How to connect a smart speaker to a Xiaomi TV: 4 proven ways

Xiaomi’s modern TVs are not just content-watching screens, but full-fledged multimedia centers that can integrate into the smart home ecosystem. One key element of this ecosystem is a smart speaker that can act as an external audio device, voice assistant, or even a control center for other gadgets. However, many users have difficulty syncing the speaker with the TV — especially if it comes to models with limited ports or outdated firmware.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can connect your smart speaker to your Xiaomi TV, from classic Bluetooth to advanced protocols like HDMI ARC and Mi Home. You’ll learn which method is best for your TV model, how to avoid common errors (such as audio delay or lack of synchronization), and what to do if the speaker refuses to connect.

If you've tried to connect a speaker and you've had problems, don't give up. 90 percent of the time, the solution is on the surface: it could be a pair mode disabled in Bluetooth settings, an outdated TV firmware, or even a banal codec incompatibility, and we've put together diagnostic checklists and step-by-step instructions that will help even if you've never set up a smart appliance before.

1. Method 1: Connecting via Bluetooth - a universal method

The easiest and most common way to sync is to use Bluetooth, which is suitable for most smart speakers (including Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker, Yandex Station and Google Nest) and all Xiaomi TVs since the Mi TV 4A (2018), the main advantage being the lack of wires and minimal hardware requirements, but there are also disadvantages: possible audio delays (especially when watching movies) and limited audio quality due to Bluetooth compression.

To connect:

If the column does not appear in the list, check:

• 🔋 Column charge level (at a charge below 15%, Bluetooth may be turned off).
• 📶 Distance between devices (maximum 10 meters without obstacles).
• 🔄 Column visibility mode (some models are hidden 2-3 minutes after activation of pairing mode).
• 📱 Other Bluetooth devices (Xiaomi TV can only support 1-2 devices at a time).

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If the sound is interrupted or there is interference, try turning off the high-quality audio (AAC/aptX) option in the Bluetooth TV settings – sometimes this solves the delay problem.

2. Method 2: Connecting via HDMI ARC – the best sound quality

If your Xiaomi TV supports you HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel is the most reliable way to connect a smart speaker – especially if it is equipped with a smart speaker. HDMI-port (for example, Xiaomi Mi) TV Soundbar or Sonos Beam: Advantages of the Method:

• 🎵 No loss of quality – the sound is transmitted in the original format (including Dolby Digital or Dolby Digital). DTS).
• ⚡ No delays – sync is perfect for movies and games.
• 🔄 Two-way transmission - you can control the volume of the speaker from the TV remote.

To connect:

1. Make sure both the TV and the speaker support HDMI ARC (the port is usually signed on the back).
2. Connect the devices HDMI-cable (preferably version 2.0 or higher).
3. On the TV, go to Settings → Sound → Sound Output and select HDMI ARC.
4. Turn on the column and set the HDMI IN mode on it (if there is a switch).

If there's no sound:

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) TV Q1) option HDMI ARC It's disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings. → System system → About the programme → Update the software and check for the latest firmware. ARC may not work.

3. Method 3: Wi-Fi and Mi Home Connection for the Xiaomi Ecosystem

If you have a Xiaomi smart speaker (such as Mi Smart Speaker or Mi AI Speaker), it can be integrated with your TV through the Mi Home app, which allows you to not only transmit sound, but also control the TV with voice (such as turning it on/off or running apps).

• 🌍 Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network (2.4 GHz).
• 📱 Mi Home app required (available for Android and iOS).
• 🔄 The TV must be linked to the same Xiaomi account as the speaker.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Mi Home app and make sure the TV and column are added to the same profile.
2. Go to the column management section → Device settings → Smart bundle.
3. Select the TV from the list of available devices and confirm pairing.
4. Activate the option to transmit audio to the speaker (could be called Audio Cast).

If the column does not appear in the list of devices for the bundle:

• 📡 Check that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not mobile internet!).
• 🔄 Restart your router – sometimes conflicts IP-addresses interfere with detection.
• 📱 Update the Mi Home app to the latest version (older versions may not support some models).

Method 4: Connection via Optical Output (TOSLINK) – for audiophiles

If your Xiaomi TV has an optical output (TOSLINK connector) and the speaker has the appropriate input, this is one of the best ways to transmit sound without loss. Optical cable transmits a digital signal without compression, which is especially important for Dolby Digital+ or DTS-HD formats.

• 🎧 Not all smart speakers have an optical input (for example, Yandex Station does not have one, and Sonos Five does have one).
• 🔌 Buying a separate cable (not included in most devices).
• 🎛️ Set up sound formats may require manual configuration.

How to connect:

1. Connect the TV and the speaker with an optical cable (make sure the connectors are clean – dust can block the signal).
2. On the TV, go to Settings → Sound → Sound Output and select Digital Output (optical).
3. In the column settings, set Optical IN mode (if you have a choice between PCM and Bitstream, select Bitstream to support Dolby/DTS).

If the sound is not, or if it's distorted:

⚠️ Attention: On the TVs Xiaomi Mi TV P1 and Q2 There's a hidden option in the audio menu called Output Format. If your column doesn't support Dolby Digital, set it. PCM — This will solve the problem of lack of sound, but it will deprive you of volumetric audio.

Make sure the optical cable is not bent (bending radius >5 cm)

Check that the correct input is selected on the column (Optical, not Aux/HDMI)

Disable other audio devices (Bluetooth, HDMI ARC) to avoid conflict

Update the TV firmware (older versions may not work Dolby Digital)-->

5 Problem Solving: The column doesn't connect or the sound goes missing

Even if you set it up properly, you can get into a crash, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

Problem 1: The speaker is connected, but the sound is coming from the TV.

• 🔊 Check what is in the TV sound settings (Settings) → Sound. → Sound output) the connected device is selected (Bluetooth/HDMI ARC/Optical).
• 🔄 Restart both devices (turn off the socket for 30 seconds).
• 📱 If you use Bluetooth, turn off and reconnect the column.

Problem 2: The sound is interrupted or jammed.

• 📶 If you're connected to Bluetooth/Wi-Fi, Check the router signal level (move it closer to the TV).
• 🔋 Make sure the column is charged (at low charge there may be failures).
• 🎛️ In the TV sound settings, turn off the sound processing (Equalizer, Volumetric sound).

Problem 3: The column does not appear in the list of Bluetooth devices.

• 🔄 Transfer the column to pairing mode again (the instruction is usually in the user manual).
• 📱 Remove all previously saved devices from the TV memory (Settings) → Bluetooth → Delete all devices).
• 🔧 Reset the network settings on the TV (Settings) → System system → Resetting the network).

Critical information: Xiaomi Mi TV 4A (2018) has a bug with Bluetooth 5.0 – they don’t see devices that support aptX or LDAC codecs. Solution: upgrade to firmware to version 1.4.65 or higher, or use a column that supports AAC/SBC.

6. Comparison of methods of connection: which one to choose?

The choice of connection method depends on your priorities:

For most users, the best solution is:

• 🎮 HDMI ARC — If you have a port and a column supports it.
• 🎵 Bluetooth for simplicity and mobility.
• 🎧 Optical output – if sound quality is important and the speaker is compatible.

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If your Xiaomi TV is released before 2020, check HDMI CEC support in the settings. Without it, you can not control the speaker from the TV remote, even if the sound is coming through HDMI ARC.

7. Additional settings: how to improve sound

Once you've connected the speaker, you can optimize the sound to suit your needs. Here are some useful settings:

On Xiaomi TV:

On the smart column:

• 📶 If the column supports multiroom, add a second column for stereo sound to the system.

For advanced users:

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall firmware (e.g. Mi) TV Q1E) There's a hidden audio menu. To open it, type the Menu sequence on the remote control. → 1 → 3 → 9 → Menu. You can set volume limit, dynamic range compression and other parameters there.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connectivity