Many users of modern Smart TVs face an unexpected problem: while watching TV or playing video, strange characters, yellow or white lines of text appear on the screen that overlap the image. This phenomenon, known as teletext, is often activated by accidentally pressing the buttons of the remote control. On Xiaomi Mi TVs running Android TV or PatchWall, this feature can behave intrusively, preventing full enjoyment of content.
Making matters worse, the interfaces of different models can be different, and random subtitles or teletext switching happens instantly. TV owners are often frightened to think that the device has failed or a virus has been infected. However, in most cases, this is a regular digital TV feature that requires simple manual deactivation. Understanding exactly how this system works in the Xiaomi ecosystem will help you quickly return comfortable viewing.
In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disable this feature, we will look at both standard methods through the remote control and deeper settings in the system menu, and we will also touch on the nuances of working with external receivers and applications for IPTV, since the signal source plays a key role in the appearance of text data on the screen.
Reasons for the appearance of text on the screen Xiaomi TV
Before we start to fix the problem, we need to understand the nature of the problem. Teletext is a technology for transmitting text and graphic information along with a video signal. On Xiaomi Mi TVs, the appearance of strings is usually due to one of three sources: an embedded DVB-T2 digital tuner, an external receiver or a subtitle function in a media player. The most common reason is the accidental press of the button "TTX" or "Text" on the remote during an active digital channel.
The second common reason is the setting conflict between apps, such as watching terrestrial TV with subtitles turned on, then switching to YouTube or a movie theater, and the text layer remained active in the background. Android TV may not properly handle display priorities, leaving "hanging" text blocks over the image.
Also consider the human factor and the design of the remotes. Teletext control buttons are often located in close proximity to the volume or navigation buttons. When using the remote in the dark or with children, it is very easy to touch the desired combination. In addition, some universal remotes can send incorrect command codes to the Xiaomi infrared receiver, interpreting the press as a text mode activation command.
Disconnection through the remote control buttons
The fastest and most effective way to remove intrusive labels is to use the capabilities of the remote itself. The original Xiaomi Mi Remote, as well as many universal consoles, have special keys for controlling teletext, usually marked with the acronym TTX, TEXT or have an icon that resembles a sheet of paper with text, pressing this button switches the display modes: turn on, turn off or change transparency.
If there is no separate button, try using the MENU or SETTINGS button (often indicated by a gear or three dots). In the context menu that opens up, which appears on top of the video stream, there is often a tab called "Subtitles" or "Teletext." By navigating the menu using the navigation buttons, you can find a text mode status switch. It is important to do this quickly before the menu disappears.
In some remotes, especially those bundled with global TVs, teletext is tied to colored buttons (red, green, yellow, blue). Try pressing them sequentially. Often, activating or deactivating hidden features like teletext is tied to colored keys that might not be used normally.
☑️ Checking the remote
Setting parameters in the system menu of the TV
If the physical buttons don’t help, you need to refer to the software settings of the Xiaomi Mi TV itself. The interface may vary depending on the firmware version (PatchWall or pure Android TV), but the logic remains similar. You need to get to the main settings menu, usually available through the gear icon in the upper right corner of the screen or through the menu button on the remote.
In the settings menu, look for a section related to the channel or playback, which can be called Channels, Broadcast, TV Settings or Broadcasting. Within this section, Teletext or DVB Subtitles are often hidden. Switch the slider to Off. This action will disable decoding of text data at the tuner level, no matter what signal is received.
It is also worth checking the general availability settings. Special features or System → Language and input can be global subtitles settings. Make sure that Captions is turned off, as some applications may disguise system subtitles as teletext. For pure Android TV, the path often looks like Settings → Special features → Subtitles.
⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse teletext disabling with channel settings being completely reset. If you do "Channel Settings Reset" or "Channel Search" from scratch, you'll have to reconfigure your favorite TV listings, which will take considerable time.
Teletext management in applications and IPTV
The situation changes dramatically if you watch content not through the built-in tuner, but through applications like Peers.TV, SPB TV, ViX or third-party players for IPTV (for example, TiviMate, VLC, MX Player), in which cases the settings of the Xiaomi TV itself may not have any impact, since the application renders video stream and text regardless of the system.
Most of them. IPTV-Players control the subtitles and teletext is right in the play interface. Try pressing the menu button (three dots or gear) while watching the video. CC (Closed Captions) or Subtitle, and clicking on it usually cyclically switches languages or completely disables the text track. VLC, You need to click the menu button, select Subtitles and tick Disconnect.
If you use online movie apps, the problem may be to stick the subtitle function to the end of the app (not just go to the desktop, but close the task through the menu of running apps) and run it again, which will force you to restart the video stream and reset all the time settings for displaying text.
Secret combination for some players
Solving problems with external receivers and consoles
If your Xiaomi Mi TV has a digital set-top box (DVB-T2 receiver) or a satellite tuner via HDMI, the TV itself has nothing to do with it. It only displays the picture that the external device broadcasts, in which case all the settings should be made by the console, not the TV.
On the console, look for the TTX, TEXT or FAV button (sometimes the teletext function is tied to it). Pressing should remove the text. If the button is not, log into the console menu (the MENU button), find the Settings → Options or Television section and turn off the teletext mode there. Also check if the auto-text function is turned on there, which activates the text when it appears on the air.
The problem can also be in the cable or HDMI port. When using old adapters or poor-quality cables, the control signal (CEC) can be transmitted with errors, which can cause the TV to spontaneously turn on text-related functions in response to console signals. Try switching the cable to another HDMI port or replacing the cable itself with a higher quality, certified High Speed standard.
| Signal source | Where to look for settings | Typical button | Probability of success |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital tuner (DVB-T2) | TV menu/TTX button | TTX / TEXT | Tall. |
| IPTV applications | Player settings | Medium | |
| Outside console | The console menu | TTX / FAV | Tall. |
| USB-mediaplayer | Reproduction menu | Subtitle / CC | Medium |
Diagnostics and resetting settings when failures
In rare cases, a software failure of the Android TV operating system onboard Xiaomi can cause the teletext to not be disabled by standard methods. If none of the buttons responds and the settings in the menu are blocked, reset the settings of a particular application or the entire system. Start with less radical measures.
The first step is to clear the cache of the application through which the broadcast is going. Go to Settings → Applications, find the culprit (for example, "Live Channels" or a specific IPTV player), select Clear the cache and Clear the data. This will return the application to the "post-installation" state, killing all temporary bugs, including stuck teletext.
If the problem is systemic and is seen across all signal sources, you may need to completely reset your TV to factory settings. Important: Before doing this, make sure you remember your Google account details and Wi-Fi passwords, as all personal data will be deleted. Path to reset: Settings → About the system → Reset (or Storage & Reset) → Factory data reset).
⚠️ Note: Full reset will remove all apps and accounts you have installed, use this method only if other methods have not worked, and be sure to save important data in advance.
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If the teletext only appears on one channel, the problem may be on the broadcaster's side, not on your TV. Try switching to another channel for verification.
Prevention and useful advice
To avoid the recurrence of annoying lines, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the settings of your remote. Some users use the "Block button" function (if it is available in the settings of Xiaomi accessories) to prevent accidental clicks by children. There are also special silicone cases on the remotes that have deeper cutouts for buttons, which reduces the risk of accidental touching of subtle teletext keys.
Update your Xiaomi Mi TV software regularly. PatchWall and Android TV firmware updates often fix bugs related to video processing and overlays. Check for updates in Settings → About System → System Update. Automatic updates are best kept on.
Use universal remotes wisely. If you use a remote app on a smartphone, make sure that its settings do not activate macros or additional features that teletext commands can send. Mobile apps often have more sensitive screen buttons than physical remotes.
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Tip: If you watch TV on the air often but don't need teletext, tape the corresponding button on the remote with a small piece of opaque tape, which will physically prevent accidental pressing in the future.