“Headset is not connected” on Xiaomi: 7 ways to return sound to headphones

You took Xiaomi Redmi AirDots or Mi True Wireless Earbuds out of your case, and the phone stubbornly gives a notification "Headset is not connected" - there is no sound, the indicator flashes blue, and in Bluetooth settings the device appears and disappears. The situation is familiar? This error occurs in 30% of users of Xiaomi wireless headsets, and in 90% of cases it can be fixed without going to the service center.

The causes of the failure are both software bugs (for example, after the MIUI update) and hardware problems, from a discharged case to a damaged Bluetooth module in the headphones themselves. In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios, including rare ones (for example, a conflict with other Bluetooth devices), and give step-by-step instructions with visual hints. Particular attention will be paid to the Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro and FlipBuds Pro models, where the error is often associated with the Dual Device Connection feature.

1. Basic checks: what to do before resetting

Before you start a complex manipulation, make sure that the problem is not the trivial things. These steps take no more than 2 minutes, but solve the problem in 40% of cases.

• 🔋 Charging case and headphones: Connect the case to charge for 10-15 minutes, even if the indicator is on. Sometimes the power controller fails, and the real charge is below the displayed. For AirDots 3 Pro models, check if the white LED on the case is on — if flashing red, the charge is critically low.
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone: Turn off Xiaomi for 30 seconds and turn it on again. This will reset the cache of the Bluetooth module. MIUI 14+ Use the Power combination + Volume Up for Forced Reboot.
• 🎧 Contact cleanliness: Check the metal contacts on your headphones and in your case. Oxidation or dirt can block charging and connection. Wipe them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
• 🔗 Device conflict: Disable all other Bluetooth devices (fitness bracelets, smart watches, speakers) in Bluetooth settings → Connected devices. Sometimes MIUI «Forgetting the priority of the headset.

If the headphones are still not connected after this, move on to the next section. Especially often the bug firmware case is found in the Redmi Buds 4 Active 2023 batches - their owners are advised to immediately start resetting (section 3).

2. Bluetooth problems on a smartphone: how to diagnose

The “Headset is not connected” error may be caused by a failure in the phone’s Bluetooth module itself, and here’s how to check if it works:

1. Open Settings → Connections → Bluetooth and turn on search mode. If the smartphone does not find any devices (even other phones), the problem is in the antenna or the module firmware.
2. Connect the headphones to another phone (preferably not Xiaomi). If they work, it's your smartphone's fault, if not, it's the headset problem.
3. Run the Bluetooth test via the engineering menu: ##4636## → Phone Information → Bluetooth View status: Enabled (working), Disabled (disabled) or Error (repair required).

If the engineering menu shows Error, and the reboot does not help - perhaps damaged Bluetooth module (a common problem after the fall of Xiaomi 11T/12 Pro), in this case, only the replacement of the module in the service center will help.

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On the POCO F3/F4 and Redmi Note 10/11 smartphones, there is a bug with Bluetooth 5.2. Try to roll back on MIUI 13 via Fastboot if upgrading to 14+ caused a problem.

3. Resetting the headset settings: step-by-step instructions

The most effective way to get back up is to reset the headphones to the factory, and the procedure varies depending on the model:

Turn off your headphones from all devices in the Bluetooth menu |

Put both earphones in the case and close the lid |

Make sure the cover is at least 30 times charged%|

Prepare a second phone to check the connection-->

For Redmi AirDots (1-3 generation), Mi True Wireless Earbuds:

1. Take both headphones out of the case and keep them close.
2. Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones for 15 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white.
3. Put the headphones back in the case, close the lid and wait 10 seconds.
4. Remove and reconnect via Bluetooth.

For Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro, FlipBuds Pro:

1. Put the headphones in the case and open the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (near the USB-C) for 10 seconds until the indicator flashes orange.
3. Close the lid, wait 5 seconds and open again – the headphones should automatically go into pairing mode.

After the reset, the headphones will appear in the list of available devices as Mi True Wireless EBs. Basic_R or Redmi Buds_XXX. If the indicators do not blink or the reset does not work - the problem is in the hardware (controller discharge, damage to the board).

4.Remove and reconnect: nuances for MIUI

Sometimes MIUI forgets to pair devices correctly after updates, to prevent software failure:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Find your headset in the list and click on the gear ⚙️ near-name.
3. Select “Forget the device” (or “Disable” → “Delete”).
4. Go back to the main Bluetooth menu and turn on device search.
5. Remove the headphones from the case and hold the touchpad on one of them until it appears on the list (usually 5-7 seconds).

Important for MIUI 14+: Once connected, check Settings → Sound → Bluetooth Sound Quality. Select Sound Quality Priority (AAC) – this will solve the problem of intermittent sound or automatic shutdown.

⚠️ Attention: On smartphones Xiaomi 13/14 Android 13+ There's a bug where Bluetooth devices are turned off after the screen is locked. Solution: Turn off Adaptive Battery Savings in the battery settings for the Bluetooth app.

5. Problems with firmware cover: how to update manually

In 15% of cases, the error “Headset is not connected” is associated with outdated firmware cases. For example, in Redmi Buds 4 Active bug with connection fixed in version 1.4.0.8, and in Buds 3 Pro – in 1.7.1.0. You can check the version through the Mi Home application (if the headphones are ever connected).

If the automatic update does not work:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the official website of Xiaomi Firmware (section Audio).
2. Unpack the archive and rename the file to firmware.bin.
3. Connect the case to the PC via USB-C (on some models you need to hold the reset button when connecting).
4. Copy firmware.bin to the root directory of the case (it should be defined as a removable disk).
5. Turn off the case, wait for automatic reboot (the indicator will flash green).

Models on a Qualcomm chip (such as FlipBuds Pro) may require a QFlash Tool.

1. Install Qualcomm drivers (https://qfiltool.com/)


2. Connect the case in EDL mode (hold the 10 sec button when connecting to the PC)




3.In QFlash, select firmware and press Download

⚠️ Attention: Continuous updates to the firmware cover can't be interrupted! If the indicator goes out during the process, the headphones can turn into a brick. Use an uninterruptible power source (UPS) PC-based.

6. Hardware malfunctions: when a workshop is needed

If none of these things worked, the problem is probably hardware.

• 🔌 Case not charging: Check the multimeter voltage on the contacts (should be ~5V). If not, the charge controller is burned.
• 🎛️ The headphones don't sync with each other: One earphone works, the other doesn't. It's the antenna or Bluetooth chip in the main headphone.
• 🔥 Foreign smell or heating: Bloated capacitors or short circuit on board.
• 📡 Weak signal: Headphones shut down at less than 1 meter.The problem is antenna or shielding.

Average cost of repairs in service centers:

For Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and newer models, repairs may not be feasible, as parts cost close to the price of new headphones, in which case you should consider replacing under warranty (if the deadline is not expired) or buying a new headset.

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If the headphones are warranty, don't open the case yourself! autopsy marks will void Xiaomi's warranty obligations.

7. Alternative ways of connecting (if nothing helps)

If the standard methods don’t work, try the workarounds:

• 📱 Developer Mode: Enable Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times. Then in Settings. → Additionally. → For developers, activate Bluetooth debugging and Audio Codec LDAC (support-model).
• 🔄 Using a different profile: In Bluetooth settings, select a phone call profile for the headset (HFP) instead of Music (A2DP).
• 🖥️ PC connection: Sometimes headphones connect to a computer but not to a phone.This helps diagnose a problem (phone or headset is to blame).
• 📲 Third-party apps: Install Bluetooth Auto Connect or BassBooster from Google Play. They force the devices to reconnect.

For POCO/Xiaomi owners on Android 12+, there's another trick: turn off the Adaptive Sound feature in the audio settings. It sometimes conflicts with Bluetooth codecs.

FAQ: Frequent questions by mistake "Headset is not connected"