How to Take a Full Screen Image on a Xiaomi TV: A Complete Guide to 2026

The problem with incorrect display of images on Xiaomi TVs is one of the most common among users. Black stripes on the sides, cropped edges or blurred picture spoils the impression of watching movies, games and broadcasts, the reasons can be different from the wrong settings of the TV itself to the features of the signal from the source (set-top box, computer, game console).

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can stretch your image to the full screen on Xiaomi Mi TV, Redmi Smart TV, Mi TV Q1/Q2 and other models, learn how to scale through the TV menu, change the signal source parameters, and what to do if standard methods don’t work, and focus on the hidden developer settings that allow you to more accurately control scaling at the system level.

Why the image does not occupy the entire screen: the main reasons

Before you start settings, it is important to understand why the image is not displayed correctly.

• 📺 Incorrect screen format in the settings of the TV (for example, 4:3 mode is selected instead of 16:9).
• 🎮 Signal source limitations: A console, computer, or game console transmits an image with black fields (e.g., in Letterbox mode).
• 🔧 Hardware model limitations: some Xiaomi budget TVs (e.g. Redmi Smart) TV X50) They do not support full scaling for all resolutions.
• 📶 Problems with HDMI-cable or port: damaged cable or incompatible standard (HDMI 1.4 instead of 2.0) may distort the signal.
• 🖥️ Operating system settings (for example, in Android) TV Google TV Safe Zones for the interface are enabled).

In 80% of cases, the problem is solved by changing the settings directly on the TV, but if you connect an external device (for example, Xbox or PlayStation), you will need to configure it, and we will explain this in detail in the relevant sections.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with resolution 4K (Like Mi. TV Q1E) when stretching low-quality images (480p or 576p) Artifacts may appear, and in this case, it's better to leave the black fields or use an external upscaler.

Method 1: Change the screen format in the settings of Xiaomi TV

The easiest method is to choose the right screen format from the TV menu, which is available on all Xiaomi models, including the Mi TV 4A, Mi TV 5 and Redmi Smart TV X.

Instructions:

1. Turn on the TV and go to a problem signal source (such as HDMI 1 or built-in player).
2. Press the Menu (or Settings) button on the remote.
3. Select Settings → Image → Screen format (on some models, the path may differ: Settings → Display and sound → Screen format).
4. Try the following modes in turn: Auto-TV will select the optimal settings for yourself. 16:9 is the standard wide format for modern movies and games. Zoom will be forcibly stretched across the entire screen (may lead to distortions). 4:3 is the classic format for old films (adds black fields on the sides). Panorama - stretches the picture horizontally, maintaining height.

After selecting each mode, check if the black fields or pruning have disappeared.

If the option to stretch is not on the menu, then your Xiaomi model does not support software zoom for the current signal source.

Make sure the right signal source is selected (HDMI/TV)

Check all available format modes (Auto, 16:9, Stretching, etc.)

Restart the TV after changing the settings

Try another one. HDMI-cable (if there is a problem with an external device)

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Method 2: Scale adjustment for external devices (HDMI)

If black fields appear when connected via HDMI (for example, from an Apple TV, computer or game console), the problem may be on the source side of the signal.

Here’s how to set up the most popular sources:

For Windows PCs, it is also recommended to disable zooming in graphics drivers, such as NVIDIA graphics cards:

1. Open the NVIDIA Control Panel (right-click on the desktop).
2. Go to Display → Adjust the size and position of the desktop.
3. Select your Xiaomi TV and set up Scaling and Fitting options.
4. Apply the settings and check the result.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi TVs (e.g. Mi) TV P1) when connected through HDMI If you change your PC settings, you turn black, wait 15 seconds, and the TV will automatically return to the previous settings.

Method 3: Hidden developer settings (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use the hidden developer settings in Android TV, which is suitable for models based on Google TV or Android TV (for example, Xiaomi Mi TV Q2 2023 or Redmi Smart TV A2).

Instructions for activation of the developer mode:

1. Open the Settings. → On TV.
2. Find the Build Number (or Software Version) and click on it 7 times in a row (the notification “You became a developer” should appear).
3. Go back to the main settings menu and select a new section for developers.

Note that incorrect settings in developer mode can lead to interface failures or incorrect display of menus. If after changes the TV began to work unstable, reset to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset).

Method 4: Update firmware and reset settings

Sometimes the scaling problem comes from software bugs in the TV firmware. For example, in the early versions of the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S software, there was a bug that caused the Stretch mode to not work for 720p signals.

How to update firmware:

1. Go to Settings → About TV → System Update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If a new version is available, confirm the installation and wait until the end (the TV will restart automatically).

If the update didn’t work, try resetting to factory settings:

1. Open Settings → System → Reset.
2. Select Reset All Settings (does not delete apps) or Complete Reset (deletes everything, including accounts).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with Google TV (Like Mi. TV Q2 2023) after reset, you may need to re-authorize in Google and Mi Account services!

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Before reset, take a picture of the current image settings (brightness, contrast, color temperature) – this will help to quickly restore them after the procedure.

Method 5: Hardware solutions (if nothing helps)

If the software methods didn't work, the problem could be the hardware limitations of your model.

• 🔌 Check it out. HDMI-Port and cable: use a certified cable HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 (particularly 4K@60Hz). Xiaomi TVs often have ports marked: HDMI 1 supportive ARC, HDMI 2 — 4K.
• 📺 Use an external scaler: devices like OSSC or RetroTINK allows you to accurately zoom in and remove black fields for retro consoles or non-standard resolutions.
• 🔄 Connect via another port: some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) TV ES 2022) have scaling limits for certain HDMI-port.
• 🛠️ Contact the service center: if the problem occurred after a fall or impact, there may be a shift of the matrix or damage to the image controller.

For owners of Xiaomi Mi TV Q1E and other flagship models with QLED-screens should be checked for settings AI Master for Image in the image menu, which automatically zooms in to the content, but sometimes it doesn't work properly:

Settings → Image → AI Master for Image → Turn off

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If the TV doesn’t stretch in any mode, check the model specifications on Xiaomi’s official website.Some budget series (like the Redmi Smart TV X55) don’t support zooming for resolutions below 1080p.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you zoom in, users often make common mistakes that only make the problem worse.

• ❌ Using Zoom mode for subtitled movies will cut the bottom of the frame, where the credits are often located.
• ❌ Select a resolution above native for the TV (e.g, 4K on a model with full resolution HD) — It'll lead to blurring.
• ❌ Ignore signal source settings – even if the TV supports stretching, the external device can block this feature.
• ❌ Updating your firmware through third-party sources can cause your TV to “brick.

If you plug in a PC and you see black fields, don't be too quick to change your TV settings.

1. The aspect ratio in the drivers of the video card (NVIDIA/AMD/Intel).
2. Scaling settings in the game or player itself (for example, Kodi or VLC have separate options for resizing the video).
3. Mode of work HDMI-Port (some motherboards require inclusion) HDMI Deep Color in BIOS).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions