How to connect Xiaomi remote to the TV: all ways + error solving

Xiaomi’s remote controls have become an integral part of the brand’s smart device ecosystem, but their connectivity is not always smooth, especially when it comes to synchronizing with Mi TVs, Redmi Smart TVs or other manufacturers’ models via an infrared port or Bluetooth. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to add a remote, from standard tethering to manually entering codes and solving typical errors.

It is important to understand that the process depends on the type of remote (original, universal, gaming) and the model of the TV. For example, Xiaomi Mi Remote Controller for Mi TV 4S/5X connects automatically when you first turn on, whereas universal remotes like Xiaomi Universal IR Remote require manual adjustment. We will look at both scenarios, and also tell you what to do if the TV “can’t see” the remote or buttons are not working correctly.

If you have just bought a new remote or have a problem after resetting your TV settings, this guide will help you avoid going to the service center, the main thing is to follow step-by-step recommendations and take into account the nuances of your model.

Xiaomi Remote Types: What Do You Have?

Before you start connecting, determine the type of remote control you have, and the algorithm of actions depends on it:

• 📺 The original Xiaomi remote – comes complete with Mi TVs TV or Redmi Smart TV. Connects to Bluetooth automatically.
• 🔄 Universal IR remote (for example, Xiaomi Universal) IR Remote – works on an infrared port, requires manual input of the device code.
• 🎮 Gaming remote (e.g. Xiaomi Game Controller) – Connects via Bluetooth, but does not replace the main TV remote.
• 📱 Virtual remote in Mi Home – control via smartphone (requires TV and phone connection to the same Wi-Fi network).

The most common problems are with universal IR remotes, which support thousands of TV models, but each brand needs to be uniquely coded, and if you don't know the code of your model, you can find it in the table below or on Xiaomi's official website.

⚠️ Note: Bluetooth 5.0-enabled remotes (e.g. for Mi) TV Q2) Not compatible with older TV models released before 2018. Check the Bluetooth version in the TV settings: Settings → On TV. → System information.

Method 1: Automatic connection of the original remote (Bluetooth)

If you have an original remote from a Mi TV or Redmi Smart TV, it should connect automatically when you first turn on the TV, but sometimes the sync gets lost, for example, after updating the firmware or replacing the batteries.

1. Turn on the TV with the power button on the case (if the remote does not respond).
2. Press and hold the Mi + Back buttons on the remote for 5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing.
3. Hold the remote to a distance of 10-15 cm from the TV, synchronization will take up to 30 seconds.

If the remote is still not working:

• 🔋 Check the batteries (even new cells can be discharged).
• 📶 Make sure that Bluetooth is enabled in the TV settings: Settings → Devices → Bluetooth.
• 🔄 Reboot the TV: Settings → On TV. → Reboot.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi 2020 and newer TVs use Bluetooth Low Energy protocol (BLE). If your remote is released earlier, it may not support this standard, in which case you will need to update the TV firmware or use an IR remote.

Replace your batteries with new ones (Duracell or Energizer recommended)|Check that the TV is on and on standby.|Make sure there are no other Bluetooth devices around that cause interference.|Bring the remote as close as possible to the front of the TV panel-->

Method 2: Manual connection of universal IR-controll

Xiaomi universal remotes (such as Mi Universal IR Remote) support more than 10,000 models of equipment, but for each brand of TV you need to enter a unique code.

1. Turn on the TV with a button on the body.
2. Press and hold the TV + OK buttons on the remote until (double flashing of the indicator).
3. Enter the 4-digit code of your TV model (see table below). If the code is unknown, use a brand search:
4. Press the TV, then hold the CH+ or CH- until the TV responds to the commands.

If you successfully link the indicator on the remote will blink 3 times. If nothing happens, repeat the process with another code from the list.

A full list of codes for other brands (e.g. TCL, Hisense, Xiaomi Pocophone TV) can be found in the manual to the remote or on the Xiaomi support website. If your model is not on the list, try codes for similar brands (e.g., Xiaomi codes will work for Redmi TV).

Method 3: Connect via the Mi Home app (virtual remote)

If the physical remote is lost or broken, you can control the Xiaomi TV from your smartphone via the Mi Home app.This only works for models with Mi TV Assistant support (the list of compatible devices is available on the official website).

Instructions:

1. Install the Mi Home app on your smartphone (available for Android and iOS).
2. Connect your TV and phone to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. In the app, click Add Device → Television → Select a model.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen. The TV should be displayed in the list of devices.
5. After connecting, open the control panel in the application - a virtual remote will appear.

Advantages of this method:

• 📱 No need to buy a new remote – enough smartphone.
• 🔧 Extended features are available (e.g. color adjustment) AI Picture or launch Google Assistant).
• 🔄 You can control multiple Xiaomi TVs from one app.

⚠️ Note: The virtual remote in Mi Home does not work with other brands of TVs (such as Samsung or Samsung). LG). They will require a universal IR remote or specialized applications like Peel Smart Remote.

💡

If the virtual remote is lagging, close the background apps on your smartphone and connect to Wi-Fi at 5 GHz. This will reduce command latency.

Problem Solving: The remote is not working or is not working properly

If the Xiaomi remote is connected, but the buttons react with a delay or do not perform the desired actions, check the following points:

1. Problems with Bluetooth remote

• 🔋 Weak battery signal -- even at 20 percent charge, the remotes can be unstable.
• 📶 Interference from other devices – disable nearby Bluetooth headsets, speakers or fitness bracelets.
• 🔄 Sync failure – remove the remote from the list of Bluetooth devices on TV and connect again.

2. Problems with the IR remote

• 🌡️ Obstacles in the signal path – make sure there are no objects between the remote and the IR receiver.
• 🔦 Contaminated IR transmitter – wipe the glass at the end of the remote with an alcohol napkin.
• 📟 Wrong code – Reconfigure with another code from the table.

General malfunctions

• 💧 Liquid intake – if the remote is wet, dry it in rice for 24 hours (do not use a hair dryer!).
• 🔨 Mechanical damage - check the integrity of the case and buttons. If the buttons "stick", carefully clean the contacts with isopropyl alcohol.

If the remote stopped working after updating the TV firmware, reset the TV to factory settings: Settings → About TV → Data Reset. This will return compatibility with the remote, but delete all user settings.

💡

Most of the problems with Xiaomi remotes are solved by replacing batteries or re-syncing. If this does not help, check the hardware health of the remote and IR/Bluetooth-TV-module.

How to check the efficiency of the remote without a TV

If you are not sure that the problem is in the remote and not in the TV, you can test it yourself:

For IR panels:

1. Turn on the camera on your smartphone and point the IR transmitter to the remote (usually located at the top).
2. Press any button. If the remote is working, you'll see a purple flicker on the phone screen (the IC signal is not visible to the eye, but is captured by the camera).
3. If there is no flicker, the remote is faulty or discharged.

For Bluetooth remotes:

1. Connect the remote to another device (such as a laptop or tablet) via Bluetooth.
2. If the connection passes, but the buttons do not work, the problem is in the firmware of the remote or TV.
3. If the remote is not detected, the Bluetooth module is defective.

You can also use a multimeter to check the voltage of the batteries, the normal value is 1.5 V for each battery, if the voltage is below 1.3 V, replace the batteries.

Alternative ways to control Xiaomi TV

If the remote is not restored, consider alternative options:

• 🎮 The game controllers are Xiaomi Game Controller or Xbox/PlayStation You can connect to Bluetooth and use it to navigate the menu.
• 🗣️ Voice control – if the TV has a microphone (e.g. Mi) TV Q2), Activate Google Assistant or Alice with a button on the remote or voice.
• 🖱️ Mouse and keyboard – connect via Bluetooth or via USB-TV ports: convenient for text input and navigation.
• 📱 Remote apps – in addition to Mi Home, try Peel Smart Remote or AnyMote (supports IR and Wi-Fi).

Xiaomi Android TVs also have Google TV App (formerly Android TV Remote) management, which allows you to not only switch channels, but also run apps, search for content by voice and customize recommendations.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi remotes