Xiaomi’s wireless headphones, known as Redmi AirDots or Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic, have become incredibly popular due to their affordable price and decent sound quality. However, many users have difficulty trying to use them not only with a smartphone, but also with a personal computer or laptop. Unlike mobile devices, Windows operating systems sometimes require a more careful approach to configuring a Bluetooth module.
The main challenge is that the pairing process does not always happen automatically, and standard system algorithms may not immediately recognize the profile of the headset correctly. This can lead to the sound going and the microphone not working, or the device will appear as connected but audio is missing. In this guide, we will discuss all the stages of the setup in detail so that you can enjoy wireless sound without unnecessary hassle.
Before starting the procedure, it is important to make sure that your laptop is equipped with a proper Bluetooth adapter. If there is no built-in module, you will need an external one. USB-A whistle that also needs to be pre-set, and a successful connection depends on the battery charge in the case and the headphones themselves, so make sure they're at least 50 percent charged.
Preparation of equipment and compatibility check
The first step is to diagnose the technical condition of your laptop. Modern operating systems like Windows 10 and Windows 11 have built-in Bluetooth support, but the drivers may be outdated or disabled. You need to open the Device Manager and check if the appropriate adapter is on the hardware list.
If the adapter is missing or marked with a yellow exclamation point, download the current drivers from the motherboard manufacturer’s or laptop’s website. Without the Bluetooth stack working properly, the next steps do not make sense. It is also worth checking whether the wireless function itself is enabled, since many laptop models have a physical switch or key combination (for example, Fn+F5) to activate it.
Make sure your Redmi AirDots are in working order. Remove them from the case and check the indication. If the indicators flash white or red, this can mean low charge, which will make it difficult to pair. Fully charged headphones, when removed from the case, should quickly switch to the waiting mode connection, as signaled by the intermittent blinking of the white indicator.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure your Redmi AirDots aren't currently connected to your smartphone.If the headphones are connected to your phone, they can automatically try to connect to it, ignoring requests from your laptop.
It is also important to consider the Bluetooth version on your computer. Although the standard is backward compatible, for stable operation of high-quality codecs (such as AptX or AAC), it is desirable to have a module version 4.0 and higher.
Activation of the pairing mode on Redmi AirDots
The most critical step is to put the headphones in visibility mode. Unlike many other models, Xiaomi uses a specific Pairing reset algorithm. Simply opening the case is often not enough if the headphones have previously been paired with another device.
First, put both headphones back in the charge case. Make sure they fit tightly to the contacts and the charging indicator lights up. Then you need to find the touch buttons on the headphones themselves. On the first generation (Redmi AirDots 1), the buttons are physical and located on the inside of the case, and on the newer versions (Redmi AirDots 2, 3, S), control is through the touch zones.
Press the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously, hold them for a long time — about 5-7 seconds until the indicators flash red and then start flashing white quickly. It is the rapid flashing of white light that signals that the device has entered search mode and is ready to connect to the new gadget.
☑️ Checklist of activation of the coupling mode
If after a long manipulation, the indicators do not change the blinking mode, you may need a full reset (Hard Reset). To do this, while in the case, press the buttons for 20-30 seconds. The headphones should blink several times, which will mean resetting all saved profiles.
Connection process through Windows settings
Once the headphones have gone into fast flash mode, go to the operating system settings. Open the Start menu and select Settings (the gear icon). You are interested in the Devices section, where on the left menu you should select "Bluetooth and other devices." Make sure that the Bluetooth slider is set to "On".
Click on the big button "Add Bluetooth or other device." In the window that opens, select the first item "Bluetooth." The system will start scanning the surrounding space. The list of available devices should appear as Redmi AirDots or Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic.
Click on your headphones. Windows can request confirmation or show a pairing code, although this is rarely required for Xiaomi. The driver installation process will take a few seconds. Once successfully completed, you will see the Connected: Music, Voice status.
What to do if the device is not found?
Note that the connection protocol can take some time. Don't try to click on the device repeatedly, this can cause an error in the Bluetooth task queue. If the connection did not happen the first time, remove the device from the list (the Delete Device button) and repeat the search procedure again.
Configuring sound and microphone reproduction
After successful pairing, the sound may not switch automatically to the headphones. To correct the situation, right-click on the speaker icon in the tray (near the clock) and select "Open sound parameters" or "Sounds." In the window that opens, go to the "Replay" tab.
In the list of devices, find your Redmi AirDots. They can be displayed as Stereo or Hands-Free AG Audio. To listen to music, watch movies and play, you need to select your Headphones and click the default button, which will ensure high-quality audio.
If you plan to use a microphone to make Skype, Zoom or Discord calls, you'll need Headset mode, but remember that when you activate the microphone, the sound quality in the headphones can drop to monophonic, because the bandwidth of the Bluetooth channel is limited, which is a technical feature of the protocol, not a defect of the device.
| Parameter | Headphones mode | Headset mode |
|---|---|---|
| Sound quality | Stereo, high (HD) | Mono, low. |
| Use of microphone | Unavailable | Available. |
| Latency (Latency) | Minimum | Tall. |
| Recommended use | Music, movies, games | Calls, voice chats. |
To set up the microphone, go to the Record tab in the same audio properties window. Find the device with the name of your headphones, select it, and click Properties. Here you can set the volume levels and eliminate background noise if drivers allow this feature.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use Headset mode for games or video if you want to synchronize audio and video. 300-500 This makes watching movies uncomfortable.
Solving typical driver problems
Often users are faced with a situation where the headphones are connected, but the sound is not going, or the device is displayed with an error. First of all, check the Device Manager.Look for the section "Sound, gaming and video devices" and make sure that the driver for Redmi AirDots is installed correctly, without yellow icons.
If the problem persists, try updating your Bluetooth drivers. Right-click on the Bluetooth adapter in Device Manager and select Update Driver -> Auto Search. If Windows doesn't find updates, visit the laptop manufacturer's website (Asus, Lenovo, HP, Dell) and download the Bluetooth drivers manually for your model.
Another effective method is to remove the device and clear the Bluetooth cache. In Device Manager, select View -> Show Hidden Devices. Find all the gray (deleted) recordings associated with Bluetooth and your headphones and delete them. After that, restart your laptop and try to connect again.
💡
Use the third-party Bluetooth Command Line Tools utility for deeper diagnosis and connection management if standard Windows tools fail.
In some cases, the power saving service can cause conflict. In the Bluetooth adapter properties (Power management tab), uncheck the box from "Allow this device to be turned off to save energy" to prevent headphones from suddenly turning off when it's down.
Features of use in games and applications
When using Redmi AirDots for PC games, it is important to understand the limitations of Bluetooth technology. Even in stereo, latency can be anywhere from 150 to 200 ms. For single-player games, this is not critical, but in competitive shooters, shots can be heard late.
To minimize delays, close out unnecessary applications that use Bluetooth or network. Also make sure that the wireless mouse or keyboard does not cause interference in the 2.4 GHz band. If you have a Wi-Fi router running at the same frequency and is in close proximity to the Bluetooth adapter, this can cause interruptions to the sound.
In specific application settings (such as Discord or Chrome), you also need to manually select a sound output and input device. Browsers sometimes “remember” the previous output device and do not switch automatically when you connect new headphones.
Some users note that after leaving the sleep mode of the laptop, the headphones do not automatically connect, in which case it will help to simply turn off and turn on Bluetooth in the Windows settings or re-placing the headphones in the case and retracting from it for forced reconnection.