How to turn on and configure the remote on the Xiaomi TV: full instructions

Why Xiaomi remote may not work and how to fix it

Xiaomi Mi TVs come with wireless remote controls (DUs) that use Bluetooth or infrared to communicate with the device. However, many users face a situation where the remote does not respond to pressing, does not turn on the TV or runs with delays.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can turn on and configure your remote on Xiaomi TVs, from basic checks to manually reconnecting your device, and learn what to do if the remote stops working after a firmware update or physical damage. The instructions are suitable for all popular models: Mi TV 4A/4S/4X/5/5X, Mi TV Q1/Q2, Redmi Smart TV others.

Before you start complex manipulations, make sure that the problem is not in the details. For example, many people forget to remove the protective film from the batteries or do not notice that the remote has switched to control mode of another device (for example, a console or a sound bar), then step-by-step solutions for each situation.

Basic check: batteries, obstacles and distance

Start with the basic: check the batteries. Even if you just inserted new ones, they may have been discharged during storage or installed incorrectly. Xiaomi remotes typically use two AAA type elements.

• 🔋 Batteries are set according to polarity (plus to plus, minus to minus).
• 📦 The contacts do not have oxidation or protective film (sometimes it remains after purchase).
• 🔄 You have tried to replace batteries with knowingly working (for example, from another remote control).

If the batteries are fine, look for obstacles between the remote and the TV. Infrared (IR) signals are blocked by walls, furniture and even glass in some cabinets. Bluetooth remotes (Mi TV Stick Remote or new models) are less sensitive to obstacles, but can also lose communication at distances of more than 10 meters.

⚠️ Warning: If you use an IR remote (with a red LED when pressed), point it strictly at the signal receiver on the front of the TV. Angles greater than 30° It can cause loss of communication.

Try it too:

• 📱 Bring the remote closer to the TV (at a distance of 1-2 meters).
• 🔦 Check if direct sunlight hits the IR receiver - this may interfere with the signal.
• 🔌 Reboot the TV (disconnect for 30 seconds and turn it on again).

How to sync Bluetooth remote with Xiaomi TV

Modern models Xiaomi Mi TV Q1/Q2 and Redmi Smart TV are often equipped with Bluetooth remotes that require pre-sync with the TV. If the remote is new or reset, it must be connected manually.

1. Turn on the TV with the power button on the case (if the remote does not work).
2. Go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and remotes.
3. Choose Add Remote or Sync Remote.
4. Press and hold the OK + Back buttons on the remote for 5 seconds until the indicator blinks.
5. Wait for the remote to appear in the list of devices on the TV screen and confirm the connection.

If the TV doesn’t respond to buttons, try an alternative way to do this:

Make sure the TV is on

Check the battery charge in the remote

Press and hold Home + Menu for 10 seconds to reset

Reboot the TV through a button on the body

Repeat the synchronization process-->

On some models (e.g., Mi). TV 5 Pro may require input PIN-Standard code is 0000 or 1234. If synchronization fails, try resetting the remote:

⚠️ Warning: Once the remote is reset, all the connected devices (such as the sound bar or the console) will be turned off.

For discharge:

1. Turn off the TV.
2. Press the Menu + Volume+ button for 15 seconds.
3. The indicator should blink 3 times - this is a signal of a successful reset.
4. Repeat the synchronization procedure.

What to do if the remote does not turn on the TV

If Xiaomi TV doesn't respond to the power button on the remote, there may be three things that are wrong: remote malfunction, TV firmware failure, or hardware failure.

If the TV doesn’t turn on at all, try:

• 🔌 Disconnect the power cable from the socket for 1-2 minutes, then turn on again.
• 🔄 Press and hold the power button on the TV body for 10-15 seconds (forced reboot).
• 🔧 Connect the TV to another power source (possibly the problem is in the socket or network filter).

If that didn't work, there might have been a firmware failure, and then a hardware reset would help.

1. Turn off the TV.
2. Press the Volume+ button on the TV body and, holding it, connect the power.
3. Hold the button for another 10-15 seconds until the Xiaomi logo appears.
4. Release the button - the TV will reset to factory settings.

How to check the efficiency of the remote without a TV

If you're not sure if the remote is working, you can check it without connecting to the TV, and you'll need a smartphone with a camera or a special application to test the infrared signal.

Method 1: Checking through the smartphone camera

1. Turn on the camera on your smartphone (any manufacturer).
2. Point the remote control over the camera lens and press any button.
3. If the remote is working, you will see a flashing purple light on the smartphone screen (the IC signal is visible through the camera).

Method 2: Applications for testing IR panels

For Android, you can use apps like IR Universal Remote Test or Remote Checker, which show signal strength and frequency, and IR Camera (available on the App Store) will work for iPhone.

⚠️ Attention: Bluetooth remotes (without an IR transmitter) cannot be tested this way, and their performance can only be diagnosed through a TV menu or connection to another device.

If the remote doesn't show any signs of life (the indicator doesn't burn, it doesn't flash into the camera), it's probably malfunctioning.

• 🔧 Try disassembling the remote and checking the contacts of the batteries (the wire may have moved away).
• 🛒 Buy a new remote (original or universal with Xiaomi support).
• 📱 Use your phone as a remote via the Mi Remote app (available for Android and iOS).

Set up a universal remote for Xiaomi TV

If the original remote is lost or broken, it can be replaced with a universal one. NEC, RC5 Xiaomi Mi. TV (Popular models: Xiaomi Mi Universal Remote, BroadLink RM4 Pro, One For All.

Instructions for setting:

1. Turn on the TV with a button on the body.
2. On the universal remote, press and hold the SET (or Setup) until the indicator blinks.
3. Type the code for Xiaomi TV. Try the following options: 1245, 0138, 0060 for IR remotes. 1111, 2222 for Bluetooth models.

Power

SET

If no code fits, use the auto search:

1. Hold the SET until the indicator flashes.
2. Press Power and hold until the remote starts to go through the codes (the indicator will blink with pauses).
3. Once the TV is turned off, release the Power and save the settings.

Bluetooth remotes (such as Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth Remote) may require manual synchronization via the TV menu as described in the section above.

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If the universal remote doesn’t control volume or channels, check if it supports all the features of the original remote.Some budget models only work with basic commands (Power, Volume, Channel).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many of the problems with Xiaomi remotes are caused by unobvious user errors, and here are the most common:

• 🔋 Using alkaline batteries in Bluetooth remotes, they discharge quickly and can cause malfunctions (LR03).
• 📶 Connecting the remote to another device, if it was previously paired with a sound bar or a console, it needs to be reset. + Back to 10 seconds).
• 🔄 Updating the TV firmware without turning off the remote, sometimes after the update, the connection breaks.
• 🚫 IR block with decorative panels, if the TV is built into furniture, check if the receiver is closed.

Another common mistake is using a remote from another Xiaomi model, for example, the remote from the Mi TV 4A may not work fully with the Mi TV Q1E, even if they look identical.

• Check compatibility on Xiaomi’s support website.
• Update your TV firmware to the latest version (sometimes new remotes are added).

If the remote is not working properly after a fall or liquid hits, the board is likely damaged, in which case it will cost more to repair the new remote, so it is easier to replace it.

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Before buying a new remote, check its compatibility with your TV model. For example, the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick Remote will suit the Redmi Smart TV X, and the original Bluetooth 5.0-enabled one will suit the Mi TV 5X.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions