This is a "soft brick." You likely flashed the wrong firmware or the process was interrupted. Do not panic. You can almost always fix this by following Method 2 (USB Burning Tool) above. The USB Burning Tool can force a fresh install of the firmware even if the box won't boot to the menu.
With the right firmware, your X96 Mate will handle 4K streaming, retro gaming (via RetroArch), and IPTV flawlessly for years. X96 Mate Firmware
: The specific utility for Allwinner-based devices (often PhoenixSuit or LiveSuit, though some tutorials mention the Amlogic USB Burning Tool for similar devices). USB-A to USB-A Cable What is X96 Mate Firmware
The television didn't show a home screen. Instead, a terminal window opened, scrolling through lines of code at impossible speeds. Elias realized with a jolt that the firmware wasn't just an OS—it was an invitation. The X96 Mate had begun mapping his local network, but it wasn't looking for files. It was looking for patterns . Official Website: X96TV
Elias reached out. The firmware had turned a $40 plastic box into a terminal for a civilization that had been trying to call through the static of the internet for decades. He hadn't just upgraded his streaming; he had just given something from the outside a place to land.