The Xiaomi Mi Box remote control is a common problem, and users often find that the buttons stop responding, stick or the device only works near the receiver, and in such situations the first thing to change is the power supply, but if it doesn't work, a deeper diagnosis is required, and to understand the cause of the malfunction, you need to conduct a visual inspection of the internal board, which is impossible without a careful opening of the case.
Modern Xiaomi Mi Remote remotes are designed to look aesthetically and minimalistic, so manufacturers often hide fasteners under decorative elements. Wrong attempt to disassemble the device can lead to plastic latches breaking or damage to the plume. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the dismantling process, tools for work and typical mistakes that should be avoided.
There are several modifications to the remotes, including versions for the Mi Box S, Mi Box 3 and older models, but the principle of their assembly is similar in many ways. The main difficulty is that there are no visible screws on the front side. It is important to understand that to successfully disassemble you will need not only a tool, but also patience, since the plastic can be quite rigid and require careful exposure.
⚠️ Warning: Before any work begins, be sure to remove the batteries from the compartment. Attempting to disassemble the device under voltage can lead to a short circuit on the board or damage to the infrared sensor.
Tools and workplace preparation required
To properly disassemble the Xiaomi Mi Remote, a regular screwdriver is not enough. You will need a set of precision tools, since the screws inside the case are microscopic in size. The main tool will be a PH00 or PH000 cross screwdriver. Using a too large screwdriver will lead to the slicing of the screw faces, which will make further repair impossible without drilling the fastener.
The second important element is a mediator or plastic card to open the case. Metal objects such as a knife or flat screwdriver can leave scratches on glossy plastic or damage the internal wiring. The plastic is safe for the housing and allows you to gently snap latches around the perimeter of the device without the risk of causing visible damage.
It is also recommended to prepare tweezers with thin curved ends, which can be useful for extracting small screws and working with the connector of the battery compartment. Be sure to organize a good lighting of the desktop, as the internal components of the remote are very small and require careful visual control.
- 🔧 Screwdriver cross PH00 or PH000 hull-rotor.
- 💳 Plastic blade or mediator for opening latches.
- 📏 Tweezers with thin tips for working with small details.
- 🧤 Antistatic gloves (optional) to protect the board from statics.
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Use a magnetic mat or a small screw folding container.Microscopic fasteners are easily lost and can be accidentally swallowed by pets or children.
Finding Hidden Helices and Disassembling the Back Cover
The first step of disassembly is to find fasteners. In most Xiaomi remotes, the screws are located under a rubber plug in the battery compartment or hidden under a decorative sticker on the back. Carefully inspect the back of the device. If you see a rubber insert in the back of the battery compartment, gently tweez it and remove it.
Under the plug are usually two screws holding the main body.Some Mi Remote revisions may have a third screw hidden under the Mi or Android TV logo on the back cover.If screws aren't visible, try to gently warm the back dryer sticker at low temperature to soften the adhesive, but act carefully to avoid melting the plastic.
After you unscrew all the visible screws, don't try to snatch the halves of the body immediately. Walk the plastic card or mediator around the perimeter of the device, gradually snapping the internal latches. Move slowly, listen to clicks. If the case doesn't move apart, make sure that any screw is unscrewed.
☑️ Preparation for opening of the hull
When all the latches are free, gently lift the back cover. Inside you will see the main board and controls. At this stage, it is important not to damage the plume connecting the buttons to the main board, if it is present in your model.
Disassembly of the internal structure and board
When you remove the back cover, you'll see the interior of the remote, which is based on a PCB, which is a circuit board, which has the contacts, the infrared diode and the Bluetooth module soldered, and some models have additional screws attached to the board, which you also need to unscrew before you fully remove the electronics from the case.
Special attention should be paid to the contacts of the battery compartment. Often it is the oxidation of these contacts or the violation of soldering that leads to unstable operation of the remote. If you plan to clean the contacts, use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Mechanical cleaning with sandpaper is possible, but requires extreme care not to erase the conductive layer.
Inside the case, there is also a rubber conductive mat (capad) that transmits the pressing of buttons on the board. Over time, dust and fat can accumulate under it, which worsens contact. To clean, use soft fabric without pile. Do not wet the rubber mat with water, you better wipe it with alcohol solution.
| Component | Function | Frequent problems | Method of decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infrared diode | Television transmission | Pollution, ration failure | Cleaning, soldering |
| Battery bay | Powering the device | Oxidation, extension | Cleaning with alcohol, bending. |
| Rubber mat | Press transmission | Pollution, wear and tear | Cleaning, replacement. |
| Quartz resonator | Frequency stabilization | The vibration dump. | Pike (requires skills) |
Features of Bluetooth-based remotes
Typical malfunctions and methods of their elimination
One of the most common reasons Xiaomi Mi Box remotes fail is oxidation of the contacts, which often happens when the battery is low quality or the device is long without use, visually manifested as a white or greenish coating on metal plates, eliminates the problem of thorough cleaning with alcohol.
The second common problem is the wear and tear of the conductive layer on the rubber mat, so if you have to press the buttons with a lot of effort, then the graphite coating has worn off, and the temporary solution might be to stick a piece of foil on the inside of the button, but it's better to replace the entire capad with a new one.
The third reason is that the soldering of an infrared LED or quartz resonator is disrupted, and it can happen after the remote falls, and it requires a soldering iron and electronics skills, and if you're not sure about your abilities, you'd better limit yourself to external cleaning and replacing batteries.
⚠️ Warning: When assembly, make sure the rubber mat is flat and not skewed. The skew will cause some buttons to not press or stick constantly.
If the remote does not work after cleaning and assembly, the problem may lie in the software failure of the Mi Box itself. In this case, try reconnecting the remote via the Bluetooth settings menu or resetting the console settings.
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90% of remote control problems are solved by replacing batteries with high-quality analogues or cleaning the contacts of the battery compartment from oxides.
The process of assembling the Xiaomi Mi Box
The assembly is done in reverse disassembly. First, set the main board in its place, making sure that all connectors and plumes are connected correctly. If your model has screws for mounting the board, twist them, but do not drag them over so that the plastic does not crack.
Then, gently stack the rubber button mat. Make sure it fits tightly to the board and has no creases. Then you can connect the halves of the case. Start at one corner and gradually snap the perimeter, pressing your fingers until you click.
Last thing you do is, swivel the screws in the battery compartment and cover them with a decorative stub, insert new batteries and check the device, and if the remote is running right away and all the buttons are responding clearly, the repair has been successful.
- 🔌 Check to connect all internal plumes before closing.
- 🔩 Wrapping the cross-cross screws for even fitting.
- ✅ Test all buttons, including voice, before final assembly.
Remember that plastic becomes more fragile over time. If you're disassembling an old remote, be careful not to break the plastic guides.
Prevention and care of remote control
To extend the life of the Xiaomi Mi Remote, follow simple rules of operation. Do not allow moisture to enter the case and try not to drop the device on hard surfaces. Regular replacement of batteries at the first sign of discharge will prevent the leakage of the electrolyte and oxidation of contacts.
Periodically wipe the body with a wet wipe to remove fat and dust that can penetrate through the gaps between the buttons. The purity of the button surface also affects the tactile sensation and reaction speed of the device.
If the remote stopped working suddenly and neither cleaning nor replacing the batteries helps, the infrared module or controller itself may have failed, in which case it is cheaper and easier to buy a new original remote or universal analogue with support for Android TV.