Xiaomi firmware AX1800: official and custom methods with step-by-step instructions

Xiaomi router AX1800 (model RA67) While the company’s standard firmware often limits functionality: there is no flexible QoS configuration, no support for WireGuard or AdGuard Home, and updates come with a delay. Router firmware allows you to solve these problems, but requires accuracy - an error can turn the device into a "brick».

In this guide, we will discuss all the current methods of firmware (official runoff, OpenWRT, Padavan), including preparation, selection of software version and recovery from failures. AX1800 chipset MT7621A and flash 16 MB — They affect compatibility with custom builds. If you're a beginner, start with the official method; experienced users will find parts here for installing alternative firmware through the Internet. SSH or UART.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

Router firmware is a process where little things determine success. First rule: keep your current configuration. → Additionally. → Backup/Restore Export the settings file to your computer, which will allow you to quickly restore the network if you need to reset after the update.

Check out the hardware version of your AX1800. For that:

• 🔍 Log in to the router's web interface (192.168.31.1).
• 📋 Go to Status. → Device and find the Hardware Version string.
• 🔧 If the version RA67 — You'll find all the instructions below. RA68 or RA69 Special OpenWRT builds are required (see Section 4).

Also prepare:

• 🖥️ Computer with wired connection to router (Wi-Fi may shut down during process).
• 🔌 Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) – a power break during firmware is almost guaranteed to “kill” the device.
• 📁 Firmware file (official or custom) – it can not be renamed or unpacked.

⚠️ Attention: If yours AX1800 purchased in China (domestic version), global firmware can block 5 GHz band due to regulatory restrictions. Check supported channels in the current firmware through the iw list command (required) SSH-access).

2. Official firmware: update via web interface

The safest way is to install Xiaomi's stockware, which is suitable for restoring performance after a crash or returning to factory settings. AX1800 split:

• 🌍 Global (interface, support for all regions).
• 🇨🇳 Chinese (Chinese interface, can block some functions outside China).

Download the current version from the official Xiaomi website (Support section) → Routers → AX1800). The file will be in.bin format with the name of the type. miwifi_ra67_firmware_*.bin.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your computer to the router via cable (port) LAN).
2. Go to the web interface (192.168.31.1), log in.
3. Go to Settings. → Update of the PO.
4. Click "Select file" and select the downloaded.bin.
5. Wait for the file check (1-2 minutes) and press "Update».
6. Do not turn off the power during 5-7 minutes - the router restarts automatically.

If the router does not load after the update (all indicators are on or orange flashes), perform disaster recovery:

1. Shut down the power for 30 seconds.
2. Press the Reset button (on the back) and turn on the power.
3. Hold the button. 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing yellow.
4. Release the button and the router will go into recovery mode (192.168.1.1).
5. Download the firmware through the recovery web interface.

3. OpenWRT Installation: Unlocking Full Potential

OpenWRT is an open firmware with support for thousands of packages to fine-tune the network. - Xiaomi AX1800 base-based assemblies available MT7621, but there are nuances:

• 🚫 No official support - custom assemblies from the community are used.
• ⚠️ Brick Risk – Wrong firmware can damage the bootloader.
• ✅ Advantages: WireGuard, SQM for QoS, AdBlock, Support USB-modem.

Suitable builds:

• 📦 Official repository (branch 23.05).
• 🛠️ ImmortalWRT (optimized for the Asian region).
• 🔧 Assemblies from 4PDA (Russified, with pre-installed packages).

To install OpenWRT, you will need:

1. Unlock. SSH-access in the stock firmware (see Section 5).
2. Download the image of openwrt-*.bin for Xiaomi,ax1800.
3. Download it through SCP or WinSCP in a folder /tmp.
4. Execute firmware command: mtd -r write /tmp/openwrt.bin firmware
5. Wait for the reboot (up to 10 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: OpenWRT for AX1800 Wi-Fi is disabled on the frequency 5 GHz due to driver issues mt76. To enable you will need to manually install the package kmod-mt7615-firmware and edit the config. /etc/config/wireless.

4. Padavan firmware: an alternative with advanced features

Padavan is a fork of firmware from ASUS, Adapted for MediaTek-based devices. AX1800 proposes:

• 📶 Improved Wi-Fi stability (especially at 5GHz).
• 🔒 Built-in Firewall with flexible rules.
• 🌐 OpenVPN and WireGuard support out of the box».
• 📊 Detailed statistics of traffic by device.

Download the current assembly can be on the official repository or in the topic on the site. 4PDA. Look for tagged files. RA67 or AX1800.

Installation of Padavan is possible in two ways:

Method 1: Through a web interface (for stock firmware)

1. Download the file. firmware_*.trx.
2. Go to Settings. → Update of the PO.
3. Download the file and wait for the reboot (up to 5 minutes).

Method 2: Through SSH (if the web interface is blocked)

1. Connect to the SSH (default login: root/admin, password - see the sticker on the router).
2. Upload the firmware to /tmp: wget https://example.com/padavan.trx -O /tmp/firmware.trx
3. Run the firmware: mtd_write write /tmp/firmware.trx Firmware

💡

Before you install Padavan, disconnect all client devices from the router, which will speed up the process and reduce the risk of failure.

5. Unlocking SSH-stock-pipe

By default, Xiaomi is blocking SSH-router access for the global market, and it's going to take a lot of time to unlock it:

1. Install the official firmware version 1.0.150 or lower (new versions are closed).
2. Download the OpenWRTInvade utility.
3. Connect to the router via Telnet (port) 23) by command: telnet 192.168.31.1 Login/password: root/password-s-sticker.
4. Execute the script to unlock: nvram set ssh_en=1 nvram set uart_en=1 nvram set boot_wait=on nvram commit reboot

After the reboot. SSH will be available in port 22. Use PuTTY (Windows) or Terminal to connect (Linux/macOS):

ssh root@192.168.31.1

⚠️ Attention: Firmware is newer 1.0.170 Telnet method does not work – soldering iron and connection to the UART-port (contacts) TX/RX/GND board-board).

6.Recovery after failed firmware

If the router has stopped responding (there are no flashing indicators, no access to the web interface), try the following methods:

Method 1: Emergency Web Interface

Press the Reset button, turn on the power and hold on 10-15 If the indicator flashed yellow, the router went into recovery mode. 192.168.1.1 and load up the stock firmware.

Method 2: Through UART

It will require:

• 🔧 The soldering iron and the "dad-mama" wires».
• 🖥️ adapter USB-TTL (for example, CP2102).
• 📂 Putty or Screen (Linux).

Get in touch. UART board-board: GND → TX → RX, tension 3.3V!) and interrupt the loading by pressing any key in the terminal:

loady 0x80000000

Next, send the firmware through YModem (in Putty: Transfer → YModem → Send)



erase 0x9f020000 +0x1e00000




cp.b 0x80000000 0x9f020000 0x1e00000




bootm 0x9f020000

Method 3: Reverse Firmware Through TFTP

If the router does not load but responds to ping, try:

1. Set up on PC static IP 192.168.1.2/24.
2. Launch it. TFTP-server, tftpd64).
3. Place the firmware in the server folder under the name firmware.bin.
4. Turn on the router with the Reset button pressed – it will automatically download the file.

💡

If the router does not respond to the Reset button, check the power supply - unstable voltage (below). 12V) It can block the transition to recovery mode.

7. Router optimization after firmware

After successfully installing an alternative firmware (OpenWRT or Padavan), configure the router for maximum performance:

For OpenWRT:

• 🔄 Update: opkg update & & opkg upgrade
• 📦 Install luci-app-sqm for traffic management (QoS).
• 🛡️ Set up Firewall to block ads: opkg install adblock

For Padavan:

• 📶 Enable Jumbo Frames in the settings LAN (Increase the speed of the local network).
• 🔒 Activate DoT (DNS-over-TLS) in the section DNS.
• 📈 Set up Bandwidth Limiter to limit traffic to individual devices.

For both firmwares, it is recommended:

• 🔄 Change the standard passwords (root/admin).
• 📡 Disable unnecessary services (e.g., UPnP if you are not using it) P2P).
• 📤 Create a backup copy of the settings in /etc/config.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi firmware AX1800