How to activate the remote from the Xiaomi TV: a complete guide to solving problems

Why Xiaomi TV remote may not work immediately after purchase

You just unpacked a new Xiaomi Mi TV or Redmi Smart TV, but the remote doesn't respond to pressing? It's normal that most remotes require pre-activation before first use, because the manufacturer supplies devices with default remote controls to save battery power during transportation.

Another common reason is the lack of synchronization between the remote and the TV. Modern Xiaomi models (such as the Mi TV Q2 2023 or Redmi X Series) use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for communication, rather than the classic infrared port, which means that the remote control needs to be paired with the TV like wireless headphones, and if you missed this step, the buttons simply won't work.

Also, don't rule out hardware problems: batteries that are dead (even new ones can be partially discharged), mechanical damage during transportation or factory defects. Before panicking, check the obvious - sometimes the solution lies on the surface.

Preparing for activation: what to do before starting

Before you start synchronization, make sure that the basic conditions are met:

• 🔋 Install the batteries in the remote (usually included). TV Stick or Mi Box may be required CR2032, a for full-size remotes — AAA.
• 📺 Connect your TV to the network via cable or Wi-Fi. Without the Internet, some activation features may not be available.
• 🔌 Turn on the TV with the power button on the case (if the remote does not respond). TV A2 The newer button is located on the bottom panel.
• 📱 Prepare your smartphone (if you need to use the Mi Remote app for an alternative setup).

Pay special attention to the distance between the remote and the TV. For successful Bluetooth synchronization, it should not exceed 1 meter (this is critical for the first 30 seconds after turning on the TV), remove possible sources of interference: other wireless devices, microwave ovens or Wi-Fi routers operating at 2.4 GHz.

Method 1: Standard remote activation (for most models)

This method is suitable for 90% of Xiaomi TVs released after 2020. Instructions are universal for the Mi TV 4S, Mi TV 5, Redmi X50 and later:

1. Turn on the TV with a button on the case (if it is turned off).
2. Press and hold the Menu buttons at the same time (⋯) + OK (central) on the remote for 5-7 seconds until the indicator starts flashing.
3. Release the buttons. The TV screen should display a notification "Connect remote..."
4. Wait until the process is complete (usually 10-20 seconds), and after successful synchronization, the remote will emit a short beep.

If the remote is still out of action, try restarting the TV: press the power button on the case for 10 seconds, then turn on the TV again and repeat the procedure. On Mi TV ES 2021 and later, additional confirmation on the screen may be required.

⚠️ Note: On remotes with a touch panel (for example, Mi) TV Master Series) button combination may be different. Instead of Menu use Back (←) + OK.

Method 2: Activate through the TV settings menu

If the standard method didn’t work, try connecting the remote via the system menu, which is suitable for TVs with MIUI TV version 1.5 and above:

1. Turn on the TV with a button on the body.
2. Go to Settings → Devices → Remote and accessories.
3. Select "Add remote" (or "Sync new remote" on older versions of the software).
4. Press and hold the Back (←) + Volume Up (+) button on the remote for 3 seconds.
5. Wait for the notification "Connected" on the screen.

On some models (e.g., Mi). TV 4A) may require input PIN-The standard code for Xiaomi is 0000 or 1234. If the code request does not appear, try updating the TV firmware (for this, see the next section).

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If the remote does not respond to the button retention, try to remove and re-insert the batteries – this will reset its internal memory.

Method 3: Update firmware to solve remote control problems

If the remote is still not activated, the reason may lie in the outdated firmware of the TV, the manufacturer regularly releases updates that correct synchronization errors, to update the software:

1. Connect the TV to the Internet (by cable or Wi-Fi).
2. Go to Settings → About TV → System Update.
3. Click "Check Updates" and wait for the search to be completed.
4. If a new version is available, select "Update Now".

The upgrade process will take 5-15 minutes depending on the speed of the Internet. Don't turn off the TV during installation, this can cause a system failure. After restart, try to activate the remote again in the standard way.

For Mi TV 5 Pro and newer models, a forced USB update is available:

• Download the latest firmware from the official Xiaomi Support website.
• Unpack the archive and copy the update.zip file to the flash drive (FAT32 format).
• Connect the flash drive to the TV and select Settings → Update → Local Update.

Alternative methods: how to control the TV without a remote control

If the remote is not activated, you can temporarily control the TV in other ways:

• 📱 Mi Remote app (available for Android and iOS) download it from Google Play or the App Store, then connect to your TV via the same Wi-Fi network.
• 🖱️ USB-A mouse or a keyboard. Connect them to the port. USB TV: Most functions can be controlled through them.
• 🎮 Game Controller: Some models (e.g. Mi) TV ES 2021) support the connection of gamepads over Bluetooth.
• 🔧 Buttons on the body. Most Xiaomi TVs have physical Volume, Channel and Power buttons on the bottom or sidebar.

For use with Mi Remote:

1. Open the application and select "Add device".
2. Select the category "Television" → "Xiaomi".
3. Follow the instructions on the screen for synchronization.

⚠️ Note: Mi Remote requires location permission to search for Bluetooth devices. iPhone also requires Bluetooth enabled in settings.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even when activated correctly, the remote can malfunction, and let’s look at the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If the remote has completely stopped responding, reset the settings:

1. Remove the batteries from the remote.
2. Press and hold any button for 10 seconds (discharge the residual charge of the capacitors).
3. Insert the batteries back and repeat the activation procedure.

For voice-controlled models (e.g. Mi) TV S Pro) check if the "Children's Mode" function is activated, it can block some buttons. → Parental control.

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If the remote doesn’t respond to a reset, check it on another Xiaomi TV (at friends’ or in the store).

FAQ: Frequent questions about activation of the Xiaomi TV remote