How to turn on and configure the Xiaomi TV remote: the complete guide

Have you just purchased a Xiaomi Mi TV or Redmi Smart TV, but you have a problem: does the remote control not respond to pressing? or did it stop working after updating the firmware? Don't panic - in 90% of cases the problem is solved in a few minutes without contacting the service center.

In this article, we will go into detail about all possible ways to turn on and configure the remote for Xiaomi TVs, including models with Bluetooth remotes (for example, Mi TV 4S/5 Pro) and IR remotes (budget series Redmi TV).

We will pay special attention to hidden functions of Xiaomi remotes, which are not written in the official instructions - for example, how to activate the voice assistant or use the remote in mouse mode for smart panels. All instructions are relevant for the firmware MIUI TV 2023-2026 and tested on models from Mi TV A2 32" to Xiaomi TV Q2 75".

1. Check the basic conditions before switching on the remote

Before you try to reprogram the remote or reset the TV, make sure that the basic conditions for its operation are met, and experience shows that in 60% of cases the problem lies at this stage.

The first thing you need to do is visually inspect the remote for physical damage, cracks on the body, traces of fluid or deformed buttons - a signal that the device may have malfunctioned, and Redmi TV infrared (IR) remotes are especially vulnerable, where you can damage the LED even with a small impact.

• 🔋 Batteries: Remove the batteries and test their multimeter voltage (should be at least 1.2V for each cell). Even if the batteries are new, the contacts could oxidize - wipe them with an alcohol wipe.
• 📶 Distance and obstacles: for infrared remotes, the maximum distance to the TV is 8 meters, and there should be no glass, mirrors or direct sunlight on the signal path (they block the infrared beam).
• 🔄 Reboot TV: Turn the TV off the socket 30 Seconds – This will remove the module’s time errors Bluetooth/IR receiver.

If you use a Bluetooth remote (black with a touchpad like the Mi TV Q1E), make sure that the TV settings are Bluetooth enabled. Go to Settings → Connections → Bluetooth and activate the function. Unlike IR remotes, Bluetooth devices require pre-synchronization (more on this in the next section).

⚠️ Attention: Some Xiaomi models TV (Like Mi. TV P1 55) support only native remotes, remotes from other brands (even universal) may not be recognized due to proprietary communication protocol.

2. Synchronize Bluetooth remote with Xiaomi TV

Bluetooth remotes (usually bundled with Mi TV Q, Xiaomi TV A Pro and Mi TV ES) require binding to the TV, and if you have never set up the remote or reset the TV settings, you will have to re-connect.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on the TV with the power button on the case (usually located on the side or on the back).
2. Press and hold the Menu + OK buttons on the remote simultaneously for 5 seconds until the indicator flashes blue.
3. On the TV, go to Settings → Remote DU → Add the remote.
4. Select your remote model (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Remote Pro) from the list and confirm the connection.

If the remote is not detected, try an alternative method:

1. Turn the TV off the socket for 1 minute.


2. Turn it on and immediately press the Back + Home remote for 10 seconds.




3. Wait for the notification "Search for devices..." to appear on the screen.

For voice-controlled models (such as the Mi TV S Pro) after synchronization, additional microphone tuning may be required.

• 🎤 Go to Settings. → Voice assistant → Microphone setup.
• 🔊 Say a test phrase (e.g., “Enable Netflix”) from a distance. 1-2 square-yard.
• ✅ Confirm that the TV has recognized the command.

⚠️ Warning: If the remote is unstable after synchronization (delays, missed commands), check for interference from other Bluetooth devices (earphones, smartphones.

Charging the remote battery > 50%|TV's on the network.|No active Bluetooth interference|Remote in pairing mode (blinds blue)-->

3. IR remote setup for Xiaomi Redmi TV

Infrared remotes that come with the Redmi TV A32/A43 or Mi TV 4A budget models do not require synchronization, but they depend on the correct direction and no obstacles. If the remote does not respond, follow the following steps:

Checking the IR transmitter:

• 📸 Use your smartphone camera to check the IR diode. Point the remote to the camera and press any button — if the diode is working, you will see a flashing purple light (invisible to the eye, but fixed by the camera).
• 🔦 If the LED doesn't blink, the problem may be in the contacts of the battery compartment or the diode itself. Try to slightly press the remote body in the diode area - sometimes this temporarily restores contact.

Resetting the IR receiver settings on the TV:

1. Go to Settings → About the program → Resetting settings.
2. Select Resetting the remote control (not a complete reset!).
3. After restarting the TV, try using the remote again.

Redmi Smart TV X43/X50 models with combined remotes (IR + Bluetooth) may require manual re-binding.

1.Push Settings + Volume Down for 5 seconds.


2. The error code will appear on the screen (e.g., E01).




3. Enter this code on the remote using digital buttons and press OK.

If the remote is still not working, check if it conflicts with other IR devices in the room (air conditioning, music center).

• 🔌 Turn off all other IR devices from the socket.
• 📺 Point the remote strictly to the TV receiver (usually located at the bottom of the frame).
• 🔄 Try replacing batteries with new ones, even if the old ones seem to work.

4. Control of the TV without remote control (alternative methods)

If the remote is permanently out of order or lost, you can still control the Xiaomi TV in several alternative ways, which is especially useful if you need to turn on the TV urgently to watch or adjust.

Control methods without remote control:

• 📱 Mi Remote: Download the official Mi Remote app (available for Android and iOS). Connect your smartphone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network, then select your TV model from the list of devices.
• 🖱️ USB-Mouse/keyboard: connect a wired or wireless mouse to the port USB-A This will allow navigation through the menu, but it won't replace the power button or volume control.
• 🎮 Game Controller: If you have a gamepad (like Xiaomi Game Controller), connect it via Bluetooth. → Input devices select the mode "DU Remote".
• 🔌 Buttons on the body: on the back or side of the TV, there are physical buttons Power, Volume and Input, which allow you to open the menu even without the remote control.

The combination of buttons on the case to access the menu:

To control via Google Assistant or Alice (if the TV is connected to the smart home), use voice commands:

• “OK Google, turn on Xiaomi TV on Netflix.”
• "Alice, set the volume to 50 on the TV."
• OK Google, switch to HDMI 1.

⚠️ Note: If you are using the Mi TV Stick or Xiaomi TV Box S, you can control the TV without a remote only through the Mi Remote app or HDMI-CEC (if the TV supports this feature, the physical buttons on the console body do not duplicate the functions of the remote control.

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If you don't have a smartphone to install Mi Remote, you can use a laptop with an Android emulator (BlueStacks) and install the app on it.It's a temporary solution, but it works for all Xiaomi TV models.

5. Resolve common malfunctions of Xiaomi remotes

Even if the remote is functional and the batteries are new, it may not work properly due to software or hardware failures. Below we have collected typical problems and ways to solve them, based on calls to Xiaomi service centers.

Problem 1: The remote only works after multiple presses

• 🔋 Reason: Batteries that are discharged (even if new, they could have been in storage for years).
• 🛠️ Solution: Replace batteries with alkaline batteries (like Duracell or Energizer) and avoid cheap salt batteries, which lose power quickly.

Problem 2: The remote controls the TV, but not all buttons work

• 🖥️ Reason: the conflict of firmware remote and TV (relevant after updates).
• 🔄 Solution: Update your TV firmware manually: Download the latest version of the software from Xiaomi's official website. Copy the file onto a flash drive in format FAT32. Connect the flash drive to the TV and select Settings → About the programme → Update through USB.

Problem 3: Bluetooth remote is constantly shut down

• 📡 Cause: interference from other wireless devices or weak signal.
• 🔌 Solution: Move the router more than 1 meter away from the TV. Turn off 5 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 modes on other devices. Reset Bluetooth settings on the TV: Settings → Connections → Bluetooth → Drop it.

Problem 4: The remote works, but with a delay of 1-2 seconds

• 🐢 Reason: TV CPU overload (especially on Redmi budget models) TV A32).
• ⚡ Solution: Close all background applications: Settings → Annexes → Clear everything. Turn off the interface animation: Settings → Special facilities → Remove animations. Reset system cache: Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

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If the Xiaomi remote stopped working after falling or getting liquid, do not try to disassemble it yourself - in the case of a remote. 90% In some cases, this causes damage to the board (~800-1500 RUB) lower than the purchase of a new (~2500 ruble).

6. Buying a new remote: original vs universal

If all the attempts to revive the remote have failed, you have to think about buying a new one, and here you have two options: the original Xiaomi remote or the universal from third-party manufacturers. Let's take a look at the pros and cons of each.

The original Xiaomi remotes:

• ✅ Full compatibility with all TV features (voice search, fast buttons for the TV) Netflix/Prime Video).
• ✅ Support for firmware updates through the TV.
• ✅ 12 months warranty (when buying from official Mi Store stores or partners).
• ❌ Price: from 2000 to 3500 rubles depending on the model.

Universal remotes:

• ✅ Cost: from 500 to 1500 rubles.
• ✅ You can program for several devices (TV) + air-conditioner + audiosystem).
• ❌ No support for voice control and some "chips" MIUI TV.
• ❌ Possible synchronization problems after TV firmware update.