How to connect Xiaomi wireless headphones to your computer: 5 working ways

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular smartphone accessories, but not everyone knows that they can be used without problems with computers. Whether it is AirDots Pro 3, Buds 4 Pro or budget Redmi Buds 5, the process of connecting to a PC or laptop is often questionable, especially if we are talking about older models without Bluetooth 5.0 support or computers without a built-in adapter.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can connect, from standard pairing via Bluetooth Settings to using third-party Windows utilities, and what to do if your headphones aren’t defined by the system, refuse to connect, or permanently shut down. Spoiler: 90% of the time, the problem is solved by updating drivers or resetting your headphones.

If you've never connected before TWS-Headphones to computer, start with the first section.Savvy users can immediately go to solve typical problems or instructions for a specific Xiaomi model.

1. Preparing Xiaomi headphones for connection

Before you try to pair your headphones with your computer, make sure they are properly initialized and paired, which is especially important for automatic-on models (like the AirDots 3 Pro), which may not go into search mode without additional action.

Here's what we need to do:

• 🔋 Charge the case and headphones, minimum charge level is 30%. If the indicator on the case flashes red, connect it to charge for 10-15 minutes.
• 🎧 Remove the headphones from the case. They should automatically turn on (most models sound the beep).
• 🔄 Reset previous connections. If the headphones have already been paired with the phone, you need to "forget" them in the settings of the smartphone, otherwise they can automatically connect to it instead of a PC.
• 🔍 Activate pairing mode. To do this, press the touchpad (or button) on both headphones for 5-7 seconds, until the indicators start flashing white and red alternately.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi Buds 4 and later, you need to touch the touchpad three times on any of the headphones to enter pairing mode. If the indicators do not blink, repeat the action or check the charge.

Some older models (such as the AirDots Youth Edition) may need to remove the headphones from the case and hold the button on the case for 10 seconds.

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If Xiaomi headphones do not respond to touch, try cleaning the touch panels with an alcohol napkin - sometimes pollution interferes with the operation.

2. Standard Bluetooth connection on Windows 10/11

This is the easiest way to do this, and it works on 90% of modern laptops and PCs with a built-in Bluetooth adapter. If your computer is released after 2018, chances are you already have one, check it out in Device Manager (Bluetooth).

Step-by-step:

1. Open Windows settings (win keys) + I) and go to the Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
2. Turn on Bluetooth (slider in the "On" position).
3. Click Add Bluetooth or another device → select Bluetooth.
4. In the list of available devices, find your Xiaomi headphones (the name will contain a model, for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2).
5. Pick them up and wait for the pairing to be completed. The headphones should sound "Connected" on the voice signal.

If it's successful, the headphones will be on the list of connected devices, and now they can be used as the main audio device.

Headphones are displayed in the list of devices|The headphones are on blue/green.|Windows Plays Sound Through Xiaomi|The microphone (if any) is determined by the system.-->

⚠️ Warning: On Windows 11, you may need to manually select your headphones as your audio output device after you connect. → Choose your Xiaomi in the list.

3. Connect to macOS (MacBook, iMac)

On Apple computers, pairing is even easier thanks to the optimized Bluetooth stack, but there is a caveat: some Xiaomi models (especially older ones) can only connect in mode. HFP (for calls, not A2DP (This restriction is related to the protocols that macOS supports.

Instructions for macOS Ventura/Monterey/Sonoma:

1. Open System settings → Bluetooth.
2. Make sure that Bluetooth is enabled (the icon in the menu bar should be blue).
3. Put Xiaomi headphones in pairing mode (see section 1).
4. In the list of devices, find your headphones and click Connect.
5. If you request a code confirmation, type 0000 or 1234 (the default for most models).

After connecting, check that the headphones are selected as the output device:

• Click on the speaker icon in the menu bar → Choose Xiaomi.
• For the microphone: System settings → Sound. → Entrance → pick out the headphones.

⚠️ Attention: M1/M2 MacBooks may have a problem with latency, which is due to the optimization of Apple’s chips, the solution is to use headphones in Low Latency mode (if supported) or connect via USB-Bluetooth adapter (for example, AvnerShak). EDUP).

4.What to do if the computer can not see the headphones Xiaomi

This is the most common problem, and there are many reasons for it, from Bluetooth disabled to outdated drivers. Let's take the solutions in order.

Checking the Bluetooth adapter

If your PC doesn’t see any wireless devices, the problem is most likely the adapter:

• 🖥️ Make sure that Bluetooth is enabled in BIOS/UEFI (On some motherboards, it's disabled by default).
• 🔌 If you USB-Adapter, try to connect it to another port (preferably) USB 2.0).
• 🔍 Check if the adapter is detected in Device Manager (Bluetooth or Network Adapters). If there is an exclamation point, update the driver.

Update of Bluetooth drivers

Outdated drivers are the reason №1 Connection Issues: Here's How to Update Them:

1. Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
2. Find the Bluetooth partition, open it, and right-click on your adapter (like Qualcomm Atheros or Intel Wireless Bluetooth).
3. Select Update Driver → Automatic search.
4. If Windows does not find updates, download the driver from the motherboard / laptop manufacturer's website.

For Lenovo laptops, HP, ASUS And other brands better use official drivers from the support site, not universal from Microsoft.

4.3 Reset Bluetooth settings in Windows

If Xiaomi headphones were previously connected, but are not determined now, try resetting the settings:

1. Open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
2. Find your headphones in the list and click Remove the device.
3. Execute in the command line (Win) + R → cmd):

netsh winsock reset


netsh int ip reset




shutdown /r /t 0

After rebooting, try connecting again.

5. Alternative ways of connecting

If standard pairing doesn't work, there are a few workarounds that will require additional devices or programs, but are guaranteed to solve the problem.

5.1.Using a USB-Bluetooth adapter

If your PC doesn’t have Bluetooth built-in or it’s unstable, buy an external adapter.

• 🔹 AvnerShak EDUP (Supports Bluetooth 5.0, low latency).
• 🔹 TP-Link UB500 (Compatible with Xiaomi AirDots 3 Pro).
• 🔹 ASUS USB-BT400 (Good compatibility with macOS).

Connect the adapter to USB-Install the drivers (if required) and repeat the pairing process.

Connection via Aux cable (if supported)

Some Xiaomi models (such as the Mi Headphones Basic) have a 3.5mm connector.

1. Connect the headphones to your computer via an Aux cable.
2. In the sound settings Windows/macOS select the Audioway (3.5 mm).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi wireless headphones with Aux support (for example, Mi Dual Driver) when connected via cable work only in wired mode, disabling Bluetooth.

Programs for forced connection

If Windows persistently does not see headphones, try the utilities:

• 🖥️ Bluetooth Command Line Tools – allows you to manually initiate device search.
• 🖥️ BlueSoleil – Alternative Bluetooth Driver with Advanced Settings.

Download the software only from official sites to avoid viruses!

6. Solving specific problems

Some Xiaomi models have unique PC-connecting bugs, and we've put together solutions for the most popular cases.

If your model is not in the table, try resetting the headphones to factory settings:

1. Put the headphones in the case.
2. Press and hold the button on the case for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Remove the headphones and try to connect again.

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If Xiaomi headphones are connected but the sound is distorted or interrupted, the problem is most often Bluetooth codecs. AAC (For example, for Qualcomm adapters).

7. Sound optimization after connection

Even if the headphones are successfully connected, the sound may not be perfect.

7.1. Customization of sound quality in Windows

By default, Windows uses compressed audio formats for Bluetooth. To enable high quality:

1. Open the control panel. → Sound.
2. Choose your Xiaomi headphones → Properties → tab Additional.
3. In the default format section, select 2 channels, 16 bits, 44100 Hz (or 48,000 Hz if supported).
4. Check the box to turn off all sound effects.

Reduced sound delay

For games or video, minimal latency is important, to reduce it:

• 🎮 Use low latency mode (if supported by the model). For example, on AirDots 3 Pro, you need to touch the touchpad three times.
• 🖥️ In Bluetooth Adapter Settings, Turn off Energy Saving Mode.
• 🔊 Install the Bluetooth Audio Driver from the adapter manufacturer (for example, for Qualcomm chips).

Adjustment of the microphone

If the microphone is not working well or is not detectable:

• 🎤 B Sound parameters → Enter select Xiaomi headphones as the default device.
• 🔊 Check the microphone volume level in Properties → Levels.
• 🛠️ Turn off Noise Reduction and Speech Improvement in Settings – They Can Distort Voice.

FAQ: Frequent questions