How to update the firmware of the Xiaomi 4 router: all ways + fixing

The Xiaomi Router 4 (also known as the Mi Router 4) is a popular device due to its balance of price and functionality, but its stable operation depends on the relevance of the firmware. Outdated software not only deprives you of new features (for example, support for Wi-Fi 6 on the guest network or improved protection against DDoS attacks), but also creates vulnerabilities: in 2023, a critical flaw was found in the firmware versions below 2.30.56, allowing you to remotely intercept control of the device.

Updating firmware on Xiaomi Router 4 can be done in three ways: through the web interface, the Mi Home application or manually through the SSH (However, each method has nuances: for example, automatic updates through the application often “hang” by 30% due to the peculiarities of Xiaomi servers in Russia, and manual firmware requires prior unlocking of the bootloader. In this article, we will analyze all options taking into account the current restrictions of 2026 – including bypassing the “Failed to download” error that occurs in 40% of users when trying to update through the browser.

Preparation for the update: what to do before the firmware

Before you start upgrading, make sure your router is ready for the procedure. Firmware on top of a damaged file system (for example, after a sudden power outage) leads to a device “bricking” in 80% of cases - when the router stops responding to a reset with the Reset button. To avoid this, follow the following steps:

• 🔋 Check the power source: connect the router to a UPS or network filter. Even a brief loss of electricity during an upgrade can make the device inoperable.
• 📶 Disable all customers: temporarily deactivate connected devices (especially those that use them) P2P-connections, such as torrents. They can put a strain on the router's processor.
• 📡 Check the version of the current firmware: go to Settings → System status: If the version is older than 2.28.123, you need to update in two stages (first to the intermediate version).
• 🔗 Download backup firmware: on the official Xiaomi website (support/rom) Choose a model R4A (for the global version; or R4CM (Save the.bin file to your computer.

Pay special attention to the firmware region. Xiaomi Router 4 routers purchased in China often have restrictions on updating via European servers. If your device produces an error "Unsupported region", you will need manual firmware through the Internet. SSH (instruction).

⚠️ Note: If your router was purchased before 2020, check the serial number for symbols. CN These devices may have hardware locks on firmware newer than 2.30.111, the solution is to install custom firmware OpenWRT (but this voids the warranty).

Method 1: Automatic update via web interface

The simplest method that works for most users, however, only works if:

• 🌍 The router is connected to the Internet without VPN/proxy.
• 🔄 Current firmware is no older 2.28.XX (Xiaomi server will block the update).
• 🕒 Time on the router is synchronized with NTP-server (check in Settings) → Additionally. → Time).

Instructions:

1. Connect to the router network via cable or Wi-Fi (wired connection is recommended).
2. Open your browser and enter 192.168.31.1 (or miwifi.com).
3. Go to Settings. → Update of the PO.
4. Click Check Updates. If a new version is available, click Update.
5. Wait until the process is complete (the router will restart automatically). Don't turn off the power, the progress bar will be displayed on the screen.

If you have a “Failed to download” error after clicking Update, try:

• 🔄 Change. DNS: In the settings of the router network, specify DNS Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).
• 🌐 Use a different browser: sometimes the problem is cache-related (try Firefox or Edge in incognito mode).
• ⏳ Wait 1-2 hours: Xiaomi servers can be overloaded (especially in the evening).

Method 2: Update via the Mi Home app

The Mi Home app (available for Android and iOS) allows you to update your router remotely, but has a number of limitations:

• 📱 Requires the link of the router to the Xiaomi account (if not tied – see. FAQ).
• 📶 Update is possible only when connecting to the router network (not via mobile Internet).
• 🔒 In some regions (e.g. Russia) the update function may be blocked.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Mi Home and select your router from the list of devices.
2. Go to Settings → Update firmware.
3. If a new version is available, click Update and confirm the action.
4. Wait until it's finished (the app will show a notification). The router will reboot.

If the Update button is inactive or not available:

• 🔄 Update the app to the latest version in the App Store or Google Play.
• 📍 Change your account region to China Mainland (in your profile settings) and sometimes unlock hidden features.
• 📵 Untie and re-connect the router: remove the device from the application and add it again (click on it) + → router → Xiaomi Router 4).

⚠️ Warning: After upgrading via Mi Home, the router may reset guest network and parental controls settings. Write down your passwords in advance or take screenshots of your settings.

Method 3: Hand-held firmware through SSH (power-user)

This method requires access to the router console and is suitable if:

• Automatic updates are not working due to regional restrictions.
• You need to roll back to the previous version of the firmware.
• You need to install custom firmware (for example, OpenWRT).

Before you start, make sure to check if your router's bootloader is unlocked. SSH and execute the command:

nvram get boot_wait

If the answer is on, bootloader unlocked. If off, you will need to unlock (instruction below).

Hand-held firmware instructions:

1. Download the firmware.bin from the official website (see section). 1) and rename it in miwifi.bin.
2. Connect to the router on SSH (Use PuTTY for Windows or the terminal for macOS/Linux). Default login/password: root/Admin password of your router.
3. Move the firmware to the temporary folder: scp miwifi.bin root@192.168.31.1:/tmp/
4. Run the firmware command: mtd -r write /tmp/miwifi.bin OS1
5. Wait for the reboot (about 5-7 minutes).

If the bootloader is locked, unlock it:

1. Install Python 3 and pymiwifi library: pip install pymiwifi
2. Connect to the router and execute: nvram set boot_wait=on nvram set uart_en=1 nvram commit reboot
3. After restarting, try again the firmware.

Solving Common Errors in Updating

Even when following the instructions, users encounter errors, and here is a table of the most common problems and solutions:

If your error is not listed in the table, check the update log. SSH and do it:

cat /tmp/syslog | grep -i "upgrade"

The log will contain details of the crash (for example, “checksum mismatch” indicates a corrupted firmware file).

💡

If the router starts to slow down after the upgrade, reset it to factory settings and reconfigure it, which solves performance problems in 70% of cases.

How to check the success of the update

After restarting the router, you need to make sure that the firmware has updated correctly.

1. Go to the web interface (192.168.31.1) and check the version in System Status.
2. Make sure all settings (network name, password, DMZ, port-over) retained.
3. Test the speed of the Internet (for example, through Speedtest). If the speed has dropped by more than 30%, it is possible that the new firmware changed the settings of QoS.

If the firmware version has not changed:

• 🔄 Repeat the update (the file may not have loaded completely).
• 📡 Check if your network settings have reset (sometimes the router returns to factory settings).
• 🛠️ If the problem persists, reset and update the firmware again.

To check the stability of the work:

• Connect to the router 5–10 Devices simultaneously and test ping to gateway: ping 192.168.31.1 -t Loss of more packages 1% They point to firmware problems.
• Run the torrent client and check if the download speed is “slowing down”.

💡

After the update, be sure to update the list of locked devices in the security settings. New firmware can reset these rules.

Alternative Firmware: Should OpenWRT be installed?

Xiaomi’s official firmware is often criticized for its closed code and limited settings, with OpenWRT providing full control over the router, including:

• 🔧 Possibility of installation VPN-servers (WireGuard, OpenVPN).
• 📊 Expanded traffic statistics by device.
• 🛡️ AdGuard Home Support for Blocking Ads at Level DNS.
• 🔄 Multi-WAN (Simultaneous Use of Two Internet Service Providers).

There are, however, downsides:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (Xiaomi does not support custom firmware).
• 🔌 Installation complexity: soldering is required UART-bootloader.
• 📉 Possible stability issues: Some OpenWRT builds are not optimized for the MT7621 (Xiaomi Router 4 chipset).

If you decide to install OpenWRT, follow the official instructions.

1. Unlock the bootloader (see Section 3).
2. Download firmware for Xiaomi Mi Router 4 (version 21.02.3 or later).
3. Squeeze through TFTP in emergency mode (with the Reset button pressed).

⚠️ Note: After installing OpenWRT, you can return the official firmware Xiaomi only through UART-Without soldering skills, it's almost impossible.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Xiaomi Router update 4