Xiaomi headphones set to two ears: from connectivity to subtle sound optimization

If your Xiaomi wireless headphones suddenly stop working in stereo mode (sound only in one ear), or you connect them to your smartphone for the first time, this instruction will help bring back full sound. The one-ear problem is typical for Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earphones and Xiaomi Buds, but the reasons and solutions are often universal. We will analyze not only the basic connection steps, but also the hidden Bluetooth settings, resetting the headphones to factory settings, and optimizing the sound for different scenarios from listening to games.

It's important to understand that the problem can be in the headphones themselves (battery discharge, malfunctioning synchronization between the ears), as well as in the settings of the smartphone or even the firmware of the Bluetooth module. For example, after updating Android, some users find that the smartphone "can't see" the second ear, although the charge indicator is burning. In 90% of cases, this is solved without contacting the service - just follow the checklist from this article.

Before you start setting up, make sure your headphones support True Wireless Stereo (TWS) mode, a technology that allows two headphones to work independently but synchronously. All current Xiaomi models (starting with the 2019 Redmi AirDots S) are equipped with it, but if you have an earlier version, check the specifications on the official website.

1. Basic connection of Xiaomi headphones to a smartphone

Start with the simplest scenario: completely reset the connection and reconnect. Even if the headphones have been paired with the smartphone before, sync errors are often solved by a “clean” connection.

Here's a step-by-step algorithm:

• 📱 Open Bluetooth settings on your smartphone: go to Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth (on) MIUI The path may be different: Settings → Bluetooth).
• 🔄 Remove the current pair of headphones: find your Xiaomi headphones in the list of devices, tap the gear (⚙️) and select "Forget the device" or "Delete».
• 🎧 Reset your headphones: Remove both earphones from the case, press the buttons on both ears (usually 10-15 seconds) until the indicators start flashing red and white. For touch-controlled models (such as Xiaomi Buds 4), press the touch panels for 10 seconds.
• 🔗 Start pairing mode: return the headphones to the case, open the lid - the indicator should flash white. If there is no blinking, press the button on the case (if there is one).
• 📲 Connect again: in the list of available Bluetooth devices, select your headphones (the name usually contains "Mi", "Redmi" or "AirDots"). Confirm the pairing.

Once you've successfully connected, check the sound: run a track with a clear stereo effect (e.g. Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," where the instruments are channeled). If the sound is only in one ear, move on to the next section.

2. Checking the synchronization between the ears (TWS-regime)

If one ear is silent after the connection, the problem may be the loss of synchronization between the headphones.

• ⚡ One earphone is up to 0% (the other ear continues to work).
• 🔄 Updates to the firmware of the smartphone or headphones.
• 📱 Connecting headphones to another device (for example, a laptop).

To restore synchronization:

1. Remove both headphones from the case and wait for an automatic connection to the smartphone.
2. If only one ear is connected, return both earbuds to the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then remove them again.
3. For models with buttons: press the button on the main ear (usually the right ear, marked as "R") for 5 seconds until you hear the beep.
4. Check in Bluetooth settings: If two separate devices are displayed (e.g., “Mi Earphones R” and “Mi Earphones L”), delete both and pair again.

If the headphones still don't sync, try a forced reset:

1. Put both earphones in the case.


2. Open the case lid.




3. Press the button on the case (if any) for 20 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red.




4. Close the lid, wait 30 seconds, then reconnect.

Make sure both headphones are charged (>30%) | Check that the case is charged (indicator is on) | Remove the headphones from the list of Bluetooth devices on all previously connected gadgets | Use the original cable to charge the case-->

3. Sound customization in MIUI and Android

Sometimes the problem isn't with the headphones, but with the smartphone settings. For example, MIUI has a separate section for managing mono/stereo modes, and some Android firmware automatically activates the "Phone Call" (mono) mode, even if you're listening to music.

How to check the settings:

1. Open Settings → Sound (or Settings → Connected Devices → Headphones in MIUI).
2. Find the option “Sound Mode” or “Audio Mode” and select “Stereo”.
3. Turn off the Mono Audio function (if any) – it forcibly reduces the sound to one channel.
4. For MIUI 12/13/14: go to Settings → Special Features → Sound and turn off Monoaudio.

It is also worth checking the sound uniformity settings (balance between left and right channel):

• 🎛️ Nana MIUI: Settings → Sound. → Stereo balance – the slider should be in the middle.
• 📱 On pure Android: Settings → Special facilities → Sound tuning → Left/right balance.

If, after this manipulation, the sound is still only in one ear, the problem may be Bluetooth codecs.

1. Connect the headphones to your smartphone.
2. Open Settings → Connected Devices → Headphones → Additional settings (or Settings → Bluetooth → A gear next to the device).
3. Find the option "Code" or "Audio Codec" and choose SBC (most compatible) or AAC (best quality). Avoid aptX or LDAC if the headphones don't support them.

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If you don’t have a choice of codec in your Bluetooth settings, install Developer Options (for Android) or Bluetooth Codec Changer from Google Play.

4. Update of the firmware of headphones and smartphone

Manufacturers regularly release firmware updates for headphones that fix synchronization errors and improve compatibility. For example, Redmi AirDots 3 Pro, after upgrading to version 1.4.0.7, fixed the problem with the loss of sound in the left ear when connecting to iOS devices.

How to update the firmware headphones Xiaomi:

• 📲 Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app:

Through the case (for some models)

1. Put the headphones in the case and connect it to the charger.
2. Press the button on the case for 10 seconds - the indicator will flash orange.
3. The update will be installed automatically (it can take up to 5 minutes).
4. Speaker check: Blow into the mic of the silent ear — if you hear a slight noise in the speaker, it is good. Try to listen to the sound at maximum volume — sometimes the speaker sticks at low volume.

If you have confirmed a hardware malfunction, contact Xiaomi Service Center. In most cases, repairs are cheaper than buying new headphones, especially for mid-range and premium models (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro).

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Xiaomi headphones are guaranteed for 12 months from the date of purchase.If the malfunction is hardware and is not caused by mechanical damage (fall, water), repairs will be free.

6. Sound optimization for different scenarios

Even if both ears work, the sound can be unbalanced or poor quality. Here's how to set up Xiaomi headphones for different tasks:

For music:

• 🎵 Turn on the e.QUALIZER in the Mi Music or Spotify app: For bass: select the preset "Bass Boost" or manually lift the sliders to 60-250 Hz. For vocals: accent the average frequencies (1-4 kHz).
• 🔊 In Bluetooth settings, select the codec AAC (Apple Music or aptX (for high bitrate).

For games:

• 🎮 Reduce the latency of sound: Enable Game Sound mode in the headphone settings (if any). SBC — It has a lower delay than AAC. Turn off sound processing in the game settings (for example, in the PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty).

For calls:

• 📞 Activate Transparency Mode (if supported) to better hear the other person in noisy places.
• 🔇 In Bluetooth settings, disable “Audio Improvements” (such as Absolute Volume on Android) that can distort your voice.

For models with support for Xiaomi LHDC (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4):

• 🎧 Install the codec. LHDC in Bluetooth settings - it provides a bitrate of up to 900 kbit / s (versus 328 kbit / s) AAC).
• 📱 Update the smartphone firmware to MIUI 14 or later – earlier versions may not support LHDC.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many of the problems with Xiaomi headphones are caused by unobvious user errors, and here are the most common ones:

Error 1: Using a non-original charging cable

⚠️ Attention: Cheap cables without Quick Charge support can damage the charging controller in the case, resulting in uneven charging of the headphones and loss of synchronization. USB-C marked 5V/1A.

Error 2: Connecting your headphones to multiple devices at the same time

Many Xiaomi models (like Redmi AirDots 2) don't support multi-connection. If you plug them into a laptop and then try to use them with a smartphone, one ear can fall off. Solution: Before connecting to a new device, remove the headphones from the Bluetooth list on the previous gadget.

Error 3: Case discharge to 0%

If the case is completely discharged, the headphones may lose sync. Always monitor the case charge level (the indicator should burn green when charging).

1. Connect the case to charging for 1 hour.
2. Remove the headphones and reset (see section 2).
3. Reconnect.

Error 4: Using headphones in the jamming zone

Bluetooth signal at 2.4 Hz is subject to interference from Wi-Fi routers, microwaves and other devices, if the sound is interrupted or one ear "falls out":

• 📶 Move closer to your smartphone (maximum distance for stable operation is 10 meters without obstacles).
• 🔄 Restart your router if it is running at 2.4Hz.
• 📱 In the Bluetooth settings of the smartphone, turn off the option “Adaptive Wi-Fi” (it can cause interference).

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To check for interference, install the WiFi Analyzer (Android) or Network Analyzer (iOS) app. If you have many devices on your network on channel 6–11, switch the router to channel 1–5.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions