The situation when Xiaomi or Redmi wireless headphones stop seeing each other is one of the most common problems owners have. TWS-Instead of working as a single stereo system, the devices start to function as two independent mono-gadgets or refuse to mate with a smartphone at all. The user is faced with the fact that only one device is displayed in the Bluetooth list, or the sound comes exclusively from one channel, ignoring the second one.
This behavior is most often caused by the desynchronization of the modules inside the headphones themselves, not by a breakdown in the phone's Bluetooth adapter. Software failure can occur after the battery is discharged to zero, the smartphone operating system is updated, or simply due to a temporary glitch of the headset firmware. Fortunately, in most cases, hardware integrity is preserved, and the problem can be solved by software methods without going to the service center.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithms for restoring communication between the left and right earphone, methods for forced resetting, and ways to eliminate software conflicts. You will learn how to correctly perform Hard Reset for different models and what to do if standard procedures do not help to bring the device back to life.
Diagnosis of the problem and the main causes of desynchronization
Before you start taking action, you need to understand the nature of the failure that occurred. Often users mistakenly believe that the problem lies in the smartphone, and begin to reset the network settings on the phone, although the root of the evil is in the headphones themselves. TWS-The headset involves one ear (Master) connecting to the phone, and the second (Slave) connecting to the first. If the communication between the master and the plume is broken, the stereo mode becomes impossible.
There are several key factors that cause communication to break between modules, most often uneven battery discharge, when one headphone turned off before another, and the system lost synchronization of connection profiles, and the reason can be residual data in the memory of the Bluetooth module, which conflicts with new pairing requests.
- 🔋 Critical discharge: one of the headphones completely discharged and went into a deep sleep, losing contact with the pair.
- 📡 Signal Interference: Multiple active Wi-Fi networks or other Bluetooth devices within range.
- 🔄 Firmware failure: an error in the internal software of the headset, requiring a reboot of the controller.
It is also important to consider the physical condition of the contact areas. If sulfur or oxides have accumulated on the contacts for charging, the earphone may not fully charge, even if the indicator indicates otherwise, this leads to the fact that when removed from the case, the device does not have enough charge to initialize the synchronization protocol with the partner.
⚠️ Note: If one of the headphones emits an intermittent audible beep or flashes an indicator at an unusual frequency (e.g., fast red), this may indicate a physical battery damage or speaker, rather than a software failure.
Preparing for recovery: cleaning the pairing list
The first and mandatory step before any reset is to completely clean up the connection history on the side of the smartphone. As long as the phone remembers the old configurations, it will try to connect to the headphones using old, now incorrect protocols, which prevents the establishment of new communication between the headphones themselves.
You need to go to your mobile device's Bluetooth settings, search your headphones (e.g. Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 or Redmi Buds 3) and select "Forget the device" or "Sever the pairing." If there are duplicates or entries with similar names on the list, delete them all without exception.
After removing the devices, it is recommended to turn off Bluetooth completely on the smartphone.This will prevent automatic attempts to reconnect during the reset procedure.
Settings → Bluetooth → Find the device → Forget this deviceMake sure both earbuds are in the charging case and the lid is open. Indicators should be on to signal the charging process. If the indicators don't light up, wipe the contacts dry and make sure the case is charged. Without stable power, the recovery procedure can be interrupted halfway through.
☑️ Preparation for discharge
Hard Reset for most models
The most effective way to get Xiaomi and Redmi headphones to “see” each other again is to perform a hard reset, which returns the internal memory of the headphones to factory settings, erasing all temporary files and forcibly starting the process of searching for a pair again.
To perform the reset, place both earbuds in a charge case. Make sure they fit tightly into the contacts. Find a function button on the case case case (usually located on the back wall or between the ear compartments). If the buttons on the case are not present, the touch zones of the headphones themselves can be used for this purpose, but this depends on the specific model.
Press the button on the case and hold it for 15 to 30 seconds. The indicator on the case (or the indicators on the headphones) should start flashing, usually white or red, sometimes changing color. This is a signal that the reset process has started. Release the button only after the indication changes the blinking mode or goes out.
- 🔘 The button on the case: hold 15-30 seconds before the color change of the indicator.
- 👆 Touch control: some models need to simultaneously press the touch zones of both headphones, being in the case or outside it.
- 💡 Indication: A successful reset is often accompanied by a triple blink or a quick color switch.
After you do this, the headphones have to go into pairing mode, the indicators will flash often, signaling readiness to connect, now you can turn on Bluetooth on your phone and look for the device again, it's important to connect them as a new device, without trying to use the old settings.
What to do if the button is not pressed?
Specificity of reset for models without a button on the case
Many budget and mid-budget models, such as the Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic or Redmi AirDots, don't have a physical button on the charger case. For these devices, the reset procedure is performed directly through the touchpads of the headphones themselves, a process that requires a certain dexterity and precise timing.
Remove both earbuds from the case. Wait until they turn on (usually an audible beep or an indicator lights up). Then simultaneously touch the touch areas on both earbuds and hold your finger for 5-7 seconds until the lights go out or turn red.
Once turned off, you need to put them back in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, and then re-extract them. Some versions require you to hold the touch areas for 20 seconds after removal until the lights flash red three times, which means that the memory is cleared and the headphones are ready to find each other.
The difficulty with this method is that you can synchronize your pressing, and if you press one headphone earlier than the other, you may not reset, and in such cases, it is recommended that you exercise on the headphones off to build muscle memory, and then perform the procedure cleanly.
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For models without a button on the case (Basic, AirDots), it is critical to reset away from other active Bluetooth devices to avoid interception of the signal during the flashing.
Comparative table of resetting methods for different series
Xiaomi’s different product lines may have nuances in the recovery procedure, and here is a table that will help you quickly navigate the method that is right for your headset model.
| Headphone series | Resetting method | Duration of retention | Indication of success |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi True Wireless (Pro, 2, 2S) | The button on the case | 15-20 seconds | White flashing |
| Redmi Buds 3 / 3 Pro | The button on the case | 10 seconds. | Orange blinking |
| Mi Basic / Redmi AirDots | Touch panels (2 times) | 5 + 20 seconds | Triple flashing. |
| Xiaomi FlipBuds | The button on the case | 10 seconds. | White pulsation |
Note that for the FlipBuds series and the more premium noise-canceling (ANC) models, the procedure can be simplified by the presence of a dedicated button. Owners of the Basic and AirDots series should be more patient, as touch response can vary depending on the residual charge.
If you do not achieve the result after the steps described in the table, try repeating the procedure, but increase the retention time of the button or sensor by 5-10 seconds.
Use of Mi Earbuds and Software Update
Modern Xiaomi headphones support management through the company’s Mi Earbuds app (or Xiaomi Earbuds).If the headphones are at least partially connected to the phone (even if only one channel is running), use software to restore functionality. The application can offer a firmware update, which often contains synchronization errors corrections.
Download the app from Google Play or the App Store. Connect your headphones to your smartphone. If the app sees the device, check the "About Headphones" or "Settings." The "Firmware Update" indicates that you have communication with the controller. Run the update by putting your headphones in your case and connecting the case to the charge.
The update process can take from 5 to 15 minutes, at which time you can not open the case or remove the smartphone from the headphones, interrupting the recording of new firmware can lead to the "bricking" of the device, after which it will be extremely difficult to restore it.
- 📲 Compatibility: The app doesn’t work with all models, check the list of supported devices.
- 🔋 Charge: before updating, charge the case and headphones to at least 60%.
- 📶 Network: Make sure you have a stable Internet connection to download the service pack.
⚠️ Warning: If the app says "Update failed" or the process is 99 percent dead, don't panic. Put your headphones in the case, close the lid and wait 10 minutes. Then try doing Hard Reset again.
Charging problems as a cause of desynchronization
Often the reason the headphones don't connect to each other is trivial -- one of them just doesn't charge in the case. If you pull out the headset and one headphone turns on and the other is silent or discharges quickly, the problem is contact. Without a charge, the Bluetooth module can't initiate a pair search.
Carefully examine the metal contacts on the headphones themselves and the pins inside the case, which often accumulate earwax, dust or oxides that act as an insulator, and even the thinnest film of pollution can prevent current from passing.
To clean, use a cotton swab slightly soaked in isopropyl alcohol. Gently wipe the contacts. Do not use water or aggressive solvents. After cleaning, let the alcohol completely evaporate (1-2 minutes) before placing the headphones in the case again.
Also check if the spring-loaded contacts in the case are deformed. If one of the pins is west and misses the headphone contact, the charge will not go, in which case you can try to gently lift it with a thin needle, but you need to act with extreme caution.
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90% of cases of "breakdown" of the right or left headphone are solved by careful cleaning of the charging contacts with alcohol and resetting the settings.