Where the buttons on the Xiaomi 4S TV: Search, control and hidden features

Finding physical controls on modern smart TVs is often a quest, especially when the remote control suddenly ceases to respond or is lost. Owners of the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S are no exception: in an effort to maximize aesthetics and minimalism, the company's engineers have hidden the buttons so that not everyone can find them the first time. This article will analyze the location of all the control elements, including hidden ones, and explain how to fully use the TV in the absence of a familiar remote.

Understanding the ergonomics of your TV is critical, because knowing where the buttons are allows you to quickly change the volume, the source of the signal, or even perform an emergency restart of the system. We'll look at not only standard scenarios, but also specific engineering solutions used in this model, you will learn why some functions are put in a separate joystick, and others are hidden behind decorative panels.

In the process of operating Xiaomi Mi TV 4S, you will inevitably encounter a situation where the software may freeze and require physical intervention. After studying the design of the case, you will protect yourself from unnecessary stressful situations. Below we will describe in detail each control, its purpose and how to activate.

Location of the main control joystick

The most important physical control element in the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S is the multifunction joystick. Unlike the older models, which featured a set of disparate buttons, it uses the concept of a single control center, which is usually located on the lower edge of the body, strictly in the center, under the Mi brand logo. To detect it, you need to carefully swipe your hand along the bottom end of the panel.

This joystick performs menu navigation, volume control, and signal source switching functions, and tapping down is equivalent to "Input" or "OK" commands, which allows you to confirm actions on the Android TV system. The sideways deviations of the joystick allow you to navigate menu items or change the sound level, which makes it possible to use the TV without a remote control.

It's worth noting that the joystick's stroke is tight enough to avoid accidental pressing when dusting, a design feature, not a defect. When pressed, you should feel a clear click. If the buttons are stuck or not responding, it may have been moisture or dust that requires careful cleaning with compressed air.

• 🎮 Central tap – activate the menu item or turn on/off.
• 🔊 Up/down deviation - adjusting the volume of sound.
• 📺 Left/right deviation – switching signal sources or channels.
• 🔄 Holding the joystick – calling a quick menu or rebooting (depending on the firmware version).

The use of a joystick is especially important when you need to quickly add sound or switch to a new device. HDMI-It's an ergonomic solution that allows you to avoid looking for the remote in the dark, but you don't need a joystick to work with apps and a browser.

⚠️ Warning: Do not put excessive effort into pressing the joystick. The mechanism is designed for a certain number of cycles, and too much pressure can lead to breakage of contacts inside the housing.

Hidden buttons and emergency reset

In addition to the obvious joystick, the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S design includes hidden controls necessary for service and emergency situations. Often users search for the “Reset” or “Power” button separately, unaware that they can be combined or disguised. There may be a small hole on the back or in the recess near the connection ports.

That's where the forced reset or reset button is hidden. To activate this function, you'll need a thin object, like a paper clip or a toothpick. It's an emergency mechanism that helps you get out of the brick state when the software stops responding to commands. Pressing this button while you turn on the TV can trigger Recovery Mode.

Also worth mentioning are touch buttons, which are sometimes found on the side faces of some model revisions, which can be invisible when the screen is off and only manifest when the power is applied. If you can't find physical buttons, try swiping your hand on the side ends in the area of the logo or the Mi inscription.

The following steps for Hard Reset:


1. Turn off the TV.




2. Press the Reset button (in the hole) with a paper clip.




3. Without releasing the button, connect the power.




4. Hold 10-15 seconds until the Android logo appears.

It is important to distinguish between short-term pressing and long-term retention. A short press usually mimics a mouse click, whereas holding for 5-10 seconds activates special modes. Be careful when using the reset feature, as it can return the TV to factory settings by deleting all your data.

⚠️ Warning: Performing a full Hard Reset via a hidden button will remove all installed applications, accounts and personalized system settings.

Control through ports and IR receiver

While asking where the buttons are usually about finding physical keys, you can't ignore the infrared port (IR receiver), which is a key control element. On the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S, it's on the bottom edge, often to the right or left of the logo, and looks like a small dark window, and that's where the remote or smartphone with an IR port should be directed.

If the remote is lost, you can use your smartphone as a replacement. Most modern Xiaomi, Huawei and Samsung phones have an integrated IR transmitter. By downloading the Mi Remote app or analog, you get full access to all the features that could theoretically be displayed on physical buttons if they existed in full.

And it's also possible to control over HDMI ports, thanks to the CEC function, and if you connect a TV to a console or a console, the remote can control basic TV functions like turn on and volume, and it creates a single ecosystem where you don't have to search for buttons on the TV itself.

The table below compares the management methods available for this model:

Using alternative controls is more than finding a single little button on the case, especially when you type text, which is a joystick that turns into anguish.

Alternative ways to navigate without a remote

When physical buttons are found but not functional enough, digital solutions come to the rescue. Xiaomi TVs run on Android TV, allowing you to control them from any device on the same Wi-Fi network. This is the most convenient way if you're looking for where the buttons are, because the virtual remote on the smartphone screen is often more convenient than the physical one.

To connect, use the official Mi Home or Google Home app. Once paired, your phone turns into a touchpad that allows you to quickly move your cursor around the screen. This is especially useful for web surfing or using browsers where the joystick is powerless. You can also use voice input through your smartphone microphone.

• 📱 Mi Remote app emulates the IR remote (requires an IR port in the phone).
• 🌐 Google Home – Wi-Fi management works on all Android and iOS.
• 💻 Mouse and keyboard - you can connect USB-periphery directly to the TV port.
• 🎤 Voice Assistant – Activation via an app or external headset.

Connecting a normal computer mouse through USB-The port does wonders. The cursor appears on the screen, allowing you to open apps, flip pages, and type in text from the virtual keyboard much faster. It's a universal method that many people forget, as they continue to frantically search for buttons on the case.

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Use a wireless mouse with USB-The wired mouse will work, but the wireless mouse is more convenient if the TV is high on the wall, and you reach for it. USB-port.

Diagnostics of button faults

There are times when the buttons seem to be there but don't work, and this can be due to a software failure or a hardware malfunction. If the joystick on the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S has stopped responding, the first thing to do is to eliminate the software "glitch." Often the system just hangs in the background, ignoring the input.

Check if the control is locked in the settings. In some modes (such as “Children’s Mode” or specific profiles), physical buttons can be software-disabled, and it is also worth checking whether the button itself has stuck mechanically due to spilled liquid or high humidity in the room.

If neither the joystick nor the IR receiver responds, the mainboard may be the problem, requiring a multimeter diagnosis or a module replacement, but before you bring the TV to the service, try to complete the full reboot cycle by disconnecting the device from the outlet for 5-10 minutes.

Sometimes the problem is solved by updating the firmware. Manufacturers regularly release patches that fix the error in the processing of signals from the controls. Make sure that your device has the latest version of the software.

⚠️ Note: If the TV is warranty, do not attempt to disassemble the case for cleaning the contacts of the buttons yourself.

Operation and care tips

To keep the buttons and sensors running, you need to take good care of your TV. Dust is the main enemy of mechanical elements like the joystick. Regularly but carefully, clean the bottom face of the case with dry soft cloth. Do not use aggressive chemicals that can damage plastic or wash away the markings.

Try not to push the joystick with all your weight of your hand, leaning on the TV when you install it on the stand. The button mechanism is designed for point pressing with your finger, not lateral load. Observing these simple rules will prolong the life of the hardware of your Xiaomi Mi TV 4S.

In conclusion, knowing where the buttons are is just the tip of the iceberg, and combining physical control with the digital capabilities of a smartphone gives you complete control of the device, and now you know where to look for salvation if the remote control suddenly fails.

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The combination of a joystick on the bottom edge and a remote app on a smartphone provides 100% control over the TV even when the staff remote is broken.

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