 🎛️ Turn off power saving for Bluetooth: in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — tap 7 times) find Bluetooth Debugging and turn on High-quality audio codec.

5. Connecting Redmi headphones to a TV or smart speaker

Xiaomi Redmi headphones can be connected to Smart TVs (on Android TV or webOS) and smart speakers (for example, Xiaomi Smart Speaker).

5.1. TVs on Android TV (Xiaomi, Redmi, other brands)

1. Open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth.
2. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones (see section 2).
3. Select Redmi Buds from the list and confirm your connection.

If the sound is coming through the TV speakers:

• Go to Settings → Sound → Sound output.
• Select Redmi Buds as your default device.

5.2 Xiaomi Smart speakers

Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker or Redmi Smart Speaker supports headphone connection in audio source mode (only for models with Bluetooth 5.0+):

1. Say the voice command, "Plug Bluetooth."
2. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones.
3. Confirm the connection in the Mi Home app.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi TVs TV A2 You may experience lag when watching video, and you may experience lag when watching video. To reduce it, select the codec in Bluetooth settings. SBC instead AAC.

6.Redmi headphone firmware update

For Redmi Buds 4 Pro, Buds 5 and later, firmware updates are available that fix bugs and add new features (such as LC3 support or improved noise cancellation).

1. Connect the headphones to your smartphone.
2. Open Mi Home and go to the Devices section.
3. Choose your headphones. → Settings (⚙️) → Firmware update.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (don’t turn off the headphones during the process!).

If the update does not appear:

• 📱 Update the Mi Home app to the latest version.
• 🌐 Connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi (updates are not downloaded over the mobile network).
• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones to your smartphone.

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The firmware update resets the user's headphone settings (such as control gestures) and will have to reconfigure them after the update.

7. Customize gestures and functions of Redmi headphones

Xiaomi Redmi headphones support gesture control (touch, hold) and additional functions (noise reduction, transparent mode).

1. Connect the headphones to your smartphone.
2. Open Mi Home → Choose your headphones.
3. Go to the Control Settings.

Available options (depending on the model):

• 🎧 Double touch: playback / pause, next track, call voice assistant.
• 🔇 Retention: switching on/off noise reduction (ANC).
• 🔊 Transparent mode: transmitting external sounds (useful on the street).
• 🎤 Microphone: Selecting Direction (for Calls).

For Redmi Buds 5 models, equalizer setting is available:

• In the Mi Home app, go to Sound Effects.
• Select a preset profile (Bas, Rock, Classic) or create your own.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi AirDots 3 headphones, gestures are only configured through third-party apps (for example, Earbuds Battery), since the official firmware does not support customization.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi Redmi headphones