Xiaomi TV does not respond to the remote: how to turn on and return control

Why Xiaomi TV doesn’t respond to remote control and what to do first

The situation is familiar to many: you press buttons on the remote from Xiaomi Mi TV, and the TV stubbornly ignores the commands. The reasons can be both trivial (discharged batteries) and technical (firmware failure or damage to the IR receiver).

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to turn on a Xiaomi TV without a remote, as well as methods to restore the original or universal remote. Special emphasis will be placed on the model of the Mi TV series 4/4A/4S/5/5X, but most tips will be suitable for other smart TVs from Xiaomi. If your TV is not showing signs of life at all (the power indicator does not burn), first check the socket and cable - perhaps the problem is not the remote.

So, to start with, check the remote and alternative ways to turn on, and if the TV is on but the remote is still down, go to the sections on setting up the IR port or resetting.

Method 1: Checking the remote - batteries, mechanical damage, pollution

In 80 percent of cases, the problem lies in the remote itself.

• 🔋 Replace batteries — even if the display on the remote is on, the batteries may have run out to a level not enough to transmit the signal. Use new alkaline batteries (for example, Duracell or Energizer).
• 🧹 Clean the IR emitter — wipe the glass part of the remote (usually located at the top) with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol. Dust and fat block the signal.
• 🔍 Check the integrity of the case - if the remote fell, the contacts could have left or the board cracked inside. Carefully disassemble it (if you have experience) and inspect for damage.
• 📱 Test the remote through your smartphone camera — turn on the camera on your phone, point the remote to the lens and press any button. If the IR signal is correct, you will see a flicker on the screen (invisible to the eye).

If the remote doesn't pass at least one of these tests, it's going to have to be repaired or replaced, but before you run to the store, try turning on the TV without the remote, which is what we'll talk about in the next section.

Method 2: Turn on the Xiaomi TV without remote control – buttons on the case and mobile application

All Xiaomi TVs (except some ultra-slim models) have physical control buttons on the case.

• 📺 Mi TV 4/4A/4S — The power button and joystick (or touch keys) are on the bottom frame on the right side (when looking at the screen).
• 🖥️ Mi TV 5/5X/6 — The power button can be hidden under the logo or on the back (near the connectors).
• 🎮 Mi TV Stick or projectors – power button is usually one, combined with a joystick.

To turn on the TV:

1. Find the power button (usually marked with a symbol) ○ or I/O).
2. Press and hold it for 3-5 seconds until the indicator lights up (if any).
3. If the button is touch-sensitive, tap it once – sometimes it takes a few taps.

If the buttons on the case do not work or they do not work, use the official Mi Remote app (available for Android and iOS).

1. Download the app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. In the app, select Add Device → Television → Xiaomi.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen for pairing.

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If the TV is connected to Wi-Fi but the app doesn't find it, try restarting the router, sometimes turning off the Customer Isolation feature in the router settings.

Method 3: Reset Xiaomi remote to factory settings

If the remote is turned on but the TV is not operating correctly (for example, buttons work over and over or perform the wrong commands), it can be reset, a procedure that is relevant for the original Xiaomi Bluetooth remotes (for example, for the Mi TV 5 Pro or Mi TV Q1).

Resetting instructions:

1. Remove the batteries from the remote for 10 minutes.
2. Put the batteries back in.
3. Press and hold the Menu + OK (or Home + Back, depending on the model) buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds until the indicator starts flashing.
4. Release the buttons - the remote will reset to the factory settings.
5. Bring the remote to the TV (at a distance of 10-20 cm) and press any button to re-pair.

The IR remotes (without Bluetooth) don't need to reset, they don't have memory and they don't need to pair, and if that remote doesn't work, it's either the remote control itself or the IR receiver on the TV.

Method 4: Checking the IR receiver on the Xiaomi TV

If the remote is functional but the TV is not responding, the problem may be the IR receiver, a small black square on the front panel (usually next to the Mi logo), which is easily damaged when cleaning the screen or transporting it.

How to check the IR receiver:

1. Turn on the TV with a button on the case or through the Mi Remote app.
2. Go to Settings → Device → About → Diagnostics (the path may differ depending on the version of MIUI TV).
3. Select the IR Receiver Test (or similar item).
4. Point the remote to the receiver and press any button, and if the test shows a reaction, the receiver is in good working order.

If the receiver doesn't respond:

• 🧴 Rub its surface with alcohol – dirt or fat can block the signal.
• 🔧 Check the connection of the plume (requires disassembly of the TV).
• 🛠️ If the receiver is physically damaged (cracks, dents), it will have to be replaced.

⚠️ Warning: Disassembling the TV to check the receiver's plume will void the warranty. If the device is warranty, contact the Xiaomi service center.

Method 5: Update TV firmware via USB or Wi-Fi

Sometimes a broken remote is a symptom of a firmware failure, especially if the TV is also slowing down or spontaneously restarting. Software updates can return control.

After the update, the TV will restart and the remote can work. If the problem persists, try resetting to the factory settings (more on this in the next section).

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Update the firmware through USB — The most reliable way is if the TV is not connected to the Internet or OTA-update.

Method 6: Resetting Xiaomi TV to factory settings

If none of the previous methods worked, it's a hard reset, which will delete all the apps, accounts and settings that you've installed, but often solves the management problems, and there are two ways to reset:

Method 1: Menu (if the TV is turned on)

1. Go to Settings → About the program → Resetting settings.
2. Select Reset all settings (may require input) PIN-code, by default 0000 or 1234).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (5-10 minutes).

Method 2: Through buttons on the body (if the TV is not turned on)

For the Mi TV 4/4A/4S/5 models:

1. Turn off the TV (remove the plug from the socket).
2. Press and hold the Menu (or Home) button on the body.
3. Without releasing the button, connect the TV to the network.
4. Hold the button for another 10-15 seconds until the recovery menu appears.
5. With volume buttons, select Wipe Data/Factory Reset and confirm.

⚠️ Warning: After the reset, the TV will require reconfiguration, including a Wi-Fi connection and a Mi Account login.

Take a photo of the current screen settings and sound|Write down the username and password from Mi Account|Prepare. USB-keyboard (if there is no remote)|Disconnect important devices from HDMI-port-->

Method 7: Alternative control methods – keyboard, mouse, voice assistant

If the remote does not work, you can control the Xiaomi TV in alternative ways:

• 🖱️ USB-Mouse or keyboard – connect to the port USB The mouse will duplicate the functions of the remote, and the keyboard will allow you to enter text and manage the menu.
• 🎤 Voice Assistant – If your model supports Google Assistant or Alice, activate voice control button on the case or through the microphone of the smartphone (in the Mi Remote app).
• 📱 Universal remotes – for example, BroadLink RM4 Xiaomi Mi Smart Remote (requires settings through the app).
• 🖥️ HDMI-CEC — If the TV is connected to the console (for example, Xiaomi Mi Box), you can control it through the console console (you need to turn on the console). HDMI-CEC TV-setting).

For permanent use is most convenient USB-touchpad keyboard (e.g. Logitech) K400). It allows you to completely replace the remote, including navigation on the menu and text input.

If the Xiaomi TV does not respond to any of the alternative controls, it may indicate a hardware malfunction of the motherboard or power supply, in which case a diagnosis is required at the service center.

Frequently asked questions