How to return Xiaomi TV-set-top box to factory settings: the complete guide

Your Xiaomi Mi TV Stick or Mi Box is getting glitchy, slowing down, or not turning on? Maybe it's locked after a failed update, infected with a virus, or just not working properly because of accumulated errors. 90% of the time, a complete factory reset helps, a procedure that returns the console to its original state, as after purchase.

In this article, we'll look at all the possible ways to reset, from the standard menu to forced reboot through buttons and even restore through ADB. You'll learn how to return the device to work without losing warranty, what errors can occur in the process and how to avoid them. And if the console does not respond to the remote, we have a solution for this case.

Important: Reset will delete all installed apps, accounts and settings. Prepare the login details for Google Play and Mi Account if they are tied to the device in advance.

1. Reset via the settings menu (if the console is turned on)

This is the easiest and safest way to do this, and it works if the Xiaomi TV Stick/Box is launched and reacts to the remote, and is suitable for fixing minor crashes, cleaning the cache, or preparing the device for sale.

Instructions:

1. Turn on the console and wait for the main screen to load.
2. Go to Settings → Device → About the program.
3. Find Resetting (or Restore and Reset in older firmware versions).
4. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.

It takes 2-5 minutes, and after you restart, you'll be asked to reset the console, just like when you first turn it on.

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If the menu doesn’t have Reset, try updating the firmware through Settings → About → System Update. Sometimes the manufacturer hides the reset option in older versions of the software.

⚠️ Note: On some models, the Mi Box S (firmware) MIUI TV 2.0+) Resetting over the menu can lead to a reboot cycle. If the console is constantly turned on and off after the procedure, move to the method. №3 (reset via buttons).

2. Hard reset through buttons (if the console does not respond to the remote)

If the Xiaomi TV Stick doesn’t turn on, hovers on the logo or doesn’t respond to commands from the remote, use a hardware reset.

Where to look for the button:

• 📺 Mi TV Stick (all models): the button is located on the underside of the case, next to the connector HDMI. Look closely - it is drowned in plastic and signed as RESET.
• 🖥️ Mi Box (all generations): the button is on the back, next to the port USB ethernet.

Step-by-step:

Turn off the power console (remove the cable from the socket)

Press and hold the RESET button with a toothpick.

Without releasing the button, connect the power back

Hold the RESET for another 10-15 seconds until the indicator lights up.

Release the button and wait for the reboot (up to 3 minutes)-->

If the light on the console does not light up or flashes red, the problem may be in the power supply. Try another cable or adapter with similar characteristics (5V/2A for Mi TV Stick, 5V/2.1A for Mi Box).

⚠️ Note: On the Mi Box 3 and Mi Box 4 models with firmware older than 2020, a hard reset may lead to loss of binding to the Xiaomi account.

3. Recovery Mode Reset (for power users)

If standard methods didn’t help, and the console only boots to the Xiaomi logo or Android TV, try resetting through Recovery Mode.This method requires precise execution of the steps, as improper actions can lead to a complete loss of the device’s performance.

How to log in to Recovery Mode:

1. Turn the console off the power.
2. Press the OK button on the remote (or Menu if the remote is not original).
3. Without releasing the button, connect the power back.
4. Hold OK until the Android robot menu appears (usually 10-20 seconds).

In the Recovery menu, use the Up/Down buttons on the remote for navigation and OK for selection.

Wipe data/factory reset → Yes


Reboot system now

If the menu is in English, and the remote does not support the Latin alphabet, focus on the position of the items (the first is a reset, the second is a reboot).

4.Dumping via ADB (for advanced users)

If the console is turned on, but the reset via the menu is not available (for example, due to an interface failure), you can use ADB debugging. This method requires a computer with Android SDK drivers installed and the USB debugging option on the console is enabled.

Preparation:

• 💻 Install Android Studio or download the platform-tool package.
• 🔌 Connect the console to the PC through USB (Use a cable that supports data transmission).
• 🛠️ Turn on Debugging. USB In the settings of the consoles: Settings → About the programme → Assembly number (click 7 times) → Go back to Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB.

Discharge commands:

adb devices # Checking the connection


adb shell recovery --wipe_data # Reset to factory settings




adb reboot #Reboot

If the team is recovering --wipe_data It doesn’t work, try an alternative method:

adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MASTER_CLEAR

⚠️ Attention: Discharge through ADB prefixed MIUI TV This can lead to locking the bootloader if the device was tied to a Xiaomi account. After the procedure, you will need to enter data from the Mi Account, otherwise the console will not boot.

Through the settings menu

Through the RESET button

Through Recovery Mode

Through ADB

Never dropped it.-->

5.Recovery after a failed discharge

If after reset, the console does not turn on, flashes an indicator or hovers on the logo, the problem may be:

• 🔋 Damaged firmware (failed update).
• 🔌 Faulty power supply (insufficient voltage).
• 🔐 Lock the bootloader (requires unlocking via Mi Unlock Tool).

Decisions:

For flashing through Fastboot:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
2. Unpack the archive and place the files in a folder with platform-tools.
3. Connect the console to the PC in Fastboot mode (press Menu + OK when you turn on).
4. Fastboot devices: fastboot devices fastboot flashall

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If the console requires Mi Account after the reset, and you do not remember the data, try to restore access through the official website. In extreme cases, contact the service center with a check for the purchase to untether.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even if the reset is done correctly, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

• 🔄 Cyclical reboot after reset: arises from a firmware/data conflict, the solution is to repeat the reset via Recovery Mode or flash the device again.
• 🔒 Blocking Mi Account: If the console was linked to the account, after reset, you will need to enter a login / password.
• 📶 No Wi-Fi connection after reset: network settings are reset. Solution - reconnect using the original remote (some non-original remotes do not support password entry).

To avoid problems:

• 📋 Write down data from Mi Account and Google before resetting.
• 📥 Update the firmware to the latest version before resetting if the console is turned on.

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If the console is slow after reset, clean the cache manually: go to Settings → Apps → Google Play Services → Storage → Clear the cache.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions