How to connect Xiaomi headphones to a laptop: all ways and solutions to problems

Xiaomi headphones are a popular accessory for fans of high-quality sound, but their connection to a laptop sometimes raises questions, especially if we are talking about wireless models with Bluetooth or Bluetooth. TWS-Headsets where synchronization may be different from the standard. In this article, we will examine all possible ways of connecting, from wired Mi Basic to flagship Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, and also consider typical errors and their solutions.

Whether you’re using Windows 10/11, macOS or even Linux, the instructions below will help you set up a connection quickly and seamlessly. We’ll focus on the nuances of working with Low Latency Mode and Dual Device Connection, which support modern Xiaomi headphone models.

1. Connecting Xiaomi wired headphones to a laptop

Wired headphones, such as the Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro or Mi Dual Driver, connect to the laptop via a standard 3.5mm audio jack or USB-C (if the model supports digital output). In most cases, it is enough to simply insert a plug into the socket, but there are a few nuances:

• 🔌 Check the type of connector: modern laptops (especially MacBooks or ultrabooks) may not have a 3.5 mm port. USB-C → 3.5 mm.
• 🎧 Sound quality: If the headphones support Hi-Res Audio, make sure the highest quality is selected in the laptop sound settings (e.g., for example, 24-bit/96kHz).
• 🔊 Mik problems: If the headset with the microphone does not work, check the recording settings in the Control Panel → Windows (Sound) or System settings → Sound (macOS).

If there is no sound after connection:

1. Check the physical connection (the plug may not be fully inserted).
2. Update your audio drivers via Device Manager (Windows) or App Store (macOS).
3. Try another audio connector (for example, on the front panel of the system unit, if you connect to a PC).

⚠️ Note: Some Lenovo laptops and HP The audio jack can be combined (for headphones and microphones). If your Xiaomi headset has separate plugs, you will need a splitter.

2. Connecting Xiaomi Bluetooth headphones to a Windows laptop

Xiaomi wireless headphones (such as Mi Bluetooth Neckband or Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro) connect via Bluetooth. The process on Windows 10/11 looks like this:

1. Turn the headphones on in pairing mode (usually hold the power button for 3-5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing blue and white).
2. On your laptop, open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
3. Click Add Add the device → Bluetooth.
4. Select your headphones from the list (the name will contain Mi, Redmi or Xiaomi).
5. Confirm the conjugation (if necessary, enter the PIN-code - usually 0000 or 1234).

If the headphones are not listed:

• 🔄 Reboot the Bluetooth module of the laptop (turn it off / on in Device Manager).
• 📱 Reset the headphone settings: for this, hold the power button 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red.
• 🖥️ Update the Bluetooth driver: download the latest version from the laptop manufacturer’s website.

⚠️ Attention: On laptops with Bluetooth 4.0 There may be problems with the connection of Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro due to lack of support LE Audio. In this case, the sound will be transmitted through an outdated codec. SBC, quality-deteriorating.

Charge headphones to 50% and higher |

Turn on Bluetooth on your laptop |

Make sure the headphones are not connected to another device |

Check the compatibility of codecs (AAC/aptX/SBC)|-->

3. Connection TWS-headphones Xiaomi to the laptop

TWS-True Wireless Stereo headphones, such as Xiaomi AirDots or Redmi AirDots 3, connect slightly differently than regular Bluetooth headsets, and work as two separate headsets synchronized through the main headphone (usually the right-hand headset).

Instructions for Windows/macOS:

1. Take both headphones out of the case (they should automatically turn on).
2. Hold the touchpad on the right earphone for 3-5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing white-red.
3. On the laptop, start searching for Bluetooth devices.
4. Select a device called Mi True Wireless or similar.
5. Confirm the conjugation (PIN-code not required).

If one of the headphones is not connected:

• 🔋 Charging: Make sure both earphones are charged (indicators on the case should be green).
• 🔄 Reset: Put the headphones in the case, then hold the button on the case for 10 seconds until the indicator flashes red.
• 📡 Interference: Disable other Bluetooth devices within a 5-meter radius.

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If you only have one headphone after you connect, try manually selecting stereo mode in Bluetooth settings (on Windows: Settings → Devices → Your headphones → Additional sound settings).

4. Connect to a laptop on macOS (MacBook)

On MacBooks or other Apple devices, the process of connecting Xiaomi headphones has its nuances, especially when it comes to codecs. By default, macOS uses AAC, which supports all modern models, but for better sound, you may need to manually adjust.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn the headphones into pairing mode (see section above).
2. Open System settings → Bluetooth.
3. Click Connect next to the name of your headphones.
4. If the sound is interrupted, open Sound Settings → Exit and select quality (44.1 kHz is recommended for stability).

Challenges and solutions:

• 🎵 Low quality audio: macOS can automatically select SBC instead AAC. To fix this, remove the device and connect again.
• 🔇 The microphone is not working: in the sound settings → Entrance select your headphones manually.
• 🔄 Frequent communication breaks: turn off Wi-Fi Assist in System settings → Network → Wi-Fi → Additionally.

⚠️ Note: On a MacBook with a chip M1/M2 There may be problems with the connection of Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro due to Bluetooth conflict 5.2. The solution is to upgrade macOS to the latest version or use headphones in mono mode (only one headphone).

5. Connect via USB-C (for headphones with digital output)

Some Xiaomi headphones, such as the Mi USB-C Headset, connect directly via USB-C. This provides a more stable connection and better sound quality through digital transmission, but not all laptops support this format.

Instructions:

1. Connect the headphones to the USB-C port of the laptop.
2. If the sound does not appear automatically, open the Control Panel → Sound (Windows) or System Settings → Sound (macOS).
3. Select USB Audio Device as the output device.

Possible problems:

• 🔌 Laptop does not recognize headphones: try another USB-C port.
• 🎵 Sound distorted: update the driver USB Audio Class via Device Manager.
• 🔋 Headphones don't charge: Some models require Power Delivery (check the power supply).

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USB-C headphones provide cleaner sound than Bluetooth because they don't compress, but they take up port and are not suitable for devices without USB-C.

6. Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, Xiaomi headphones may not work properly. Let’s look at the typical errors and how to fix them.

If Xiaomi headphones are connected but no sound:

1. Check if they are selected as the default output device.
2. Windows Audio: net stop audiosrv net start audiosrv
3. Disable exclusive control in device properties (Windows).

⚠️ Note: Realtek Audio laptops may have conflicts with Bluetooth headphones, so the solution is to install drivers from the laptop manufacturer, not the standard ones from Microsoft.

7. Sound optimization for games and video

If you use Xiaomi headphones to play games or watch movies, it is important to minimize latency.

• 🎮 Enable low latency mode: On headphones: triple touch touch touch panel (for Buds) 3/4 On PC: select the aptX Low Latency codec (if supported)
• 📺 Set up synchronization in the player: VLC: Tools → Synchronization → YouTube audio delay: Settings → Quality. → Reproduction speed
• 🔊 Turn off sound processing: Windows: Control Panel → Sound. → Device properties → Improvements → Shut it down.

Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro headphones support LHDC 4.0 codec, which provides a latency of less than 50 ms – this is critical for competitive games (CS:GO, Valorant). However, it requires Bluetooth 5.2 and special software (for example, LHDC Suite for Windows).

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For PC games with Bluetooth headphones, use a wired connection (via 3.5 mm or USB-C), as even the lowest latency over Bluetooth (~30 ms) can be noticeable in shooters.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi headphones