Connecting the Internet cable to the TV Xiaomi: full instruction with photos and tips

Why Xiaomi TV is wired Internet and when you need it

Wired connectivity via Ethernet cable is not an atavism of the past, but often the only way to get stable internet on Xiaomi Mi TV or Redmi Smart TV. Despite the ubiquity of Wi-Fi, cable remains relevant in three key scenarios:

First, for streaming video to 4K/HDR. Even modern 5GHz routers don’t always manage the 50+ Mbps bitrate required for Dolby Vision or HDR10+ content. The cable guarantees minimal latency and no “hangs” of the image. Second, wired connection is critical for online gaming via Google Stadia or Xbox Cloud Gaming, where every millisecond of ping counts. And finally, Ethernet is indispensable in conditions of poor Wi-Fi coverage – for example, if the TV is in a remote room or behind a router.

But there’s a caveat: not all Xiaomi models support wired out-of-the-box connectivity, and in this article, we’ll look at how to determine your TV’s compatibility, what adapters you might need, and how to set up your network correctly, from physical connectivity to troubleshooting.

Compatibility Check: Does your Xiaomi TV have an Ethernet connector?

Before you buy cable or adapters, make sure your Xiaomi TV model supports wired connectivity at all.The manufacturer doesn't always equip budget devices with an RJ-45 port, especially in the Redmi Smart TV lineup.

Here’s how to quickly check compatibility:

• 🔍 Look at the back panel TV. The Ethernet connector looks like a wide socket with a plastic latch (similar to the port on the router), usually located next to the HDMI- ports.
• 📄 Check the specifications on Xiaomi's official website or in the documentation. Look for lines like "1 × Ethernet (RJ-45)" or "LAN 10/100 Mbps."
• 📱 Use the Mi Home app. The device information section may indicate the presence of a port LAN.

If you don't have a port, but it's critically needed, don't despair. Most Xiaomi TVs powered by Android TVs support USB-Ethernet connectivity (discussed below), except for the earliest PatchWall models without USB ports.

⚠️ Warning: Chip-based adapters ASIX AX88178A (popular for the Raspberry Pi) often don't work with Xiaomi TV. Check compatibility before buying!

What cables and adapters you will need: full checklist

If your TV is equipped with an RJ-45 port, a standard twisted pair of category 5e or 6 is enough. For models without an Ethernet port, additional accessories will be required.

• 🔌 Ethernet cable (twisted pair). Optimal length is 1.5-3 meters (avoid cables longer than 10 meters without an amplifier). Cat 5e is suitable for speeds up to 1 Gbps, Cat 6 is suitable for future upgrades.
• 🖧 USB-Ethernet adapter (if no built-in port is available). Recommended models: UGREEN USB 3.0 to Ethernet (chip RTL8153) TP-Link UE300 (chip AX88179)
• ⚡ USB-powered hub (unless the adapter is determined). Some Xiaomi TV don't give enough current to the USB- ports to run the adapter.
• 🔄 Patch cord or splitter (if the router is far away). The alternative is Powerline adapters (wiring Internet).

The cost of the kit (adapter + cable) starts from 1000 rubles. Don't skimp on cable: cheap twisted pair can become a source of interference, especially if laid next to power wires.

Twisted pair Cat 5e/6 length|USB-Ethernet adapter (if there is no port)|USB-feeding hub (if necessary)|Patch Cord or Powerline (for remote routers)-->

⚠️ Warning: If you are using a USB- hub, connect the adapter to port USB 3.0 (usually marked in blue).USB 2.0 ports may not provide sufficient speed for 4K- streaming.

Step-by-step: connect the cable to Xiaomi TV

The connection process depends on whether your TV has an Ethernet port built in, and let's look at both.

Option 1: Built-in port RJ-45 (for Mi TV 5, Redmi X, Q-series)

1. Turn off the TV and router (optional, but recommended to reset the network cache).
2. Connect one end of the cable to the LAN port on the back of the TV, the other to the router’s free port (usually numbered or marked in yellow).
3. Turn on the TV and wait for the download. Open Settings → Network and Internet → Ethernet.
4. The system should automatically receive the IP- address (DHCP). If this does not happen, click "Configure manually" and enter data from your router (usually IP type 192.168.1.X, mask 255.255.255.0, gateway 192.168.1.1).
5. Check the connection by opening YouTube or Netflix, and if the video is loaded without buffering, the connection is successful.

Option 2: Connect via USB-Ethernet adapter (for Mi TV 4S, 4A)

1. Connect the adapter to the USB- port of the TV. If you use a hub, first connect the hub to the power supply, then insert the adapter.
2. Connect the adapter to the router in twisted pair. Wait for the notification "New device discovered" (may not appear on old firmware).
3. Go to Settings → Devices → USB and check if the adapter is determined. If not, try another port or hub.
4. Go back to Settings → Network and Internet. A new Wired Network (USB) section should appear here. Select it and set up a connection (similar to option 1).
5. If the network does not appear, upgrade the TV firmware to the latest version (more on this below).

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If the adapter is not detected, try connecting it through a separate USB-Hab with external power. Many Xiaomi TV limit current on the USB-ports to 500 mA, which is not enough for network adapters to work.

Diagnostics of problems

If the Internet is not working after the connection:

• 🔄 Reboot the router and TV (remove the plugs from the socket for 30 seconds).
• 🔧 Check the cable: connect it to a laptop or other device.
• ⚙️ Reset network settings to TV: Settings → System → Reset → Network settings reset.
• 📡 Disable VPN (if you use it). Some apps (like Disney+) block content when VPN is detected, even on a wired network.

Network setting after connection: optimization for streaming and gaming

Wired connectivity is only half the battle, and to make the most of it, you need to set up your TV and router properly.

1. Prioritize traffic (QoS) on the router

If you have a lot of devices on your network, set up Quality of Service (QoS) on your router to ensure that your TV always gets the maximum bandwidth:

1. Go to the router control panel (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
2. Find the QoS section or Device Priority.
3. Add MAC- to your Xiaomi TV (you can find it in Settings → About TV → Status).
4. Set the highest priority for HTTP, HTTPS and UDP (for streaming).

2. DNS settings to speed up loading

Standard DNSs from the provider often work slowly. Replace them with public ones:

1. Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Ethernet → More.
2. Select “DNS Manually Setup.”
3. Type: Basic DNS: 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google) Secondary DNS: 1.0.0.1 or 8.8.4.4

3. Optimization for Online Gaming

If you play through Xbox Cloud Gaming or GeForce NOW:

• 🎮 Enable the Gaming Network Mode on the router (if any).
• 📶 Turn off dual-band Wi-Fi (5GHz can interfere even with a wired connection).
• 🔒 Block background updates in Settings → Apps → Auto Update.

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For stable 4K- streaming via Ethernet, 25 Mbit/s is sufficient. However, for games, at least 50 Mbit/s with a ping below 30 ms is recommended.

Firmware Update: Why it’s important for Ethernet

On Xiaomi TVs without built-in Ethernet port (for example, Mi TV 4S), support for USB- adapters appeared only in firmware since the version of 2.0.45+. If your adapter is not determined, the first thing to do is to update the system.

How to check and update the firmware:

1. Open Settings → About TV → Update system.
2. Click on "Check Updates." If a new version is available, install it.
3. If the update is not available, download the latest firmware from the official Xiaomi website and install manually via USB.

After the update:

• 🔄 Restart the TV.
• 🔌 Disable and reconnect the USB- adapter.
• 📋 Check for the "Wired Network (USB)" section in the settings.

Frequent Problems and Solutions: Discuss Ethernet Errors

Even when connected correctly, there can be problems, and here are the most common errors and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try the hard reset of the TV:

1. Shut down the power.
2. Press and hold the Power button on the TV body (not the remote!) for 15-20 seconds.
3. Turn on the power and turn on the TV. It'll go back to factory settings.

⚠️ Warning: Some Xiaomi TV models may require re-activation of the Mi Account after reset. Make sure you remember the password!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions