Changing the password on Xiaomi’s Wi-Fi routers is a basic procedure needed to protect the home network from unauthorized access. Many users ignore standard factory settings, leaving the device vulnerable to attack or congestion by unauthorized devices. Regularly updating the access key is one of the measures that improve overall digital hygiene in the home.
The process of changing authorization data on Xiaomi routers (Mi Router, Redmi Router) has its own features that distinguish it from the configuration of equipment from other manufacturers. The management interface can be presented both as a web page and through the Mi Home mobile application. Depending on the device model and the regional version of the firmware, the menu may differ, but the logic of actions remains similar. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to change the password, from the classic browser login to management from the smartphone.
Before you start settings, it is important to make sure that the connection is stable. Interrupting the process of saving settings can lead to a temporary loss of network access, so it is recommended to perform all actions from the immediate vicinity of the router or connecting to it via cable. If you forget the current administrator password, you may need to completely reset the device to factory settings, which is a last resort.
Preparing for changes in security settings
The first step before making any changes to the network configuration is to collect the necessary information. IP-router address and login data to the control panel, often on a sticker on the bottom of the device's case. If you've never changed your administrator password, try the standard combinations listed in the documentation.
To access the web interface, you'll need any device with a browser: a laptop, tablet or smartphone. Make sure that the gadget is connected to the network of the Xiaomi router, the settings of which you plan to change. If the connection is over Wi-Fi, then after changing the password, the connection will break, and you will need to reconnect with the new key.
It's important to distinguish between the two types of passwords you'll encounter: the first is the administrator password that gives you access to the settings of the router itself; the second is the Wi-Fi password that devices need to connect to the Internet; confusion between these two keys is a common cause of problems when a user changes what they've just planned or forgets what password they've just set.
- 📱 Find a sticker at the bottom of the router with IP-address and factory login.
- 🔌 Prepare a device (PC or smartphone) with a working browser.
- 📡 Make sure you are connected to the Xiaomi or Redmi router network.
- 📝 Write down the current settings so you can return to them if you make an error.
In some cases, especially on routers brought from China, the interface can be entirely in Chinese. This is not an obstacle, since the menu structure is universal.
Entrance to the control panel of the Xiaomi router
The standard address for entering the settings of most Xiaomi routers is 192.168.31.1 or the domain name miwifi.com. Enter this address in the address bar of any browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox) and press Enter. If the page does not load, check the settings. IP-Addressing your network adapter – they should be in automatic receiving mode (DHCP).
Once you enter the address, the system will ask for an administrator password. If you set up the router for the first time and didn't change this setting, it can match the Wi-Fi password or be set by default (e.g. admin). In new Xiaomi models, the system forces you to come up with an administrator password when you first set up, which is often the default password of the Wi-Fi.
⚠️ Note: If you enter the wrong administrator password three times, the system may temporarily block login attempts or require a device to be reset.
If you're successful, you'll be taken to the home page of the web interface, which shows the connection status, the number of devices connected, and the basic network settings. The interface design can vary from minimalist white to dark, depending on the firmware version. We're interested in the section that handles the wireless network settings.
What happens if the page 192.168.31.1 does not open?
Changing password through the web interface
Xiaomi's router management interface is logically structured. Once logged in, look for a tab or menu item called "Settings" or "Common settings." Depending on the localization, the icon can look like a gear or wrench. Inside this section, we're interested in the "Wi-Fi settings" or "Wireless Network" subsection.
In the menu that opens, you'll see the "SSID" field, which indicates your network name, which is visible to other devices. Below is the password field, which can be called "Password", "Wi-Fi Key" or "Encryption Key." This is where you need to enter a new complex password. It is recommended to use a combination of different register letters, numbers and special characters for maximum protection.
Pay attention to the type of encryption. For modern networks, the standard is WPA2-PSK or the newer WPA3. Make sure you choose one of these protocols, as outdated WEP does not provide proper security and is easily hacked. After entering a new password, be sure to click the Save or OK button at the bottom of the screen.
☑️ Pre-conservation checks
Once you save the settings, the router will restart the wireless module, all devices that were previously connected will lose connection to the Internet. You will need to select your network from the list of available Wi-Fi on your phone or computer and enter a new password. If you are on a PC connected by cable, the Internet connection will not be interrupted, but access to the web interface may temporarily disappear during the restart.
Use of the Mi Home mobile application
For owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem, the most convenient way to manage a router is the Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Home), which allows you to change the network settings directly from your smartphone without requiring input. IP-The application requires that the phone be connected to the Wi-Fi network of the router you want to control.
Run the app and find your router in the list of devices. It usually appears with a blue icon. Click on the device name to go to the control menu. If the router does not appear, make sure that the application settings are the right region (often the China region is suitable for Xiaomi routers, but new global models work with the Russia or Europe region).
In the router menu, find the "Wi-Fi settings" or "Wi-Fi Settings" section, and here the interface is adapted for touch screens: large fields for entering the network name and password. Change the password in the appropriate field. The application may offer the "Guest Network" or "Signal Optimization" function, but we are interested in the main access key.
- 📲 Open the Mi Home app on your smartphone.
- 📶 Select your router from the list of connected devices.
- 🔑 Go to Wi-Fi settings and enter a new password.
- 💾 Press the save button and wait for status update.
The advantage of the mobile method is that once you change your password, the app can automatically prompt you to update the stored data on the phone itself, which eliminates the need to manually enter a new key on the smartphone from which you were setting up, but on other devices (laptop, TV, tablet), you still have to enter the password again.
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If the Mi Home app doesn’t see the router, try adding it manually through the + button in the upper right corner by selecting the Routers category and following the instructions on the screen.
Setup of dual-band networks (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)
Modern Xiaomi routers support two frequency bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. This creates a situation where the user has two options: you can set the same names and passwords for both bands (Dual-Band Merge or Smart Switch mode), or you can divide them by creating two separate networks with different names.
If you want to split networks, you have to find a switch in the web interface or app that combines the ranges and turn it off. Then you have two separate settings: one for 2.4 GHz, the other for 5 GHz. Passwords can be set differently, allowing you to, for example, connect a smart home to only 2.4 GHz, and computers and phones to a fast 5 GHz.
Separating networks is useful if you have older devices that can't see 5GHz, or if there's a lot of interference in the range of the router, but for most users, it's more convenient to use a unified network where the router decides which range to connect the device to, in which case the password changes for both bands at once.
| Parameter | Range 2.4 GHz | 5 GHz range |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission speed | Up to 450 Mbps | Up to 1300+ Mbps |
| Range of action | High (better breaks through walls) | Medium (impediments are worse) |
| Workload | High (many neighbourhood networks) | Low (cleaner ether) |
| Support for devices | All devices (including old ones) | Only modern gadgets |
When changing passwords in separate networks, be careful: changing the key for only one band can cause you to lose connection on devices that use this frequency range.
What to do if you forget the administrator password
When the Wi-Fi password is remembered and the password for logging into the router settings is forgotten, it is common. Without this password, you can not change the network settings. Unfortunately, you can only restore the forgotten administrator password through the “forgot the password” function on Xiaomi routers if you have been associated with the Mi Account account and the corresponding recovery function is enabled.
If you can't recover through your account, the only solution is to completely reset your device to the factory settings (Hard Reset), so there's a small hole on the router's case that says Reset, you need to turn the router on, find the hole, and press inside with a thin object (clip, toothpick) for 5-10 seconds until the indicators blink.
Once reset, the router will return to the "out of the box" state, the Wi-Fi name and password for entering the settings will become the same as the sticker below, you will have to reconfigure the Internet (enter the provider's login and password if PPPoE is used) and specify new names and passwords for the wireless network.
⚠️ Warning: Resetting will remove all your changes, including PPPoE settings, static IP, Port drops and parental controls.Make sure you have data from your ISP before resetting.
Recommendations for wireless network security
Changing your password is just the first step. To keep Xiaomi secure, follow a few rules. Don't use simple combinations like "12345678" or "password." These passwords are picked up by automatic programs in seconds. Use passphrase, a long phrase that is easy to remember but hard to crack.
Regularly update your router firmware. Xiaomi periodically releases security updates to close vulnerabilities. In the web interface, this is usually the "Status" -> "Update" section. You can also enable automatic updates if this option is available in your version of the software.
Turn off WPS if you don't need it. This technology allows you to connect to Wi-Fi at the touch of a button, but it's one of the most vulnerable points in router security. In the Xiaomi interface, this option is often found in advanced Wi-Fi settings.
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Regular password change and WPS shutdown reduce the risk of network hacking even when using standard WPA2 encryption.
If you have guests on your network, use Guest Network, which creates a separate Wi-Fi with limited access to your local files and smart home devices, and can be changed more often or made temporary.