Modern smart TVs Xiaomi and Redmi are equipped with many features for user convenience, including voice control and voice interface. However, sometimes these features can interfere with the comfort of watching movies or games, especially if the voice assistant is activated accidentally or turned on the mode for the visually impaired without need. Owners often face a situation where the TV begins to comment on every action or respond to voice commands without demand.
In this article, we will discuss how to turn off voice on a Xiaomi TV, returning the device to its normal mode of operation. We will look at various scenarios, from disabling the TalkBack function to setting up Google Assistant and system sounds. The correct configuration of parameters will allow you to enjoy content without unnecessary interruptions and comments of the system.
It’s worth noting that MIUI for TV and Android TV interfaces may vary slightly depending on the model and year of the device’s release, but the general setup principles remain the same across the ecosystem. Below are step-by-step instructions to help you quickly resolve the problem.
Disabling TalkBack (voice menu)
The most common reason that the TV starts to “talk” by commenting on each tap is the activated TalkBack accessibility feature, which is designed for visually impaired users, but can be turned on randomly when you browse the menu quickly. To remove the voice interface, you need to go to the appropriate settings section.
Go to the main menu of your Xiaomi Mi TV and select Settings (cog icon). Next, follow the path of Settings device or System, then find the section Special features (Accessibility). Here you will see the TalkBack switch, which is likely to be in the active position.
To deactivate, simply switch the slider to off. The system may request confirmation of action, as this feature is critical for some users. Once turned off, the TV will stop voiced the names of menu items and actions.
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If you can’t get to the menu because of active TalkBack, try pressing the Back and Volume+ buttons on the remote for 5-7 seconds at the same time – this often works like a hotkey for quick shutdown.
Some firmware versions may have slightly different paths, such as older PatchWall models, where the option you want may be hidden in the Advanced Settings section. If the standard method didn't work, check all the settings menu subsections for accessibility-related icons.
☑️ Checking the TalkBack shutdown
Setting up and disabling Google Assistant
Another common source of voice interactions is the built-in Google Assistant, which can be activated by pressing a special button on the remote or by voice commanding "OK, Google." If you don't need voice search or smart home control via a TV, this feature can be limited or completely disabled.
To manage the assent, go to Settings → Accounts and login, or directly to the Google section of the app menu. Select Google Assistant Settings. Here you can turn off voice activation to stop the TV responding to verbal commands from the room. You can also revoke microphone access for specific applications.
⚠️ WARNING: Disabling Google Assistant completely can limit the functionality of your smart home.If you use your TV as a hub to control Xiaomi light bulbs or sockets, leave the assistant active, but only turn off voice activation.
You can also turn off your voice history, which will increase your privacy. In the assistant menu, find My Google Actions and select Delete or delete the recording. This will not remove the voice completely, but will stop collecting data about your queries.
If your remote has a separate button with a color icon or microphone on it and it causes unwanted actions, check in the Remote Settings section (if available) or in third-party apps if it is possible to reassign this key. On standard Android TV firmware, reassignment often requires the installation of additional utilities.
Managing Systemic Sounds and Effects
Sometimes, what users mean by "voice" is not the assistant's speech, but intrusive system sounds: clicks when switching channels, audible USB notifications, or signal errors, which can also be turned off to create a cleaner sound atmosphere.
Go to Settings → Sound (or Display & Sound). Scroll down to Additional Sound Settings or System Sounds. Here you will find switches for different interface events. Turn off System Sounds, Switch Sounds and Notifications options.
PatchWall models also have to check the interface settings, and sometimes the start screen can play loud-sound promo videos when you turn on the TV. To remove that, look for the Recommendations or AutoRun section in PatchWall settings and turn off media playback when you start.
| Type of sound | Where to turn off | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|
| System clicks | Settings → Sound → Systemic Sounds | Quiet interface, no response to remote control |
| Assistant voice | Google Settings → Assistant → Voice | The assistant is working, but is silent or not hearing |
| TalkBack | Special facilities → TalkBack | Complete lack of voiceover menu |
| The sound of error | Settings → Sound → Notifications | No sound signal when signal is lost |
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Turning off system sounds does not affect the volume of the main audio stream (movies or games), making viewing more comfortable without the need to constantly adjust the volume.
Resetting remote settings and reconnecting
If voice functions are not behaving properly, such as spontaneously turning on or the remote is reacting with a delay, the problem may lie in a software failure of communication between the remote and the TV, in which case the reconnection of the input device helps.
To reset the pairing of the Bluetooth remote (which is used for voice input), go to Settings → Remotes and accessories (or Bluetooth). Find your remote, select it and press Forget the device or Turn off. After that, remove the batteries from the remote for 10-15 seconds.
Insert the batteries back and re-pair by holding both the Home button (house icon) and the Back button (or a special combination shown on the TV screen), an action that often solves problems with “phantom” voice search activations.
⚠️ Note: When you turn off the remote, you won’t be able to control the TV until you pair it again. Make sure you have a remote control or remote app on your smartphone (such as Mi Remote) under your hand, in case the main combination doesn’t work.
Also check the battery charge. A weak charge can cause an IR or Bluetooth module to work in an unstable way, which is sometimes interpreted by the system as erroneous commands, including voice input. Use only high-quality alkaline batteries.
What to do if the remote does not mate?
Using third-party applications for sound management
Android TV's built-in tools don't always flexibly configure all settings. If standard methods don't work or you need more subtle control, you can use apps from the Google Play Store that allow you to reassign buttons and block certain system events.
One of the popular solutions is Button Mapper, which allows you to reassign the functions of the remote buttons, for example, you can make the voice input button do nothing or switch the channel, ignoring the voice assistant system, and this is an effective way to get around the built-in limitations.
Another option is to install alternative launchers, such as FLauncher or ATV Launcher, which replace the standard Xiaomi PatchWall or Android TV Home interface, which often harbors sources of intrusive voice acting, which are often absent by default or easier to manage in third-party launchers.
When installing third-party software, keep security in mind. Only download apps from the official Google Play Store to avoid malicious code. Third-party programs may request special permissions to access, which will need to be confirmed through the Special Features menu.
Complete reset of TV settings
If none of these methods worked, and the voice continues to be annoying, there may have been a deep software failure in the system, in which case the most radical but effective method is factory reset, which will bring the TV back to the out-of-the-box state.
To perform the reset, go to Settings → About TV (or System) → Reset. Select Erase everything. The system will warn you that all data, accounts and installed applications will be deleted.
⚠️ Note: Before performing the reset, be sure to write down the logins and passwords from your accounts (Google, Netflix, YouTube), as after the reboot the TV will be completely clean and will require re-authorization.
Once the process is complete and the initial setup (where you can immediately opt out of activating Google Assistant and other voice functions), the TV will work in a “quiet” mode, which is guaranteed to eliminate any software errors that cause incorrect behavior of the sound system.