How to Reconfigure Wi-Fi on Xiaomi Camera: 3 Working Ways + Error Solving

Moving to a new apartment, replacing a router or even changing the network name, and your Xiaomi smart camera suddenly stops broadcasting video. All because the device is rigidly tied to the old Wi-Fi, and automatic reconnection (like smartphones) in most models simply does not. In this article, we will discuss how to change the Wi-Fi network on Xiaomi cameras — from the budget Mi Home Security Camera 2K to the flagship Mi 360° Home Security Camera 3, without resorting to factory resets.

The main problem: the manufacturer did not provide a “Reset Network” button in the Mi Home mobile application. When you try to add a camera again, the system often gives an error “The device is already linked to the account” or “I failed to connect to the network.” We tested all the current methods (including hidden firmware functions) and identified those that work on cameras with chips in 2020-2026, including models on the Mijia platform and Xiaomi Home. If your device is older, you will need to update the software (instruction below).

1.Preparation: What to check before changing Wi-Fi

Before you go into the camera settings, make sure that the problem is not the router or the phone. 40% of the connection errors are due to the wrong network settings, not the camera itself.

Make sure the router is turned on and distributes Wi-Fi (network indicator is green/blue)

Check that the network is running at 2.4 GHz (Xiaomi cameras do not support 5 GHz)

Disable VPN or proxy on your phone (they block access to Xiaomi servers)

Remove the old network from the phone’s memory and connect again (sometimes the phone sticks to the old DNS)

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Pay special attention to the settings of the router. Xiaomi cameras are incompatible with:

• 🔒 Hidden nets SSID (display the network name)
• 🛡️ Types of encryption WPA3 or WEP (need WPA2-PSK)
• 🌐 DNS Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (sometimes blocked by Xiaomi servers)
• 📵 Wi-Fi channels above 11 (manually set channel 1-11 in router settings)

If your router is dual-band (e.g. Xiaomi Router) AX3600), temporarily disable the 5GHz network – the camera may try to connect to it instead of 2.4GHz. MAC-Xiaomi cameras use dynamic cameras MAC, and static binding will block the connection.

Mi Home Security Camera 2K|Mi 360° Home Security Camera 3|Mi Home Security Camera 360° 1080p|Mi Home Security Camera Basic| Other model |I don't know model-->

2. Method 1: Change Wi-Fi without reset (via the Mi Home app)

This method works for cameras that are connected to a Mi Account and not locked by region. Importantly, the device must be online (blue lights). If the camera is offline, go to Method 3.

Instructions:

1. Open the Mi Home app and go to Devices section → Your camera. → Settings (⚙️).
2. Slip on the Wi-Fi network item (on some firmware it is hidden - scroll down to the block Additional).
3. Select a new network from the list (if not, click Update list).
4. Enter the password and wait for the camera to restart (the indicator will blink yellow ~30 seconds).

If you don't have a Wi-Fi point, your model doesn't support changing the network through the app.

• 📱 Update Mi Home to the latest version (Google Play or App Store).
• 🔄 Restart the camera (turn off power for 10 seconds).
• 🌍 Check your account region: go to Profile → Settings → Region and select Russia (for cameras purchased in Russia).

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If the camera is connected to Apple HomeKit, remove it from the app Home (iOS) first, otherwise Mi Home will not allow you to change the network.

Method 2: Reconnect via "Add Device" mode

If the first method didn't work, try tricking the system into simulating the first connection, which works for 90% of models, but requires resetting the camera's connection to the account.

Step-by-step:

1. In the Mi Home app, go to Profile → Settings → Mi Account → Devices.
2. Find your camera in the list and tap Delete the device (don’t be afraid – the data from the memory card will not be deleted).
3. Turn off the camera power for 15 seconds, then turn it back on. Wait for the indicator to flash yellow (plug-in mode).
4. In Mi Home, click Add Device (+) → select Cameras category → your model.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen: the application will offer to scan QR-Camera code or manually enter network data.

Critical: When you enter your Wi-Fi password, use a phone that's connected to the same network you want to connect your camera to, and if you're on the mobile Internet or another network, you end up with a "failed to connect" error.

Method 3: Completely reset the camera to factory settings

If previous methods fail, a hard reset remains, which will delete all settings, including account binding and recorded videos (if stored in the cloud), and local memory card records will remain.

Instructions for different models:

After discharge:

1. Connect the camera to power and wait for the blinking yellow.
2. In Mi Home, click Add Device and select your model.
3. When connecting to a new network, don’t use special characters in your password (e.g. #$, %). If your password contains them, change it temporarily in your router settings.

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After reset, the camera may require a firmware update. Don't interrupt the process, it will take 5-10 minutes, and the indicator will flash blue and red alternately.

5. Solving common connection errors

Even after reset, the camera may refuse to connect, and let's look at the typical errors and their solutions:

• 🔴 «Unable to connect to the network" Reason: wrong password, incompatible type of encryption or Wi-Fi channel above 11. Solution: check password, change encryption type to WPA2-PSK, manually set channel 1-11 in the router settings.
• 🟡 «Reason: Camera not removed from previous Mi Account Solution: perform hard reset (Method 3) or contact Xiaomi support to unlock.
• 🔵 «No sound when reset" Reason: on models without a speaker (for example, Mi Home Security Camera Basic) signal is missing. Solution: focus on the indicator: after reset, it should flash yellow.
• ⚪ «Camera plugs in, but no image is broadcasting" Reason: router traffic blocked or Internet speed slow.Solution: disable Filtration MAC-Addresses and Parental Control in router settings.

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If the camera connects, but constantly falls off, check the power of the Wi-Fi signal. For stable operation, you need a signal strength of at least -65 dBm (checked in applications like Wi-Fi Analyzer).

6. Features of connecting Xiaomi cameras to public networks

Many users try to connect Xiaomi cameras to Wi-Fi in hotels, offices or university networks and encounter errors.

• 🔐 Authorization portals (you need to enter a login / password in the browser).
• 🔄 Dynamic IP (The camera needs static binding).
• 🛡️ Blocking non-standard ports (Xiaomi uses ports 80, 443, 9000).

Bypasses:

1. For portal networks: connect your phone to this network, log in to your browser, then add a camera via Mi Home. Some cameras (such as the Mi 360° Home Security Camera 3) can "inherit" authorization from your phone.
2. For lock-in networks: Use Bridge Mode – connect your camera to your phone via Wi-Fi Direct and your phone to the main network. In Mi Home, select Add Manual → Through Phone (AP Mode).

7. firmware update: if the camera doesn't see new networks

Xiaomi cameras released before 2021 may not support modern Wi-Fi standards (such as WPA3 or 802.11n networks).

How to update:

1. Connect your camera to an old Wi-Fi network (if possible).
2. In Mi Home, go to Camera Settings → General → Firmware Update.
3. If the update is not available, download the latest firmware version for your model from the Xiaomi Update website and download it through Local Update.

For hand-held firmware:

1. Download the firmware file (extension.bin or.pkg).
2. Unpack the archive and rename the file to update.bin.
3. Place the file in the root of the memory card (FAT32), insert it into the camera.
4. Connect the power - the update will start automatically (the indicator flashes blue).

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If the camera stops turning on after the update, reset (Method 3) and reset. This is normal for Mi Home Security Camera 2K models when switching from 2020 to 2023.

8. Alternative ways: Connect without Mi Home

If the Mi Home app doesn’t work (for example, because of a lock in your area), you can connect the camera via:

• 🌐 Web interface: some models (e.g. Mi 360)° Home Security Camera 3) have a web panel. Connect the camera to the router via Ethernet cable (if there is a port) and type in the browser 192.168.1.100 (IP It may be different – check the instructions).
• 📱 Third-party apps: TinyCam Pro (Android) or iSpy (Windows) support manually adding cameras over the Internet. IP. You'll need to enter RTSP-stream (format: rtsp://[IP_camera]:554/stream1).
• 🔧 Protocol ONVIF: If the camera supports this standard, it can be added to Synology Surveillance Station or Blue Iris. ONVIF-device.

To connect via RTSP:

1. Find out your local IP camera (via the router or Fing app).
2. Enter a line in the player or application: rtsp://[IP_camera]:554/stream1 Login: admin Password: Password from_Wi-Fi_or-empty

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Third-party apps do not support Xiaomi’s cloud-based features (such as motion detection or notifications) and are only suitable for watching videos.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi cameras