Where the power button on Xiaomi TV: Search and control

Users who are first-time users of Xiaomi’s modern technology often face an unexpected difficulty: they simply can’t find a physical power button on the device’s body. Engineers have deliberately abandoned the usual protruding keys in favor of a minimalist design, where all functions are concentrated in one multifunctional element, a decision dictated by the desire to make the screen frame as thin and invisible as possible, which improves the visual perception of the picture, but hides the controls from prying eyes.

The absence of an explicit label or a separate Power button can be confusing, especially if the remote control is discharged at the wrong time. In such situations, it is important to understand that the Xiaomi Mi TV and its sub-brands (Redmi, P1, A series) use a single controller location logic that rarely changes from model to model.

In this article, we will look at where the mechanical joystick is, how to use it correctly to navigate the menu, and what alternative ways to start the system are available. We will also look at situations where the TV may not respond to pressing, and how to distinguish a software failure from a physical malfunction.

Location of the control joystick on the body

In the vast majority of Xiaomi and Redmi TVs, the physical power button has been replaced by a five-position joystick, hidden from direct view, and located on the lower edge of the body, usually centered or shifted to the right relative to the brand logo, and to detect it, you need to lower your gaze under the bottom frame of the matrix and swipe along the surface of the plastic in the area of the Mi or Redmi logo.

The joystick is designed to be as compact as possible, not outside the body, but only slightly sinks when pressed. In some older models or specific series (for example, early versions of the Mi). TV Stick or very thin OLED-In the case of panels, the position can be shifted to the lower right corner of the back wall, but this is more of an exception. The main search vector is the lower edge, the central axis.

⚠️ Attention: Don't put too much effort into finding a button. If you feel the plastic resisting, you're pushing the wrong way. The joystick mechanism is soft but clear, and it doesn't require force to activate it.

Understanding the physics of the device helps you navigate faster. Because Xiaomi TVs often have metal legs around the edges, the center of the bottom panel remains free, which dictates the logic of placing controls in this zone, which ensures symmetry and ease of access, even if the TV is on a low tab.

How to control a TV without a remote control

Once a joystick is detected, it is important to learn how to use it correctly, as it performs not only on, but also navigation. A short tap on the center of the joystick usually corresponds to an OK command or menu item selection. If the TV is off (standby), a short tap will start the system, and a long hold (about 3-5 seconds) can force the device to terminate or restart if the system is getting stuck.

To navigate the Android TV or PatchWall interface, the joystick must be deflected in the appropriate directions: up, down, left and right. This allows you to move the cursor through application tiles, adjust the volume or select signal sources. When turned off, the deviation of the joystick up or down often opens up a quick signal source selection menu (HDMI, AV, TV), which is extremely convenient when connecting game consoles or consoles.

It is worth noting that in some firmware, the logic of the joystick may differ slightly, for example, in sleep, a short press wakes up the screen, and in active mode it confirms the action. Double tap is sometimes reserved to call the voice assistant, if this function is supported by a particular TV model and software version.

Alternative ways to enable the device

If physical access to the bottom of the TV is difficult (for example, the device is mounted on a wall on a bracket or stands on a high stand), it becomes inconvenient to use a joystick. In such cases, digital control methods come to the rescue, which are often even more convenient than mechanical ones. A smartphone with a Google Home or Mi Remote application installed turns into a full-fledged remote, allowing you to turn on the TV over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Smartphone control requires both devices to be on the same local network. Once you add a TV to the app, you have full access to all the features, including a virtual joystick, a keyboard to input text and voice control. This is especially true for Android TV models, where entering search queries using a remote or joystick can be slow.

Another way is to use HDMI-CEC. If you have a console (PlayStation, Xbox) or Apple TV media player connected to your TV with this feature, turning on the external device will automatically start the TV. This feature is called differently depending on the brand, but in Xiaomi settings it is usually active by default in the Settings → Device → Power Management section.

Table: Location of elements in different series

Although the company’s design code is uniform, the nuances of the location can vary depending on the year of release and the series of the device, and below is a summary of information that will help you navigate if a standard search did not yield results.

As you can see from the table, most of the time, it's the bottom edge. However, in the Redmi TV series, there's sometimes a right bias, which is related to the layout of the motherboard inside the case. In the case of the Mi TV Stick, which is a standalone console, the button is placed on the end for easy access when editing behind the TV.

Indication also plays an important role in diagnostics: If the LED flashes white or orange when you press the joystick, but the screen does not light up, it is a signal of a software error or a problem with the source of the signal. Constant burning of the indicator usually means a standby mode, and its absence is a complete disconnection from the network or a malfunction of the power supply.

What to do if the TV doesn’t respond

There are several reasons why pressing the power button is not working: first of all, you need to eliminate the banal lack of power; check the density of the cable in the socket and in the socket of the TV itself; sometimes, especially in new models with tight connectors, the plug may not fully enter the port, which makes contact absent.

The second common reason is software-based system freezes, in which case the TV is formally on the grid (the indicator is on fire), but it does not respond to either the remote or the joystick. To solve this problem, you need to perform a Hard Reset. Disconnect the TV from the electrical grid completely by pulling the plug out of the socket. Wait 2-3 minutes for the capacitors on the board to completely discharge, and then turn the device on again.

💡

Before a long disconnect, try to press the joystick button for 15-20 seconds (with the TV plugged in), which can trigger a static electricity discharge and a reboot of the power controller without physically shutting down the cable.

⚠️ Warning: If after rebooting and checking the socket, the TV makes clicks, but the screen does not light up, or you hear a sound but there is no image, do not continue to try to turn on. This may indicate a malfunction of the lighting or power supply, requiring the intervention of a specialist.

It's also worth checking the remote control itself. If the batteries are dead, the TV may not see the IR commands, although the joystick it must respond to, replacing the batteries or using a smartphone with an IR port will help diagnose the remote problem.

Setting up automatic switching on

Xiaomi’s current Android TVs offer flexible turn-on behavior settings. You can set the device to automatically turn on when a signal is sent from the device. HDMI-It's not like you have to look for a joystick or a remote control every time you go.

To set up, go to Settings → Device → Power. The "Sleep Timer" and "Sunsetting" options are available here. The auto-on feature is especially useful if you're using a TV in conjunction with a computer or a game console. The system will automatically switch to an active signal source as soon as it appears.

You can also customize smart home scenarios, so if you have other Mi Home ecosystem devices, you can create a scenario where you say, "When I get home (phone geolocation), turn on the TV and start YouTube." That requires a stable Internet connection and a customized Mi Account.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

💡

The main control in Xiaomi TVs is a hidden joystick on the bottom edge, which replaces the classic on button and serves to navigate the menu.