How to connect wireless headphones to the TV Xiaomi 4S 55: the complete guide

Modern Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 55 series offers impressive image quality, but built-in speakers are not always able to meet the needs of demanding users, especially at night or when watching movies with quiet dialogue. Connecting an external speaker system or headphones becomes a necessity to create a comfortable home theater atmosphere. Wireless headphones provide complete freedom of movement and no unnecessary wires that can get confused underfoot.

The process of pairing devices based on the Android TV operating system, which is installed on the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 55, usually takes no more than a few minutes, but many users have difficulty finding the device in the menu or the stability of the connection. It is important to understand that the sound quality and lack of delays directly depend on the version of the Bluetooth protocol and supported codecs. In this article, we will discuss all the stages of configuration, and also consider the nuances that are rarely written in standard manuals.

Before you go directly to the setup, make sure your headphones are in pairing mode, as the TV does not see devices that are just on, but do not actively search for the network. To enter pairing mode on most models, you need to hold the power button or a special Bluetooth button for 5-7 seconds before the flashing of the indicator begins, a critical point that is often overlooked when you first try to connect.

Preparation of equipment and compatibility check

The first step is to physically prepare both devices. Make sure your Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 55 is on and has a stable internet connection, although this is not always necessary for the Bluetooth process itself, but is useful for updating drivers. Headphones should be fully charged, as in search mode they consume more power than usual. Low battery power can cause connection interruption immediately after successful pairing.

The TV's operating system needs to be up to date. Go to the settings menu and check for updates. Often, manufacturers release patches that improve the stability of the Bluetooth module and add support for new audio codecs. If you haven't updated the firmware in a long time, this can be a cause of visibility or sound quality problems.

πŸ“Š What headphones do you plan to connect?
TWS-Headphones (AirPods, Galaxy Buds)
Full-size Sony/JBL
Budget Chinese brands
Gaming headset

You should also consider the type of headphones you have. Full-size models often have a more powerful transmitter and better signal holding than compact ones. TWS-If you use specific gaming headsets with your own USB-Connecting via a built-in Bluetooth TV may not be possible without additional crutches, as Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 55 does not always support third-party proprietary drivers.

⚠️ Warning: If your headphones have previously been connected to your smartphone, they may automatically try to connect to it when you turn it on.Switch off Bluetooth on your phone before you start setting up your TV to avoid priority conflicts.

Step-by-step instructions for pairing devices

The process of setting up the Android TV interface on Xiaomi TVs is logical and unified, but the navigation by remote may not be the fastest. You will need to go to the main menu and select the settings section, which is usually indicated by the gear in the upper right corner of the screen, then find the item responsible for connections and accessories.

β˜‘οΈ Checklist of connection

Done: 0 / 1

Inside the settings menu, you need to find Settings β†’ Remote and Accessories β†’ Add Accessory. This is where the TV starts scanning the surrounding space for active Bluetooth devices. Make sure the headphones are no further than 1-2 meters from the TV while searching to make sure the signal is as strong as possible.

As soon as the name of your headphones appears on the screen (e.g. Sony) WH-1000XM4 or AirPods Pro, select them using the remote. The system may request a pairing confirmation or input PIN-It's a code, although for modern devices, this step is often skipped. Once you successfully connect, the device status will be marked "Connected" or "Connected".

Sometimes the device appears on the list but doesn't connect, in which case, try removing old, unused devices from the TV's memory. A crowded list of stored gadgets can cause the operating system's Bluetooth stack to malfunction.

Configuring the output of sound and audio formats

Once connected successfully, the sound doesn't always automatically switch to the headphones. You may need to manually change the output device. To do this, click the menu button on the remote (three dots or gear) and select "Sound" or "Audio output." Here, change the source from "TV Speakers" to your connected headphones.

An important aspect is the choice of sound format. In the audio settings of the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 55, the default option is often the "Auto" or "Passthrough" option. For wireless headphones, the best PCM format is set, as it provides the best compatibility and minimal latency. Formats like Dolby Digital or DTS may not be supported by specific headphone models via Bluetooth, which will lead to no sound or noise.

If you use advanced headphone models that support aptX or LDAC codec, check to see if this option is activated in hidden developer settings, although on Xiaomi TVs, such functionality is often limited by the hardware capabilities of the module itself. The standard SBC codec is basic and works on all devices, providing acceptable quality for watching movies.

ParameterRecommended valueDescription
Sound formatPCM / StereoProvides maximum compatibility with all Bluetooth headphones
Equalizer modeStandard/FilmImproves the clarity of dialogue in films
Automatic volumeOffPrevents sharp volume jumps in advertising
Delayed audio (Lip Sync)Manual settingIt allows you to synchronize the movement of the lips and sound

⚠️ Attention: When switching to headphones, built-in Xiaomi TV speakers 4S 55 is usually completely off. To get the audio back on the speakers, you either have to turn off the headphones or manually change the output device in the menu.

Elimination of sound delay (Lip Sync) and interference

One of the most common wireless connectivity issues is audio and video desynchronization. You may notice that the sound is behind the actors' lip movements by a fraction of a second. This phenomenon is called Latency or latency. The Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 55 has a built-in correction feature, but it doesn't always work perfectly.

To minimize delay, try to keep your headphones in line of sight from the Bluetooth receiver, which is usually located at the bottom of the TV or on the sidebar. Metal objects, microwave ovens and running Wi-Fi routers in the 2.4 GHz range can cause severe interference, since Bluetooth uses the same frequency range.

How to reduce latency through the developer settings?
Turn on Developer Mode (click 7 times on the build number in the About TV section). Find "Bluetooth Audio Codec" and try switching SBC to aptX Low Latency if your headphones support this standard. This can significantly reduce latency, but is not guaranteed on all TV models.

If the unsynchronization is maintained, check the settings of the specific app you are watching content through. Some apps, such as YouTube or Netflix, have their own audio settings that can override the system settings of the TV, in which case it helps to restart the application or clear its cache.

Connecting Multiple Devices and Managing

Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 55 allows you to save several Bluetooth devices in memory, but you can only output sound on one pair of headphones at a time (unless you use a special transmitter), which is convenient if you have several family members at home using different headsets, switching between them through the same menu "Remote and Accessories".

Volume control is done by standard TV remote buttons. However, some headphone models may not respond to pause or switch commands from the TV remote, as the AVRCP (Audio Video Remote Control Profile) protocol may not work correctly in the TV headphone bundle, in which case control remains only on the playback device itself.

You don't have to turn off your headphones with the power button, but you just have to select the connected device from the TV menu and hit "Switch off" or "Forget the device" if you want to break the pair forever, which is especially useful if you want to temporarily return the sound to the TV speakers without turning off the headphones completely.

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If the sound in the headphones is interrupted or cracked, try to move the Wi-Fi router away from the TV or switch the router to only 5 GHz mode to free up the air for Bluetooth.

What to do if the TV can’t see the headphones

It is not uncommon for Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 55 to not detect headphones. First of all, make sure that the headphones are actually in pairing mode (flashing indicators), not just on. Some models require a separate button combination to enter this mode, other than simply on.

The second reason could be a crowded cache of Bluetooth services, and try to reboot your TV completely by disconnecting it from the network for 1-2 minutes, which will reset the temporary errors of the communication module, and it’s worth checking if your headphones are currently connected to another device, such as a smartphone or tablet, as they can block the search with new devices.

In rare cases, the problem is with the firmware version, if nothing helps, reset the network settings in the TV menu, which won't delete your apps, but will update network configurations and communication modules.

⚠️ Note: Do not try to connect headphones designed exclusively for computers with USB-whistling, straight to USB-The TV has no drivers for external USB-Bluetooth adapters, the sound will not go through them.

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The stability of the connection depends not only on the quality of the headphones, but also on the absence of interference in the air and the relevance of the TV software.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I connect two pairs of headphones to the Xiaomi 4S 55 at the same time?
The standard Android TV operating system on Xiaomi TVs does not support simultaneous audio transmission to two pairs of Bluetooth headphones. To implement this feature, you will need an external Bluetooth transmitter with support for multi-point connectivity that connects to the optical output or HDMI ARC of the TV.
Why is the sound in headphones quieter than through the speakers of the TV?
This may be due to the difference in the sensitivity of the earphone speakers and the amplification settings. Try to turn up the volume on the headphones themselves (if there is a physical button), and check the equalizer settings in the TV, removing all the surround effects that can "eat" the volume.
Does Apple AirPods work with Xiaomi TV?
Yes, AirPods work like regular Bluetooth headphones with a Xiaomi TV.You'll lose some of Apple's signature features (automatic switching between devices, Siri), but basic audio playback and volume control will work properly.
How to turn off the automatic connection of headphones when turning on TV?
The standard Android TV settings don’t have an auto-disconnection feature for the last device you used, and the only way to do that is to turn off Bluetooth on the headphones themselves before turning off the TV or remove the device from the paired list if you don’t use them often.