How to flash the Xiaomi Mi Router 4A router: official and custom firmware

The firmware of the Xiaomi Mi Router 4A is a challenge faced by users who want to expand the functionality of the device or fix software errors. This low-cost router, despite modest technical specifications, supports both official updates from the manufacturer and alternative firmware like OpenWRT or Padavan. However, the firmware process requires care: wrong actions can turn the router into a brick.

In this guide, we will look at everything from firmware preparation and selection to device recovery in the event of a failure, and focus on the critical issues that the manufacturer does not mention in the official documentation, such as why some firmware versions block access to SSH after an update or how to circumvent regional binding restrictions. If you have never flashed network equipment before, start with the official method, it is the most secure.

Preparation for firmware: what to do before the start

Before you start firmware, make sure you have everything you need. First, check the current version of the router firmware: go to the web interface (192.168.31.1) and see the Status → Firmware version. Write it down, which will help you choose the right file to update. Second, back up your settings even if you plan to use official software.

List of required tools and files:

• 📋 Laptop or PC with network cable (Wi-Fi can shut down during firmware).
• 🔌 Uninterruptible power supply (the router must not disconnect from the power grid).
• 💾 Firmware in.bin or.trx format (for custom versions).
• 🔧 Recovery software (e.g. MiWiFi Repair Tool if something goes wrong).

If you are planning to install custom firmware, consider: Xiaomi Router 4A has two hardware revisions - R1CL (with 16 MB of flash memory) and R1CM (with 32 MB). Clarify your model by sticker on the bottom of the device. firmware from one revision is not suitable for another!

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through the web interface with the official file resets all router settings to factory. IP, VPN Or other custom configurations, they will have to be reconfigured.

Official firmware: update via web interface

The easiest and safest way to upgrade your router is through a standard web interface, which is suitable for most users because it doesn't require technical skills, but it has limitations: you can't install custom software or roll back to the old version if the new one isn't running smoothly.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect to the router via cable (recommended) or via Wi-Fi.
2. Open your browser and type 192.168.31.1 (or miwifi.com).
3. Sign in (the default login and password is usually admin).
4. Go to the Firmware Update section (in new versions of the interface, the path may differ: Additional → System → Update).
5. Click Select File and download the downloaded firmware (the file must be in.bin format).
6. Wait until the process is completed (the router will restart automatically).

Important: official firmware for Xiaomi Router 4A is often region-specific. If you download the version for China and your router is designed for the global market, there may be problems with the interface language or some features. Check compatibility on the official Xiaomi website.

Download firmware from the official website | Check the firmware region | Connect to the router via cable | Disable antivirus (can block downloading of the file) | Laptop charge >50% or connect to the network-->

Install custom firmware: OpenWRT or Padavan

Custom firmware like OpenWRT or Padavan gives you access to advanced settings like WireGuard, AdGuard Home, fine QoS tweaking, and more. However, installing them requires more effort and comes with risks, such as informal builds that may contain vulnerabilities or run unstablely.

To install Padavan (a popular firmware based on RT-N56U):

1. Download the latest stable version for your revision (R1CL or R1CM) from the 4PDA or Right.com.cn forum.
2. Go to the router’s web interface and update the firmware through the Update section (similar to the official method).
3. After the reboot, the router will be available at 192.168.1.1 (default logins: admin/admin or root/admin).

For OpenWRT, the process is more complicated: you need to install the breed bootloader first, and then the firmware itself. This is because Xiaomi blocks the download of unofficial software through the standard interface. You can find detailed instructions for installing breed in the spoiler below.

⚠️ Note: After installing custom firmware, cloud management through the Mi WiFi app may stop working. Some Padavan builds also turn off hardware acceleration. NAT, This reduces the speed of the Internet by 20 to 30 percent. Before you run the firmware, check the reviews of a particular version on the forums.

Recovery of the router after a failed firmware

If the router stopped responding to queries (power indicator does not burn, the web interface does not open), do not panic. In 90% of cases, it can be restored using emergency mode (UART) or special utilities from Xiaomi.

Recovery methods:

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings: press the Reset button for 15-20 seconds (before the indicator blinks).
• 💻 MiWiFi Repair Tool: Xiaomi's Ethernet Recovery utility.
• 🔧 Firmware through UART: Requires soldering of contacts and programmer (for experienced users).

If the router is identified by the computer as an unknown device (in Device Manager) but does not respond to firmware, try the following:

1. Turn the router off the power.
2. Press the Reset button and, without letting it go, connect the power.
3. Hold the button for another 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing orange.
4. Release the button and try flashing the device through the MiWiFi Repair Tool.

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If the router is not responsive to the MiWiFi Repair Tool, try connecting it to another Ethernet port on your computer or using a different network cable. Sometimes the problem lies in the network card drivers - update them before you restore them.

Setting up the router after firmware

Once the firmware is successful, the router will return to factory settings, you will need to reconfigure your Internet connection, Wi-Fi, and other settings, and if you have installed custom firmware (like Padavan), the interface will be different from the standard one.

The basic steps for Padavan are:

1. Connect to the router at 192.168.1.1 (default logins: admin/admin).
2. Go to Network → WAN and set up the connection type (DHCP, PPPoE, static IP).
3. In the Wireless section, set up the network name (SSID) and password.
4. In Administration → System, change the administrator password.

For OpenWRT, setting up is more complicated: there is no out-of-the-box graphical interface, and most settings will have to be configured via LuCI (web interface) or SSH. If you are a beginner, we recommend starting with Padavan - it is more user friendly.

⚠️ Attention: Padavan firmware has DNS-over-TLS disabled by default, which can lead to data leakage through the provider. → DNS Privacy for greater security.

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Custom firmware requires manual firewall configuration. Once installed, be sure to check the rules in the Firewall section to avoid vulnerabilities.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when running the Xiaomi Router 4A. Here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

• 🔴 Firmware of the wrong revision: files for R1CL and R1CM Always check the model on the sticker.
• 🔴 Interrupting: If the router is powered off during firmware, there is a high probability of "bricking." Use UPS.
• 🔴 Incorrect file format: official firmware should be in.bin, and custom - often in.trx.
• 🔴 Ignoring backup: without backup settings will have to configure the router from scratch.

Another common problem is that the router is flashed, but it doesn't connect to the Internet after it's restarted, and most often it's connected to:

• Incorrect WAN settings (e.g., Static IP is selected instead of DHCP).
• Conflict. MAC-Addresses (some providers link access to a specific address) MAC).
• Lack of VLAN support in custom firmware (relevant for providers like Rostelecom).

If you lose access to the settings on 192.168.1.1 after Padavan firmware, try:

1. Reset the settings with the Reset button (hold 10 seconds).
2. Check if the router’s IP has changed (use ipconfig in the Windows command line).
3. Connect to SSH (logins: root/admin) and check the network settings with the ifconfig command.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions