Modern Smart TVs, especially Xiaomi’s Android TV models, are smartphone-like, opening up a lot of background processes, which over time slows the interface down, causes delays in switching channels, or even causes the system to freeze completely. Users often wonder how to force programs to shut down to free up CPU and RAM resources.
Unlike computers, where window control is intuitive, on television platforms, this mechanism is hidden from the eyes of the average user. The standard remote does not have a Close All button or Task Manager on the keyboard. However, there are several proven ways to solve this problem, from the regular tools of the system to the use of third-party software.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods for stopping background processes on Mi TVs and Mi Box TVs, learn how to properly clean the cache when forced termination is necessary, and what tools will help keep the device at a high level without the need for constant restarting.
Staff methods of closing through the settings menu
The safest and most correct way to stop a particular application is to use the built-in functions of the Android TV operating system. This method does not require the installation of additional software and ensures that system processes are not disrupted. First, you need to go to the main menu and find the Settings section, which is usually indicated by the gear ikon in the upper right corner of the screen.
Inside the settings menu, you should find the Apps or Apps and Notifications item, which displays a complete list of all installed software, including system components and user programs, find the desired application that consumes resources, and click on it with the remote control, and opens a detailed control menu where you can access the Stop or Force Stop buttons.
Using the Stop button correctly completes all the processes associated with the selected application and clears its active memory. If the button is inactive (gray), then the application is not running at the moment or is a system component that cannot be stopped by standard methods.
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications to view the full list.
- ⏹️ Click the Stop button to safely terminate the selected program.
- 🗑️ Use the “Clear Cache” option if the app is not working properly or takes up a lot of space.
- ⚙️ For system applications, the stop button may not be available to avoid crashes.
⚠️ Warning: Forced shutdown of system applications such as Google Play Services or system launcher may cause the TV to malfunction and require it to restart.
After the closing procedure, it is recommended to return to the main screen and check the response rate of the interface. If the problem was precisely the "heavy" background process, the lags should disappear, this method is ideal for a one-time solution to problems with a particular suspended service.
Use of the function of fast memory cleaning
The Android TV operating system installed on Xiaomi devices often comes with built-in optimization utilities. Unlike manually closing each application individually, the Quick Cleanup feature allows you to free RAM from all temporary files and background tasks in one action, which is the fastest way to shake up the system.
To take advantage of this feature, press the Home button on the remote control. In some remote models or MiUI TV firmware versions, a short tap is enough, after which a pop-up menu or widget with free memory information will appear on the screen, there will be a “Clean” or “Speed” button.
When you activate the cleanup, the system automatically closes down the less important background processes and releases RAM. This does not delete the application data, but only completes the execution. Once cleaned, you will see a notification about how many megabytes of memory was released, which is especially useful before running heavy games or watching high-resolution 4K video.
☑️ Speed check
It's worth noting that constantly cleaning up memory isn't always helpful. Android is designed to keep frequently used apps in memory to run them instantly. If you keep cleaning up the memory, the TV will spend more CPU resources restarting programs, which can even lower overall performance.
Application of third-party file managers and cliners
If there is not enough regular funds, you can install specialized applications for task management on the TV, the leader in this area is the Files by Google app or specialized cliners like Clean Master for TV, which provide more detailed control over running processes than the standard menu.
Once you install this app, you get access to a task manager, where you can see in real time which processes consume the most resources, some of which allow you to create exception lists so that important services (such as a torrent client or media player) do not close when you clean up automatically, which gives you flexibility in managing the system.
However, be careful with the choice of software: installing too many accelerators can backfire, as they consume resources themselves, and you should choose one proven application, such as Smaart or TV App Repo, which are sharpened to control from the remote.
| Title of the annex | Type | Substantive function | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Files by Google | File manager | Cleaning up garbage and cache | Minimum |
| Smaart | System monitor | Process management | Medium (continuous monitoring) |
| Clean Master | Optimizer | Automatic cleaning of RAM | High (aggressive closure) |
| X-plore | File manager | Deletion of residual files | Minimum |
Third-party software is especially important for TVs with a small amount of RAM (1 GB or less), and on such devices manually managing tasks through advanced utilities becomes a necessity for comfortable use.
Security of Third Party Applications
Resetting as a universal solution
When none of the software methods works and the TV continues to run unstable, the most effective solution is the classic reboot. This action completely clears the RAM, resets all temporary errors and restarts system services. Unlike computers, Xiaomi TVs do not always require a complete disconnection from the network.
You can reboot it through the menu: go to Settings → Device → About System → Reboot. Also, many remotes have a separate power button; if you press it for 3-5 seconds, a menu with a reboot option will appear on the screen, which is a softer option than pulling the cord out of the socket.
There is also a cold reboot method that is recommended to be done every few months, which requires turning off the TV with the remote control and then physically disconnecting it from the power grid for 1-2 minutes, which allows the capacitors to discharge and completely reset the state of all electronic components, which often solves problems with the hanging of the Wi-Fi module or HDMI ports.
- 🔄 Standard reboot via menu is safe for all data.
- 🔌 "Cold Start (Switch Off) Helps Reset Iron Errors.
- ⏳ Don’t turn on the TV immediately after switching off, wait 60 seconds.
- 📺 Regular reboot extends the life of the software.
⚠️ Warning: Do not turn the TV off the socket when recording data or updating the system. This can damage the file system and need to flash the device.
Regular reboots are especially important for devices that work around the clock, such as as a showcase or information board, and for home use, it is enough to restart the TV once a week or when the first signs of braking appear.
Managing Autoboot and Background Processes
One reason apps don't close or run themselves is the autoboot mechanism. Many programs prescribe themselves to start-ups to run or update content faster. On Xiaomi TVs, autoboot management is limited, but possible through developer settings or special apps.
To access the advanced settings, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About TV and click 7 times on "Build Number." After the message "You became a developer" appears, a new section will appear in the menu, and you can find the limitations of background processes, although the functionality may vary depending on the Android version.
A more effective way is to disable unnecessary applications. In the App menu, select a program you are not using and click "Disable" to prevent it from starting when the system starts and appearing in the background. Be careful: disabling system components may disrupt the Smart functions.
There's a myth that shutting down apps constantly prolongs the life of a battery or processor. In the case of a TV that's connected to the network, stability is more important. If the application doesn't cause problems, the system is better off keeping it in memory than spending resources on a permanent restart.
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Turn off automatic app updates at night if the TV is used as a frame screen, and this will prevent unexpected reboots or brakes during downtime hours.
Application-specific problems and solutions
Sometimes the problem isn't with the system as a whole, but with a particular application that eats up all memory, often heavy media players, torrent trackers, or online cinemas with poor optimization, and if you notice that after you use a certain program, the TV starts to run slower, you should check its settings.
First of all, try to clear the data and cache of the problem application, which will delete temporary files that may have been corrupted. If this does not help, try to delete and install the application again. In some cases, a rollback to the previous version of the program helps if the new one is unstable.
For users who are actively using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), it is possible to force processes to kill via the command line from a computer. This is an advanced method that requires connecting the TV to a PC. The adb shell am force-stop application package allows you to complete a process that is not closed by any other means.
adb shell am force-stop com.example.heavyappUsing ADB requires USB debugging mode enabled in the developer settings. It’s a powerful tool, but it requires precision: completing a critical system process can lead to a cyclic bootloop from which it’s difficult to exit without flashing it.
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If a particular application is constantly causing freezes, it is better to remove it and find an alternative than constantly struggling with its processes.