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

The firmware of the Xiaomi Mi Router 4 — The challenge faced by users who want to expand the functionality of the device or fix bugs official software. 5 (802.11ac) and dual-band (2.4/5 GHz is popular for its price-to-quality ratio, but standard MiWiFi firmware often limits customization options. VPN-servers, flexible routing or the ability to disable forced binding to the Xiaomi account.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of firmware Mi Router 4 (model) R4A): From official updates via the web interface to custom firmware installations like OpenWRT or Padavan, we will focus on the pitfalls that beginners face: locking the bootloader, losing access to the device and recovering from a failed firmware. If you have never worked with me before SSH or TFTP — Don’t worry: the instructions are tailored for users without a technical background.

Xiaomi Mi Router 4 has been released in several revisions, and their hardware differences affect the firmware process. Make sure your model is compatible with the chosen firmware - more about this in the section "Firmware compatibility".

Preparation for firmware: what to do before the start

Before you start updating the software, be sure to follow these steps – they will save you hours to restore the router in the event of a failure.

⚠️ Note: If your Mi Router 4 was purchased in China (the domestic version), it may have a firmware lock through the bootloader. In this case, additional unlocking will be required - see the section "Unlock the bootloader».

Here's the training checklist:

Download the correct firmware version (official or custom)|Backup your current settings via MiWiFi|Connect the router to the PC via cable (port) LAN1)|Disconnect all devices from Wi-Fi except your computer|Check the stability of the power supply (use UPS or laptop)|Prepare a paper clip for hardware reset (Reset button)

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If you are planning to install custom firmware (such as OpenWRT), consider:

• 🔧 Lose warranty – Xiaomi does not support third-party firmware.
• 📡 MiWiFi features (e.g., application management) will stop working.
• ⚡ Risk of “bricking” – if the router fails, it may stop turning on.

For official firmware, the risks are minimal, but even here, there are possible failures. For example, if power goes out during the upgrade, the router may freeze during the boot phase. To avoid this, use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or a laptop with a charged battery.

Official (MiWiFi)|OpenWRT|Padavan|DD-WRT|Another custom|I haven't decided yet.-->

Official firmware: update via MiWiFi

The easiest and safest way is to upgrade via a regular web interface or MiWiFi app, which is suitable if you need:

• 🔄 Fix the current version of the software.
• 🛡️ Get the latest security fixes.
• 📶 Improve Wi-Fi stability (for example, 5GHz shutdown issues are often fixed after an upgrade).

Instructions for updating via the web interface:

1. Connect to the router network via cable or Wi-Fi.
2. Open your browser and go to 192.168.31.1 (or miwifi.com).
3. Sign in (with your router login and password, not your Xiaomi account!).
4. Go to the Firmware Update section (in new versions of the interface, the path may differ: Additional → System system → Update of the PO).
5. Click Check Updates. If a new version is available, follow the on-screen prompts.

If the update is not automatically installed, you can manually install it:

1. Download the official firmware from the Xiaomi website (for example, for Mi Router). 4 current version 2026 year-end — miwifi_r4a_firmware_*.bin).
2. In the web interface, select Download the file and specify the path to the downloaded file.
3. Wait until the process is completed (the router will restart automatically).

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the upgrade process or turn the router off the socket. If the power indicator flashes orange for more than 10 minutes, this is a sign of a failure.

Advantages of official firmware:

💡

Official firmware is the best choice for most users, unless you need advanced features, and it guarantees stability and compatibility with other Xiaomi devices.

Castom firmware: OpenWRT, Padavan and others

If you don't like the limitations of the regular software, you can install an alternative firmware. The most popular options for the Mi Router 4 are:

• 🐧 OpenWRT is a flexible system with support for thousands of packages (VPN, Tor, Pi-hole, etc.).
• 🚀 Padavan – firmware based on Asuswrt-Merlin with a user-friendly interface and advanced Wi-Fi settings.
• 🔧 DD-WRT — Classic firmware for enthusiasts, but less optimized for Mi Router 4.

Installation of custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader (if it is blocked) and firmware through SSH or TFTP. Below is a brief comparison of the options:

To install OpenWRT or Padavan, you will need:

1. Unlock the boot loader (if it is blocked).
2. Connect to the router on SSH.
3. Download firmware through SCP or TFTP.
4. Install it with commands in the console.

Detailed instructions for each firmware are given below.

Unlock the bootloader on Mi Router 4

Many Xiaomi Mi Router 4 revisions (especially the Chinese versions) come with a locked bootloader, which means you won’t be able to flash custom software until you unlock it.

1. Receipt SSH-router.
2. Launch a special command to unlock.
3. Installation of a patched loader (if required).

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Connect to the router on SSH (login and password from the web interface. For this, use the PuTTY (Windows) program or the terminal (Linux/macOS).
2. Run the command to check the status of the bootloader: nvram get flag_try_sys1_failed If the result — 1, loader blocked.
3. To unlock, enter: nvram set flag_try_sys1_failed=0 nvram commit reboot
4. After restarting, check that the unlock is successful: nvram get flag_try_sys1_failed I have to go back. 0.

⚠️ Note: Some Mi Router 4 revisions (e.g, R4A Gigabit Edition may require soldering of the resistor on the board to fully unlock. Without this, you will not be able to flash OpenWRT).

If the router stopped booting after unlocking, try restoring it through Recovery mode.

💡

Before unlocking the bootloader, back up the current firmware through SSH dd if=/dev/mtdblock0 of=/tmp/fullflash.bin, Then copy the file to the PC using SCP. This will help restore the router in case of a failure.

Installation of OpenWRT on Xiaomi Mi Router 4

OpenWRT is one of the most popular firmware for the Mi Router 4 due to its flexibility and the large number of packages available, but its installation requires care, especially on revisions with 128. MB RAM (In some versions of the router only 64 MB, Which can cause productivity problems).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware for your Mi Router 4 revision: For R4A (128 MB RAM): The OpenWRT Wiki is available for R4A Gigabit Edition: Look for special builds (like from Padavan).

Connect to the SSH

scp openwrt-*sysupgrade.bin root@192.168.31.1:/tmp

Check the checksum

md5sum /tmp/openwrt-*sysupgrade.bin

Install the firmware

mtd -r write /tmp/openwrt-*sysupgrade.bin firmware

192.168.1.1

If the router does not load after installing OpenWRT:

• 🔌 Try resetting (hold the Reset button for 10 seconds).
• 🖥️ Connect to the TFTP and flash the firmware again (instructions in the section "Router Recovery»).
• 🔧 Check firmware compatibility with your router revision (e.g. for 64) MB RAM We need special assemblies).

After successful installation, it is recommended that:

• 🔒 Change the standard password (root/passwordless → passwd).
• 📦 Update the list of packages: opkg update
• 🌐 Configure Wi-Fi via LuCI (OpenWRT web interface).

💡

OpenWRT on Xiaomi Mi Router 4 is stable, but requires the right build selection. MB RAM Use firmware marked lowmem or lite.

Installation of Padavan on Mi Router 4

Padavan is a modified version of Asuswrt-Merlin firmware adapted for Xiaomi routers.

• 🎛️ Convenient web interface with advanced settings (for example, Wi-Fi power adjustment, WireGuard support).
• 📶 Better optimization for Wi-Fi compared to OpenWRT (less lags at high load).
• 🔄 Dual-WAN support (can be used) USB-modem as a backup channel).

Installation instructions:

1. Download the latest version of Padavan for Mi Router 4 (e.g. from padavan-ng).
2. Connect to the router on SSH and download the firmware: scp padavan-*trx root@192.168.31.1:/tmp
3. Install firmware with the command: mtd -r write /tmp/padavan-*trx firmware
4. Wait for the reboot (around) 3-5 minute).

After installation:

• The web interface will be available at 192.168.123.1.
• Default login/password: admin/admin.
• It is recommended to immediately update the firmware through the web interface (Administration). → Firmware Upgrade).

Features of Padavan on Mi Router 4:

💡

In Padavan, you can enable hardware acceleration NAT (Hardware NAT), This is a great way to speed up the Internet. → Switch Control and Enable Enable Hardware NAT.

Recovery of the router after a failed firmware

If the router stopped responding after the firmware (the indicators do not flash, no access to 192.168.31.1), do not panic - in most cases it can be restored.

Method 1: Hardware reset

1. Turn the router off the power.
2. Press the Reset button (on the back).
3. Without releasing the button, connect the power.
4. Hold on to Reset. 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing orange.
5. Release the button - the router will reset to the factory settings.

Method 2: Firmware through TFTP (if the router does not load)

1. Install it on a PC. TFTP-server, Tftpd64 Windows).
2. Place the official firmware in the folder TFTP-server and rename it to miwifi.bin.
3. Configure the PC network card to static IP: 192.168.31.2 (mask 255.255.255.0).
4. Connect the router to the PC via cable (port) LAN1).
5. Press the Reset button, turn on the router power and hold the button 5-7 seconds.
6. The router must automatically download the firmware from TFTP-server (the process will take place) 2-3 minute).

Method 3: Firmware through UART (power-user)

If none of these things work, you'll have to use soldering. There are contacts on the Mi Router 4 board. UART (TX, RX, GND), which can be connected with the help of USB-TTL Adapter and manually flash the router through U-Boot.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through UART It requires soldering iron skills and an understanding of U-Boot commands. If you've never soldered a chip, you'd better go to a service center.

If the router has not loaded, check:

• 🔌 Power supply – try another adapter (5V/2A).
• 🔧 Reset button contacts – sometimes they oxidize.
• 📡 Wi-Fi antennas – if the router turns on but doesn’t give away Wi-Fi, the antenna connector may have moved away.

Frequent questions about the Xiaomi Mi Router 4 firmware