Modern video surveillance systems from Chinese giant Xiaomi have proven to be reliable devices that ensure the safety of housing. However, even the most advanced electronic equipment sometimes faces software failures, freezes or loss of communication with the server. In such situations, the only right solution is to properly restart the device, which allows you to clear the temporary cache and restore the normal operation of the modules.
Unlike simple gadgets, IP-Cameras have their own specifics of operating systems, often based on Linux. Just pulling the cord out of the socket is not always the best option, as this can damage the file system or lead to incorrect recording of the archive on the memory card. It is important for the user to understand the difference between software reboot via an application and hardware reset before factory settings.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods of resuscitating the device, from a soft restart via a smartphone to using a physical Reset button. You will learn how to safely update the firmware and what to do if the indicator is lit in yellow or blue, but the camera does not connect.
Software reboot through the Mi Home app
The safest and most recommended way for manufacturers to bring a device back to life is by using official software. The smart home ecosystem is managed using the Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Home), which allows you to interact with the camera remotely, which requires no physical contact with the device and eliminates the risk of damage to contacts or mechanical parts of the case.
To reboot, you need to open the app on your smartphone, select the right camera from the list of devices, and go to the settings menu. Usually, the settings icon is located at the top right of the screen. In the list of parameters that opens, you need to find the section related to general management or device status, which often hides the function of forced restart of the system.
- 📱 Open the Mi Home app and make sure the camera is displayed as “Online".
- ⚙️ Click on three dots in the corner of the screen to enter the device settings.
- 🔄 Find the “Reboot” or “Reboot” item at the bottom of the list.
- ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up warning window.
It is important to note that this option is not available for all models. Budget versions of cameras, such as the Mijia Camera 360 of the early years, may not have a software reboot button in the interface, in which case the system relies on automatic recovery or requires physical intervention.
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Before performing a software reboot, make sure your smartphone is connected to the internet, otherwise the command may not reach the device.
After sending a command, the camera will go into standby mode for 1-2 minutes, at which time the status indicator may flash or go out. Do not panic and turn off the power immediately - the initialization process takes time, especially if the device checks the integrity of files on the memory card.
Hardware reset with the Reset button
Physical resetting is a radical, but often the only way to revive a “hung” camera. Most Xiaomi models, whether outdoor Camera or home Indoor Camera, have a special button or hidden hole. Mechanical impact allows you to break the error cycle and start the bootloader again.
The location of the control depends on the device's form factor. In cylindrical models, the button is often under the rotary module of the lens: you need to manually rotate the lens up to see the hidden connector. In cubic models, the reset hole is usually located next to the microSD card slot or power port.
⚠️ Attention: Pressing the Reset button for longer than 10 seconds will cause the device to reset completely to factory settings. All your passwords, Wi-Fi settings and schedules will be deleted. The camera will have to re-attach.
To perform a soft reset (just reboot without losing data), the algorithm of actions is different: you need to press the button briefly (for 1-3 seconds) before the sound signal appears or the color of the indicator changes. If the camera responds with a voice message in Chinese or English ("Waiting to be connected"), then the process has begun.
☑️ Pre-reset check
Sometimes the button can be locked software or require a specific sequence of presses. In the rare cases where a standard press does not help, experts recommend holding the Reset button and simultaneously applying power to the device, a method known as recovery mode, often used by engineers in firmware.
Reboot through power outage
Pull and paste is the oldest and most effective electronics method, and Xiaomi cameras are also relevant, especially when the software interface is not responding and the Reset button is not visible or corrupted, but there are important nuances about data integrity.
The main problem with a sudden power outage is writing data to a memory card, if the camera was recording an event or storing an archived fragment at the time of the power outage, the file may become corrupted, and frequent power outages can lead to memory cell degradation or file system errors, which will require formatting.
It is recommended to follow the following procedure to minimize risks:
- 🔌 Disconnect the power cable from the camera itself, not from the socket or power supply.
- ⏳ Wait for a minimum of 30 seconds for the full discharge of the capacitors.
- 🔋 Connect the cable back and wait for a voice salute.
- 📡 Check the connection status in the application through 2-3 minute.
If you use a power over Ethernet switch IP-The camera, you can reboot it through the switch interface, which is a professional approach that allows you not to touch the camera itself physically, and in the PoE port settings, you select the option "Power Cycle", which software breaks the power chain for a certain time.
Risks of using cheap power supplies
Resetting to factory settings (Hard Reset)
When a normal reboot doesn't fix connection errors or malfunction, a full reset, or Hard Reset, is required, which puts the camera back out of the box. All user data, including the Mi Account link, is deleted irrevocably.
To perform Hard Reset on Xiaomi cameras, you need to find the reset button. Unlike a short press for restart, you need to hold the button for 5-10 seconds. The exact time depends on the model, but you should focus on the sound signal. The camera will tell you by voice when the reset process begins.
| Camera model | Positioning of the button | Retention time | Indication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mijia 360 1080p | Under the camera module | 5-7 seconds | Blinking yellow |
| Outdoor Camera PTZ | Next to the memory card. | 10 seconds. | Voice message |
| Basic Camera | Side of the hull | 5 seconds | Blue flashing |
| Smart Doorbell | Inside the panel. | 10 seconds. | Vibration and sound |
Once reset, the camera will create a new Wi-Fi hotspot, so you'll need to re-add the device to the Mi Home app, scan it. QR-code (located at the bottom of the device or on the box) and enter your home network data. Old entries on the memory card may be deleted or require formatting.
⚠️ Note: If you are planning to sell or donate a camera, Hard Reset is a must, otherwise the new owner will not be able to link the device to their account, as it will be listed with you.
Diagnostics of state indicators
Understanding color indications is key to quickly diagnosing problems. Xiaomi cameras are equipped with an LED that tells you the current status of the system. Color and flashing mode give an accurate clue whether a reboot or a deeper problem is needed.
The blue flashing light usually means pairing mode. The camera is ready to connect to the new Wi-Fi. If the blue light is flat, the device works normally. Yellow often signals the lack of Internet connection or the process of updating the firmware. At this point, you can not interrupt the power.
Red is an alarm, it can mean a boot error, no memory card (if the recording is configured), or a critical system failure, if the red color does not disappear after a reboot within 5 minutes, it may be a firmware or hardware malfunction.
The lack of glow when connected power indicates problems with the cable, power supply or the connector itself Micro-USB/Type-C. In such cases, rebooting by software methods is impossible, replacement of components is required.
Solving Frequent Problems After Rebooting
Even after a successful reboot, there may be situations where the camera is not behaving properly, such as a device connecting to Wi-Fi but not showing a video stream, or permanently losing connection, often because of incompatibility of router settings.
Xiaomi’s smart cameras typically only work in the 2.4GHz band. If your router broadcasts 2.4 and 5GHz networks under the same name (Smart Connect), the camera may try to connect to high-frequency range and lose communication. The solution is to split the networks in the router’s settings or force the phone to connect to 2.4GHz before setting up.
Also worth paying attention to is the date and time. When settings are reset, the camera loses current time. If it can't sync with the server (due to locks or DNS problems), video recordings can be conducted with the wrong date. The Mi Home app often has a manual time sync feature with the phone.
⚠️ Note: When using large memory cards (more than 64 GB) after reset, be sure to format via the application.
If nothing helps, there may be a problem with the firmware version. Go to the camera settings in the app and check for updates. Sometimes the bugs that cause the freezes are fixed in new versions of the software. Updating the firmware via Wi-Fi can take up to 15 minutes - do not turn off the camera during this period.
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The stability of the camera is 90% dependent on the quality of the Wi-Fi signal and the serviceability of the power supply, not just the software.