How to turn on a Xiaomi TV without a remote: step-by-step instructions for all models

Why Xiaomi TVs don’t turn on without a remote and what to do about it

You come home and you want to watch your favorite TV show, but you find that the remote of Xiaomi TV is lost, broken or simply not working. The situation is familiar to many: manufacturers of modern Smart TVs pay little attention to physical control buttons, emphasizing remote control. However, even in this situation, there are several proven ways to turn the device on and bring it back to life.

The main problem is that most Xiaomi Mi TV models (including the popular Mi TV 4A, Mi TV 4S, Mi TV Q1 and Mi TV P1) don’t have a traditional mechanical power button on the body, instead using a touchpad or key combination that is not always intuitive, and if the TV was turned off via the menu (rather than put into standby mode), it becomes even more difficult to turn on without the remote control.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to turn on a Xiaomi TV without a remote, from standard solutions to little-known life hacks. You’ll learn how to use hidden buttons on the case, mobile applications, voice assistants and even HDMI-CEC connection. And if nothing helps, we’ll tell you how to reset to factory settings without risking damage to the device.

Method 1: Using physical buttons on the TV

Even if your Xiaomi TV doesn’t have a visible power button, it still has hidden controls on its body, which vary depending on the model and year of release, but the general principle of operation is the same.

Most Xiaomi TVs have touch buttons on the right sidebar (when you look at the screen) or on the bottom bezel, which can be marked by small dots or stripes. Here's how to find and use them:

• 🔍 Mi TV 4A/4S (2018–2020): The touch button is located under the Mi logo on the bottom bezel. Press and hold it. 3–5 seconds to turn on the TV.
• 🔍 Mi TV Q1/Q2 (2021–2023): The buttons are hidden on the right sidebar, and the first button (top) is responsible for power, the second button is responsible for volume control, the third button is responsible for the choice of the source of the signal.
• 🔍 Mi TV P1/P1E (2022–2026): It uses a combined backlit touchpad, a single touch turns on/off the TV, holding it during the day. 5 activates the reset menu.

If the buttons don’t respond, try the following:

1. Turn off the TV for 10-15 minutes, then plug it back in and press the touch button right away.
2. Wipe the control panel with a dry wipe - sometimes contamination interferes with the sensor.
3. Try pressing the button not with your finger, but with a plastic pen or cap – this increases the pressure.

Find the touch panel on the body

Clean the surface of the dust

Press and hold the button for 5 seconds

Try alternative methods of pressing (pen, cap)

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⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Mi) TV 4 Pro) prolonged retention of the power button can trigger the reset process. If the TV starts flashing or emitting audible signals, release the button to avoid accidental reset.

Method 2: Manage via Mi Remote mobile application

If the physical buttons don’t work or they don’t, the next step is to use Xiaomi’s official Mi Remote app, which lets you control your TV via Wi-Fi or an infrared port (if you have one in your model).

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Download the Mi Remote app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network (this is a must for most models).
3. Launch the app and select the Television category.
4. In the list of brands, find Xiaomi and choose your model (if you don’t have one, choose Mi TV (Universal)).
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to pair devices.

If the TV is turned off, the app may not detect it immediately.

• 📱 Try turning on the TV via a physical button (even if it didn’t work before) and then quickly connect via the app.
• 📶 Make sure your TV and phone are connected to the same network. If your Wi-Fi is off, use hotspot mode on your phone and connect your TV to it through your network settings.
• 🔄 Restart the application and try to pair again.

DU remote.

Mobile application

Voice assistant.

Physical buttons on TV

In other ways.-->

If the Mi Remote app doesn’t work, try alternatives:

• 🤖 Google Home – if the TV supports Google Assistant).
• 🍎 Apple HomeKit (for models with AirPlay 2 support).
• 🌐 Universal remotes like Peel Smart Remote or Yatse.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi TVs with firmware older than 2021 may require Network Management pre-enabled in settings. If the TV was turned off via menus rather than put into sleep mode, the app will not be able to detect it.

Method 3: Enable via HDMI-CEC (control from the remote of another device)

HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) technology allows you to control multiple devices through a single remote control. If your Xiaomi TV is connected to a console, game console or sound bar via HDMI, you can turn it on using a remote from another device.

Here's how it works:

1. Make sure that HDMI-CEC is enabled on your TV (if it was previously enabled). To do this, go to Settings → System → HDMI-CEC and activate the option.
2. Connect your device (such as Xiaomi Mi Box, Apple TV, or PlayStation) to your TV via HDMI.
3. Turn on the external device with its own remote control, and the TV should automatically turn on with it.

If HDMI-CEC is not working:

• 🔌 Check that the cable HDMI supportive CEC (Most of the modern cables do this).
• 🔄 Reconnect the cable by trying a different port HDMI TV-wise.
• 📺 Some Xiaomi models have a function CEC It could be called AnyNet.+, Simplink or Bravia Sync – Turn it on manually.

If the TV does not respond to CEC-Teams, try forced resetting of settings HDMI:

1. Turn it off. HDMI-device.
2. Turn off the TV for 1 minute.
3. Turn it back on and wait 2-3 minutes (the system will perform self-diagnostic ports).
4. Connect the device back and check the CEC.

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If you have a Xiaomi Mi Box or other console connected to your TV, try turning it on with the remote – the TV should turn on automatically thanks to HDMI-CEC.

Method 4: Voice control via Google Assistant or Alice

Modern Xiaomi TVs support voice assistants that can help turn on the device without the remote.

• 🎤 TV connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
• 🔊 Voice control function has been activated earlier.
• 📱 On a smartphone or smart speaker set up the same account as on the TV.

Instructions for Google Assistant:

1. Say to the voice command, OK Google, turn on Mi TV.
2. If the TV doesn’t respond, check the model: OK, Google, turn on the Xiaomi Mi TV Q1.
3. If the assistant says the device is not found, check the TV’s network connection and account sync.

Instructions for Alice (Yandex):

1. Say, Alice, turn on the Xiaomi TV.
2. If Alice asks for more details, call the model: Alice, turn on the Mi TV 4S 55 inches.
3. To control via the Yandex Station column, make sure that the TV and speaker are on the same Wi-Fi network.

If the voice commands are not working:

• 🔄 Restart the TV (turn off power for 30 seconds).
• 📋 Check if the Voice Assistant feature is enabled in the TV settings (Settings) → Smart home. → Voice control).
• 🔗 Make sure that your TV and smartphone/column are linked to the same Mi Account or Google account.

Method 5: Connecting a keyboard or mouse via USB/Bluetooth

Few people know, but Xiaomi Android TVs support the connection of peripherals — keyboard, mouse or even gamepad — which can help turn on the TV and control it without a remote.

Here's how to do it:

1. Connect. USB-keyboard USB Most Xiaomi models have at least one. USB-port (usually on the side or back panel).
2. If the TV was in standby mode, it can automatically turn on when the device is connected.
3. If the screen remains black, press any key on the keyboard (such as Space or Enter).
4. To navigate the menu, use arrow keys or mouse.

If USB-port is not operational or operational:

• 🔄 Try another port (if there are several of them).
• 📱 Connect a Bluetooth keyboard or a mouse:
• 🎮 In extreme cases, you can use a gamepad (for example, from Xbox or PlayStation), if it supports connection over the Internet. USB Bluetooth.