Xiaomi’s Mi TV Stick doesn’t turn on? 7 ways to start your device correctly

When purchasing a compact Xiaomi Mi TV Stick, users often face a basic problem: the device does not respond to the remote or does not display a picture on the screen. The reasons can lie in both the wrong connection and software failures. This article will help you understand how to correctly turn on the Mi TV Stick for the first time, restart it when you freeze or restore the functionality after an update.

We'll look at all possible scenarios, from standard launch procedures to hardware malfunction diagnostics, and we'll focus on the hidden HDMI-CEC settings that affect compatibility with different brands of TVs, and if your 2nd generation Mi TV Stick or the new Mi TV Stick 4K fails to work, here's the solution.

1. Standard procedure for switching on Mi TV Stick

Before you first run, make sure all components are connected correctly. The Mi TV Stick comes with a minimum set of accessories: the device itself, a battery-powered remote control and a USB-A → Micro-USB cable for power.

Sequence of action:

• 📺 Connect the Mi TV Stick to the HDMI- port of the TV. Use port HDMI 1 or HDMI 2 (avoid ports marked ARC - these may not provide enough power).
• ⚡ Connect the power cable to the USB- TV port or network adapter (if included). Xiaomi recommends using the original adapter on 5V/1A.
• 🔄 Select the source of the signal on the TV. On the remote TV press Source or Input and select the corresponding HDMI- port.
• 🎮 Put the batteries in the Mi TV Stick (if not installed). Wait for sync, the display on the remote should flash.

If the Mi TV logo appears on the screen after this action, the device is successfully turned on, otherwise move on to the next section.

2 Why Mi TV Stick is not turned on: top-5 causes

If the device does not respond to the remote or does not display a picture, the problem may be related to:

The most common problem is underpower. Many users connect the Mi TV Stick to the USB- TV port, but it often gives out a current less than 500 mA, which leads to unstable operation. Always use the original power adapter.

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If the indicator on the Mi TV Stick flashes red, this indicates a critical firmware error, in which case only flashing through USB OTG (instruction in section 5) will help.

3.How to reboot Mi TV Stick when you're hanging

If the device is frozen (does not respond to the remote, shows a black screen or endless boot), perform a forced reboot:

1. Disconnect the power cable from the Mi TV Stick.
2. Wait 10 seconds (this is important for cache resetting!).
3. Put the power back on. The device should turn on automatically.

If the reboot didn't help:

• 🔧 Try another HDMI- port or cable.
• 📱 Install the Mi Remote app on your smartphone and try to control Stick over Wi-Fi (if it's connected to the network).
• 🔄 Perform a factory reset via Settings → About Device → Reset and Restore.

Shut down power for 10 seconds |

Try another HDMI-port|

Check the connection to Wi-Fi|

Reset via the settings menu (if available)-->

If the Mi TV Stick freezes again after the reboot, the problem may be a damaged firmware or a faulty flash memory, in which case only the flashing (section 5) will help.

4. HDMI-CEC setup for TV compatibility

Many modern TVs support HDMI-CEC technology, which allows you to control connected devices (including Mi TV Stick) from the TV remote, but sometimes this feature conflicts with the work of Xiaomi.

To configure HDMI-CEC:

1. Go to Mi TV Stick Settings → Display and Sound → HDMI-CEC.
2. Turn on the TV control option (if you need to control the TV from the Mi Stick remote).
3. Turn off Auto-Turn TV if the Mi TV Stick turns on the TV spontaneously.
4. On some TVs (such as Samsung or LG), you need to include Anynet+ or Simplink in the TV menu.

If you still don’t automatically turn on your Mi TV Stick after setting up HDMI-CEC, try:

• 🔌 Connect the device to another HDMI- port (preferably HDMI 1).
• 🔄 Turn off and turn on the TV again (sometimes resetting CEC- connections helps).
• 📱 Update the Mi TV Stick firmware to the latest version (instructions in the next section).

5. Update firmware to restore performance

If the Mi TV Stick is not turned on due to a firmware failure, try updating it manually.

• 💻 Computer with Internet access.
• 📁 A flash drive. FAT32 (32GB).
• 🔗 Official firmware from Xiaomi Support (select your Mi TV Stick model).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the archive with the firmware and unpack it. The file should be called update.zip.
2. Copy update.zip to the root directory of the flash drive (not to the folder!).
3. Turn off the Mi TV Stick and connect the flash drive via the OTG- adapter to its USB- port.
4. Holding the Reset button, plug in the power. Release the button in 5 seconds.
5. Wait for the update to complete (the progress bar will appear on the screen).

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If the Mi TV Stick is loaded into Recovery Mode after the update, select Wipe data/factory reset → Reboot system now. This will delete all data, but restore the functionality.

If the update didn’t help, there may be a hardware problem (e.g., a damaged flash memory) in which case, contact Xiaomi’s service center.

6. Hardware malfunctions: when you need help from the service

If none of these methods worked, the Mi TV Stick is likely to be physically damaged.

⚠️ Warning: If the device is warming to a temperature above 60°C (the body cannot be held in your hands), immediately disable it! this may indicate a short circuit in the power circuit.

Self-repair of the Mi TV Stick is possible only with experience with soldering equipment. To replace components (for example, eMMC memory or HDMI-port) requires:

• 🔧 Temperature controlled soldering station (300-350°C).
• 🔍 Microscope or magnifier.
• 🛠️ Set for BGA- soldering (if chip replacement is required).

The cost of repairs in the service center of Xiaomi varies from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles depending on the malfunction. If the device is warranty, repair will be free.

7. Alternative ways to control Mi TV Stick

If the standard remote control or does not work, you can control the device in alternative ways:

• 📱 Mi Remote mobile app (available for Android and iOS) connects via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

To connect via ADB:

1. Enable USB Debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About device → Assembly number – press 7 times).
2. Connect Mi TV Stick to your computer via OTG.
3. Enter the command to reboot: adb reboot

If you lose the remote and the Mi TV Stick is not connected to Wi-Fi, the only way to control it is the USB- keyboard. Connect it via OTG and use the keys:

• Esc, back;
• Enter - choice;
• Arrows are navigation.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi TV Stick inclusion