How to Enable Xiaomi Column: 5 Ways to Use All Models (2026)

Xiaomi’s smart speakers are not just music playback devices, but also full-fledged smart home assistants. But even with these advanced devices, users face a basic problem: how to turn on a speaker correctly if it doesn’t respond to buttons or connect to the network, especially for beginners who have just unpacked a device or for owners who have experienced a software failure.

In this article, we will explore all possible ways to activate Xiaomi speakers, from classic Mi Smart Speaker models to flagship Xiaomi Sound and Redmi Speaker. You will learn how to turn on the device via a physical button, connect it via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and what to do if the speaker does not show signs of life.

Important: The instructions in this article are relevant for firmware 2023-2026. If your column is released before 2020 (for example, the first generation Mi AI Speaker), some features may not be available, we will mention this too.

1. Basic method: activation of the power button

The most obvious, but not always the right method, is that on most Xiaomi speakers, the power button is combined with Bluetooth pairing.

• 🔍 Find the power button – usually located on the top or back panel (on Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker it is a round touch zone, on Redmi Speaker Play – physical key).
• 🔘 Press and hold the button for 3-5 seconds until you hear a beep or light up (on some models, flashing white/blue light).
• 🎵 If the column has published the melody of the inclusion, but does not connect to the phone – go to the section about pairing over Bluetooth.

⚠️ Warning: On battery speakers (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker) make sure the device is at least 10% charged before turning on. If the battery is below this threshold, the indicator may not light up and the button may not respond. Connect the column to charging for 15-20 minutes and try again.

If the button doesn't work even after charging, the problem may be mechanical damage.

• 🔌 Charging cable integrity (try another adapter).
• 🔋 Contacts on the column - sometimes they oxidize (wipe with alcohol).
• 🛠️ Physical damage to the button (if the body is deformed, repairs will be required).

2. Bluetooth connection: if the column is not visible in the list of devices

A common situation is that the speaker is on, but the phone doesn't see it, and the reasons can range from a Bluetooth switch on your smartphone to a hardware failure in your speaker.

1. Activate the pairing mode on the column: 🔄 Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker: Hold the power button for 5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing blue. 🔄 On Redmi Speaker Play: briefly press the Bluetooth button (usually marked with an icon) 🎵).

Turn on Bluetooth on your phone

Mi Smart Speaker XXX

Redmi Speaker_XXXX

Confirm the conjugation

0000

1234

⚠️ Note: If the speaker has previously been connected to another device, it can automatically connect to it when turned on. To reset the list of conjugate devices, hold the Bluetooth button for 10 seconds (until the reset audible signal).

If the column never appears on the list, try:

• 📱 Reboot your phone (sometimes helps to reset your Bluetooth cache).
• 🔄 Turn off and turn on the column again (hold the power button for 10 seconds to completely shut down).
• 🛠️ Update the column firmware through the Mi Home app (if the device has ever connected to Wi-Fi).

3. Enable via Wi-Fi and Mi Home app

Xiaomi’s smart home speakers (such as Mi Smart Speaker or Xiaomi Sound) require a Wi-Fi connection to work properly. Without it, you’ll only be able to use Bluetooth, but you’ll lose access to the voice assistant and integration with other Xiaomi devices.

To connect the column to Wi-Fi:

1. Download the Mi Home app (available for Android and iOS).
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (required! without an account, the column won't be linked to the network).
3. Click Add Device (+) → Select Audio Category → Find your column model.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen. The app will prompt you to connect to a temporary Wi-Fi network created by the speaker (the name will be typed). Xiaomi_XXXX).
5. Return to the main Wi-Fi network and wait for the setup to be completed.

✅ After successfully connecting the column:

• 🎤 Will respond to voice commands (e.g., “Hi, Xiaoma»).
• 🔗 Synchronizes with other Xiaomi devices (lamps, sockets, robot vacuum cleaners).
• 🎶 Get access to streaming services (for example, Yandex Music or Spotify via Mi Home).

⚠️ Note: If the column is not connected to Wi-Fi, check it out:

• 🌐 Does your router support the standard? 802.11 b/g/n frequency-wise 2.4 GHz (most Xiaomi speakers don't work with the same device) 5 GHz).
• 🔒 Turn off the router's filtering settings by MAC-address.
• 📶 Make sure that the Wi-Fi signal is stable (the column should be no further than 10 meters from the router).

4. Including the column after resetting or updating the firmware

If the Xiaomi column stopped turning on after updating or resetting to factory settings, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔄 Failed firmware update (interrupted connection to Wi-Fi).
• ⚡ Power failure during the process (e.g., power cuts).
• 🛠️ Damage to system files (rarely, but occurs when you manually update).

To restore the working capacity:

1. Reset to factory settings: On the Mi Smart Speaker: hold the power button for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes red. On Redmi Speaker Play: find the small Reset hole on the back and hold the button inside for 10 seconds (use a clip).

Connect the column to the charger

Repeat the switching procedure

section

If the reset didn’t help, try a forced firmware update via Mi Home:

1. Connect the speaker to Wi-Fi (even if it doesn’t respond to buttons, sometimes the network wakes up the device).
2. In the Mi Home app, find the column in the list of devices → Settings (⚙️) → Firmware update.
3. If the update is not available, check if your Xiaomi account is blocked (sometimes it interferes with file downloads).
4. Check the indicators: 🔴 Red flashing light – power or firmware error. 🔵 Blue flashing light - column in pairing mode. ⚪ White constant light – the device is on and ready to go.

⚠️ Note: If the Xiaomi speaker is clicking or cracking when trying to turn on, but does not show other signs of life, this may indicate a malfunction of the speaker or amplifier. In this case, self-repair is not recommended - contact the service.

If you are sure that the problem is software (for example, the column got stuck after the update), try a forced reboot:

1. Turn off the power column (remove the charging cable).
2. Hold the power button for 20 seconds (even if nothing happens).
3. Connect the charger and try to turn the device on again.

✅ The correct algorithm of actions at the first setting:

1. Charge the column (even if it is new).
2. Turn it on with the power button.
3. Activate the pairing mode.
4. Connect via Bluetooth or Mi Home (for Wi-Fi models).
5. Update the firmware if available.

💡

If the Xiaomi speaker doesn’t turn on after you buy it, check if the protective film is removed from the charging contacts (sometimes it blocks the power supply).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions