How to set up a soundbar to be included with a Xiaomi TV: 5 working ways

Why the soundbar doesn’t sync with the Xiaomi TV automatically

Are you tired of manually playing the soundbar every time you launch Xiaomi TV? The problem is familiar to many speakers - even premium models like Xiaomi Mi Soundbar 3.1ch or Redmi Soundbar Pro do not always interact correctly with the brand's TVs, the reasons are rooted in the peculiarities of communication protocols and energy saving settings.

The main “culprits” of non-synchronous inclusion: HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) is often turned off by the TV to save energy, Bluetooth requires manual connection after each shutdown, and IR remotes do not always correctly transmit signals between devices. Moreover, Xiaomi TV firmware before MIUI TV 3.0 was a bug with external audio devices management – it was fixed only in 2023.

In this article, we will analyze the unique combinations of settings for Xiaomi TV 4S/5/5 Pro, A2/A2L and S Pro models, which are guaranteed to make the soundbar turn on with the TV. Spoiler: in 80% of cases, the correct configuration of HDMI-CEC + soundbar firmware update helps.

Method 1: Configure HDMI ARC (the most reliable method)

The HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) protocol allows you to transmit sound from your TV to your soundbar via the same cable used to transmit an image, and the main advantage is that the soundbar is automatically turned on when you start the TV, if you configure HDMI-CEC correctly.

What you'll need:

• 🔌 Cable HDMI 2.0 or higher (required to be supported by the ARC/eARC)
• 📺 Xiaomi TV with port HDMI ARC (usually signed)
• 🔊 Soundbar with support HDMI ARC (check in the instructions)

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the soundbar to the HDMI ARC port on your TV (usually an HDMI 1 or HDMI 3 connector).
2. Turn on both devices and go to the Xiaomi TV menu: Settings → Sound → Sound output → HDMI ARC.
3. Activate options: 🔄 HDMI-CEC (in some cases, it is called MI Link or AnyNet+) 🔊 Sound control by HDMI (or ARC Control) ⚡ Automatic Detection of Devices

HDMI Control

Settings → HDMI

The cable's on. HDMI 2.0+ port ARC|On. HDMI-CEC TV-wise|Sound output selected HDMI ARC|Activated mode HDMI Control on soundbar|Updated firmware of both devices-->

⚠️ Note: If the soundbar does not automatically turn on after setting up, check:

• 🔌 Cable – Cheap Chinese cables often don’t support ARC. Use a certified High-Speed HDMI.
• 📋 Power saving settings of the TV: turn off Eco-mode in Settings → Energy conservation.
• 🔄 Order of Turning on: Sometimes you need to turn on the soundbar first, then the TV to sync.

Method 2: Sync via Bluetooth (for models without ARC)

If your TV or soundbar doesn’t support HDMI ARC, you can use Bluetooth, which is less reliable (up to 200ms latency is possible), but works on all Xiaomi TV models, including the budget Mi TV 4A and Redmi Smart TV series.

How to set up an autoconnection:

1. First pair devices manually: On the soundbar, activate the pairing mode (usually hold the Bluetooth button for 5 seconds). On the TV, go to Settings → Bluetooth and select your soundbar.

• On TV: Settings → Bluetooth → Auto-reconnect (or Auto-reconnect).
• On the soundbar: activate Auto Power On in the Bluetooth menu (if any).
• Select the soundbar as your primary audio device: Settings → Sound → Sound output → Bluetooth.

💡

If the sound is late, try using the Bluetooth TV settings to enable Low Latency or AptX LL (if supported).

⚠️ Note: Bluetooth connection may be interrupted when:

• 📶 Wi-Fi signal on the same channel (2.4 Solution: switch routers to routers 5 GHz 1/6/11.
• 🔋 Discharged remote batteries (soundbar may not respond to the switching command).
• 🔄 Frequent switching of sound sources (for example, from built-in speakers to Bluetooth).

Method 3: Use of an IR remote (universal solution)

If your soundbar supports IR control (infrared port), you can program the Xiaomi TV remote to turn both devices on at the same time, which works even with soundbars from other brands (such as JBL or Sony).

Instructions for setting:

1. Make sure that the soundbar is within the range of the IR remote of the TV (no further than 5 meters, no obstacles).
2. On the Xiaomi TV remote, press and hold the Menu + Volume+ button for 5 seconds until the indicator lights up.
3. Enter your soundbar code (the list of codes for popular models below).
4. Check sync: Press Power on the remote – both devices must turn on.

🔍 If your model is not in the table, try the universal codes: 0000, 1111 or 9999. + Mute + Power (hold 10 seconds) to reset IR settings.

Xiaomi Mi Soundbar|Redmi Soundbar|JBL|Sony|Yamaha|Another brand-->

Method 4: Automation through a smart home (Mi Home/EcoSystem)

If you have a Xiaomi smart speaker (like Mi Smart Speaker) or a Mi Home gateway, you can set up automatic soundbar turn on through scripts.This method requires additional hardware but gives you maximum flexibility (for example, turning on the soundbar only when you start Netflix).

How to set up the script:

1. Make sure the TV and soundbar are connected to the same Mi Home account.
2. Open the Mi Home application → Automation → Create a script.
3. Select the trigger: Device → TV → Include.
4. Add the action: Device management → Soundbar → Enable.
5. Save the script and test it out.

⚠️ Attention: For this method:

• 🌐 The TV and soundbar must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network (2.4 GHz).
• 🔄 The soundbar settings should include Smart Home Mode (usually in Settings). → Network).
• 📱 The Mi Home application must have access to the location (for geofences).

Method 5: Update firmware and reset settings

If neither method worked, the problem could be the TV or soundbar's outdated firmware, with manufacturers regularly releasing patches to fix bugs with HDMI-CEC and Bluetooth.

How to update firmware:

• 📺 For Xiaomi. TV: Go to Settings. → On TV. → Update system. If there are no updates, download the latest version from the official website and install via USB.

1. Connect the soundbar to your PC via USB and launch the Mi Home App.
2. Go to Devices → Your Soundbar → Software Update.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ No feedback (you can not control the soundbar from the remote TV).
• ❌ No auto-inclusion.