Xiaomi TV is “dull” and slows down: what to do in 2026

Your Xiaomi Mi. TV or Redmi Smart TV suddenly started hanging around, slowly switching channels, or "thinking" when opening apps? This is a common problem that can occur even on new models - from budget Mi to the new model. TV 4A flagship QLED-The causes range from overloaded memory to firmware errors, but in 90% of cases they can be fixed on their own without going to a service center.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible causes of brakes, from trivial overheating to hidden Android TV bugs, and give you step-by-step instructions for speed recovery. Focus on 2020-2026 models, where the problem is often related to Google Play Services updates and memory limitations. If your TV is “hanging tight” and does not respond to the remote, immediately move on to the section about the emergency reset.

Before you start settings, check two key points: 1 Make sure the remote isn’t the problem – try controlling TV via the Mi Remote app on your smartphone. 2 Disable external devices (configures, sound bars, USB-) which may create conflicts.

Why Xiaomi TV Begins to "dull": top-7 cause

Brakes rarely occur out of the blue, usually preceded by specific actions or changes in the system.

• 📱 Overflowing memory: Over 3-4 GB of app cache has accumulated (especially YouTube, Netflix, IVI).
• 🔄 Failed update: Firmware crashed due to interrupted download or version conflict (relevant for Android 9–11 models).
• 🔥 CPU overheating: Dust in vents or placing TV in a closed cabinet.
• 🎮 Background processes: Auto-run gaming services (Google Play Games) or weather widgets.
• 📶 Weak Wi-Fi: Permanent connection breaks cause the system to waste resources on reconnecting.
• 🔋 Depreciation of flash memory: Cheap eMMC in budget models (Mi) TV 4S) Degrades after 2-3 years of use.
• 🛠️ Hardware malfunctions: Discarded contact of RAM or microcracks on the board (less often but critically).

According to statistics from Xiaomi service centers, 68% of complaints about “brakes” are solved by software methods such as cleaning memory or resetting settings, only 12% of cases require replacement of components (usually flash memory or the north bridge).

Method 1: Clearing the cache and application data

To start with, the simplest and most effective method is that app cache is a temporary file that should speed up work, but eventually turns into digital garbage, for example, YouTube can accumulate up to 1-2 GB of unnecessary data, and Google Play Services can accumulate up to 500 MB.

How to clear the cache:

1. Open Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Select the app (start with the heaviest ones – YouTube, Netflix, IVI).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
4. For radical cleaning, select Clear Data (Warning: This will remove all app settings!).

To speed up the process, use batch cleaning:

Settings → Storage → Internal Memory → Cache Data → Clean

Select applications with cache volume > 200 MB

Do not clean system application data (e.g. Launcher)

Reboot the TV after cleaning

Check the vacant space (should be > 1 GB)

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⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the Android System WebView app data - this could lead to a crash of the interface. Also avoid cleaning Google Play Services without absolutely need.

Method 2: Disabling Autostart and Background Processes

Many apps (especially gaming and social media) run automatically when you turn on TV and continue to run in the background, consuming up to 30% of RAM, for example, Facebook or VK can “hang” in processes even if you do not use them.

How to turn off autostart:

• 🛑 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Auto-start.
• 🔍 Sort the list by the date of the last launch.
• ❌ Turn off autoplay for all applications except system (Mi Home, Google Play Store).

For advanced users, there is a hidden setting to limit background processes:

Settings → About TV → Press 5 times on "Version MIUI TV" → Opens Developer Menu → Select "Limit background processes" → Set "Maximum 2 process"

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If the remote is slower to respond after you turn off autostart, check your Bluetooth settings in Settings → Devices → Bluetooth. Sometimes the system resets the connection priority.

Method 3: Update firmware (including manually)

Xiaomi regularly releases updates for its TVs, but they are not always automatically installed, especially for models from 2020 to 2021 (Mi TV 4S 55, Redmi Smart TV X55), where performance bugs were fixed in patches.

How to update firmware:

1. Go to Settings → About TV → System Update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If a new version is available, install it (TV will reboot automatically).

If the automatic update does not work:

• 📁 Download the firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website (choose the version for the model). MIUI TV).
• 💾 Save the file (usually.zip) to a flash drive formatted into FAT32.
• 📺 Connect the flash drive to the TV, go to Settings → On TV. → Update through USB.

⚠️ Note: If during the update through USB The TV will turn off (for example, due to a power surge), it may stop turning on. Use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or a laptop with a charged battery to supply stable current.

Method 4: Resetting to factory settings

If previous methods didn't work, it's time for heavy artillery -- a complete reset, which would remove all the apps, accounts and settings installed, but bring the TV back to "clean" -- and it's ~85 percent effective at eliminating software brakes.

How to reset:

1. Open Settings → About TV → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase everything (you will need to enter) PIN-code, if it is installed).
3. Confirm the action – the TV will restart and start the process (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 🔄 Do not restore settings from backup – this can bring back old bugs.
• 📥 Install applications one by one, checking performance after each installation.
• 🔒 Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play.

Method 5: Hardware checks (overheating, memory, power)

If the software methods don’t work, the problem may be the hardware, starting with the obvious: overheating. Xiaomi TVs (especially metal-framed models) are prone to heat due to their compact design.

How to check and eliminate overheating:

• 🌡️ Touch the back of the TV after 1-2 hours of operation. if the case is hot (more than 50 hours).°C), that's critical.
• 🌀 Clean the ventilation holes with a vacuum cleaner (use a brush-nozzle).
• 📏 Make sure there is a gap of at least 10 cm between the TV and the wall.
• 🔌 Connect TV through a network filter with voltage protection.

Another common problem is the degradation of flash memory, and budget models (Mi TV 4A) use a cheap eMMC that wears out after ~3 years of active use.

• The TV is “thinking” when opening the menu.
• Applications take a long time to load or fly out.
• In Settings → Storage, you can see that the free space “jumps” (it is 1 GB, then 500 MB).

Decisions:

• 🔧 Replace flash memory at the service center (cost) ~3-5 thousand rubles).
• 💾 Reduce the load: Remove all unnecessary apps, disable widgets.
• 🔄 Use the external SSD-storage device (through USB 3.0) for the installation of applications.

Method 6: Optimizing Network and Connections

Slow Wi-Fi or conflicts with connected devices (confixes, soundbars) can create the illusion of “brakes” of the TV, for example, if the TV constantly loses connection to the router, the system spends resources on reconnecting, which leads to interface lags.

How to optimize the network:

• 📶 Connect TV to the router via cable (Ethernet) instead of Wi-Fi – this will reduce delays by 3-5 times.
• 🔄 Switch the router to 5 GHz (less busy than 2.4 GHz).
• 📵 Turn off Wi-Fi Direct in your TV settings if you’re not using it.
• 🔌 In the router menu (192.168.1.1) fix IP-TV address (DHCP Reservation).

If you use external devices (such as the Xiaomi Mi Box or NVIDIA Shield), check:

• 🔌 Are they connected to the port? HDMI 2.1 (if maintained).
• 🎮 The TV settings have Game Mode enabled for the appropriate HDMI-port.
• 🔊 Turn off the sound transmission through ARC/eARC, If you use external acoustics, it can cause delays.

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Using cable instead of Wi-Fi reduces interface delays by 40-60% and completely eliminates twitching during streaming. 4K-content.

Method 7: Alternative solutions (firmware custom software, remote control replacement)

If all the standard methods have been tried, but TV is still slowing down, you can consider informal ways, one of which is installing custom firmware, like LineageOS for Android TV. This is a risky move, but it can breathe new life into old models (Mi TV 3S, Mi TV 4).

Advantages of custom firmware:

• ⚡ Remove preinstalled bloatware (unnecessary system applications Xiaomi).
• 🔄 Newer versions of Android (for example, upgrade from Android 9 to Android 11).
• 🎛️ Advanced performance settings (overclocking) CPU, animation-off).

Risks:

• ❌ Loss of guarantee.
• ⚠️ Possible “brick” (turning TV into a “brick”) when a firmware error occurs.
• 🔌 Some features (such as Mi Home or PatchWall) may stop working.

If you decide to take this step, follow the instructions from the XDA Developers forum for your model. Be sure to back up your current firmware through ADB:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

Another thing that's not obvious is the remote control, and over time, the infrared transmitter or Bluetooth module in the remote control starts to malfunction, causing the commands to get to the TV with a delay.

• 🔋 Replace the batteries in the remote (even if they are "nearly new»).
• 📱 Use the Mi Remote app on your smartphone to check.
• 🛒 Buy the original remote on AliExpress (the article is indicated by the TV model).

Frequently asked questions