How to change the name of the Wi-Fi network on the Xiaomi router: from Mi Router 4 to AX9000

Change of wireless network name (SSID) On a Xiaomi router, a simple but important procedure that helps personalize your home network, improve its security and avoid confusion with neighboring access points. By default, all Mi Router, Redmi Router and AiO series routers use standard names like Xiaomi_XXXX or MiWiFi_XXXX, Not only do they reveal the brand of the device, but they also make the network vulnerable to targeted attacks. SSID via the mobile application, web interface or MiWiFi control panel, and also give recommendations on choosing a safe name.

It's important to understand that changing a network name is not just a cosmetic procedure. An incorrectly selected SSID can cause device connection problems, conflicts with neighboring networks, or even make it easier for attackers to do so. For example, if you leave the word "Xiaomi" in the network name, hackers can quickly find standard passwords to break into, and using Cyrillic characters or spaces sometimes causes failures on old gadgets. We'll show you how to avoid these errors and configure the network as efficiently as possible.

Why you should change the standard name of Xiaomi

Router manufacturers, including Xiaomi, assign devices standard network names (SSIDs) for several reasons: to simplify initial configuration, model identification, and compatibility with proprietary applications.

• 🔍 Vulnerability to attacks: Attackers often scan networks with type names Xiaomi_1234 or MiWiFi_R4A, knowing that many users do not change standard passwords, which makes it easier to choose combinations for hacking.
• 📡 Confusion with neighboring networks: apartment buildings can have dozens of networks with the same names, making it difficult to connect new devices.
• 🛠️ Compatibility issues: Some older smartphones, printers, or smart devices (such as the Xiaomi Mi Home) don’t work well with the device. SSID, containing special symbols or Cyrillic.
• 📱 Branded features limitations: For example, Mi Mesh (a networking network of routers) can conflict if devices have the same network names.

Also, the standard network name doesn't reflect network affiliation, and if you have multiple access points (e.g., Xiaomi Router 4A on the ground floor and Redmi Router AX6 on the second floor), it's hard to tell the difference when you connect, and a personalized SSID solves that problem.

How to Prepare for a Network Name Change

Before you start changing your SSID, follow a few preparatory steps to avoid a connection break or loss of access to your router settings.

1. Connect to the router via cable (recommended) or Wi-Fi. If you use a wireless connection, make sure you have a backup connection (like mobile internet) to keep access to the control panels.
2. Check the current firmware version. Outdated versions of MiWiFi may not support some characters in the network name. Update the firmware through Settings → Software Update.
3. Write down your current settings: network name, password, type of encryption (WPA2-PSK/WPA3), which will come in handy if the devices stop connecting after changing the SSID.
4. Turn off the guest network (if it is active) to avoid conflicts while saving new settings.

If you plan to change the network name on a router that is part of the Mesh system (such as Xiaomi Mesh System), turn off the merge mode first.

Make sure you have a stable connection to the router |Write down your current network settings |Update your firmware (if required) |Disable your guest network |Check the new name's compatibility with your devices-->

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi router is connected to the Mi Cloud service, changing the network name may temporarily break the connection with the remote control.

How to change the network name on Xiaomi routers

There are three main ways to change SSIDs on Xiaomi routers: through the Mi WiFi mobile app (or Xiaomi Router), the web interface, and the control panel on the device itself (if supported).

1. via the Mi WiFi application (recommended method)

The Mi WiFi app (or Xiaomi Router for new models) is the most convenient way to manage a router, automatically determining the device model and providing an intuitive interface.

1. Open the Mi WiFi app and connect to your router.
2. Go to the Wi-Fi settings (or Wi-Fi settings) section.
3. Click on Network Name (2.4G) or Network Name (5G) (depending on range).
4. Enter a new name (up to 32 characters, no spaces and special characters).
5. Save the changes and restart the router.

The app will automatically apply settings to all connected bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) if they are connected to a single network (Smart Connect).

2. Through the web interface

The web-based control panel is available at 192.168.31.1 or miwifi.com, which is universal and works even without a mobile app.

1. Open your browser and type in the address bar 192.168.31.1 (or miwifi.com).
2. Sign in using the administrator password (often empty by default or matching the Wi-Fi password).
3. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi (or Advanced → Wi-Fi Settings for the English version).
4. Find the SSID (2.4GHz) and SSID (5GHz) fields. Enter new names.
5. Click Save and wait for the router to restart (it will take 1-2 minutes).

If the router does not respond after saving, check if it has changed. IP-Sometimes a change of address. SSID Resets network settings, and access to control panels is temporarily lost.

3. Through the control panel on the router (for models with a screen)

Some models, such as the Xiaomi Router AX9000 or Redmi Router AX6000, feature a color display and touch buttons to change the network name:

1. Click on the Menu touch button on the router's front panel.
2. Select the Wi-Fi Settings section.
3. Click on the current network name (SSID) and enter a new one using the on-screen keyboard.
4. Confirm the changes and wait for the reboot.

This method is convenient if there is no smartphone or computer at hand, but is not available on all models.

What network name to choose: rules and recommendations

Choosing a new SSID is a responsible step, and the wrong name can cause connection problems or make it easier for hackers to do so.

• 🔐 Don't use personal information. Names like Ivanov Kv5 or Maria_WiFi They are revealing your data, which is not secure.
• 🌐 Avoid Cyrillic and spaces. Some devices (especially smart devices) don't work well with these characters. Use Latin and the underline ( ) or hyphen (-).
• 📵 Don't give the router model. Xiaomi_AX3600 or Redmi_Router_Pro Helping hackers identify vulnerabilities for a specific model.
• 🔄 Do not copy the names of neighboring networks, which can cause conflicts and interference with Wi-Fi.
• 🎯 Make a name memorable but neutral: HomeNet_5G, SecureLink_24, FastWeb_Guest.

Critical error of many users: using the same SSID This allows guests to connect to your main network if they know the password from the guest: MyHome_Main and MyHome_Guest.

If you have multiple routers on the same network (e.g., for a Mesh system), use the same SSID for all access points but different channels, which will ensure smooth roaming between devices.

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Before saving a new network name, check it for compatibility with the Wi-Fi Alliance service. Some characters (e.g., #, %, &) can cause errors on individual devices.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes have problems changing their SSIDs, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

• 🔄 The router doesn't keep the new name. It's because it's a conflict with the guest network or Mesh mode. Solution: Turn off the guest network and try again.
• 📶 Devices do not connect after the change SSID. Reason: the name uses unsupported characters (Cyrillic, spaces, emoji) Solution: return the old name or use only the Latin alphabet and -/_.
• 🔌 The Web interface is lost. SSID dump IP-Solution: Reset the settings with the Reset button (hold 10 seconds) and reset the router.
• 📱 The Mi WiFi app doesn't see the router, and the reason is that the new network name contains special characters that the app doesn't recognize. Solution: connect to the router via cable and change the router. SSID web-based.

If the Internet is lost after changing the network name, check the DHCP settings (should be enabled) and the Wi-Fi channel (Auto or 6/11 for 2.4 GHz is recommended).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi routers with Padavan firmware (alternative) change SSID This can cause a failure if the name uses Unicode characters. Always check compatibility before saving.

Additional settings after changing the SSID

Changing the network name is a good way to check other important router parameters, which can help improve performance and security.

• 🔒 Change your Wi-Fi password. Use a combination of 12.+ symbols (!@#$%). Avoid simple sequences like 12345678 or qwerty.
• 📶 Choose the optimal channel. Manually, 2.4 GHz channels are recommended, 1, 6 or 11 (they do not overlap). 5 GHz channels are recommended, 36, 40, 44, 48.
• 🛡️ Put the defense on. WPA3. This protocol is safer. WPA2, But it may not be supported by older devices. If you have a connection problem, go back to the old devices. WPA2-PSK.
• 🌐 Separate the guest network from the main one by setting a different name (SSID) speed limit.
• 🔄 Update your firmware. Go to Settings. → Update the software and install the latest version (this will fix possible bugs with Wi-Fi).

If you have a dual-band router (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), consider combining networks into one using the Smart Connect feature (available in new models) that will allow devices to automatically switch between bands without breaking the connection.

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After changing the SSID, be sure to reconnect all devices to the new network manually. Automatic connection may not work if the old network name is stored in the memory of the gadgets.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions