Cleaning up Xiaomi router cache: 5 proven ways for all models

Xiaomi routers are some of the most popular home networking devices because of their combination of price, functionality and stability. However, over time, even they start to slow down: Internet speeds drop, connections break, and the web interface opens with a delay. 80% of the time, the fault is a crowded memory cache — temporary files that the router accumulates to speed up work, but not always cleans correctly.

Unlike smartphones where the cache can be cleaned in a couple of clicks, with Xiaomi Mi Routers (including the 4A Gigabit, 4C, 5, 6 and AX3000 models), the situation is more complicated. The manufacturer does not put this feature in a prominent place, and in some firmware it is even hidden. This article will help you understand how to clean the cache correctly without risking resetting, what tools to use and what to do if standard methods do not work.

Why the router cache needs to be cleaned regularly

The router cache is a temporary memory where:

• 📊 Connection Logs – History of devices that have connected to the network (even if they are already disabled).
• 🔄 DNS-records – cached addresses of sites to speed up their opening.
• ⚙️ Settings QOS — Priorities for traffic for different devices.
• 🔗 ARP-tables - comparison IP- and MAC-local-network addresses.

When the cache is overflowing, the router starts to work incorrectly:

• 🐢 Slows down speed – especially noticeable when downloading torrents or streaming videos.
• 🔌 Spontaneous communication breaks – devices are disconnected from Wi-Fi for no apparent reason.
• 🌐 Some websites are not opened because of outdated ones. DNS-record.
• 🔄 Web interface hangings - page 192.168.31.1 load 10-20 seconds.

The manufacturer recommends clearing the cache at least once every 3-6 months, but if you have a lot of connected devices (10+) or are actively using guest Wi-Fi, you will have to do this more often. It is important to understand that cleaning the cache does not remove your basic settings (wi-fi password, network name, tied devices), but resets temporary data that may conflict with each other.

Method 1: Clearing the cache via the web interface (for all models)

The most versatile method that works on most Xiaomi routers, including Mi Router 4A, 4C, AC2100 and AX6000.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect to the router network (via Wi-Fi or cable).
2. Open your browser and type in the address bar 192.168.31.1 (or miwifi.com).
3. Enter the login and password (by default – admin and password from the sticker on the router).
4. Go to the section Additional settings → System → Journals.
5. Click the Clean magazine button (on some firmware – Reset cache).
6. Confirm the action and wait for the router to restart (it will take 1-2 minutes).

If your router does not have a “Logs” option, try an alternative route:

Additional settings → Network settings → Local Network → DHCP

Here, click Clear. ARP-table – this will delete the cached data about the connected devices.

⚠️ Attention: On routers with MiWiFi firmware ROM (Chinese version of the cache cleaning point may be called (qīngchú huǎncún). If the interface is in Chinese, use a translator or update your firmware to the global version.

Method 2: Reset cache via Mi Home (Mi WiFi)

If you have an official Mi Home app (or Mi WiFi for routers), you can clear the cache directly from your smartphone, which is convenient when you don’t have access to your computer or the router is physically in an uncomfortable place.

How to do this:

1. Open the Mi Home app and select your router from the device list.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → System Tools.
3. Slip on Clear Cache (or Clear Cache in English).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot notification.

If there is no “Clean Cache” item, try:

• 🔄 Update the Mi Home app to the latest version (Google Play or App Store).
• 📱 Reconnect the router in the application (go to the device settings) →... → Remove, then add again).
• 🌍 Change the region in the Mi Home profile to China (sometimes this opens up additional features).

On the Xiaomi AIoT Router AX3600 and AX6000 routers, the cache is cleared automatically when you update your firmware through Mi Home. If you haven’t updated your software in a long time, do it – it will solve the cache problem and add new features.

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If the speed hasn't increased after cleaning the cache, check the Wi-Fi channel in the router settings. Auto Select (Auto) often selects an overloaded channel. It's recommended to manually set the 1, 6 or 11 channel for the 2.4 GHz band.

Method 3: Complete router reset (if the cache is not cleared)

If standard methods don't work, and the router keeps on slogging, you'll have to do a hard reset, a factory reset, and that will delete all the data, including:

• 🔐 Wi-Fi password and network name (SSID).
• 📱 List of connected devices (you will have to reconnect).
• ⚙️ Port settings, DMZ, parental control.

How to reset the Xiaomi router:

1. Take a paperclip or toothpick, press and hold the 10-15 second button until the indicators start flashing.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi routers with dual firmware (for example, Mi Router) 3G) Long Reset retention (more than 20 seconds) can cause you to switch to backup firmware. If the router does not turn on after reset, repeat the procedure by holding the 5-second button - this will return the main firmware.

Method 4: Clearing the cache via SSH (for advanced users)

If you are familiar with the command line, you can clear the cache of the Xiaomi router through SSH-This method works on most models with firmware based on OpenWRT or Padavan.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 Programme for SSH-Connections: PuTTY (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux).
• 🔑 Login and password for SSH (Default: root / password from the sticker).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect to the router via SSH by entering the command: ssh root@192.168.31.1 (replace IP if you have another one).
2. Enter your password (the characters are not displayed when you enter).
3. Follow the commands in turn: echo 3 > /proc/sys/vm/drop_caches # Cleaning up the rm memory cache -f /tmp/dhcp.leases # Cleanup DHCP-Killall dnsmasq #Reboot DNS-server
4. Reboot the router with the command: reboot

For cleaning. DNS-cache additionally perform:

rm -f /var/run/dnsmasq.leases


/etc/init.d/dnsmasq restart

Method 5: Automatically clean the cache on schedule

To avoid manually clearing the cache, you can set up automatic cleaning with built-in tools or third-party scripts, which is especially useful for routers running 24/7 (for example, in offices or smart homes).

Option 1: Through the web interface (for firmware with cron support)

1. Go to the additional settings → System → Scheduled tasks.
2. Add a new task with the team: 0 3 * echo 3 > /proc/sys/vm/drop_caches (This will clear the cache every day in 3:00).
3. Save and restart the router.

Option 2: Script for Padavan/OpenWRT

If your router runs on custom firmware, create a file /etc/cron.daily/clear_cache contents:

#!/bin/sh


logger"Clearing cache..."




sync




echo 3 > /proc/sys/vm/drop_caches




rm -f /tmp/dhcp.leases




/etc/init.d/dnsmasq restart

Then make it an executable:

chmod +x /etc/cron.daily/clear_cache

This will clear the cache every day at the same time. For weekly cleaning, place the script in the /etc/cron.weekly/ folder.

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Automatic cache cleaning reduces the load on the router processor and increases its life. However, do not install cleaning more than 1 time per day - this can lead to the opposite effect and slowdown.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When cleaning the cache of the Xiaomi router, users often face typical problems.

Another common mistake is the confusion between cleaning the cache and resetting the settings.Remember:

• ✅ Cache Clearing – Deletes temporary files without affecting the basic settings.
• ❌ Reset – returns the router to factory settings, erasing everything.

If you're not sure which method to use, start with the safest one - cleaning through the web interface or Mi Home. Only if that doesn't help, go to reset or SSH.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions