How to access the Internet from a Xiaomi TV: all ways to connect and configure

Why Xiaomi TVs need Internet access?

Xiaomi TVs today are not just TV-channel screens, they are full-fledged multimedia centers. Without an Internet connection, you lose half of your functionality, from streaming services (Netflix, YouTube, IVI) to branded chips like Mi Home for managing a smart home. Even basic firmware updates are downloaded over the network, without which the TV quickly becomes obsolete.

But what to do if your Mi is yours? TV 4S, Mi TV Q1 Or is it the first time you're setting up a smart TV and you don't know which way to go to the router? In this article, we're going to look at all the ways you can get online, from classic Wi-Fi to exotic options like this. USB-And we'll also learn to fix the common bugs that are interfering with a stable connection.

Spoiler: 90 percent of the time, it's solved in 5 minutes if you know where to click. Let's start with the simplest one.

Method 1: Wi-Fi connection (most popular)

Wireless is the standard for most users. Xiaomi TVs support dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz), but there are nuances. For example, models until 2020 may not see 5 GHz networks if the router is enabled with 802.11ac mode (it is better to set 802.11n for compatibility).

To connect:

1. Take the remote and press the Settings button.
2. Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
3. Select your network from the list. If it's not available, click Update or check if the SSID is hidden in the router's settings.
4. Enter your password (registration is important!) Use the virtual keyboard on the screen or the Mi Remote app on your smartphone for convenience.

If the TV is not connected to:

• 🔄 Restart the router (pull out the plug for 30 seconds).
• 📶 Check if the router has a filter on. MAC-Addresses – it can block new devices.
• 🔒 Make sure the password is entered correctly (a common mistake is to confuse 0 and O, 1 and l).
• 📡 Try connecting to a 2.4 GHz network instead of 5 GHz (or vice versa).

Important for owners of Mesh systems (for example, Xiaomi Mi Mesh Router): sometimes the TV sticks to one node with a weak signal. Manually choose the main router in the Wi-Fi list (usually it has the suffix main or 5G).

Method 2: Ethernet (Ewired Connection) for Stability

If you don't. TV plug-in RJ-45 (Not all models!'', wired connection will give you maximum speed and minimal delays. 4K-streaming or online gaming through Google Stadia/Xbox Cloud Gaming.

How to connect:

1. Connect the TV to the router with a Cat 5e cable or higher (up to 100 meters long).
2. In the TV menu, select Settings → Network and Internet → Ethernet.
3. Wait for automatic IP setup (DHCP) if there is no connection, check the cable or restart the router.

Challenges and solutions:

• 🔌 Cable not recognized: try another port on the router or replace the cable (sometimes damaged veins inside).
• 🌐 No internet access, though cable is connected: check settings IP In Settings → Network → Additionally. → Setting up IP. It should be automatic.
• ⚡ Lower than expected speed: make sure the cable does not pass near sources of interference (microwave, wireless charging).

Xiaomi models without an Ethernet port (such as the Mi TV 4A) can be connected via a USB-Ethernet adapter on the AX88179 chip. However, there is no official support for such a solution - work is not guaranteed.

Method 3: Mobile Internet through the Internet USB-modem

If you don’t have home Wi-Fi or it’s temporarily unavailable, you can connect your Xiaomi TV to the internet via:

• 📱 Smartphone in mode USB-modem (required) OTG-cable).
• 📡 4G/5G USB-modem (for example, from MegaFon or Yota).

Instructions for the smartphone:

1. Connect your phone to your TV via a USB-OTG cable (you need an adapter if the TV has a USB-C port).
2. On the phone, activate modem modem → USB-Modem (on Android path: Settings) → Network and Internet → Access Point and modem).
3. On TV in Settings → Network → USB-modem select the connected device.

Limitations:

• ⚠️ Speed will be limited by the capabilities of the phone and operator (for example, Tele2 can have a limit of 10 Mbps).
• ⚠️ Not all Xiaomi models TV support USB-Modems – Check in the specifications.
• ⚠️ With prolonged use, the phone will warm up a lot.

Method 4: Connect via Mi TV Stick or Android TV Box

If your Xiaomi TV is older than 2018 (such as Mi TV 3) and doesn’t support modern Wi-Fi protocols, you can use external devices:

• 📺 Mi TV Stick (connects to the HDMI-port).
• 🖥️ Android TV Box (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Box S).

Advantages:

• 🚀 A more recent version of Android TV support for new applications.
• 🔄 Ability to connect Ethernet via USB-hub (for Mi Box S).
• 🎮 Support for game controllers (e.g., for the NVIDIA GeForce NOW).

How to set up:

1. Connect the device to HDMI-television-port.
2. Insert the power cable (use the original unit!).
3. Select the appropriate signal source (HDMI 1/2/3) on the TV remote.
4. Go through the initial Android TV setup, connect to Wi-Fi.

Note: Some apps (such as Netflix) may require Widevine L1 certification, which is not available in cheap TV Boxes.

Method 5: Using Mi Home and Smart Devices

If you have a Xiaomi ecosystem (router, smart speaker, gateway), you can access the Internet in non-standard ways:

Option 1: Through the Mi AI Speaker

• 🎤 The column connects to Wi-Fi and can distribute Internet over Bluetooth.
• 🔗 On your TV, activate Bluetooth and find the column in the list of devices.
• ⚠️ The speed will be low (up to 3 Mbps), but enough for music or weather.

Option 2: Through the router Xiaomi Mi Router in repeater mode

• 📶 If the main router is far away, configure Mi Router as a signal repeater.
• 🔌 Connect the TV to it via Wi-Fi or cable.

💡

In the Mi Home app, you can link your TV to your account and control it from your phone, for example, enable YouTube with a voice command via Alice or Google Assistant.

Solution: Why is Xiaomi TV not connected to the Internet?

Even after you set it up properly, the connection can go missing, and let's look at the common mistakes and how to fix them.

Critical case: if the TV after the update stopped seeing any networks, try resetting network settings:

1. Press the Menu + Volume Down remote for 5 seconds.
2. In the recovery menu, select Wipe Network Settings.
3. Reboot the TV.

💡

If the problem occurred after the firmware update, try to roll back to the previous version via Settings → About TV → System Update → Recoil.

How to use the Internet on a Xiaomi TV: browser and applications

Connecting to the network is half the battle. Now you have to learn how to use it.

Built-in browser

• 🌐 Located in the application menu (Browser icon or Internet).
• 🔍 Supports voice search (mic button on the remote).
• ⚠️ Not all sites are properly displayed – it’s better to use mobile versions (add m before the address).

Installation of applications

• 📥 Use Google Play Market (if your TV is on Android) TV) or the branded Mi App Store.
• 🔧 For manual installation APK-File Manager and permission to install files from unknown sources (Settings) → Security).
• 🎬 Popular streaming apps: Kodi, VLC, Megogo, Okko.

Voice assistant

• 🎤 On remotes with a microphone (for example, Mi). TV Q2) You can say, "Open Netflix" or "Find movies with Tom Cruise".
• 🔊 Supported by Alice (for Russia), Google Assistant and Xiao AI (China).

⚠️ Attention: when used VPN on TV (for example, to access foreign services) speed may fall on the Internet. 30-50%. Better tune in. VPN router-level.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi TV to the Internet