The problem of home network overcrowding often catches smart home owners by surprise. When internet speeds drop dramatically and pages are difficult to load, the first thing to suspect is traffic theft. Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi routers can face a situation where more gadgets are connected to the access point than are physically present in the apartment, which not only slows down work, but also creates risks to the security of personal data.
Limiting connections is an effective way to protect your network. The modern Chinese brand routers provide flexible network management tools. You can completely block unwanted guests or set a hard limit on the number of simultaneous sessions. In this article, we will discuss all the available methods, from simple blocking through the application to advanced address filtering.
Ignoring the connections can overload the router’s processor. The device starts to warm up and run unstable.Tune security settings in a timely manner will help avoid these problems and ensure that all your smart devices work smoothly.
Analysis of current network load
Before you set hard limits, you need to know who is consuming traffic. Xiaomi routers let you look at the list of active customers in detail. Often, it turns out that the thief of the Internet is a forgotten tablet or smart TV that pumps updates in the background. Checking the connection list is the first step to optimization.
To log into the control panel, you usually use the address 192.168.31.1 or miwifi.com. After authorization (the password often matches WiFi or is set when you first set up), go to the section responsible for network status. IP-Pay attention to the data rate for each device.
If you see a new name, don't be too quick to block it. Some devices may be listed under the technical names of chip makers, like Espressif or Realtek. Check the model with your household. Just make sure the device is foreign, move on to the restrictions.
⚠️ Note: When blocking devices via the web interface, the changes are instant. Make sure you don’t turn off your own phone or laptop from which you’re setting up unless you’re using a cable connection.
System monitoring helps detect anomalies, and if the number of connected customers has increased dramatically without your knowledge, it is a signal that your password has been compromised, and if you do, a simple restriction will not be enough, you will need to change the security key and reconnect all trusted gadgets.
Using the Mi WiFi application to control
The most convenient way to manage the network is the official Mi WiFi app, which is available for Android and iOS and provides a friendlier interface than the web version. The app's functionality allows you not only to see the list of devices, but also quickly restrict their access, which is especially convenient when you need to quickly "kick out" a guest after a party.
In the main menu of the app, select the current router icon. Go to Devices or Customers. Here is a complete list of all active connections. Click on the specific device to see the detailed information: IP-address, MAC-address and volume of traffic consumed. To restrict access, switch the switch "Block" or "Limit speed" to the switch».
The app also allows you to set priorities. You can assign your computer or game console to a high-priority device. The Xiaomi router automatically reserves maximum bandwidth for it even if the network is congested. This is more effective than just limiting the number of connections, since it guarantees the quality of communication for important tasks.
☑️ Network security check
One of the useful features is guest mode. Instead of blocking someone, create a separate guest network, which has its own password and, most importantly, is isolated from your main LAN, you can set a speed limit or a time limit for guest access, which solves the problem of overloading the main channel.
Filtration setting MAC-address
The most reliable method of restriction is the use of whitelists, in which the Xiaomi router will ignore any attempts to connect devices whose MAC-Even if an attacker learns the WiFi password, they will not be able to connect because their physical address will be blocked at the hardware level.
To set up, go to the web interface at 192.168.31.1. Find the "WiFi settings" or "Security" section. MAC-Addresses" or "Access Management" select "Allow list" mode. MAC-addresses of all their devices: smartphones, laptops, TVs and smart outlets.
| Type of device | Example MAC-address | Status of access | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Smartphone | AA:BB:CC:11:22:33 | Permitted. | High-pitched |
| Windows laptop | DD:EE:FF:44:55:66 | Permitted. | Medium. |
| Smart lamp. | 11:22:33:AA:BB:CC | Permitted. | Low. |
| Unknown gadget | 00:00:00:00:00:00 | Blocked. | - |
If you lose access to the admin or forget to add your phone, you will have to reset the router to factory settings with the Reset button.So always leave one Ethernet cable connected to your PC during your security settings experiment.
⚠️ Attention: MAC-Addresses can be spoofed by advanced hackers, although for the home network, filtering is done by MAC This is a powerful barrier, and more complex authentication methods are required for enterprise networks.
This method actually limits the number of connections to the number of devices on your list, and even if you create a list of 50 devices, 51 devices can't connect, which is a tight constraint that controls the composition of your local network.
What to do if MAC-address?
Limiting the maximum number of customers
In advanced settings of some models of routers Xiaomi (especially in firmware for enthusiasts or corporate series) there is a parameter "Max Clients" or "Maximum users", which allows you to set a hard numerical limit, for example, 10 devices. Once the tenth device is connected, the eleventh device simply will not receive the IP-address.
In standard home routers Redmi and Mi, this option is often hidden or not explicitly. However, the system automatically manages the DHCP pool. If you configure the range of addresses you can indirectly limit the number of connections. For example, set the range 192.168.31.100 - 192.168.31.105. This will allow only 6 devices to connect at a time.
To change the DHCP settings:
- Log in to the LAN settings in the web interface.
- Find the item "DHCP Server".
- Change Start IP and End IP (or Max DHCP users) and set a narrow range.
- Save the settings. The router will reboot the network service.
The good thing about this method is that it doesn't require listings. It just creates a ceiling for the network. But it has a downside: if you want to connect a seventh device, you'll have to go into settings and expand the range again, which is less flexible than filtering, but effectively prevents mass connectivity.
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If you are using a narrow range DHCP, reserve static IP-Addresses for critical devices (cameras, servers) so that they do not go without an address if the pool runs out.
SSID concealment and additional measures
One of the most effective ways to reduce the number of connections is to make the network invisible. Hiding the network name (SSID) does not broadcast it. Xiaomi router continues to work, but does not "scream" about its presence. You can only connect by manually entering the network name and password.
This dramatically reduces the number of random connections and interest from neighbors, and if neighbors don't see your network on the list of available ones, they're unlikely to try to find a password. Combined with a complex type of password (which contains numbers, letters and special characters), this provides a high level of protection.
To hide the SSID:
- Go to WiFi Settings.
- Find the option “Hide SSID” or “Hide the network name”.
- Activate the switch.
- Save the changes.
After that, all your devices will shut down. You'll have to re-add the network on each gadget, selecting "Add another network" and entering the name manually. This is inconvenient for guests, but ideal for a permanent home network, where it's important to monitor every connection.
⚠️ Attention: Hiding SSID It's not encryption. Specialized sniffers can still detect the presence of a hidden network over service packets.
Additionally, it is recommended to disable the WPS function. It is designed for fast connection without entering a password, but is one of the most vulnerable points in the security of routers. Disabling WPS will prevent automatic connection of devices by simply pressing a button on the case.
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A comprehensive approach (SSID hiding + complex password + MAC filtering) gives a 100% guarantee that the number of connections will not exceed the limit you allow.