How to turn on a Xiaomi TV without a remote: 5 working methods

The situation when the remote control stops working at the most inopportune moment, familiar to many owners of smart equipment, it can happen because of a battery that is discharged, mechanical damage to the infrared sensor or a software failure in the device Xiaomi Mi TV.

Fortunately, the Chinese manufacturer's modern Smart TVs are equipped with a sophisticated backup system. Even if the main controller is lost, you will not be left without a screen. There are several proven ways to activate the device and fully control it using improvised tools, we will analyze each method in detail so that you can choose the most suitable for your model.

The first thing that comes to mind is finding a physical button, but many modern panels hide mechanical switches in hard-to-reach places or remove them altogether, relying on voice control, so it's important to know where to look for the life-saving power button on your particular device, whether it's the TV Stick series or the full-fledged Mi TV 4.

Search for mechanical power button on the body

The most obvious, but often ignored, way is to use a physical button on the TV itself. Xiaomi engineers often hide it under the logo, behind the panel, or on the bottom of the body. In some models, such as the Mi TV 4A, the button can be combined with a control joystick that needs to be held for a few seconds.

If you can't feel a button with your hands, use a flashlight and look carefully at the perimeter of the device. In thin-frame models, the button can be microscopic and require a thin object, such as a paper clip, to press. It's important not to put too much effort into it so as not to damage the plastic case.

In rare cases, the button can be software-locked or only be responsible for exiting the standby mode, but not for full activation. If the screen lights up after pressing, but the menu does not appear, try connecting any of the buttons. USB-Keyboard or mouse, which we will talk about below.

Some users confuse the standby indicator with the power button. Remember that the LED only signals the presence of power, but is not a control. To activate the system, it is necessary to mechanically act on the switch or receive a signal from an external source.

⚠️ Warning: If the button on the body is missing or does not respond, do not try to disassemble the TV. This will lead to loss of warranty.

Using a smartphone as an IR remote

If your smartphone has an integrated infrared port (IR blaster), you can turn it into a full remote in seconds. Many Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones have this out of the box feature. You'll need the standard Mi Remote app, which is usually pre-installed on the system.

Launch the app and select to add a new device. In the manufacturer list, find Xiaomi or Mi TV. Follow the instructions on the screen: the phone will send test signals, and you will need to confirm their performance by pressing the "Yes" or "No" button. After successful calibration, you will get a virtual remote with full functionality.

For phones of other brands (Samsung, iPhone) that do not have an infrared port, this method will not work directly, but if the TV was previously paired with the phone via Wi-Fi, you can use remote emulators that work over the network, although they are often useless for the initial turn on, as they require an active connection.

The advantage of the IR remote in a phone is that it doesn't require the TV itself to be connected to the network to work -- the signal is transmitted directly, just like in a conventional plastic device, which makes it ideal for the primary switch on.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure the top of the smartphone is directed directly at the TV receiver. 5-7 Meters, and there should be no obstacles in the way of the signal.

Connection USB-keyboard

Android operating system TV, The one that Xiaomi TVs run on, supports peripheral input devices, which means you can plug in a regular computer system. USB-You can put a mouse or a keyboard in the free port of the TV, and as soon as you do that, you'll see a cursor on the screen that lets you navigate through the interface.

This is especially effective if the remote is lost and the phone doesn't have an IR port, so you can click on app icons, type in text from the on-screen keyboard and navigate through menus, and the keyboard is useful for quickly entering passwords from Wi-Fi or accounts.

To turn on the TV in this way, you may need to pre-set the menu, allowing you to turn on via USB. However, in many cases, it is enough to simply connect the device, and the TV, while in standby mode, will react to the appearance of a new device and turn on the screen.

If you have a wireless mouse with USB-If you're on a wired device, make sure you're getting enough cable length, and this solution turns your TV into a giant monitor, controlled by a familiar tool.

Control via Mi Remote over Wi-Fi

If your TV is already connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your smartphone, you can use network management. download the official Mi Remote app or third-party counterparts like Google's Android TV Remote Control. This method does not require an IR port, but critically depends on the stability of the router.

The setup process is simple: open the app, select a device search on the local network. When your Xiaomi TV appears in the list, click on it. The TV screen may show a confirmation code that you need to enter on the phone. Once paired, the smartphone will become a touchpad and remote control.

The problem with this method is that if the TV is completely off (deep sleep) or disconnected from Wi-Fi, you can't wake it up through the app. The network packet simply won't be received by the device, so it's good for control, but it's not always good for the initial turn on.

However, if the TV is in power-saving mode but the network is active, the app can often take it out of sleep, a convenient option for those who are used to typing queries in voice or text via a phone.

Use of HDMI-CEC and game consoles

HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) technology allows devices connected via HDMI to control each other. If your Xiaomi TV is connected to a game console (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) or a TV set-top box that supports this feature, you can turn on the TV just by activating the connected device.

For example, by pressing the Home button on the PlayStation gamepad or turning on the console, you send a signal through the PlayStation. HDMI-It's a cable that wakes up the TV and switches it to the right input, and it works like magic, and it eliminates the need to find a separate remote.

To work, it must be activated in the TV settings in advance, usually called MI Control, HDMI Control, or just CEC. If you've used the console before, chances are that it's already on by default.

This method also allows you to control volume and basic navigation through the console controller, if the appropriate settings are allowed in the Android TV system.

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HDMI-CEC is the best way to integrate a TV into a single entertainment ecosystem, allowing you to control all equipment with one controller.

Table of compatibility of management methods

So to make it easier for you to navigate, we've created a table that shows you what works in different situations, and you can look at the conditions that you need for each method.

Frequent Questions and Challenges (FAQ)