How to reset the settings of the Xiaomi router 4A: Full guide to photo and video

Xiaomi Mi Router router 4A — One of the most popular network devices in Xiaomi’s lineup, even with it, there are periodic problems: unstable connection, forgotten password from Wi-Fi or failures after a firmware update, in which cases, resetting to factory settings is often the only solution. However, many users are afraid to perform this procedure, fearing to lose important data or finally "break" the device.

In fact, router resets are standard, manufacturer-defined, and the key is to know which method to choose (there are three: through the web interface, Reset button, or Mi Home app), and understand the consequences. In this article, we will take each Step-by-step, explain how to avoid common errors, and answer questions about how to restore the network after a reset.

📊 How often do you reset your router settings?

Never dropped it.

1 time per year

Only in case of serious failures

More often than 2 times a year

Why you might need to reset Xiaomi settings 4A

Factory resets are not a panacea, but in some cases, you can not do without it. Here are the most common situations when users of Xiaomi Mi Router 4A resort to this measure:

🔒 Forgot your Wi-Fi password or your admin panel, and unless you logged in to 192.168.31.1, you can't reset your access without resetting.
🔄 The router became "glutty" after updating the firmware, for example, the Internet disappears, devices do not connect to the network or the speed drops sharply.
📡 Conflict IP-This manifests itself as errors such as "Network conflict" or the inability to obtain IP from DHCP.
🔧 Incorrect settings that cannot be fixed via the web interface (for example, after experimenting with the Internet) DMZ port forward).
🏠 Moving or changing providers. Sometimes it's easier to reset the router and reconfigure it than it is to edit old settings.

It is important to understand that resetting is the complete removal of all user settings, including:

📝 Wi-Fi name and password (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks)
🔐 Login / password for entering the Administrator Panel (admin/password)
⚙️ Internet connection parameters (connection type, PPPoE, VLAN, DNS)
🔗 Port settings, DMZ, UPnP and other networking functions
📱 Tethered devices in the Mi Home app (if this control method was used)

After resetting, the router will return to the state of “out of the box”: the network name will become Xiaomi_XXXX (where XXXX — last-character MAC-And the password will be on the sticker underneath the device, and if you don't save that data, you'll have to look it up on the router's case or in the documentation.

Method 1: Reset via web interface (if you have access to settings)

This is the safest method, because you control the process through the control panel.

🔑 You remember the password from the admin panel (192.168.31.1).
🌐 The router is connected to the Internet or local network.
⚡ The device is turned on and stable (no hardware failures).

Step instructions:

Connect to the router via cable (LAN-port) or via Wi-Fi. For stability, it is better to use a wired connection.
Open your browser and type in 192.168.31.1 (or miwifi.com). Press Enter.
Enter the login login and password. By default, this is the admin and password you specified when you first set up (or the standard one from the sticker).
Go to Settings → Additional → System Management → Restore factory settings.
Click the Restore button and confirm the action in the pop-up window.

It takes about 1-2 minutes, and the router reboots, and all settings are reset, and then you can reset your Internet and Wi-Fi connection.

Connection to a router (cable or Wi-Fi)

I know the login / password from 192.168.31.1

Save the current settings (screenshot or recording)

Shut it down. VPN/browser-based proxy-->

⚠️ Warning: If the page does not open after entering 192.168.31.1, check: Are you connected to the router network (not to another Wi-Fi), does not block access to antivirus or firewall. Has not changed? IP-Manual router address (try 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).

Method 2: Hardware reset using the Reset button

If you forget your admin password or the router doesn't respond to commands, a hardware reset via the Reset button will help, which works even in severe software failures, but requires care.

On Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Reset button is located on the back, next to the ports LAN/WAN. It is recessed in the case, so you will need a thin object to press: a paper clip, a toothpick or an unbended stationery clip.

Where exactly is the Reset button?

On the back of the router, to the right of the power port, it's a small, black button with the word "Reset" or a circular arrow icon, and you can only press it with a sharp object, because it's drowned to protect against accidental reset.

Step-by-step:

Turn the router on (if it's off) and wait for the power indicator to light up.
Take a paperclip and press the Reset button, hold it for 10-15 seconds until the indicators on the front start flashing yellow or orange (this is a signal to start resetting).
Release the button. The router will automatically restart (it will take up to 2 minutes).
After you restart, all settings will be reset. Xiaomi_XXXX (password - from the sticker) and configure the router again.

Indicator signal	What does it mean?	Action.
Blue is burning (constantly)	The router is on, it's working fine.	We can start resetting.
Flashing yellow/orange	The discharge process is underway.	Don't let go of the button, wait.
Blinking blue (often)	Router reboots	Wait for completion (1-2 minutes)
Red is burning.	Error or hardware failure	Repeat the reset or check the power

⚠️ Note: If you hold the Reset button for less than 5 seconds, the router will simply restart without resetting. To completely reset, you need to hold it for at least 10-15 seconds until the flashing yellow starts.

💡

If the Reset button doesn't respond, try turning the router off for 30 seconds, then turn it on again and repeat the procedure, sometimes helping to freeze the system.

Method 3: Reset via Mi Home (for tethered devices)

If you have a Xiaomi Mi Router 4A It's linked to a Mi Account and managed through the Mi Home app, and you can reset remotely:

📱 You have access to a smartphone with Mi Home installed.
🔗 The router is connected to the Internet (or at least to the local network).
👤 Remember the username/password from the Xiaomi account to which the router is linked.

Instructions:

Open the Mi Home app on your smartphone.
Go to the Devices tab and select your Mi Router 4A.
Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner (device menu) and select Settings.
Scroll down and find Reset Settings (or Delete Device).
Confirm action. The router will reboot and return to factory settings.

Once reset, the device will automatically unplug your account, and to manage it again through Mi Home, you will have to re-assign:

In the app, click Add Device (+).
Choose a router. → Mi Router 4A.
Follow the instructions on the screen (you will need to connect to the router network and enter the password from the sticker).

💡

Resetting via Mi Home only works if the router has been linked to a Xiaomi account before, and if you’ve never used the app, this method won’t work.

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

After the reset of the Xiaomi Mi Router 4A You're going to have to reset your Internet connection and Wi-Fi. Here's a step-by-step algorithm:

Connect to the router: Cable: connect the computer to any LAN-Wi-Fi: Find the network. Xiaomi_XXXX (Password - on a sticker under the router).
Open the control panel: type in the browser 192.168.31.1 or miwifi.com.
Select the language (by default - Chinese, but there is Russian in the list).
Connect to the Internet: If you have a dynamic IP (DHCP), If you have a PPPoE, enter a login/password from the provider. IP Please indicate the data provided by the provider.

Set up the Wi-Fi:

Please specify a new network name (SSID).
Select the type of encryption WPA2-PSK (recommended).
Create a strong password (at least 8 characters, with numbers and letters).
Save the settings and wait for the router to restart.

If the internet is not working after setting up, check:

🔌 Is the cable from the provider (in port) correctly connected? WAN, It's usually in blue).
📶 Is the data compliant with the connection (PPPoE, VLAN) as specified in the contract with the provider.
🔄 Reboot the router (turn off power for 30 seconds and turn on again).

💡

If the provider uses a binding MAC-address, after the reset may need to inform him of a new MAC router (specified on the sticker) or clone MAC previous device in the router settings.

Typical Resetting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even a simple procedure like resetting can go wrong, and here are some of the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

Mistake.	Reason.	Decision
The router is not reset via the Reset button.	The button is pressed not long enough or the router is “hang”	Hold the button for 15 to 20 seconds. If it doesn't work, turn off the power for 30 seconds and repeat.
After discharge, no 192.168.31.1 opens.	IP-Router address changed or network settings conflict	Try 192.168.0.1 or check the network card settings (should be Getted) IP automatically)
Wi-Fi is working, but the internet is not	Incorrect connection settings to the provider	Check the connection type (PPPoE, DHCP) and login data (login/password)
Router constantly reboots after reset	Firmware or hardware malfunction damaged	Try updating your firmware manually through the web interface. If it doesn't work, contact the service.

Another common problem is that the router doesn't save the settings after resetting, and this can be because:

🔋 Unstable power supply (use the original power supply).
📦 Damaged firmware (try updating it through Settings) → Update of the PO).
🔥 Overheating (check if the body is hot, provide ventilation).

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the router gives an error "Impossible to connect to the Internet" with the correct settings, try manually prescribe DNS from Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) in settings WAN.

How to recover data after reset (if there is a backup)

Many users do not know that Xiaomi Mi Router 4A You can backup your settings and restore them after you reset. If you've done the backup before, you can get all the settings back in minutes.

Instructions for remediation:

Connect to the router after reset (via 192.168.31.1).
Go to the Settings section → Additionally. → Management of the system → Backup/restore.
Click Select File and download a previously saved backup (a file with the.cfg or.bin extension).
Confirm the recovery and wait for the router to restart.

If there is no backup, but you remember the basic settings (for example, data to connect to the provider), you can manually restore them:

📋 Wi-Fi Password: If You Remember It, Just Set the Same in Settings.
🔗 Port forwarding and DMZ: Check which devices have been connected and reconfigure the rules.
👥 Guest Network: If used, turn it on in the Wi-Fi section → Guest network.

Where are the backups of the router settings stored?

Backup files are usually saved to the Downloads folder on your computer. The file name begins with the "MiWiFi_Router" and contains the date of creation (e.g, MiWiFi_Router_20231015.cfg). If you haven’t changed your save location, search for the file by the keyword “MiWiFi".

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset 4A

Can I reset the router without losing firmware?

Yes, factory reset doesn't remove the firmware, just the user settings (Wi-Fi, passwords, network rules) the firmware remains the same version as before the reset. If you need to update the software, do it after resetting through the Settings section. → Update of the PO.

What if the router does not turn on after resetting?

If the router does not respond to the power button or the indicators do not burn, check: 🔌 Power supply: Try another adapter with the same characteristics (12V/1A for Mi Router 4A). 🔋 Cable: Examine the cord for damage. 🔥 Overheating: Let the router cool 10–15 If nothing helps, there may have been a hardware failure (e.g., a capacitor failure.

How to reset your router if you forget your Mi Home password?

If you forgot your Xiaomi account, but the router is tied to it, there are two options: Restore your account: click on the Mi Home login page, click Forgot your password? and follow the instructions (you need an email or a phone tied to your account). Reset the router hardware: use the Reset button (see Method 2). After that, the device will unplug the old account and you can link it to the new one. If other Xiaomi devices (such as smart lamps or a robot vacuum cleaner) are tied to the account, reset router will not affect them.

Can I reset the router via Telnet or SSH?

Theoretically, yes, but on the Xiaomi Mi Router. 4A by default, access is disabled by default Telnet/SSH. To use this method, you need: Enable Telnet through informal firmware (for example, Padavan). Connect via the command line and execute the command: nvram erase reboot This method is not recommended for beginners, since the wrong commands can permanently disable the router. For a standard reset, it is better to use the Reset button or web interface.

Will the settings reset if you update the firmware?

No, the firmware update does not reset user settings (Wi-Fi, passwords, port rules, etc.) However, in rare cases, after the update, there may be failures that require a reset: 🔄 Create a backup before updating (System Management section) → Backup). 📶 Do not interrupt the update process (do not turn the router off the socket). 🔌 Use a stable diet (better through a UPS if available).