Reflashing vacuum cleaners Xiaomi: official and alternative methods

Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners are not just appliances, but smart devices with their own software. Like any gadget, they require periodic firmware updates to fix bugs, add new features or improve cleaning algorithms. However, not everyone knows that firmware can solve navigation problems, connect to Wi-Fi or even bring back a blinked machine.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to update the software for vacuum cleaners Xiaomi, Dreame and Viomi (including models with laser sensors and LiDAR), as well as how to avoid typical errors when manual firmware.

Important: The firmware procedure is different for Mi Home and Dreamehome devices, as well as for vacuum cleaners with support OTA-If your device is released before 2020, some methods may not work — check compatibility in the table below.

1.Why upgrade the firmware of Xiaomi vacuum cleaner?

The manufacturer regularly releases updates for its robot vacuum cleaners, but not all of them are automatically installed. Here are the key reasons why it is worth keeping an eye on the relevance of the software:

🔄 Bug fix: New versions fix problems with getting stuck, incorrect mapping, or losing communication with the app.
🗺️ Improved navigation: Updated algorithms better recognize obstacles and optimize cleaning routes.
📱 Support for new features: for example, zoning, carpet recognition or integration with Google Assistant/Alice.
🔋 Optimizing energy consumption: adjusting battery performance, which can increase cleaning time by 10-15%.
🛡️ Closing Vulnerabilities: Particularly relevant for devices with access to a home network.

Hand-held firmware can be dangerous if the wrong version of the software is selected or the update process is interrupted, for example, vacuum cleaners Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro and Dreame. D9 have different chipsets, and the firmware from one model will not fit another - this will lead to a "brick" (complete inoperability).

⚠️ Note: If your vacuum cleaner is stable and you don’t need new features, it’s best not to upgrade “for the sake of interest.” Some users complain that after upgrading to the latest version, the accuracy of maps deteriorated or problems with connecting to the Mi Home appeared.

📊 How often do you update your vacuum cleaner?

Only automatically, through OTA

Manual search for updates 1-2 times a year

Never updated.

Only if there are problems

I don't know how to do that.

2.How to find out the current version of the firmware?

Before you start updating, check the current version of the software. You can do this in two ways:

Method 1: Through the Mi Home or Dreamehome app

Open the app and select your vacuum cleaner.
Go to Settings. → About the device (or Device Info).
Find the lines Firmware and Hardware.

Example of display: 3.5.8_004216, where 3.5.8 — version of the software, 004216 — iron-test".

Method 2: Voice assistant (for some models)

Activate voice control and say:

What's your version number?

The vacuum cleaner should say something like, "My firmware version is 3.6.1."

Model vacuum cleaner	Current version (2026)	Supports OTA?
Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro	3.6.9_005123	Yes.
Dreame D9	4.2.15_003876	Yes.
Viomi V3	2.1.8_002145	No (only hand firmware)
Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum 1S	3.3.9_001234	Yes (but often requires a reboot)

If your vacuum cleaner version is far behind the current version (by 2-3 revisions), it is worth updating. 4PDA or MIUI Su Su Su Su Su Su).

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Before updating, make a reset of the vacuum cleaner settings to factory (in the application: Settings) → This will help avoid conflicts between old and new configurations.

3. Official ways to update firmware

The safest method is to use built-in mechanisms. OTA (Over-the-Air. Consider step-by-step instructions for different platforms.

Method 1: Automatic updates with Mi Home

Connect the vacuum cleaner to Wi-Fi (required to 2.4 GHz network – 5 GHz is not supported!).
Open Mi Home, select your device and go to Settings → Firmware Update.
If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (the vacuum cleaner will restart several times).

Update time: 10-30 minutes. Do not disconnect the vacuum cleaner from the power supply and do not interrupt the process!

Method 2: Update via Dreamehome (for Dreame vacuum cleaners)

The algorithm is similar, but there is a nuance: some models (for example, Dreame) D10 Plus requires confirmation of updates through SMS-code that comes to the linked phone number.

Method 3: Manual update through USB (old-model)

If OTA not working (for example, due to a failure of Xiaomi servers), you can download the firmware manually:

Download the official firmware file from the Mi Home website (Support section).
Unpack the archive and rename the file to miio_vacuum_firmware.bin.
Copy it for nothing. FAT32-flash drive (max. 8 GB).
Insert the flash drive into the vacuum cleaner (the connector is usually under the cover next to the on button).
Press the power button for 10 seconds and the update will start (the indicator will flash yellow).

Download the firmware only from the official website|Check the model of the vacuum cleaner and the version of the "iron"|Format the flash drive into FAT32|Make sure the battery is charged >50%|Do not remove the flash drive until the process is complete-->

⚠️ Note: Firmware files for Xiaomi and Dreame are not interchangeable! Installing incompatible software will cause your device to break. Always check the compatibility table (see section 5).

4. Alternative (unofficial) firmware

For power users, there are custom firmwares, such as Valetudo or OpenMiHome, that allow you to:

🌐 Remove the binding to the cloud Xiaomi (work without the Internet).
🔓 Unlock hidden functions (such as manual fan speed control).
🛠️ Install alternative maps (for example, for integration with Home Assistant).

However, there are risks:

⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the manufacturer finds traces of hacking).
⚠️ Possible failures in the operation of sensors or motors.
⚠️ Lack of official support.

How to install Valetudo on Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum

1. Get root access to the vacuum cleaner through exploit (e.g. dustcloud). 2. Connect to the SSH: ssh root@[IP-vacuum cleaner address] (default password: blank or 123456). 3. Download the installation script: wget https://github.com/Hypfer/Valetudo/releases/latest/download/valetudo-installer.sh. 4. Start the installation: bash valetudo-installer.sh. 5. After rebooting, the vacuum cleaner will be available at the address http://[IP-address]:8080.

If you decide on custom firmware, be sure to back up the original software! For this you can use the utility mirobo-backup (instructions on GitHub).

5. firmware compatibility table for popular models

Below are the latest data on firmware file compatibility, and use only the versions listed to avoid conflicts.

Model	Supported versions of software	Firmware file (name)	Features
Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum 1	3.3.9–3.5.8	miio_vacuum_v1_XXXX.bin	Not supportive. OTA, hand-stitched
Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Lite	3.6.1–3.6.9	miio_vacuum_mop2_lite_XXXX.bin	Requires a reset before updating
Dreame D9	4.1.5–4.2.15	dreame_vacuum_d9_XXXX.bin	Supports OTA, Sometimes it requires confirmation of SMS
Viomi V3	2.1.1–2.1.8	viomi_vacuum_v3_XXXX.bin	Just hand-held firmware, no. OTA

For models with LiDAR (for example, Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro), the firmware must contain the lidar suffix in the file name. ERROR 12 (sensor incompatibility).

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Always check the first ones. 4 the symbol in the name of the firmware file – they must match the model of your vacuum cleaner (for example, d9_ for Dreame D9 or v1_ Xiaomi Vacuum 1).

6. Typical firmware errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems.

🔴 Mistake 1: Vacuum cleaner doesn't see flash drive Reason: Wrong format (needed) FAT32) damaged USB-Solution: Try another flash drive (max. 8 GB) or clean the connector contacts with alcohol.
🔴 Error 2: Update hung 0% Cause: Damaged firmware file or lack of battery power Solution: Reboot the vacuum cleaner (press the power button for 20 seconds) and repeat the process with a new copy of the file.
🔴 Error 3: After the update, the vacuum cleaner does not turn on Reason: Incompatible firmware or interrupted process Solution: Try disaster recovery (see section 7).
🔴 Error 4: App doesn't see vacuum cleaner after firmware Reason: Reset Wi-Fi settings Solution: Reconnect device to Mi Home as new.

If the vacuum cleaner gives out ERROR 5 (checksum error), which means the firmware file is corrupted. Download it again and check it. MD5-hash (for example, through a utility) 7-Zip).

⚠️ Attention: If after a failed update, the vacuum cleaner emits a continuous squeak and flashes red, this is a sign of damage to the loader. UART (Requires a soldering iron and experience with electronics).

7.Vacuum cleaner recovery after failed firmware

If the update failed and the vacuum cleaner doesn’t respond to buttons or loads in emergency mode, try the following steps:

Step 1: Hard discharge

Press the power button for 30 seconds, then let go. If the light flashes blue, the vacuum cleaner goes into recovery mode.

Step 2: Emergency Firmware through USB

Download the recovery firmware (usually it has in the name _recovery.bin).
Place it on the flash drive (as in Section 3).
Insert the flash drive into the vacuum cleaner and press the power button for 15 seconds.
Wait for the beep (2 short squeaks) - recovery will begin.

Step 3: Connecting through UART (for advanced users)

If previous methods have not worked, you will need to:

Disassemble the vacuum cleaner and find contacts UART (usually near the main fee).
Connect through USB-TTL adapter (e.g, CP2102).
Use PuTTY or Screen to download firmware manually.

For Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum 1 viomi V3 There are ready-made recovery scripts (for example, xiaomi_vacuum_unbrick.py on GitHub).

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If the vacuum cleaner does not respond to the dump and does not load, do not try to disassemble it yourself without experience: mi.com/service).

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

❓ Can I roll back the firmware to the previous version?

Technically, yes, but Xiaomi does not provide official downgrade firmware, and you will need to find a backup copy of the old software on forums to roll back the old software (for example, for example, for a rollback, 4PDA) And hand-stitch it through USB. Note that after downgrading, new functions may stop working.

❓ Why the vacuum cleaner is not updated through OTA?

Possible reasons: The vacuum cleaner is connected to a 5GHz network (2.4GHz is needed); Xiaomi servers are overloaded (try later); Mi Home does not update the region (should match the region of the vacuum cleaner purchase); battery charge is less than 30% (recharge the device).

❓ How to check if the firmware is suitable for my model?

Check the first 4–6 symbols in the name of the firmware file with the compatibility table (section) 5). For example: d9_4.2.15_003876.bin — It is only suitable for Dreame. D9. v1_3.5.8_004216.bin — Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum is available only 1. If the file name has cn or global, it indicates the firmware region. Install the one that matches your version of the vacuum cleaner (checked in the application).

❓ Can I use a vacuum cleaner without the Mi Home app?

Yes, but only through manual updates from a flash drive (section 3) or through alternative firmware like Valetudo (section 4). OTA-Update the cleaning schedule, update the maps, and use official software to make it work.

❓ What to do if after the firmware vacuum cleaner became worse to clean?

The new navigation algorithms are probably not optimized for your room. Try: Reset the vacuum cleaner settings to the factory, recreate the room map (remove the old one in the app and start a new cleaning), roll back to the previous version of the software (if a backup is available). If the problem persists, write in support of Xiaomi with cleaning logs (they can be exported in the application).