Xiaomi headphones do not connect to each other: a full analysis of the problem

You’ve pulled out of the box new Xiaomi wireless headphones (be it Redmi Buds 4 Pro, Xiaomi Buds) 3T Pro or something else, they turned them on, but instead of the usual stereo sound, do you hear only one channel? Or does no earphone make a sound at all, even though the lights are on? The problem of synchronizing headphones with each other is one of the most common complaints users have. TWS-Xiaomi headphones, and 80 percent of the time, you can solve it yourself without going to the service center.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons Xiaomi headphones don’t connect to each other, from the usual battery discharge to hardware malfunctions, how to diagnose a problem, what settings to check first, and what to do if standard methods don’t work, and at the end, answers to frequent questions and a unique checklist for quick diagnosis.

1.Discharged battery: why headphones don't sync

The most obvious, but often ignored, reason is that one or both of the headphones are undercharged, and if the charge level is below 10 percent, the headphones can:

• 🔋 Do not turn on at all (indicators do not burn).
• 🔊 Connect to the phone, but not synchronize with each other.
• 🎧 Work only in mono mode (sound comes from only one headphone).

This is especially true for low-charge automatic-disconnect models (e.g. Redmi Buds 3 Lite).

1. Put both headphones in the case and plug it into charging for at least 30 minutes.
2. Wait until the indicators on the case and headphones do not light up in green (or blue - depending on the model).
3. Take out the headphones and try to reconnect them.

💡

If the indicator on the case flashes red and the headphones are not charging, check the cable and USB port. Sometimes the problem lies in oxidized contacts or a damaged cord.

If you have a problem after charging, move on to the next point. But remember: a full battery drain can cause a firmware failure - in this case, you will need to reset the settings (more on this below).

2. Resetting: a universal solution for most models

Factory reset helps in 60% of cases where Xiaomi headphones are not connected to each other, the procedure differs depending on the model, but the general principle is the same: reset pair settings and re-synchronize devices.

Instructions for most models (Redmi Buds 3/4, Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro, Haylou GT1/GT2, etc.):

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and hold the button on the case (or touchpad on the headphones) for 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white (or red and blue).
3. Get your headphones out of the case – they should automatically sync and appear in the list of available Bluetooth devices.

For touch-controlled models (e.g. Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro):

1. Get the headphones out of the case.


2. Press the touch panels on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds.




3. wait for the double flashing of indicators (reset signal).




4. Put the headphones back in the case and get them out again.

3. firmware issues: when an update is required

If Xiaomi headphones used to work normally, but after updating the smartphone or the headset itself stopped synchronizing, the fault is incompatibility of firmware. This is especially true for models, Released in 2020-2022 (Redmi AirDots 2/3, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2, etc.).

How to check and update the firmware:

1. Install the official Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app (depending on the model).
2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
3. Open the app, find your model in the list of devices and check the Firmware Update section.
4. If a new version is available, upgrade your headphones by following the instructions on the screen.

- Charge headphones and case to 100%|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi|Close all background applications|Do not interrupt the update process-->

⚠️ Warning: If the connection is interrupted during the firmware update (for example, the phone or headphones run out), the headset can turn into a brick.

4. Hardware malfunctions: when without repairs can not do

If neither the reset nor the firmware update helped, the problem may lie in the hardware.

• 🔌 Contacts in the case - oxidized or contaminated, because of which one earphone is not charged and synchronized.
• 📡 Bluetooth module – physical damage after falling or getting moisture.
• 🔋 Battery - bloating or deep discharge, because of which the headphone does not turn on.

How to diagnose a hardware malfunction:

1. Try plugging each earphone individually into your phone, and if one of them isn't identified at all, it's the problem.
2. Check the contacts in the case for oxidation or dirt, if necessary, gently clean them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
3. Light a flashlight in the headphone jack in the case - if the contacts are bent or absent, you will need to replace the case.

💡

If the headphones fell into the water or were subjected to severe mechanical stresses (impacts, compression), attempts at software repair are useless.

⚠️ Note: Do not try to disassemble headphones or case on your own - this will lead to a loss of warranty. In official service centers Xiaomi diagnostics takes 1-2 days, and repair (for example, replacing a Bluetooth module) costs 1.5-3 thousand rubles.

5. Conflict with other Bluetooth devices

Xiaomi headphones may not sync with each other due to overloading of the Bluetooth channel.

• 📱 There are too many devices connected to the phone (smart watch, column, fitness bracelet).
• 🚗 The car runs a Hands-Free system that “captures” Bluetooth communication.
• 🎮 Nearby there are other active Bluetooth devices (gaming controllers, wireless keyboards).

How to solve the problem:

1. Turn off all unnecessary Bluetooth devices in your phone settings (Settings → Bluetooth).
2. Reboot the phone – it will reset the cache of the Bluetooth module.
3. Try connecting your headphones elsewhere (for example, at home instead of the office).
4. If the problem occurs in the car, turn off Hands-Free or use headphones through the car. AUX-cable.

On some Xiaomi smartphones (e.g. Redmi Note 10/11), it helps to reset Bluetooth settings:

Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth → ⚙️ (cogs) → Resetting settings

6. Incompatibility with the operating system

Xiaomi headphones are optimized to work with MIUI, but sometimes there are problems when connecting to:

• 🍎 iPhone (especially iOS 15 and below) – may not have sound in one headphone.
• 🤖 Smartphones on pure Android (Pixel, Samsung with One) UI) — Possible synchronization delays.
• 💻 PCs or laptops – Windows sometimes “sees” headphones as two separate devices.

Solutions for different OSes:

For the iPhone, it also helps to force codec switching:

1. Connect the headphones to your iPhone.
2. Open Settings → Bluetooth and click on the i icon next to the headphone name.
3. In the Audio codec section, select AAC instead of SBC.

7. Software glitches: cache, background processes, viruses

Sometimes Xiaomi headphones don’t sync due to software glitch in the phone.

• 🗑️ Clogged Bluetooth cache – accumulates after many connections / disconnections.
• 🦠 Viruses or optimizers – some applications (e.g., “cleaners”) block background processes.
• 🔄 Phone firmware conflict – especially after an update MIUI.

What to do:

1. Clear the Bluetooth cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → ⚙️ (three-point) → Show system-based → Bluetooth → Warehouse → Clear the cache
2. Turn off optimizers: Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Optimize and turn it off for Bluetooth-related applications.
3. Check your phone for viruses using Dr.Web or Kaspersky.
4. Restart your phone in Safe Mode (hold the power button → Safe Mode) and check if the headphones are working.

💡

If the problem occurred after the MIUI update, try to roll back to the previous firmware version. To do this, download the desired version from the Xiaomi Firmware website and run through Fastboot.

FAQ: Frequent questions about synchronizing Xiaomi headphones