When a Smart TV remote suddenly stops working, it’s always a bad time, especially when you first set up a language, region, and most importantly, connect to a wireless network. Many owners of Xiaomi and Redmi devices find that without entering a router password, the smart TV can’t be operated again, as most functions and applications require an active Internet connection.
Fortunately, the Android TV operating system, which runs modern media consoles and TVs from the Chinese manufacturer, has enough flexibility to control the device in a variety of alternative ways that do not require a regular IR remote. In this article, we will discuss proven methods of connecting to Wi-Fi using a regular computer peripheral, mobile devices or a wired connection so that you can fully use your gadget.
Before we go to any drastic measures, we need to make sure that the problem is the lack of the remote, not the dead batteries or the software failure of the TV itself. Sometimes, simply restarting the device by turning off the power from the outlet for 10-15 seconds helps restore the infrared receiver. If the remote is physically defective or lost, the instructions below will be your salvation.
Use of the USB-mouse to navigate in menu
The easiest and most affordable way to get into the settings of the TV is to use a conventional computer mouse with an interface. USB. The Android operating system supports by default HID-The device (Human Interface Device), so the TV recognizes the mouse immediately after you connect, and the cursor will appear on the screen. You do not need to install any drivers or additional applications, just find a free port on the back or side panel of the device.
Once you have a cursor, you can navigate the MIUI for TV or pure Android TV just like you would on a computer. Hover over the settings icon, which usually looks like a gear, and click the left mouse button. Then the algorithm is standard: select Network and Internet or Connections, turn on the Wi-Fi module, and in the list that appears, find your home network. Enter the password using a pop-up on-screen keyboard, clicking the desired letters with a cursor.
⚠️ Note: If the on-screen keyboard does not appear or it is inconvenient to use, connect at the same time and USB-This will greatly speed up the process of entering a complex password from a wireless network.
Not all Xiaomi TVs work equally well with the mouse in different menu sections. In some cases, the cursor may move jerky or not displayed in certain applications, but in system settings, this method works consistently in 99% of cases.
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Use a wireless mouse with USB-receiver, so as not to depend on the length of the wire and to avoid confusion with the cables behind the TV.
Connection via Ethernet Cable (LAN)
If you don't have a mouse or keyboard on hand, but you can wire a cable from the router to the TV, use a wired connection. Most Xiaomi TV models have a LAN port that lets you access the Internet without entering a password and setting up complex settings. This method is often ignored, considered inconvenient because of the wires, but for initial activation and firmware updates, it is perfect.
The connection process is as simple as possible: connect the cable coming from the router to the corresponding connector on the TV. The system automatically detects the presence of a wired connection and prioritizes it over the wireless one. After that, you can go to the Google Play or Mi Store app store, download the necessary control application from your phone (for example, Android TV Remote Control) and then configure a Wi-Fi connection through it.
It is important to understand that after connecting via cable, the TV may not offer to switch to Wi-Fi automatically. You will still need some control method (mouse or application on your smartphone) to turn off the wired connection and activate the wireless module in the network settings if you plan to use it in the future.
What if there is no LAN port?
Control via smartphone and Mi Remote app
Modern smartphones have powerful functionality that can replace many physical devices. If your phone has an infrared port (which is often found in Xiaomi, Huawei, Honor devices), you can turn it into a universal remote. To do this, use the standard Mi Remote app (Mi Remote), which is preinstalled on many phones of this brand, or download it from the app store.
Launch the app, click the add-on button, and select the TV category. From the manufacturers list, find Xiaomi or Redmi. The app will offer you several options for codes to check. Press the turn-on button on the phone screen, pointing it to the TV until the device responds. Once successfully paired, you will have full access to navigation through the menu.
If the phone does not have an IR port, but the TV has already been connected to the same Wi-Fi network (or connected via cable, as described above), you can use the Google Home app or specialized Android TV Remote Control. These programs work over a local network and allow you to control the cursor, enter text and even use voice search through the microphone of the smartphone.
Use of the USB-keyboard
Connecting normally USB-Keyboards are not only the way to navigate, but also the fastest way to enter passwords.The on-screen keyboard on Xiaomi TVs is often uncomfortable, requiring a lot of switching between registers and symbols. A physical keyboard solves this problem instantly, allowing you to type a complex Wi-Fi password in seconds.
Most keys on the keyboard will work by default: the navigation arrows move focus, Enter confirms selection, and Esc returns. In some cases, mouse emulation may be required, but the keyboard is perfect to type text into the Wi-Fi password field. Just plug the device into a USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port and start typing.
If the standard keyboard is not recognized or is not working correctly, try restarting the TV with the device already connected, and check if the keyboard is locked or sleep mode is enabled, which can prevent instant response when connecting to the TV.
☑️ Verification of peripheral connection
Table of compatibility of connection methods
To make it easy to choose the best way to solve the problem, we have compiled a comparison table that will help you quickly evaluate the available resources and choose the most suitable option for your specific situation with a Xiaomi TV.
| Method | Equipment required | Difficulty | Speed of adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB-mouse | Any computer mouse. | Low. | Tall. |
| Ethernet cable | LAN cable, router | Low. | Medium |
| Smartphone (IR) | Phone with IR port | Medium | Tall. |
| USB-keyboard | Computer keyboard | Low. | Tall. |
As can be seen from the table, the use of USB-The periphery is the most versatile and quick solution, but if you don't have any extra devices at hand, the IR port option on your smartphone can be a great alternative, without requiring you to buy additional equipment.
Network settings via Android TV Remote Control
If you’ve managed to connect your TV to the internet via cable, or know it’s on the same network as your smartphone (like a guest network or previous settings), use Google’s official app, called Android TV Remote Control, and is available for Android and iOS platforms.
Run the app on your phone and press Connect. If the devices are on the same network, the confirmation code will appear on the TV screen. You still need a navigation method (mouse or keyboard) to enter it, but once paired, the phone will become a full remote control. You can easily go through the application interface to the network settings, turn off the cable and select the desired Wi-Fi network.
The advantage of this method is that there is a full-fledged keyboard on the screen of the smartphone, which makes entering passwords and search queries as comfortable as possible. In addition, the application supports voice input, which can be useful for finding content after you have completed the setup.
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The Android TV Remote Control app only works if the phone and TV are on the same local network.