Why Xiaomi TV is Talking and How to Fix It
You've played your favorite movie, but instead of having a dialogue, you hear a monotonous voice describing what's happening on the screen? Or did Xiaomi Mi TV 4S, A2 or P1 suddenly start to voice all the actions on the menu? It's not a breakdown, it just activated the voice function, which is designed for people with visual impairments. Fortunately, you can turn it off in a few minutes - and we'll tell you how to do it on all Xiaomi models with Android TV and PatchWall.
Voice support on Xiaomi TVs is of two types: 1) Audio description of content – voiceover, which comments on actions in movies, TV series or programs (includes through special settings or automatically when watching some channels). 2 Voice prompts in the menu – voiceover interface points, remote buttons and notifications (more often found on models with PatchWall 3.0+).
In this article, you will find solutions for both cases, including hidden settings and alternative methods, if the standard method did not work.
Before you start, make sure the content isn't the problem. For example, some movies on Netflix or Kinopoisk initially come with audio descriptions -- in this case, you need to change the audio track in the player, not in the settings of the TV. Also check if you accidentally pressed hot keys on the remote (for example, the microphone button or Google Assistant on voice-controlled models).
Method 1: Disabling audio description in special features settings
This is a universal method that works on all Xiaomi TVs regardless of model and firmware version. Audio description is enabled through the Special Features menu, and it can be deactivated there. Instructions are suitable for Mi TV 4A/4S/4X, Mi TV Q1/Q2, Redmi Smart TV and other lines.
Steps to shut down:
- Take the remote and press the button Settings (cogs) or Menu.
- Go to Settings → All settings → Special features (on some models, the path may look like Settings → System → Special features).
- Find the Audio Description item (or Voice Support, Screen Reader on English firmware).
- Switch the slider to the off position. or uncheck the tick.
- Confirm the action if a pop-up window appears.
If you have left behind the manipulation, check the settings of a particular application (such as YouTube or IVI) where it could have been turned on separately. Also, on some models (such as the Mi TV P1 2022), the audio description is duplicated in the Sound menu → Additional settings – read about this in the next section.
☑️ Check before disabling audio description
Method 2: Configure soundtracks in the "Sound" menu
On Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall 4.0+ firmware (models 2021-2026), audio description can be hidden in the audio settings section, which is because the system automatically selects an alternate track if the main one is not available.
Open Settings → Sound → Additional sound settings and find the following parameters:
- 🔊 Sound mode: select Stereo or Home Theater (not Audio description).
- 🎧 Alternative sound: Turn off or install Main.
- 📡 Digital sound (SPDIF): If external speakers are connected, check if the voice track is transmitted through them.
On models Mi TV Q2 2023 and later may be a separate item AD (Audio Description) - it must be translated to the position Off. If after the changes the sound is completely lost, reset the sound settings: Settings → Sound → Reset the sound settings.
What if the “Sound” menu doesn’t have an “Audio description” item?
Method 3: Disable voice prompts in the menu (TalkBack)
If the Xiaomi TV started to voice all the actions in the interface (button names, menu items, notifications), then the TalkBack mode is activated, the analogue of the Talking screen on smartphones. This mode is activated by accident (for example, with prolonged pressing on the remote) or after resetting the settings.
Instructions for PatchWall:
- Press and hold both Volume + and Volume - buttons simultaneously for 3-5 seconds.
- If this doesn’t work, go to Settings → Special Options → TalkBack and deactivate the slider.
- Confirm the shutdown by pressing OK twice (TalkBack requires double tap to confirm).
On Android TVs (such as Mi TV Stick or Mi Box), the path will be different: Settings → Device → Special features → TalkBack. If voice prompts are left after the shutdown, reboot the TV through the menu or turn off power for 1 minute.
⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Smart) TV X55 TalkBack mode blocks standard navigation methods. If you can't find settings due to constant voiceover, try connecting the mouse to the user. USB — It is easier to manage the interface in this mode.
Method 4: Resetting the sound settings to the factory
If previous methods failed, the problem may be a failure of sound parameters, in which case a partial reset will help, which does not affect applications and accounts, but returns the audio settings to the “out of the box” state.
How to perform the reset:
- Open Settings → Sound → Additional settings.
- Scroll down and select Reset Sound Settings.
- Confirm the action by entering PIN-code (by default 0000 or 1234 if you have not changed it).
After the reset, check if the audio description is back on. If so, the problem may be in the firmware (update it) or hardware failure (refer to the service). On Xiaomi TV A Pro and Mi TV ES models, after the reset, you may need to reconfigure the sound profiles (Stereo, Movies, Music).
| Model TV set | The path to sound reset | Default Pin Code |
|---|---|---|
| Mi TV 4A/4S (2018–2020) | Settings → Sound → Reset | 0000 |
| Mi TV Q1/Q2 (2021–2023) | Settings → System → Reset → Sound reset | 1234 |
| Redmi Smart TV (all models) | Settings → Support → Resetting settings → Sound | 0000 or 1111 |
| Mi TV P1 (2022+) | Settings → All settings → Sound → Additional → Reset | 9999 |
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If the sound is quieter or the bass is gone after reset, check the equalizer settings in the Sound → Equalizer menu. Often the reset will zero out user presets.
Method 5: Update firmware (if voice support is a bug)
On some Xiaomi TVs (especially Mi TV 4A 32" and Redmi TV 70") audio descriptions are turned on because of software errors in older firmware versions. For example, PatchWall 2.0 had a bug in which voice prompts were activated after connecting Bluetooth headphones.
How to update firmware:
- Connect the TV to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or cable).
- Go to Settings → About TV → System Update.
- Click Check Updates and wait for the download.
- After installation, the TV will restart automatically.
If the automatic update doesn’t work (for example, due to regional restrictions), download the firmware manually: 1) Find the latest version for your model at mi-firmware.com (specify the exact model, for example, Mi TV 4S 55) 2 Upload the file to a flash drive in FAT32 format (no upgrade folder is needed – just throw the.zip file to the root). 3) Connect the flash drive to the TV and select Settings → About TV → Update via USB.
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi models TV A2 2023 and later, when manually updated, Google Account settings are reset. Pre-save login details or untie your account in Settings → Accounts.
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Updating the firmware not only eliminates bugs with voice support, but also improves compatibility with new sound formats (Dolby Atmos, DTS:X).
Additional advice: if nothing helps
In rare cases, voice can be stitched into a specific region’s firmware (such as a TV set for the Indian or Chinese market).
- 🔄 Reset to factory settings: Settings → Support → Reset to factory. It will delete all apps and accounts, but it will return the TV to its original state.
- 🛠️ Reflashing to the global version: If your TV is on firmware for China (CN), install Global or EEA (For instructions, look for forums 4PDA or XDA Developers.
- 🎧 Use of external devices: Connect the sound bar or receiver through HDMI ARC — Sometimes voice is only transmitted to built-in speakers.
- 📞 Appeal in support of Xiaomi: If the TV is guaranteed, contact the service center: 8 800 775-66-88 (call-off).
On Mi TV Lux and Mi TV Master models with MTK processor, a rollback to the previous firmware version can help if the bug appears after the update. To do this, download the old firmware and flash it through USB (the instructions are similar to manual updates).