Forgot the password from the Xiaomi TV, the remote is lost or broke, and the screen is hanging while booting? Resetting to factory settings is the only way to bring the device back to life. But how to do this if you do not have the original remote? In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods that work on models Mi TV 4/4A/4C/4S, Mi TV 5/5X, Mi TV 6 and other series, including Redmi Smart TV. You do not need special skills โ only patience and tools.
The main problem with resetting without a remote is that you don't have access to the settings menu, but the manufacturer has provided alternatives, from physical buttons on the case to control via a smartphone. We will describe each option in detail, point out possible errors, and give tips on how to avoid a device breeze (completely inoperable). PIN-code - this guide is for you.
Why you might need to reset without a remote
Situations when resetting to factory settings becomes a necessity, but the remote is not at hand:
- ๐ Forgotten. PIN-A code or graphical key to parental control, and the TV blocks access to settings.
- ๐ ๏ธ The remote is broken (no buttons are working, the body crashed, the batteries went down), and there is no spare.
- ๐ฅ๏ธ TV hangs on Mi logo TV or cyclically restarts after a failed update.
- ๐ฆ Buy used TV, and the previous owner did not reset the settings (remained his accounts, Wi-Fi network).
- ๐ฎ Child mode is activated, and without the remote it is impossible to turn it off.
80 percent of the time, resetting solves these problems, but it's important to choose the right method, like if the Xiaomi Mi TV 4A doesn't turn on at all, just a hardware reset through the buttons will do, and if the screen works but there's no remote, you can use a smartphone or an ADB.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Reset removes all installed applications, stored Wi-Fi passwords, image and sound settings. If the TV is linked to your Mi Account, you may need to re-authorize after the reset.
Method 1: Hardware reset through buttons on the body
The most reliable method that works even if the TV is not on or hanging, is suitable for all Xiaomi Mi TV and Redmi Smart TV models released after 2018.
Instructions:
- Find the buttons on the body. They're usually on the bottom or back (under the Mi logo or on the side). These can be: Power button โ round or oval. Loud button (-) or Channel (-) โ sometimes combined with joystick. Menu button or Settings (less common).
Turn off the TV.
Power
Press the button combination:
- For Mi TV 4/4A/4C/4S: Power + Volume (-).
- For Mi TV 5/5X/6 and Redmi Smart TV: Power + Channel (-).
- Select "Wipe Data/Factory Reset." In the recovery menu (if it appears), use volume buttons for navigation and Power buttons for confirmation.
- Connect your smartphone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network. If the TV is not connected to the Internet, use the hotspot on your phone.
- Add a TV in the app: Open Mi Remote โ press + โ select TV. Choose Xiaomi brand and your TV model (if not, choose the nearest in the series). Follow the on-screen instructions for pairing.
Perform the reset:
- In the app, go to Settings โ System โ Resetting.
- Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter) PIN-code, if it has been previously installed).
- Connect the TV to the computer. Use it. USB-cable (the port is usually located on the side or back).
- Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux).
- Check the connection: Adb devices Should show the serial number of the TV. If not, install the drivers or reconnect the cable.
- Reset: Adb shell am start -n com.android.tv.settings/.deviceadmin.ResetDeviceAdminReceiver adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MASTER_CLEAR
If the Xiaomi Mi TV 5 Pro is not recognized through ADB, try turning off MIUI protection first.
adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1โ ๏ธ Attention: Continuous use ADB-If you're not sure, you can have a loss of warranty or software failure.
What if ADB canโt see TV?
Method 4: Resetting through USB-storage device (if the TV is not turned on)
If the Xiaomi TV doesnโt respond to buttons and doesnโt turn on, but the power indicator is on, you can try flashing it through USB.
What you need:
- ๐ฅ๏ธ USB-drive (flash drive) up to 8 GB, formatted in FAT32.
- ๐ Official firmware for your model (you can download it on the Xiaomi website).
- ๐ Cable USB-A โ USB-A (Or adapter, if the TV port USB-C).
Step-by-step:
- Download the firmware. Select your model (e.g. Mi TV 4A 43) and download the file with the.zip extension (don't unpack!).
- Prepare the flash drive: Format it in FAT32 (not NTFS or exFAT!).Put the firmware file in the root of the flash drive and rename it to update.zip.
Connect the flash drive to the TV:
- Insert it into the USB port on the TV (usually on the side).
- Press the Power button on the case and hold for 10-15 seconds until the update starts.
- Wait until it's done. It can take 5-10 minutes. Don't turn off the TV.
If after firmware Xiaomi TV does not turn on or gives an error, try:
- Download firmware for another version (e.g. Global instead of China).
- Use a different flash drive (some models donโt read drives larger than 32GB).
- Repeat the process with the Internet turned off (sometimes automatic update interferes).
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Before you run your USB firmware, check the integrity of update.zip. If it's corrupted, the TV can turn into a brick. Use an archiver (like 7-Zip) to check.
Method 5: Reset via service menu (hidden method)
A little-known method that works on some Xiaomi Mi TV models is that it allows you to open a hidden service menu and perform a reset without a password.
Instructions:
- Turn on the TV. If it hangs on the logo, wait until it loads (it can take up to 5 minutes).
- Press the combination on the remote (if it works partially) or the case buttons: Menu โ Settings โ All Settings โ General โ Reset If the remote is not, try holding Power + Volume (-) + Volume (+) for 10 seconds.
- In the service menu: Select "Factory Reset" or "Wipe Data" and confirm the action (you may need to enter code 3308 or 9999).
This method doesn't work on all models, but it sometimes helps when other options aren't available, and if the menu doesn't open, the TV doesn't support this functionality.
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Not all Xiaomi TVs have a hidden service menu, so if nothing happens after holding the buttons, donโt insist, use other methods.
What to do if the reset does not help
In rare cases, even after a reset, Xiaomi TV may not work properly.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The TV will not turn on after the reset | Firmware damage or hardware malfunction | Try flashing via USB or contact the service |
| Hanging on the Mi TV logo | Conflict of versions | Install firmware through ADB Sideload |
| Mi Account Required After Resetting | There was a link to the account. | Enter your account details or contact Xiaomi for support |
| No image, but there's sound. | Failure in display settings | Do the reset again or check the cables |
If none of the methods worked, there may be a hardware problem (e.g., a memory module or a motherboard failed).
- ๐ ๏ธ Contact the Xiaomi Service Center.
- ๐ Check the TV for physical damage (bloated capacitors, oxidized contacts).
- ๐ Contact Support by Phone (for Russia: 8 800 775-64-20).