Connection 4G-Xiaomi router modem: full instruction with problem solutions

Connection 4G-Xiaomi’s router modem allows you to convert mobile Internet into a full-fledged Wi-Fi network for all devices in the house, which is relevant for regions with poor wired Internet, summer cottages, temporary offices or as a backup channel. However, not all users know that Xiaomi routers (such as Mi Router) are not the same as Xiaomi. 4A Gigabit, AX3000 or AX6000) They do this, and they don’t always intuitively do it.

In this article, we will analyze all the stages of connection: from choosing a compatible modem to configuring protocols. PPPoE/DHCP And we're going to focus on the hidden settings in MiWiFi firmware that the manufacturer doesn't document, but they're critical for stable operation. If you are faced with the fact that the router β€œcan not see” the modem or the speed is lower than expected – here you will find proven solutions.

Compatibility: which 4G-Modems work with Xiaomi routers

Not everyone. USB-The modem will be suitable for the Xiaomi router:

  • πŸ”Ή Support for the protocol NDIS (most modern modems) or ECM (Xiaomi routers work better with NDIS.
  • πŸ”Ή List of officially supported chipsets: Qualcomm MDM9207, Huawei HiSilicon (e.g. Huawei) E3372, E8372), ZTE MF823.
  • πŸ”Ή No link to the operator (detached modems) Locked up under MTS / Megaphone may not be determined.
  • πŸ”Ή Food by meal USB: The modem does not need to require an additional power supply (max. 500 mA for most Xiaomis).

Among the tested models:

modemChipsetProtocolCompatibility with XiaomiNotes
Huawei E3372hHiSilicon Kirin 920NDISβœ… Yes.It works without drivers on AX3000
ZTE MF823Qualcomm MDM9207ECM/NDISβœ… Yes.Requires manual regime change to NDIS
Yota ManyQualcomm Snapdragon X5NDIS⚠️ Partially.You need to turn off auto-update modem firmware
Megaphone M150-2Huawei Balong 711NDISβœ… Yes.It works better on the firmware MiWiFi 3.0+

How to check compatibility? Connect the modem to the Xiaomi router via USB-If a section appears in the web interface (192.168.31.1) USB-modem - device recognized. If not, the modem is either not supported or requires additional settings.

πŸ“Š What modem do you plan to connect?
Huawei E3372
ZTE MF823
Yota Many
Megafon/MTS/Beeline
Other

2. Preparation of Xiaomi router to connect the modem

Before the physical connection of the modem, it is necessary to:

  1. Update the router's firmware to the latest version. Older versions of MiWiFi (up to 2.0) lack support USB-Check the current version in Settings β†’ Status of the system.
  2. Reset the settings to the factory (optional), if there were previously experiments with the USB-It's going to eliminate potential conflicts.
  3. Connect the router to the PC via Ethernet – in case the Wi-Fi modem becomes unavailable after connecting.

Xiaomi routers have two types. USB-port:

  • πŸ”Œ USB 2.0 (Type-A) - for modems and drives (available on Mi Router) 4A Gigabit, AX3600).
  • πŸ”Œ USB 3.0 (Type-C) - only for drives (on the AX6000, AX9000). Modems cannot be connected to it!

β˜‘οΈ Preparation of the Xiaomi router

Done: 0 / 4

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi routers with MiWiFi firmware RU (Russian localization may be disabled support USB-In this case, you need to firmware the international version.

3. Step-by-step instruction for connecting the modem

When the modem and router are ready, follow the algorithm:

  1. Insert the modem in USB-router port (use extension cord) USB 2.0 if the modem is not physically logged in. Wait for the light to flash on the modem (usually blue/green means a successful connection to the operator's network).
  2. Go to the router’s web interface at 192.168.31.1 (the default login and password is the combination indicated on the device sticker).
  3. Go to the Internet section β†’ USB-If there is no partition, update the page (F5) Check the compatibility of the modem.
  4. Select the type of connection: πŸ“Ά Auto (recommended) – the router will determine the protocol. πŸ”§ Manual mode - specify APN, User name and password (data can be requested from the operator).

Save the settings.

Example of manual settings for MTS:

APN: internet.mts.ru


User name: mts




Password: mts




Type of authentication: PAP

⚠️ Note: If after saving the settings, the modem indicator flashes red, and the router interface appears an error β€œNo network” – check the correctness APN. Operators often change these settings without notice.

What if the router does not see the modem?
1. Try another. USB-port (if there are several). 2. Connect the modem to the PC - if it is not detected there, the problem is in the modem itself. 3. Check if the option is enabled Β«USB-modem in router settings (Additional settings) β†’ USB-Huawei modems may require a change of mode from HiLink to Stick (made through the Huawei Modem Switcher program).

4. setting up the backup channel (failover)

One of the key benefits of connection 4G-Xiaomi modems are the ability to use it as a backup Internet, for example, if the main wired channel falls off, the router will automatically switch to the mobile network.

To set up:

  1. Go online. β†’ Reserve channel.
  2. Enable the automatic switching option.
  3. Give priority: πŸ”— The main channel is wired Internet (Ethernet/WAN). πŸ“Ά Reserve channel β€” USB-modem.

Ping-host

8.8.8.8

Important nuance: when switching to a backup channel, the local network (for example, access to the network) IP-camera NAS) To avoid this, we'll see the Local Network. β†’ Routing: Add a static route to your subnet (e.g, 192.168.1.0/24 lockway 192.168.31.1).

πŸ’‘

The backup channel on Xiaomi works only with an active subscription to the mobile Internet. If the modem has zero rubles, the router will not be able to connect even in emergency mode.

5. Solving typical problems

Connection errors and their correction

Even with the right setup, there can be failures. Let's look at the most common ones:

Mistake.Possible causeDecision
USB-device not identifiedIncompatible modem or lack of powerUse an externally powered hub or check the modem on another device
Authentication Error (691)Wrong. APN, login/password or blocked SIM-mapCheck the data with the operator or restart the modem
No net (modem flashes red)Weak signal. 4G or SIM-cardMove the modem closer to the window or use the antenna MIMO
Low speed (less than 10 Mbps)Overloading of the base station or operator restrictionTry to change the range (2G/3G/4G) modem-setting

Specific MiWiFi firmware errors:

  • 🐞 Code 629: Driver conflict. Solution: Reset router to factory settings.
  • 🐞 Error 711 - The modem requires PUK-Unlock the code. SIM-card.
  • 🐞 Connection breaks every 5 minutes – disable the option β€œSaving traffic” in the modem settingsΒ».

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi routers AX6000 and AX9000 plug-in 4G-The modem can turn off Wi-Fi 6 (160 MHz). This is a hardware constraint - return the channel width to 80 MHz in the Wi-Fi settings. β†’ Additionally.

6.Alternative firmware for extended modem support

If your modem is not supported by MiWiFi, you can install custom firmware with advanced drivers.

  • πŸ› οΈ Padavan - Supports the majority USB-modems, including older Huawei E1550 and ZTE MF190.
  • πŸ› οΈ OpenWRT is flexible but requires Linux knowledge.
  • πŸ› οΈ Breed – a loader to restore the router after a failed firmware.

Instructions for installation of Padavan:

  1. Download the firmware for your router model from the official repository.
  2. Go to Settings. β†’ Update the software and download the firmware file.
  3. After restarting, connect to the router at the address 192.168.123.1 (default login/password: admin/admin).
  4. In the section USB Application β†’ 3G/4G manually set up the modem.

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware is warranty-free and can lead to a "bricking" router. Before firmware, back up the current version through Settings β†’ Backup.

πŸ’‘

If the modem is detected after Padavan firmware, but the Internet does not work, check the firewall settings in the Firewall section. β†’ General Settings: Sometimes you need to manually add a rule for the interface. 3g-modem.

7. Optimization of connection speed and stability

To maximize speed 4G-Internet access via Xiaomi router, follow the tips:

  • πŸ“‘ Use an external antenna. MIMO (for example, Poynting XPOL-1). Even in low signal conditions, this can increase speed by 30 to 50 percent%.
  • πŸ”„ Turn off the autoconnection to 2G/3G In the modem settings (save only) 4G/LTE).
  • πŸ”§ Set up. MTU: Internet β†’ USB-modem β†’ Additionally. β†’ MTU: 1420 (the value may vary depending on the operator).
  • πŸ“Š Enable QoS to prioritize traffic (for example, for video calls or games).

Speed test: connect to the router via cable and check the speed on Speedtest, if the result is below 50% of the declared rate by the operator, the problem is:

  • πŸ“΅ Signal – Try moving the modem.
  • πŸ”Œ USB-Check at another port or hub.
  • πŸ–₯️ Firmware – Update or install custom.

πŸ’‘

Optimal value MTU for 4G-Xiaomi modems 1420-1472 If sites open but files don't download, reduce MTU 10 units.

8 Security: How to protect your connection through 4G-modem

Mobile Internet through USB-The modem is vulnerable to a range of attacks, especially if the router is accessed from the outside:

  • πŸ”’ Disable remote access to Settings β†’ Remote control.
  • πŸ›‘οΈ Change the standard login / password admin panel to complex (for example, through Settings) β†’ Password).
  • 🌐 Enable encryption. DNS (DNS-over-HTTPS on the Internet β†’ DNS, specified 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8.
  • πŸ” Turn it off. WPS β€” This function is vulnerable to brute force attacks.

Additional settings for advanced users:

Disable the response to ICMP (ping) from the outside


iptables -A INPUT -p icmp --icmp-type echo-request -j DROP




Blocking connections to the adminka from the local network (only allow from 192.168.31.100)



iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -s ! 192.168.31.100 -j DROP

These commands are introduced through SSH (firmware Padavan/OpenWRT).

⚠️ Note: If you are using public IP (Some operators are giving them away for 4G-modems), be sure to cover the router with a firewall and turn off port forwarding for internal services.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connection 4G-modem to Xiaomi

Can I connect? 5G-modem to Xiaomi router?
Officially, Xiaomi routers (on the 2026 year not supported 5G-modems due to lack of drivers for Qualcomm chipsets X55/X60. However, OpenWRT firmware can manually adjust for some models (e.g. Huawei). 5G CPE Pro 2). The speed is limited by the capacity to USB 2.0 (before 300 Mbit/s).
Why Xiaomi router doesn’t see Huawei modem E3372 HiLink mode?
Huawei modems in HiLink mode emulate a network card, which is not supported by most routers.Solution: Connect the modem to your PC and use Huawei Modem Switcher to switch it to Stick mode (NDIS). Or enter in the address bar of the browser 192.168.8.1/html/switchProjectMode.html and select Modem Mode.
How to reset the modem settings if the router β€œhangs” it?
If the modem is no longer responding (burning red or not), do: Physically remove the modem from the router. Press and hold the reset button on the modem (usually 10-15 seconds); connect the modem to the PC and check its operation through the standard operator software. If the modem works on a PC, but not on the router, reset Xiaomi to the factory settings.
Can I use a modem for both router and PC at the same time?
No, you can't connect a modem to multiple devices at once, but you can: Connect the modem to the router, and then distribute the Internet over the Internet. Wi-Fi/LAN. Use it. USB-Hub with switch (but this does not guarantee stability) Set up a reverse tunnel (for example, via WireGuard) if you want to access the modem remotely from your PC.
Where to get the right settings APN for its operator?
Current parameters APN For popular operators (2026): OperatorAPNUsername Password MTSinternet.mts.rumtsmts MegaFoninternetgdatagdata Belineinternet.beeline.ru β€” Television2internet.tele2.ruβ€”β€” Yotayota.ru β€” If the parameters do not fit, request the latest data from the operator through a support chat or USSD-squadron#.