Why Xiaomi Redmi’s second Bluetooth headphone is not connected: a complete guide to fixing the problem

You took out the new Xiaomi Redmi wireless headphones, turned them on, but you found that the second headphone was not connecting to the phone — only one sound? Or both headphones connected, but after a minute one fell off and no longer synced? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi AirDots, Buds 3/4 and other models. In 80% of cases, it is due to problems in pairing, a dead battery or a firmware failure — and all this can be fixed on your own.

In this article, we will look at all the possible reasons why the second Xiaomi Redmi headphone does not connect via Bluetooth, from basic (for example, low charge) to complex (hardware breakdowns). For each cause, we will give a step-by-step instruction with photos and videos, and also warn about typical errors that can aggravate the problem. If you have already tried to reboot the headphones, but nothing has helped, do not rush to carry them to the service: 9 out of 10 cases, the problem is solved at home.

1.Discharged battery is the most common cause

The first thing to check is the charge level of both earbuds, and even if the indicator on the case is green, it doesn't guarantee that both earbuds charged the same, either of them might not be in contact with the charging contacts or might be discharged faster due to a battery defect.

How to check the charge:

🔋 Place both earbuds in a case for 10-15 minutes, then pull out.If one doesn't flash white/red light (depending on the model), its battery is dead.
📱 Connect your headphones to your phone and see the charge level in Settings → Bluetooth → If one of them is 0 to 10 percent, you need to charge it.
🔌 Try charging the case with another cable or from another power source (e.g. power bank). USB-port.

If the headphone is not charged at all (the indicator does not burn), the reasons may be more serious:

🔌 Oxidation or contamination of charging contacts in a case or on a headphone.
🔋 Failure of the battery (blown, loss of capacity).
🔌 Breakdown of the power controller in the headphone.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use alcohol or acetone to clean your contacts, which can damage the protective coating. Take a cotton swab dipped in distilled water and gently wipe the contacts.

📊 How often do you charge a case with Xiaomi Redmi headphones?

Every day.

Every 2-3 days

Once a week.

Only when you stop working.

2. failure of synchronization between headphones

Xiaomi Redmi wireless headphones are master-subscribe: one headphone (usually the right one) connects to the phone and the second to the first one. If the synchronization between them is broken, the second headphone may not produce sound or be detected at all by the system.

How to reconnect:

Remove both headphones from the case and hold the buttons on them for 10-15 seconds (for Redmi AirDots – touch panels, for Buds 3/4 – physical buttons).
Place the headphones back in the case, close the lid and wait 30 seconds.
Take them out and try to reconnect. Now they have to sync automatically.

If that doesn’t help, try forceful pairing:

Remove headphones from the list of Bluetooth devices on your phone | Turn off Bluetooth on your phone and turn on again | Hold the button on your right earphone for 5 seconds (until flashing red) | Connect to the headphones via the Bluetooth menu as a new device-->

⚠️ Note: On the Redmi Buds 4 Pro and newer models, the reset is performed differently - you need to press the left earphone touch panel three times for 2 seconds.

If the second earphone doesn't connect after it's reset, it could be the firmware problem, and that's what we're going to talk about in the next section.

3. Obsolete or damaged firmware

Xiaomi Redmi headphones have built-in software that sometimes crashes — especially after an incorrect update or prolonged use without rebooting. If one earphone stopped connecting after a firmware update or just “hanged”, it needs to be reflashed or reset to factory settings.

How to update firmware:

📱 Install the official Mi Earphones app (for Android) or Xiaomi Wear (for iOS).
🔄 Connect your headphones to your phone and open the app. If an update is available, a notification will appear.
📥 Click "Update" and wait until the process is complete (don't turn off the headphones!).

If the update doesn’t help or the app doesn’t see the headphones, try manually resetting the firmware:

Hold the buttons on both headphones for 20 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and blue.
Place the headphones in the case and close the lid for 1 minute.
Take them out and try to connect again.

Model headphones	Resetting method	Signs of successful discharge
Redmi AirDots (1-3 generation)	Hold the touch panels for 10 seconds	Blinks red → white-coloured
Redmi Buds 3/4	Hold the physical buttons for 15 seconds	Blinks red → blue-colored
Redmi Buds 4 Pro	Press left headphone three times	Voice notification "Reset"

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If the headphones don't connect to the phone after reset, try connecting them to another device (tablet, laptop), and if the problem persists, a malfunction in the headphones themselves.

4.Bluetooth problems on the phone

Sometimes the problem isn't with the headphones, but with the Bluetooth module of the smartphone.

📱 The second headphone does not connect to any device.
🔄 Bluetooth on the phone periodically shuts down itself.
🎧 Other headphones or speakers are also unstable.

How to diagnose and correct:

Reboot your phone – it will reset temporary Bluetooth errors.
Clear the Bluetooth cache: Go to Settings → Apps → All apps → Bluetooth. Click Clear Cache and Stop. Reboot your phone.
Reset network settings (remove all saved Bluetooth devices): Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings

If the problem persists, check the energy saving mode:

🔋 In some firmware (for example, MIUI 13–14) Bluetooth shuts down in background to save charge.
📱 Go to Settings. → Battery → Power saving mode and turn it off.

What if Bluetooth is not turned on at all?

If the Bluetooth module on the phone does not respond to the on, it can be a hardware failure (for example, the antenna burned off after a fall) or a firmware failure, in which case only the service center will help.

5. Mechanical damage and hardware malfunctions

If none of the previous methods worked, the problem could be physical:

🔊 Damaged speaker or audio chip in the headphone.
📡 Bluetooth antenna is faulty (for example, after a fall).
🔋 The battery is broken or broken.
💧 Getting moisture (even if the headphones have protection) IPX4, This does not guarantee 100% protection).

How to check:

Examine the headphone for external damage - cracks, dents, corrosion on the contacts.
Shake the headphone – if you hear a noise (for example, a detached speaker), this is a sign of breakdown.
Connect to another device (tablet, laptop, second phone) If the problem recurs, a malfunction in the headphone.

The critical sign of hardware failure is that the headphone doesn't turn on at all (the indicator doesn't flash), it doesn't charge, it doesn't detect any device, and then it's just a repair or a replacement.

⚠️ Note: Do not try to disassemble the headphones yourself - Xiaomi Redmi uses adhesive joints and fragile plumes. Contact the service center with a warranty (if it is still valid) or a proven wizard.

Problems with device compatibility

Rarely, but it happens that Xiaomi Redmi headphones do not work properly with certain phone models or versions. Android/iOS. For example:

📱 iPhone may not automatically switch between devices.
🤖 Phones with Android 10 and below may have codec issues AAC (interrupt).
🎧 Some Chinese firmware (for example, on the Redmi Note 8 Pro) have bugs with Bluetooth 5.0.

How do you decide?

📱 Update your phone to the latest version.
🔄 In Bluetooth settings, select another audio codec (e.g, SBC instead AAC).
📲 Install an alternative headphone management app (e.g. MaterialPods for Android).

If the headphones are unstable with only one device, but normally connect to others, the problem is compatibility, in which case you have to wait for a firmware update from Xiaomi or use the headphones with another gadget.

7. When to contact the service center

If you’ve tried all the ways, but the second Xiaomi Redmi headphone still doesn’t connect, it’s time to think about warranty repair or replacement.

🔧 The earphone does not turn on, charge or respond to reset.
💥 There was a fall from a height, moisture or mechanical damage.
🔋 The battery swelled (seems to be over the bloated body).
🎧 The sound is distorted (wheezing, crackling), even if the earphone is connected.

Where to repair:

🏢 Xiaomi official service centers – if warranty is in place (usually) 12 List of months. mi.com/ru/service.
🔧 Unofficial workshops are cheaper, but the risk of running into poor-quality repairs.
🛒 Warranty replacement – if the headphones are new (up to 14 days) and the problem is clearly factory-like.

Cost of repair:

Type of breakdown	Cost (₽)	Duration of repairs
Battery replacement	800–1 500	1-2 days
Repair of Bluetooth module	1 500–3 000	3-5 days
Replacement of the speaker	1 000–2 500	2-3 days

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If the headphones are warranty, do not open them yourself - this will void the warranty.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi Redmi headphones

❓ Why does one headphone connect and the other don’t, even though both are charged?

This is a typical synchronization failure. Try resetting your headphones (hold the buttons 10-15 seconds until flashing red/white), then place them in the case for 30 seconds and reconnect them, if it doesn't work, a firmware problem or hardware malfunction.

❓ How to know which headphone is the leading (main)?

In most Xiaomi Redmi models, the right earbud is the lead, it connects directly to the phone, and the left to it. To check which headphone is the lead, look in the Mi Earphones app or try plugging each individually.

❓ Can I connect the left earphone separately from the right?

Yes, but only in mono mode (one earpiece). To do this: Place your right earpiece in your case. Pull out your left earpiece and hold the 5 sec button until it flashes. Connect it to your phone as a new device. Note that some functions (e.g. noise cancellation) may not work in mono mode.

❓ Why the headphones are connected, but the sound is only in one?

Causes: 🔊 In the settings of the phone, Mono mode is selected (check in Settings). → Special facilities → Audio). 🎧 Synchronization failure (reset the headphones as described above). 🔋 One of the headphones is discharged (even if the indicator is on).

❓ How to update the firmware if the Mi Earphones app does not see headphones?

Try: Remove your headphones from your Bluetooth list. Reinstall the Mi Earphones app. Connect your headphones to another phone and check for the update there. If nothing works, contact Xiaomi for the headphone model and firmware version (you can see it in Bluetooth settings).