Resetting the Xiaomi router to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Resetting the Xiaomi router to factory settings is a necessary procedure if the device began to work unstable, forgotten the password from Wi-Fi or requires a full Configuration reinstallation. However, many users face problems: If the Reset button does not respond, then after reset, the router does not distribute the Internet, then the settings are partially reset. In this article, we will analyze all working reset methods for Mi Router models. 3/4/4A/4C/AX1800/AX3000/AX6000, including hidden nuances, which are not written in the official instructions.

The procedure seems simple, but in practice, 30 percent of users make critical mistakes, such as interrupting a reset in the middle or confusing a soft and hard reset. We explain the difference in detail, show you how to avoid a "brick" (turning a router into a "brick"), and give a checklist to restore the network after a reset. And if you're afraid of losing the settings, at the end of this article there's a unique way to back up the configuration of the Xiaomi root router without rights.

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Why You Need to Reset Your Xiaomi Router and When to Do It

Factory reset is not a panacea, but a tool for solving specific problems, and many users use it in vain, wasting time reconfiguring. Here are the exact cases where the procedure is justified:

• 🔒 Forgot the Wi-Fi password or the administrator panel (192.168.31.1) Reset is the only way to get access back without being hacked.
• 🐢 The router brakes or spontaneously restarts, often due to damaged settings after a firmware update.
• 📡 Internet connection problems, the provider does not block access, for example, the router does not receive IP via DHCP or saves the PPPoE settings.
• 🔄 Before selling or transferring a router, a reset deletes all personal data, including the history of the connected devices.
• 🛠️ After a failed firmware update, if the router hovers on the Mi logo or flashes orange.

And here's when the dumping won't help:

• ❌ If the problem is on the provider side (e.g., cable break or MAC- address lock).
• ❌ In case of hardware malfunctions (port LAN is burned out, antenna is broken).
• ❌ If the router is blocked by the provider (for example, under a lease agreement).

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi AX6000 and AX9000 models, resetting via the web interface may not remove guest network settings. Use the Reset button for complete cleanup.

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Method 1: Reset via web interface (the most secure)

This method is suitable if you have access to the router's administrator panel, and its advantage is the ability to choose partial reset (network settings only) or full (including passwords and Wi-Fi settings).

Instructions:

1. Connect to the router via cable or Wi-Fi. Open your browser and type 192.168.31.1 (or miwifi.com for newer models).
2. Log in. The default login and password is admin (if you haven't changed it).
3. Go to Settings → Additional → System Management → Resetting.
4. Select reset type: Network resets – only clears Internet connection settings (PPPoE, DHCP). Resets all settings – returns the router to the “out of the box” state.

Confirm action. The router will restart (it will take 2-3 minutes).

On models with MiWiFi ROM firmware (e.g. Mi Router 4A Gigabit), the path may be different: General settings → Backup/Reset → Reset.

Save the current PPPoE (login/password from provider)|Disable all devices from the router except one PC|Check that the router is powered (not through Power Bank)|Prepare a backup internet connection (mobile hotspot)

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⚠️ Warning: If the router is not giving away the internet after reset, check port mode. On some Xiaomi models, the port WAN can automatically switch to LAN. Corrects to Settings → Network → Port Mode.

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Method 2: Hardware reset button Reset (for blocked routers)

If you forget the password from the admin panel or the router is frozen, the physical Reset button will help. It is on all Xiaomi models, but the location and activation method are different.

Where to look for the button:

• 📍 Mi Router 3/4/4A: a small hole on the back (a paper clip or toothpick is needed).
• 📍 AX1800/AX3000: The button is recessed into the body, pressed by the nail or blunt side of the handle.
• 📍 AX6000/AX9000: The button is paired with WPS (press and hold 10+ seconds).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn the router on (the power indicator should burn).
2. Find the Reset button and hold it for 10-15 seconds (until all the indicators flash).
3. Release the button. The router will restart (the process will take up to 5 minutes).
4. After the reboot, the settings will be reset. Connect to the Xiaomi_XXXX network (without a password) and reconfigure the router.

On dual-reset models (e.g. Mi Router 4C):

• Short press (1-3 seconds) – soft reset (saves the Wi-Fi settings).
• Long press (10+ sec) - hard reset (complete cleaning).

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Method 3: Reset via Mi Home (for cloud-controlled routers)

If your router is linked to a Xiaomi account (such as the AX3600 or BE7000), you can reset your settings through the official app, which is convenient if you are away from home and do not have physical access to the device.

Instructions:

1. Open the Mi Home app and select your router from the device list.
2. Go to Settings → General → Reset settings.
3. Select the type of reset: Wi-Fi reset is the name and password of the network only. Resetting all settings is a complete cleanup.

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Wait until the process is completed (the appendix will show the notification).

⚠️ Limitations of method:

• It does not work on routers without cloud-based anchorage (for example, Mi Router 3 old revision).
• Requires an active Internet connection on the router (if the network is not working, use the Reset button).
• On some firmware, resetting via Mi Home does not remove VPN settings and Port Flip.

1. Reboot the phone and router.

2. Connect to the Xiaomi_XXXX network manually (password is indicated on the sticker).

3. Delete the router from your Mi Home account and add again through Add Device → Router.

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What to do after resetting: setting up the router from scratch

After resetting, the Xiaomi router returns to factory settings, and it needs to be reconfigured. Here's a step-by-step algorithm:

1. Connect to the router: Wi-Fi: Find the Xiaomi_XXXX network (password on the sticker at the bottom). Cable: Connect your PC to any LAN port.
2. Go to the control panel: open 192.168.31.1 in the browser. the default login / password is admin.
3. Set up the Internet: For PPPoE (Rostelecom, Beeline): enter the username / password from the provider. For DHCP (Dom.ru, MGTS): usually just choose this mode. For Static IP: check the parameters with the provider.

Set up the Wi-Fi:

• Network Name (SSID): It is best not to use Cyrillic.
• Password: minimum 8 characters, with numbers and letters.
• Channel: For 2.4 GHz, select 1, 6, or 11 (less loaded).
• Update the firmware: go to Settings → Software Update and install the latest version.

Recommended settings for stable operation:

• 🔄 Enable Automatic Reboot (e.g., once a week at 3:00 a.m.).
• 🛡️ Activate DDoS Protection in Settings → Security.
• 📶 Disable WPS (a hacking vulnerability).

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi routers AX6000 and later, after a reset, you may turn on Smart Connect (automatic switching between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). If you have older devices (such as smart light bulbs) that don't support 5 GHz, turn off this option in Wi-Fi → Smart Connect Settings.

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Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users make mistakes when resetting a Xiaomi router, and here are the most common ones:

Additional advice:

• 🔌 If the router does not respond to a reset, try connecting it to another power supply (sometimes the problem is unstable voltage).
• 📱 On Mi Mesh-enabled models (e.g. AX3600), node re-synchronization may be required after reset.
• 🔒 If you forget the password from your Xiaomi account linked to your router, restore it via account.xiaomi.com.

💡

If the router, after resetting, gives a "No Internet access" error, first check the physical connection of the cable from the provider. Often the problem lies in the damaged connector or WAN port, not in the settings.

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How to save router settings before reset (hidden function)

Few people know, but Xiaomi routers have the ability to back up the configuration and restore it after a reset, eliminating the need to reconfigure everything.

Instructions for creating a backup:

1. Go to the router control panel (192.168.31.1).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → System Management → Backup / Restore.
3. Click Create Backup. The config.bin file will be downloaded to your computer.
4. Save the file in a safe place (e.g., in the cloud).

How to restore the settings:

1. After reset, go to the control panel.
2. In the same section (Reserve/Restore) click Restore and select the saved config.bin file.
3. Wait for the router to restart (it will take 1-2 minutes).

Important: the backup is tied to the router model. You can't restore the config from the Mi Router 4A to the AX3000, it will crash.

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FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi router