Firmware of Xiaomi router 4A: Official and Alternative Methods (2026)

Xiaomi Mi Router router 4A (including modifications to the Gigabit Edition and 100M Edition remains a popular choice due to its balance of price and functionality, but over time, users face the need to update the firmware - whether it is to fix bugs, add new features (for example, support). IPv6 Or WireGuard, or even installing alternative systems like OpenWRT. Unlike smartphones, networking hardware firmware requires caution: a bug can turn a device into a brick».

This article covers all the current ways of firmware Xiaomi 4A 2026 – from official updates via the web interface to manual restoration through the TFTP or SSH. We'll take it:

• 🔄 How to check the current firmware version and find official updates
• 🖥️ Step-by-step instructions for firmware through MiWiFi, SSH and TFTP
• ⚠️ Typical errors and how to avoid them (including bootloop problems)
• 🛠️ Recovery of the router after a failed firmware
• 🔓 Alternative firmware: OpenWRT, Padavan and their features

Before you start, consider: Firmware through informal methods (such as OpenWRT) will void the Xiaomi warranty and may cause unstable Wi-Fi or ports. LAN/WAN. If your goal is simply to update the software to the latest version, use the official method through the web interface.

1. Preparation for firmware: checking the model and version of the software

The first step is to make sure you have the Xiaomi Mi Router. 4A, not another model, for example, 4C or 4Q). The firmware for these devices is incompatible! Find a sticker on the bottom of the router with model information:

• 📋 Mi Router 4A (100M Edition - model R4A, chipset MT7628DA, 16 MB of flash memory
• 📋 Mi Router 4A Gigabit Edition - model R4AG, chipset MT7621AT, 128MB of RAM

Check out the current version of the firmware:

1. Connect to the router via Wi-Fi or cable.
2. Open your browser and go to 192.168.31.1 (or miwifi.com).
3. Enter the login/password (by default — admin/sticker).
4. Go to Settings. → System state (or Status in English version).

Official firmware for Xiaomi 4A type-formatted 2.XX.YY, where:

• XX — year of release (for example, 2.28.51 – firmware 2022).
• YY — assembly number.

If your version is older than 2023, it is recommended to update.

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Take a picture of your Wi-Fi settings (network name, password, channel) before you upgrade, and they can reset after you update, and it can be difficult to restore them from memory.

2. Official update via web interface (the most secure way)

This method is suitable for updating within official firmware without the risk of “bricking” and is relevant for all versions of MiWiFi (Chinese and global).

Steps:

1. Download the latest firmware from the official Xiaomi website (select the model) 4A or 4A The file will be in.bin format.
2. Connect to the router via cable (recommended) or Wi-Fi.
3. Go to Settings. → Update (System Upgrade).
4. Click “Select File” and download the downloaded.bin.
5. Wait for the process to be completed (the router will restart 1-2 times).

Download the firmware from the official website|Connect to the router via cable|Shut down. VPN/PC proxy|Close background programs that use the network|Check that the router is connected to the UPS (if available)

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⚠️ Warning: If the router doesn’t load after the update (all indicators are on or orange flashes), try resetting with the Reset button (hold 10 seconds). TFTP.

3. Firmware through SSH: power-user

method SSH Suitable for custom firmware installation (e.g. Padavan) or rollback to the old version. SSH firmware!

If SSH not yet on:

1. Install an official firmware with support SSH (e.g. 2.28.51 or later).
2. Connect to the router and go to the address 192.168.31.1/cgi-bin/luci/;stok=token/api/misystem/cmd, where token is your token (can be obtained through a browser inspector).
3. Send the command: {"method": "set", "params":{"ssh_en":1}}
4. Connect to the SSH root-login and sticker-password.

For firmware through SSH:

1. Download the firmware.bin and rename it to firmware.bin.
2. Upload the file to the router via SCP: scp firmware.bin root@192.168.31.1:/tmp/
3. Connect to the SSH and do: cd /tmp mtd write firmware.bin Firmware
4. Wait for the reboot (up to 5 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: firmware via mtd erases all settings! If you need to save configuration, pre-make backup command:

dd if=/dev/mtdblock6 of=/tmp/backup.tar

(where mtdblock6 — section with settings; check through cat /proc/mtd).

4. Recovery through TFTP: if the router does not load

If the Xiaomi router 4A turned into a “brick” (the indicators do not blink, there is no access to the web interface), the only way to restore it is through firmware. TFTP. This method works at the bootloader level and does not require a working OS.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux and network-card
• 🔌 Ethernet Cable (required to connect to the port) LAN1)
• 📁 Firmware in.bin format (official or custom)
• 🔧 Programme TFTP-server, Tftpd64 Windows)

Step-by-step:

1. Set up a static IP 192.168.31.2 with a 255.255.255.0 mask on your PC.
2. Launch it. TFTP-server and specify the folder with the firmware (rename the file to miwifi.bin).
3. Turn off the router power, press the Reset button and turn on the power.
4. Hold the Reset for 5-7 seconds until the indicator starts flashing orange.
5. The router will automatically download the firmware from the TFTP- server (wait for 3-5 minutes).

- Is the Windows firewall disabled?

- Is it right to be configured? IP-address (192.168.31.2).

- Does the name of the firmware file match (miwifi.bin).

- Is the cable connected to the port? LAN1 (not WAN!).

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⚠️ Note: If after the scaling of the TFTP The router doesn't load again, maybe the bootloader is damaged, and then you can only flash it through the back. UART (requires ration and programmer).

5. Alternative firmware: OpenWRT and Padavan

Xiaomi's official software is limited in functionality, with alternative firmware such as OpenWRT or Padavan adding:

• 🔗 Support for WireGuard, OpenVPN, Tor
• 📡 Advanced Wi-Fi settings (transmission power, channels)
• 🛡️ Improved security (ad blocking, firewall)
• 🖥️ The ability to connect an external drive (for the purpose of 4A Gigabit)

There are, however, downsides:

• ⚠️ Loss of Xiaomi Warranty.
• ⚠️ There are problems with Wi-Fi (especially in the case of 100M Edition due to limited memory).
• ⚠️ No official support (updates are issued by enthusiasts).

Firmware links:

• OpenWRT for Xiaomi 4A (requires prior firmware through SSH).
• Padavan by Enovy (a friendlier interface but fewer packages)

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Before installing OpenWRT, check compatibility with your router revision! 4A Gigabit (MT7621) not fit for 100M Edition (MT7628).

Typical errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users face problems, and here are the most common ones:

If the router does not respond at all (the indicators do not burn, do not work). TFTP), There is a last chance, a re-flash through UART. This will require:

• 🔧 Stove iron and wires.
• 🖥️ USB-UART adapter (e.g, CP2102).
• 📁 Firmware format UART (usually).

This method is complex and risky - if there is no experience of soldering, it is better to contact a service center.

7. Security and optimization tips after firmware

After successful firmware is recommended:

• 🔒 Change the standard password of the admin to a complex one (at least 12 characters).
• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version (if you used customized).
• 📡 Set up Wi-Fi: Turn it off WPS (Security vulnerability. Set up encryption. WPA3 (If it's supported, hide it. SSID (Optional, but reduces the number of connection attempts).
• 🛡️ Activate the built-in firewall and ad blocking (in) OpenWRT/Padavan).

For OpenWRT, useful commands after firmware:

# Package updates


opkg update && opkg upgrade




Installation of WireGuard



opkg install wireguard-tools luci-app-wireguard




Ad Blocking (AdBlock)



opkg install adblock luci-app-adblock

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After installing OpenWRT, free space on the router is limited! remove unnecessary packets by the team `opkg remove`, free up memory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi firmware 4A