How to connect the Wink remote to the Xiaomi TV

Modern Xiaomi smart TVs often come with a Bluetooth remote that allows you to control the device without direct vision. However, in some cases, for example, when buying new equipment or after resetting, it becomes necessary to pair the remote with the TV again.

The connection process depends on the version of the Android TV or PatchWall operating system installed on your device. The Bluetooth module in Xiaomi TVs is highly stable, but requires the correct sequence of actions for initialization. If you encounter a button on the remote no longer respond or the device is not controlled, the communication between the receiver and transmitter is most likely disrupted.

In this article, we'll go into detail about the algorithm that will help you regain control, so you don't need complex hardware, you just need the remote control and the TV on, and it's important to follow the order of the taps, because the pairing protocol has time constraints.

Preparation of equipment and compatibility check

Before you start the synchronization procedure, you need to make sure that your equipment is ready to go. First of all, check the power cells in the Wink remote. Even if the LED flashes, a weak charge may not allow you to establish a stable connection over Bluetooth Low Energy. It is recommended to use fresh batteries to eliminate this factor.

Next, make sure that the Xiaomi TV is on. If the remote is completely out of order, you may need an external one to navigate the menu. USB-manipulator (mouse) or smartphone with a remote application, if the TV has already been configured to control over Wi-Fi. Without an alternative input method, it will be impossible to start searching for devices.

Also worth paying attention to is the firmware version. Outdated software may contain bugs in the Bluetooth stack.

• 🔌 Make sure the TV is connected to the power grid and is on standby or on.
• 🔋 Check the polarity and battery charge in the Wink remote, contacts should be clean.
• 📶 Remove powerful sources of interference from the TV, such as routers or microwave ovens, while setting up.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use old and new batteries simultaneously in the same remote control, this can lead to leakage of the electrolyte and damage to the internal electronics of the device.

Standard method of pairing through the system menu

The most reliable way to connect the Wink remote to the Xiaomi TV is using the built-in Android interface. TV. This method ensures that the system correctly recognizes the device and installs the necessary drivers. First, you need to get into the settings menu using any available control method, such as connected USB-mouse.

Go to Settings, then select Remotes and Accessories (or Remote & Accessories) to show all connected devices. Click Add Accessory. The TV will then go into active search mode, scanning the airwaves for Bluetooth signals.

Now you have to put the Wink remote itself in the (pairing) mode, which usually requires you to pinch a certain combination of buttons. On different models, this can be the simultaneous pressing of the Home and Back buttons, or holding the Voice Assistant button, and once the LED on the remote starts to blink quickly, it will be visible in the list on the TV screen.

Select the device that appears in the list (often called Remote or Mi Remote) and confirm the pairing. The system will automatically set the HID (Human Interface Device) profile, which will allow you to use all the functions of the remote, including voice input.

Alternative method: hot button combinations

If you're not able to access the settings menu, or if you prefer fast methods, you can use a hidden forced pairing feature, which often works even when the system interface is getting stuck or slow, and it initiates a remote search at a lower level of the system.

Approach the Xiaomi TV at a distance of no more than 30 centimeters. Point the Wink remote towards the infrared receiver (usually located at the bottom of the center) or simply towards the screen if only the Bluetooth channel is used. Press the Back button (arrow left) and Home button (house icon) simultaneously.

Hold this combination for 5-10 seconds, at which point the previous Bluetooth adapter settings are reset and detection mode is triggered, and if all goes well, a pop-up will appear on the TV screen suggesting that you connect the new device.

Sometimes you need to confirm the action by pressing any button, and after successful synchronization, a characteristic beep is heard, and the LED on the remote stops blinking and goes out, going into sleep mode.

Configuring voice control and special buttons

Once basic control is restored, it’s worth configuring advanced features. Wink remotes often feature dedicated buttons for streaming services or voice search. Additional calibration may be required to properly work with Xiaomi’s shell.

Go to the Google Assistant or Alice Yandex settings (depending on region and firmware version). In the Voice Enter section, check if the microphone is the microphone you choose, and this will allow you to activate the assistant by pressing the appropriate button, without using the TV as a microphone.

You can also reassign some keys if the remote supports this feature through third-party apps, such as Button Mapper. This is especially true if you don’t need Wink service buttons and want to use them to run other applications.

To check the operation of all buttons, use the engineering menu or special test applications from Google Play, which will help to identify "dead zones" or sticking contacts that may have occurred during operation.

⚠️ Warning: When reassigning system buttons, be careful. Changing the navigation key functions can make the interface unmanageable, and returning will require resetting or keyboard connection.

Diagnosing problems and eliminating delays

Sometimes, after connecting, users experience response delays or periodic communication breaks, which can be caused by overloading of the Bluetooth channel, especially if many wireless devices (earphones, gamepads, keyboards) are connected to the TV.

Try turning off unused devices in the Remote and Accessories menu, and it’s also worth checking if there’s 2.4GHz equipment in the vicinity of the TV. Signal interference is a common cause of Bluetooth instability.

If the Wink remote continues to malfunction, reset the TV's Bluetooth module completely, and find a configuration reset option in the developer menu (if enabled) or hidden Bluetooth settings in the back of the box, which can be done in the factory settings of the TV itself, but this is a radical measure.

Using an IR adapter as an alternative

If you never got a Bluetooth connection, or the Wink remote has an infrared port (IR), you can use this method. Xiaomi TVs are equipped with a built-in IR receiver that works on the principle of "light pulses."

To set up the IR remote, go to the Mi Remote app (if preinstalled) or use universal codes. Choose a TV manufacturer (Xiaomi/Mi) and test the proposed codes. This method is less functional (no voice), but it is versatile and does not require complex synchronization.

However, for the full operation of smart features of the Xiaomi TV, such as voice search or using the Mi Home app, it is still preferable to use the Bluetooth protocol.

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If you have an IR ported smartphone (like older Xiaomi or Redmi models), you can use it as a temporary remote to set up the main Bluetooth remote via the TV menu.

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Bluetooth provides two-way communication and advanced functionality, while the IR port is only suitable for basic control without the need for pairing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)