Why Xiaomi TVs can’t see antennas and how to fix them
Did you buy a new Xiaomi Mi TV or Redmi Smart TV, connect an antenna cable but the TV persists in finding channels? Or did the terrestrial TV section disappear after the upgrade? This problem is familiar to many owners of the brand's smart TVs. The fact is that by default, antenna input can be turned off in settings, and in new models (for example, Mi TV Q2 2023 or Redmi Smart Fire TV), the algorithm for finding channels has changed.
In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to turn on the antenna on Xiaomi TVs, from basic settings to hidden menus for power users.
- 🔌 Correctly connect the antenna cable to the connector RF IN (And why sometimes it doesn't get recognized)
- 📡 Turn on the TV in the Mi menu TV (including remote models)
- 🔍 Set up automatic and manual channel search (including for digital TV) DVB-T2)
- ⚙️ Solve typical problems: "no signal", "channels are not saved", "menu TV is not available"
The instructions are valid for all modern Xiaomi TVs, including the Mi TV 4S/4A/4X/5/5X series, Mi TV Q1/Q2, Redmi Smart TV X/A, Mi TV P1 and others. If your model is older than 2018, some menu items may differ - we will warn you about this separately.
Step 1: Checking the physical connection of the antenna
Before you go through the settings, make sure the antenna is connected correctly. Errors at this stage are the cause of 60% of the problems with the terrestrial TV.
- 📶 Connector. RF IN: On the back of the TV, find a nest with the inscription ANTENNA or RF IN (usually HDMI Insert the cable to the end, and it should lock with a slight click.
- 🔄 Cable quality: if you use an old antenna cable with a damaged flyby, the signal will be weak (DVB-T2) Recommended cable with wave resistance of 75 ohms.
- 📡 Signal source: If you connect a room antenna, make sure it is located (closer to the window) and is oriented to the nearest tower.
An important nuance for the Mi TV Q2 2023+ and Redmi Smart Fire TVs is that they have a combined RF/Satellite connector. If you connect a satellite dish, switch mode in settings (more on this below).
☑️ Checking the antenna connection
⚠️ Note: If you connect an antenna through an amplifier, make sure it's on the network. Some models of amplifiers (e.g. Locus) L-032) have a separate power supply, without which the signal will not pass.
Step 2: Include antenna in the TV menu
Even if the antenna is physically connected, Xiaomi TVs can by default turn off the terrestrial TV module to activate it:
- Press the Home button on the remote and select Settings (cog icon).
- Go to the Devices and Connections section → Television.
- Choose the Antenna (or Ether TV in older models).
- Activate the switch Turn on TV (should turn blue).
If you don’t have an antenna on your menu, it means:
- 🔹 The TV does not recognize the connected cable (check the connector again).
- 🔹 You have a model without a built-in TV tuner (for example, some Mis). TV Stick or Xiaomi Mi Surface Display monitors).
- 🔹 TV firmware reset to factory settings (requires an update).
For Redmi Smart TV X50/X55/X65 models, the path may be different: Settings → All settings → Channels → Signal Source → Antenna.
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If the menu doesn't have a TV section, try resetting the TV to factory settings: Settings → Device → Reset → Reset all settings. After the reboot, the item will appear.
Step 3: Configure channel search (automatic and manual modes)
Once the antenna is turned on, you need to start searching for channels. Xiaomi TVs have two modes:
| Search mode | When to use | Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic. | Initial adjustment, region change | Find all available channels quickly | May miss weak signals |
| Hand-held | Weak signal, search for a specific channel | Accurate frequency setting | Longer and requires knowledge of parameters |
| Digital (DVB-T2) | For modern terrestrial TV (20 multiplexes) | Best picture quality | It does not work without an antenna with DVB-T2 support. |
Instructions for automatic search:
- In the antenna menu, select Channel Setting → Automatic Search.
- Please indicate the country: for Russia, choose Russia (or Finland, if you live on the border).
- Select the signal type: 📶 Etheric (DVB-T/T2) — room-panel. 📺 Cable (DVB-C) — if connected to the provider (for example, Rostelecom or MTS TV).
Scan.
If the automatic search does not find the channels:
- 🔴 Check if the signal indicator is on in the upper right corner of the screen (if not, the antenna problem is not visible).
- 🔴 Try manual search: specify the multiplex frequency for your region (for example, for Moscow it is 546 MHz and 666 MHz).
- 🔴 Update the frequency list: some firmwares make it obsolete. → System system → Update of the PO.
How to find out the frequency of multiplexes for your region?
Step 4: Solving antenna problems on Xiaomi TV
If after all the manipulations, the channels do not appear or the TV writes No signal, here is a list of typical causes and solutions:
- 🚫 "No signal" or "Weak signal": Check the cable for damage (bend it - if the image is lost, the cable is defective); connect the antenna directly to the TV (without splitters); if you use an amplifier, try to turn it off, sometimes it causes interference.
- 🔄 Channels are located, but not saved: Reset your TV tuner settings: Settings → Channels → Reset settings. Update the TV firmware (instruction below).
- 📵 No "Antenna" item on the menu: Make sure your model has a built-in tuner (check the specs on the Xiaomi website). If the TV is reset after reset, perform the initial setup again.
For models Mi TV 4A/4S (2018-2020), there is a separate problem: after upgrading to MIUI TV 3.0+, the terrestrial TV section may disappear.
- Go to Settings. → On TV.
- Click 5 times in a row on the MIUI TV version to open the hidden menu for developers.
- Select Restore the TV tuner settings.
⚠️ Note: If you live in a low signal area (such as a remote area), even a high-powered antenna may not catch the signal. DVB-T2. In this case, consider alternatives: 📡 Satellite TV (requires a dish and receiver). 🌐 IPTV via apps (Wink, MTS TV, TVIL). 📶 Mobile TV (for example, MegaFon TV or Beeline TV).
Step 5: Update the firmware to correct antenna errors
If your Xiaomi TV is released before 2022, outdated firmware may be causing antenna problems. For example, the Mi TV 4S before MIUI TV 2.3.60 had a bug with DVB-T2 recognition.
- Connect your TV to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable).
- Go to Settings → About TV → System Update.
- Click Check Updates. If a new version is available, install it.
If the automatic update does not work:
- 🔹 Download the firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website.
- 🔹 Save the file to the flash drive (FAT32, not more than 32 GB).
- 🔹 Insert the flash drive into the TV and select the Update via USB.
In the Redmi Smart TV X55 2021 and later, after upgrading to MIUI TV 4.0, you may need to reconfigure the antenna – even if everything worked before.
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The firmware update solves 80% of antenna problems on older Xiaomi models. Always check the software's relevance before setting up your TV.
Step 6: Alternative ways to connect TV without antenna
If your TV doesn’t work, or you live in a bad signal zone, consider other ways to watch TV on Xiaomi TV:
- 📺 IPTV via apps: Install Wink, MTS TV or TVIL From the Mi App Store. For Redmi Smart Fire TV Amazon Prime Video and Netflix available.
- 🖥️ Connection through HDMI: Use a console (for example, Xiaomi Mi Box S) or a laptop in the backup mode. For cable TV, a receiver from the provider will suit (connects via a cable channel). HDMI ARC).
- 📡 Satellite TV: Connect the plate to the connector LNB IN (If you have one, or use an external receiver: set up the Yamal, Absolute or Eutelsat 36 satellites.° manually.
For Android TV models (such as Mi TV Q1):
You can install TVHeadend or Kodi to watch IPTV through playlists.
- Open Google Play on your TV.
- Find and install Kodi.
- In the Kodi settings, add an IPTV source (a.m3u playlist).