Forgot the password from Xiaomi router? full access recovery guide

Forgetting the password from Xiaomi router is a frustrating but fixable situation. Without access to the admin panel, you can't change your Wi-Fi settings, update your firmware, or configure your guest network. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to regain control of the device, from a standard reset via the Reset button to advanced methods using Telnet or the Mi Home app.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods for Mi Router models. 3/4/4A/4C/AX1800/AX3000/AX6000, Importantly, some methods require prior preparation (such as linking a router to a Xiaomi account), so start with the simplest options. If you’ve never changed your default password, try it first – many users forget it.

Warning: Resetting will return the router to factory settings, so prepare the data for reconfiguration (wi-fi name, password, PPPoE settings, etc.) for models with MiWiFi ROM firmware (such as the AX6000) additional cloud recovery options are available, which we will also consider.

1. Standard reset via Reset button

The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi models is hardware reset. You don’t need to know your current password or have access to a web interface. The instructions are suitable for the Mi Router 3/4/4A/4C, as well as the new AX1800/AX3000/AX6000.

On the back of the router, find a small hole that says Reset (sometimes hidden under the sticker). Put a paper clip or toothpick in it and hold it for 10-15 seconds until the indicators start flashing yellow or orange. This is a signal to start resetting. After rebooting (1-2 minutes), the router will return to factory settings.

Make sure the food indicator is green.|Connect to a Wi-Fi network with a name Xiaomi_XXXX (password is on the sticker)|Open the browser and go to the address 192.168.31.1 or miwifi.com|Set a new administrator password in the Settings menu → System system → Password.

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⚠️ Attention: On models AX6000 and AX3000 Holding the Reset button for less than 5 seconds results in a reset rather than a reset. hold the button until the indicator color changes!

If the router does not give out Wi-Fi or does not open a web interface after reset, check:

• 🔌 Power connection (the indicator should burn stably, without blinking).
• 📡 Ethernet cable status from the provider (with PPPoE connection without it, the web interface may not open).
• 🖥️ Computer network card settings (Getting mode should be enabled) IP automatically).

2. password recovery via the web interface (if the login is known)

If you remember the administrator login (usually admin) but forgot the password, some Xiaomi firmware has a recovery feature, which works for routers with MiWiFi ROM firmware (such as Mi Router 4A Gigabit or AX1800).

Connect to the router via cable or Wi-Fi, then:

1. Open your browser and go to 192.168.31.1 or miwifi.com.
2. On the login page, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password? in English).
3. Enter the login (admin) and the associated email (if you have previously configured).
4. Follow the instructions for resetting your password through the letter.

If there is no restore button, your firmware does not support it, in which case move on to other methods. On newer models (AX6000) instead of email, you may need to confirm via your Xiaomi account.

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If the router is connected to your Mi Account, try logging in: on the login page, select Log in via Xiaomi and use data from your smartphone or other ecosystem device.

3. Reset password through the Mi Home app

For Xiaomi routers with Mi Accounts, there is a simplified way to reset via the official app, which works for models with Mi Home support (Mi Router 4A/4C/AX1800/AX3000).

Instructions:

1. Install the Mi Home app (available for Android and iOS).
2. Sign in with the same account that the router is attached to.
3. Go to the Devices section → router.
4. Open the router settings and find Reset password or Device Management → Reset.
5. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

Once reset, the administrator password will be reset to the factory (admin), and the Wi-Fi settings will remain the same, which does not work if the router is not tied to the account or is using outdated firmware.

⚠️ Note: If a router was purchased by a used router, the previous owner could not untie it from his account.In this case, a reset via Mi Home is impossible - a full hardware reset will be required (see section 1).

4. Advanced method: resetting the password through Telnet/SSH

For power users, there's a way to reset a password through console access, and this method works if the router is running Telnet or on a router. SSH (Defaults are disabled, but sometimes remain active after firmware. 3/4 custom-made.

Instructions:

1. Connect to the router via Wi-Fi or cable.
2. Open the command line (Win) + R → cmd on Windows or terminal (on Windows) macOS/Linux).
3. Enter the command to connect: telnet 192.168.31.1 If the Telnet is disabled, try SSH: ssh admin@192.168.31.1
4. When successfully connected, enter the factory password (admin).
5. Run the command to reset the password: nvram set http_passwd="" nvram commit reboot

Once the router is restarted, the administrator password will reset. If Telnet/SSH is disabled, you can turn them on via Mi Home (Advanced Settings → Remote Management), but this requires a current password.

5.Recovery through Xiaomi Cloud (for new models)

Xiaomi routers based on MiWiFi ROM (for example, AX6000 or AX3000) support remote management through the cloud. If the device is tied to an account, you can reset your password without physical access.

How to do this:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, find your router.
3. Open Settings → Device Management → Password Reset.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

This method only works for routers with an active cloud connection. If the device is offline or not tied to an account, cloud reset is not available. In this case, use hardware reset (section 1) or Mi Home (section 3).

6. What should I do if nothing helps?

If none of the methods worked, the following reasons are possible:

• 🔧 Hardware malfunction: Reset button breaks or router fails to respond to presses.Repair or replacement solution.
• 🔄 Outdated firmware: on some versions of MiWiFi ROM below 2.0.0, the reset via Mi Home is not working. TFTP (requires separate instruction).
• 🔒 The router is blocked by the provider: some ISPs block access to the settings.
• 📦 Buying a used router with a link: if the previous owner did not untie the device from his account, the reset is possible only through Xiaomi (you need the data of the previous owner).

At the very least, you can try to reflash the router through TFTP or UART, but it requires soldering work and experience. For most users, it is easier to buy a new router than to restore access to a blocked one.

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If the router does not respond to reset via Reset, check the power and integrity of the button. On the AX6000 and AX3000 models, hold the button for at least 15 seconds until the color of the indicator changes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi password