How to connect Bluetooth headphones Xiaomi to a laptop: the complete guide

Modern wireless headphones from Xiaomi, Redmi and Haylou have become the standard of quality for many users. However, if they connect to smartphones instantly, then when trying to sync them with a laptop or computer running Windows, it is often difficult to find that the device is not located, the sound is through the speakers, or the connection is constantly interrupted.

In this guide, we will look at all the steps of connecting, from putting the headset into pairing mode to setting up a quality audio transmission. We will look at the features of working with different versions of the operating system, since the algorithms in Windows 10 and Windows 11 have visual differences, and pay attention to eliminating typical errors that prevent you from enjoying music or work without wires.

Preparation of headphones for pairing

The first and most important step is to properly put the headset into detection mode. Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply turn on the device, but to first connect to a new gadget (in this case to a laptop) you need to activate Pairing Mode. Without this, the laptop simply will not see your headphones in the list of available devices.

For most models, such as the Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds or Redmi Buds, the procedure is as follows: place both headphones in the charging case and leave the lid open. The back or inside of the case usually has a functional button. You need to press and hold it for 3-5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing white (sometimes white and red alternately).

If you have a neck-framed model, like the Xiaomi Mi Neckband Bluetooth Earphones, the algorithm is different. When you're off, press the on/response button for 5-7 seconds. The indicator should light up blue or start flashing quickly. Full-size models like the Xiaomi Headphones Comfort also use long-term power button or separate Bluetooth buttons.

⚠️ Warning: If the light flashes red, it is a signal of low battery charge. In this mode, the Bluetooth module may not work stable or at all. Be sure to charge the case or headphones before setting up.

Make sure the headphones are not connected to your smartphone at this point. If they are automatically connected to your phone, the laptop may not see them, as the headset is already busy transmitting audio to another device.

💡

If the light doesn't flash the right color, try resetting your headphones to factory ones, usually by double tapping touch zones or holding volume buttons for a long time, but the exact instructions are best found in the manual of a particular model.

Bluetooth setup in Windows 10 and 11

After you've got the headset ready, we're going to go to set up the operating system, and the settings interface in Windows 10 and Windows 11 are a little different, but the logic is the same, and first you have to make sure that the wireless module on the laptop itself is active and working.

Open the Start menu and select the gear icon to enter Settings. In Windows 10, go to Devices, and in Windows 11, immediately select Bluetooth and Devices. Make sure the slider at the top of the window is set to On. If the switch is missing or inactive (gray), this may indicate no drivers or a physical module is off.

To add a new gadget, click on the big Add Device button (in Win 10) or Add Device (in Win 11). In the window that opens, select the first item, "Bluetooth." The system will start the ether scan. Your headphones should appear on the list. These can show up as "Mi True Wireless EBs Basic," "Redmi Buds 3 Pro," or simply as "Headphones."

Click on the device name. The pairing process takes a few seconds. Once the connection is successful, the system will give a message "Device ready to use." Now the list of connected devices next to the headphone name will have a status "Connected: Music, Voice."

It is important to note that Windows may suggest installing additional drivers automatically.Don't ignore this process if it is running, as this will ensure the microphone and control buttons work properly.

Solving problems with drivers and module

Often, the headphones are good, the phone can see them, and the laptop can't. 90 percent of the time, the problem is with the Bluetooth adapter software, and the operating system could have installed a universal driver that was unstable, or the file could have been corrupted after the Windows update.

To diagnose, open Device Manager, and you can do this by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting the appropriate item on the menu. Find the Blueooth section in the list. Open it. If you see a device with a yellow exclamation mark or the words "Unknown Device," the driver is the problem.

Right-click on your Bluetooth adapter (often Intel, Realtek, or Qualcomm) and select “Delete Device.” Confirm the action. Then, in the Manager’s top menu, click “Action” → “Update Hardware Configuration.” The system will try to reinstall the driver again.

If the automatic installation didn’t help, it’s best to download the current driver from the official website of the laptop manufacturer (for example, Lenovo, HP, Asus) in the support section for your model.Installation of the native driver often solves problems with signal range and sound quality.

Customization of sound quality and codecs

Once the connection is successful, it is important to make sure that the audio is transmitted in the highest quality. By default, Windows can use the Hands-Free AG Audio profile, which is designed for phone conversations and has low mono sound quality. For music and movies, a Stereo profile is required.

To check and change your settings, right-click on the speaker icon in the tray (near the clock) and select "Sound" or "Sound Settings" → "Sound Control Panel." In the window that opens, find the Play tab. Find your headphones in the list.

Make sure the device defaults to Stereo Headphones, not Hands-Free. If you only see a Hands-Free profile, try turning the microphone off in your device settings or in a specific application (such as Zoom or Skype), as the microphone and high-quality audio are limited by Bluetooth bandwidth.

For advanced users who want to get support for high-resolution codecs (for example, aptX or LDAC, if they are supported by both headphones and an adapter, you may need to install third-party codecs or use special codecs. USB-Adapters, as the standard Windows stack is often limited to a codec SBC.

⚠️ Attention: Hands-Free profile drastically reduces the sound quality by making it "telephone." If you're listening to music and bad sound, check if it's activated by the system.

Common Errors and How to Resolve Them

Even when you set it up properly, there can be specific problems, and one of the most common is that the headphones are connected, but the sound goes through the speakers on the laptop. In this case, you need to manually switch the output device. Press the speaker icon in the tray, click on the device selection arrow and specify your Xiaomi or Redmi.

Another common problem is desynchronizing audio and video, which is common when watching video in your browser. Try turning off hardware acceleration in your browser or updating your graphics card drivers. Also, power saving may be the reason: Windows may try to save power on a Bluetooth adapter by causing delays.

To turn off power saving, go back to Device Manager, find your Bluetooth adapter, go to Properties → Power Management tab, and uncheck the “Allow this device to be turned off to save energy.”

If your laptop doesn’t see any Bluetooth devices at all, check to see if you have conflicting software from other vendors (like old utilities from Intel or Broadcom left over from previous hardware).

💡

Disabling the power saving function for the Bluetooth adapter in Device Manager often solves problems with spontaneously turning off the headphones.

Using third-party software for management

While the basic functionality works through standard Windows tools, there are additional features for owners of Xiaomi equipment. The official Xiaomi Earbuds app is available in the Microsoft Store, which allows you to update the firmware of the headphones, adjust the equalizer, change the purpose of the touch buttons and check the charge level of each headphone separately.

Installing proprietary software is especially relevant for models with active noise cancellation (ANC), as it is through the application that you can switch modes (Transparency, Noise Reduction, Normal). Without the application, headphones can only work in the last used mode.

There are also versatile utilities like Bluetooth Command Line Tools that allow for more subtle connection diagnostics, real-time signal strength (RSSI) viewing, and script-based connection control, which can be useful for automation.