Xiaomi’s modern smart TVs, which run on Android TV, offer users a wide range of multimedia features. However, in some situations, such as watching content at night or when children are sleeping in the room, there is an urgent need to completely silence the audio. Standard volume reduction to a minimum does not always give 100% silence, since some models retain minimal background noise.
There are several effective ways to deactivate the audio stream, each with its own specific features depending on the device model and firmware version. The user can use both the physical buttons of the remote control and the software settings in the system menu. Understanding these methods allows you to flexibly control the acoustic system of your TV without unnecessary complications.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the options available, including hidden features and possible issues. We will look at how to use the “Subtitles Only” mode, which is becoming increasingly popular among owners of Xiaomi Mi TV and Redmi Smart TV. Also touch on the topic of audio management through third-party applications and HDMI-CEC settings, which are often ignored but can be extremely useful.
Use of remote control buttons
The most obvious and quick way to turn off audio is to use a remote control. Most Xiaomi remote models, including the Bluetooth version with voice control, have a separate button for controlling audio. Usually marked with a crossed-out speaker or Mute. Pressing this button instantly blocks the output of sound, as evidenced by the corresponding icon on the screen.
However, budget models may not have a separate button, so you need to press the volume button, and if you hold the Volume - key for 2-3 seconds after reaching the minimum, the TV will go into silent mode, which is the standard behavior for the Android TV shell on which the brand devices are based.
- 🔇 Find the button with the image of the crossed-out speaker and press it once to instantly turn off.
- 📉 Press the volume down button if there is no separate key until the icon of the crossed-out speaker appears.
- 🔄 Pressing the button again or briefly pressing the volume button will return the sound to the previous level.
Importantly, some universal remotes configured via the IR port may not support long-term clamping, in which case the functionality is limited to software or finding a physical button on the TV body itself, and checking the remote's health is the first step in diagnosing sound problems.
⚠️ Warning: If you press the silent button, the icon appears on the screen, but the sound continues to play, check the external devices connected. HDMI from the console, ignoring the settings of the TV.
For Xiaomi voice-controlled remote owners, there is another method: You can activate the microphone and say "Stop the sound" or "Mute" command. The system recognizes the voice request and performs an action, which is especially convenient if the remote is far away or lost in the soft cushions of the sofa.
Configuring audio parameters through the system menu
The audio system is more controlled through the settings of the TV, which allows you not only to temporarily silence the device, but also to change the priorities of the output of sound. To access the menu, you need to press the button with the image of the gear on the remote or go to the Settings section through the main screen.
In the menu that opens, you should select General or Device and Preferences, then go to Sound, where the main sliders and switches are located, and in this section you can find the option "Silence Mode" or similar, which forcibly turns off the built-in speakers, even if the volume is programmatically set to maximum.
☑️ Checking the sound settings
So, you have to pay special attention to Output or Audio Drive, and by switching from Dynamics TV to Optical Output or Bluetooth (even if nothing is connected), you can completely eliminate the sound from the built-in speakers, and this works like a software break in the circuit, a method that is often used when the standard Mute button doesn't function properly for some reason.
You can also change the equalizer mode from the settings menu, by setting all frequency sliders to a minimum position or selecting the Night Mode profile (if available in your version of MIUI for TV), you can significantly reduce the sound pressure level, making it almost inaudible.
⚠️ Warning: Changes to external audio output settings (e.g, S/PDIF) If you don't have a connected audio system, you can completely eliminate the sound.
Some Xiaomi TV models allow you to create custom audio profiles. You can create a Night profile where the volume is limited software-based at the level. 10-15%, And you can switch to it with a single click, which is more convenient than turning the volume control every time.
Subtitles and accessibility functions
Subtitles Mode or Subtitles is a unique feature of modern Xiaomi TVs, designed for people with hearing impairments, but great for quiet movie watching at night. When activated, the TV can automatically turn down the volume or completely turn off the sound, leaving only textual support.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Special Features (or Accessibility). In the list of options, you should find an item associated with subtitles or a hearing aid. Depending on the version of the firmware, the logic of the work may differ: in some cases, the sound is turned off completely, in others, only the dialog track is left, clear of noise.
| Function | Location on the menu | The effect |
|---|---|---|
| Subtitles | Settings → Special Opportunities | Text on the screen, sound depends on the settings |
| Mono audio | Settings → Sound → Advanced | Connecting channels, doesn't turn off sound |
| Volume limiter | Settings → Sound → Security | Does not exceed the specified threshold |
| Audio description | Settings → Special Opportunities | Voice support of the interface |
Using accessibility mode can affect other applications, for example, some streaming services may conflict with system subtitles by displaying double text, so this method is better used for watching on-air TV or local files.
Hidden combinations for developers
It's also worth mentioning the Audio Description feature, which sometimes happens to be randomly enabled. It doesn't turn off the sound, but adds voice comments to the actions on the screen, which can be annoying. Make sure that in the Special Options section, this option is deactivated if you need absolute silence.
Control via Mi Remote app and smartphone
If the physical remote is lost, discharged or defective, the smartphone is a great solution to use as a remote control. the official Mi Remote app (or Google TV for Android) allows you to fully control the TV, including audio control.
To connect, you need your smartphone and TV to be on the same Wi-Fi network. Once you run the app and select the device from the list of available devices, a virtual remote will appear on the phone screen. The Mute button is usually located prominently there. The advantage of this method is that you can "mute" the TV even when you are in another room, if the application supports remote access.
- 📱 Download the Mi Remote or Google Home app on your smartphone.
- 📡 Make sure your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Xiaomi TV.
- 🖱️ Launch the virtual remote and press the switch off sound button.
In addition to the official utilities, there are third-party remote applications that offer advanced functionality, some of which allow you to create macros, for example, with a single button on a smartphone screen, you can perform a sequence of actions: turn off the screen, turn off the sound and start a sleep timer.
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Use the TV widget on your smartphone’s home screen (Android/iOS) to turn off the sound without opening the full app. This saves time and battery power on your phone.
So if you’re trying to turn the volume down quickly during a commercial, the TV’s response may be a little late compared to an IR remote or Bluetooth connection.
Configuring external devices and HDMI-CEC
Often the source of sound is not the TV itself, but the console, game console or media player connected to it, in which case the sound management of the Xiaomi TV itself may be inefficient if the device synchronization is not configured, and HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) technology is responsible for this.
HDMI-CEC allows you to transfer control commands between devices via an HDMI cable. If the function is activated, pressing the “Stop Sound” button on the Xiaomi TV remote will transmit the mute command to the connected console. To check and configure this, go to Settings → Inputs → HDMI and make sure that the CEC option is enabled.
However, sometimes the opposite happens: the TV does not turn off the sound because the external device “over-crys” its settings, in which case you need to go to the sound settings of the external device (for example, Android box) and set a priority there or turn off the sound directly in its interface.
⚠️ Note: When using the sound bar (Soundbar) HDMI ARC, The volume control of the TV can be blocked, in which case you only need to adjust the sound with the sound panel or switch the output of the sound in the TV settings to Dynamics TV temporarily.
Also worth checking is the audio format settings. If the menu displays a format that is not supported by the current source or cable, the sound may disappear or not work correctly. Switching from Dolby Digital to PCM (or vice versa) sometimes solves problems with sudden disappearance or appearance of sound.
Diagnostics and troubleshooting sound
There are situations where the sound disappears by itself or, conversely, is not turned off by the buttons. This may indicate a software failure in the Android TV operating system. The first step in diagnosis should always be to reboot the device, not just turn off the remote, but a full cycle of off/on through the menu or disconnect from the network.
If the problem persists, it’s worth checking for system updates. Xiaomi regularly releases patches that fix bugs with audio drivers. Go to Settings → About TV → System Update and check for a new version of the software.
In more complex cases, you may need to reset your audio settings to factory settings, which won't delete your apps, but will return all audio settings to their original state, and you can find this option in the Sound section at the bottom of the menu or through a general reset if the problem is systemic.
If none of the software methods works, and the sound continues to play even when the speakers are off (for example, a quiet hum), this may indicate a hardware malfunction of the amplifier or speakers, in which case you need to contact the service center.
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Regular firmware updates of Xiaomi TV are the best way to avoid software conflicts related to sound management and work HDMI-port.