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

Why Xiaomi TVs can’t see the remote and what to do about it

Did you take out a new Xiaomi Mi TV or Redmi Smart TV, turn it on, but the remote doesn't work? Or did the old remote suddenly stop responding to commands? The problem is familiar to many owners of Xiaomi equipment - especially when it comes to models with Bluetooth remotes (for example, Mi TV Stick or Mi Box S). 80% of the time, it is not the breakdown, but the incorrect synchronization of devices.

In this article, we’ll explore all the possible ways to connect the remote to Xiaomi TVs, from standard infrared port (IR) synchronization to manually adding via Settings → Input Devices. And also find out why the TV can not see the remote even after successful pairing, and what to do if the indicator on the remote flashes, but the commands do not execute.

⚠️ Important: if your TV is a Mi series TV Q1/Q2 2023–2026 Redmi A Series, check out the trim – some models come with hybrid remotes (IR + Bluetooth, which requires dual tuning, and we'll talk about this in the Bluetooth pairing section.

What are the remotes of Xiaomi TV and how to distinguish them

Before you try to connect the remote to the TV, you need to understand what type of device you're dealing with. It depends on how you connect. Xiaomi's remotes fall into three categories:

• 📶 Infrared (IR) — They're using invisible light, they require a line of sight between the remote and the TV, and they're used in most budget models (Redmi Smart). TV X43/X50).
• 🔵 Bluetooth - connect wirelessly, do not require direction. TV Q1E, Mi TV Master and consoles (Mi Box) 4S).
• 🔄 Hybrid (IR + Bluetooth: Both types are combined, can work in two modes, but often require manual switching.

How do you determine the type of remote?

• 🔍 Look at the indicator (usually located at the top) if it flashes red when you press any button, it's IR-If it's blue or white, Bluetooth.
• 📄 Check the markings on the back. Labels like Bluetooth 4.2 or BLE point to a wireless protocol.
• 🖥️ Look at the Settings. → About the program on the TV. Input devices should show the type of remote that's connected.

If you lost your native remote, you can use universal remotes (for example, Xiaomi Mi Remote or BroadLink RM4 Pro), but to configure them will require a separate procedure – read about this in the section on alternative methods of management.

Method 1: Connecting an infrared (IR) remote

IR-The remotes are the most common, but they're also the most moody, and if the TV doesn't respond to commands, there are three things that can be the problem:

1. Batteries are discharged (even if the light flashes!).
2. Contaminated IR transmitter (dust or fat block the signal).
3. Reset TV settings (for example, after software update).

To connect IR-remote TV:

Make sure the remote has working batteries (preferably new)|Exterminate the IR transmitter (a small window at the top) with an alcohol napkin |Put the remote directly at the TV (no more than 5 meters away)|Remove obstacles between the remote and the IR receiver on the TV (it is usually located at the bottom or side)

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1. Turn on the TV with the power button on the case (if it is turned off).
2. Press and hold the Menu + OK buttons on the remote for 5-7 seconds until the indicator flashes quickly.
3. Point the remote to the TV and press OK. If the sync is successful, the indicator will stop flashing.
4. Check it by clicking Volume+ or Channel+.

⚠️ Warning: If the remote still doesn't work after this, try resetting the TV to the factory settings. → System system → Reset → Reset all settings. Once reset, all apps and accounts will be deleted, but the remote should work.

Method 2: Synchronization of Bluetooth remote

Bluetooth remotes (such as those from Mi TV Stick or Mi Box S) are connected wirelessly, and if your remote is of this type but the TV doesn't see it, follow the instructions:

1. Make sure that Bluetooth on your TV is on. Go to Settings → Connections → Bluetooth and activate the switch.
2. Press and hold the Back + OK buttons on the remote for 10 seconds until the indicator starts flashing blue.
3. On your TV, select Add Device and wait for the remote name to appear on the list (e.g. Mi Remote Controller or Xiaomi RCxxx).
4. Select the device and confirm the pairing. Once you've successfully connected, the display on the remote will stop flashing.

If the remote is not displayed in the list of devices:

• 🔄 Restart the TV (Settings) → System system → Reboot).
• 📱 Check if the remote is connected to another device (for example, to a smartphone via Mi Home).
• 🔧 Update the TV firmware to the latest version (Settings) → About the programme → Updating the system).

💡

If your TV supports voice control (such as the Mi TV Q1E) but the microphone on the remote doesn't work, try turning off and reconnect the remote via Bluetooth.

Method 3: Manually add the remote via settings

If automatic synchronization doesn't work, you can add a remote manually, which is suitable for all types of remotes, but is especially useful for hybrid models.

1. Open on the TV Settings → Input devices → remotes DU.
2. Select Add remote.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen. The TV will prompt you to press certain buttons on the remote (usually Volume+ and OK).
4. If the process is successful, a notification will appear Remote connected.

⚠️ Note: on some models (Mi) TV 4S, Redmi TV A55) After manually adding the remote, you may need to restart the TV if the buttons are not working properly (for example, Volume).+ Increases the channel instead of volume, reset the remote settings:

Settings → Input Devices → [Select remote] → Reset settings

If the manual addition didn’t help, check:

• 🔋 Batteries in condition (even if they are new, try others).
• 📡 Interference from other IR devices (e.g. air conditioners or music centers).
• 🔄 TV firmware version (update it if an update is available).

💡

If the TV doesn’t respond to manually adding the remote, try connecting it via the Mi Remote app on your smartphone to help you determine if the remote or TV is having a problem.

Solving common problems with Xiaomi remotes

Even after a successful connection, the remote may not work properly, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

If none of these things worked, try updating the remote's firmware.

1. Connect the remote to the TV (even if it doesn’t work properly).
2. Go to Settings → About the program → Update the remote control.
3. If an update is available, confirm its installation.

⚠️ Warning: If the remote has stopped working completely after the firmware update, perform a hard reset of the TV (press the power button on the case for 15 seconds), which will return factory settings, but may solve the compatibility problem.

Method 4: Use of universal remotes or smartphone

If your native remote is lost or broken, you can control your Xiaomi TV using:

• 📱 Mi Remote Apps (Available for Android and iOS).
• 🎮 Universal remotes (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Universal Remote or BroadLink) RM4 Pro).

To set up a universal remote:

1. Set the batteries and turn on the remote.
2. Press and hold the Setup (or Set) button until the indicator starts flashing.
3. Enter the code for Xiaomi TV (usually 0138, 0178 or 0226 – see the remote manual).
4. Check the buttons. If some features don't work, try another code.

For smartphone control:

1. Download the Mi Remote app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Connect your smartphone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Select Television → Xiaomi in the app and follow the on-screen instructions.

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Remote to control Mi TV Stick or Mi Box, make sure that the settings on the TV enable Remote control over Wi-Fi (Settings) → Connections → Remote control).

Method 5: Update the TV firmware to correct remote errors

If the remote stopped working after the software update or simply behaves unstable, the problem can be hidden in software bugs. Xiaomi regularly releases patches to correct compatibility errors with the remotes.

To update the firmware:

1. Go to Settings → About the program → System update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If the update is available, confirm installation. Don't turn off the TV during the process!

If automatic updates do not help, you can install the firmware manually:

1. Download the latest version of the software for your model from the official Xiaomi website.
2. Copy the file. update.zip on USB-storage device FAT32).
3. Insert the flash drive into the TV and go to Settings → About → Update via USB.
4. Select the file and wait for the installation to be completed.

⚠️ Warning: If the TV does not turn on after the update or is getting stuck on the Mi logo, perform an emergency reset:

1. Turn off the TV.


2. Press the Volume + button on the case and, holding it, connect the power.




3 Hold the button for 10-15 seconds until the recovery menu appears.




4. Select Wipe Data/Factory Reset (use volume buttons for navigation).

Frequent questions about connecting the remote to Xiaomi TV