How to connect both headphones Xiaomi: if only one works

Why does one Xiaomi headphone not connect and the other work?

You took Xiaomi's new wireless headphones out of the box (whether it's Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless or Buds 4 Pro), turned them on, but found that only one headphone was sounding, and the second one was silent or flashing red? This problem occurs in 15-20% of users, and in 90% of cases it can be solved independently without going to the service center.

The causes of the problem fall into two categories: hardware (contact damage, battery discharge) and software (synchronization failure, Bluetooth error, outdated firmware). Most often, the fault is the disconnection between the master headphone (right) and the slave (left) - this happens if the headphones have been lying low for a long time or connected to different devices. Less often, the problem lies in the settings of the smartphone or physical breakdown.

In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to connect both Xiaomi headphones – from elementary (reboot, reset) to advanced (manual synchronization through the engineering menu), and you will learn how to avoid such failures in the future and what to do if neither method worked.

Preparation: Checking before setting up

Before you start complex manipulations, make sure that the problem is not on the surface.

🔋 Headphone charge level (indicator should burn white/blue)

📱 Smartphone compatibility (Bluetooth version 4.2)+)

🔊 Mono/stereo mode in Bluetooth settings

🎧 Cleanliness of contacts in the case (no oxidation or dirt)

🔄 Attempting to connect to another device (laptop, tablet)-->

Pay special attention to the charging case: if the headphones are not charged in it, the problem may be damaged contacts or a faulty battery. Try to clean the contacts with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol - sometimes this solves the problem with synchronization.

Also check if your smartphone activates the Hearing-impaired Mode (in the special feature settings), which can force the sound to only one earphone.

Method 1: Reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings

The most reliable way to get back sync is to reset completely, erasing all the stored connections and returning the headphones to the "out of the box" state, and the instructions are suitable for all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi AirDots 3 Pro and Mi Buds 4.

How to reset:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds.
2. Pull them out and hold the touchpads on both headphones for 15-20 seconds until the lights start flashing red and white alternately.
3. Place the headphones back in the case, close the lid and wait 30 seconds.
4. Take it out and try to connect again.

Once reset, the headphones should automatically sync to each other and appear in the list of available Bluetooth devices as a single unit (for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2, rather than two separate devices).

💡

If the indicators don’t flash red and white, try holding the button on the case (if you have one) along with the sensors on the headphones.

Method 2: Manual connection via engineering menu (for advanced)

If the reset didn’t work, the link between the master headphone (usually the right-hand one) and the slave might be broken, in which case forced synchronization via a hidden engineering menu will help, a method that works for most Xiaomi models, but requires precision.

Instructions:

1. Make sure the headphones are discharged to 0% (indicator red).
2. Connect the case to charging and wait until the indicators on the headphones start flashing red (this means they have started charging).
3. Once the lights light up white (charge ~10%), quickly pull out both earbuds and hold the sensors on both for 10 seconds.
4. Place the headphones back in the case, close the lid for 5 seconds, then pull out and try to connect.

This works in 70 percent of cases where standard reset doesn't work. If the headphones still don't sync, move on to the next one.

Method 3: Update the firmware headphones

Outdated firmware is a common cause of synchronization failures, especially in Xiaomi Mi Buds 3/4 and Redmi AirDots 2. The manufacturer regularly releases updates that correct connection errors.

How to update firmware:

• 📱 Install the official Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app (depending on the model).
• 🔍 Connect headphones to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
• 🔄 In the app, go to the headphones section and check for updates in the Settings menu. → Firmware update.
• ⚡ If the update is available, connect the headphones to charging and wait for the process to complete (don't turn off the power!).

After the update, reset your headphones (see Method 1) and try to connect again. If the application does not have an update option, then your model does not support the update. OTA-Updates (e.g. Redmi AirDots Basic).

💡

Updating the firmware solves the problem with synchronization in 30% of cases, but requires a stable Internet connection and headphone charge of at least 50%.

Method 4: Set up Bluetooth on a smartphone

Sometimes the problem lies not in the headphones, but in the Bluetooth settings of the smartphone. For example, on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO devices, the Audio Duplex mode can be activated, which forcibly divides the sound through channels.

How to set up Bluetooth correctly:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth and remove the headphones from the list of conjugated devices.
2. Go to Bluetooth Additional Settings → Audio Codec and select SBC (most compatible codec).
3. Turn off the option of absolute volume (if any).
4. Enable High Quality Audio (if available) mode.
5. Reboot your smartphone and try to connect again.

Also check if the headphones are connected to another device (like a laptop or tablet).Some Xiaomi models support multi-connection, which can cause conflicts.

Method 5: Checking for physical damage

If none of the software methods worked, it could be a hardware problem.

• 🔴 One headphone does not charge in the case (the indicator does not burn).
• 🎵 There is a sound, but very quiet or with interference.
• 🔌 Contacts on the headphone or in the case oxidized / damaged.
• 💧 The headphone fell into the water or was hit.

What can be done:

1. Check the resistance of contacts with a multimeter (if you have skills). Normal value is 0.5-1.5 ohms.
2. Try connecting the problem headphone to another device (for example, via a AUX-cable, if the model supports).
3. Take the headphone apart (carefully!) and check the integrity of the plumes.

⚠️ Warning: Disassembling headphones makes you unwarranted. If the device is warranty, contact Xiaomi Service Center with a check. The average cost of repairing one headphone is 1,500-3,000 ₽ (model-wise).

What do you do if nothing helps?

If you’ve tried all the ways but one earphone still doesn’t work, there are three options left:

1. Xiaomi has official centers in most major cities, and check before you visit to see if the warranty period (usually 12 months) has expired.
2. If the headphones are old (e.g. Redmi AirDots 1), repairs may cost more than a new set. Current models: Mi Buds 4 (from 3,000) ₽) Redmi Buds 5 (from 2,500) ₽).
3. Use it in mono mode. Some models (like Mi True Wireless 2) allow you to use each earpiece separately: 🔋 Put a broken headphone in the case. 📱 Connect the working headphone to the smartphone as a separate device.

It's also worth checking if your model is recalled. For example, in 2022, there was a Redmi AirDots 3 batch with a synchronization defect - Xiaomi replaced them under warranty even without a check.

💡

Before buying new headphones, check for compatibility with your smartphone. For example, Mi Buds 4 Pro require Bluetooth 5.2+ to run the LHDC codec.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi headphones