How to reset the password of the admin router Xiaomi

There are a lot of times when you lose access to your home network control panel, where you forget your previously changed credentials or you get a login error after you update your firmware, and you can take control of your Mi Router in a number of ways, but it's important to act consistently so you don't disrupt your network.

The main challenge is that a standard reset removes all user settings, including provider settings. You'll have to re-enter PPPoE data or configure dynamic IP if it's not stored automatically in the cloud. A full reset is the last resort when soft recovery methods don't work.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the current methods of returning access, from using a physical button on the case to advanced command line techniques, and learn how to avoid locking the device and properly configure it after the memory cleanup procedure.

Preparation for the procedure for restoring access

Before you start to act, you need to make sure that the equipment is physically available, you need to find the router itself, because the manipulation will be carried out directly with its housing, and also make sure that the device is connected to the power source and is stable.

To perform the operation, you will need a thin object, such as an unbended paperclip or a special needle that often comes with a bundle. Mechanical reset requires precision so as not to damage adjacent components of the board or the button itself. If you use a laptop, connect it to the router with an Ethernet cable for a more stable connection during setup.

⚠️ Warning: Before starting the procedure, make sure you have an ISP contract on hand. After resetting, you will need a login and password to connect to the WAN if the PPPoE connection type is used.

Check the indicators on the front of the device. If the red indicator of the system is on, this may indicate a critical firmware error, in which case a routine reset may not help. In normal situations, the indicators should flash or burn with a steady light, indicating that MiWiFi OS is running normally.

Method of hardware reset via the Reset button

The most reliable and versatile way to regain access to the admin panel is to use a physical Reset button, which is usually located on the back of the device, next to the LAN ports and the power connector. On some models, such as the Mi Router 4A or AX3600, the hole can be recessed into the case to protect against accidental pressing.

The algorithm is simple, but it requires shutter speed. Press and hold the button inside the hole for 5-10 seconds. The status indicator should start flashing orange, which signals the start of the configuration cleanup process. You can only release the button after the router starts rebooting.

Once the device is rebooted, the device will return to factory settings, the administrator password will be reset, and when you first log in to the web interface, the system will prompt you to create a new combination of characters. Default login data is often missing, since modern firmware versions require you to set a password when you first activate.

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If the Reset button doesn’t respond with a short press, try holding it for more than 15 seconds while you turn the router on, which can trigger Recovery Mode.

It is important not to interrupt the power of the device when the indicator flashes. Interrupting the writing process in memory can damage the file system. If after the procedure the web interface does not open at 192.168.31.1, try clearing the browser cache or using incognito mode.

Recovery through web interface and application

If you have access to a Wi-Fi network, but you forgot the administrator password, try logging in via the Mi Wi-Fi mobile application. Often it happens that the phone saves authorization, and you can change the password directly from the application interface, bypassing the entry of old data in the browser.

The web interface at miwifi.com or 192.168.31.1 sometimes provides password recovery through your linked Mi Account. If you previously linked your router to Xiaomi’s cloud service, the system may suggest resetting your administrator password after verifying your identity via email or SMS.

• 📱 Open the Mi Wi-Fi app on a smartphone connected to the router network.
• 🔐 Go to your device settings and find “Password Management” or “Security".
• 🔄 Click "Change Administrator Password" and set a new combination.
• 💾 Save the changes and check the browser login.

This method does not work on all firmware versions, especially global ROMs, where cloud management functions may be limited, and in such cases, you can rely on hardware reset or SSH if the router has been pre-enabled for debugging.

Reset password via SSH and Telnet (for advanced)

For experienced users who have previously activated access to SSH, There's a way to reset your password without losing all of your settings, and this method requires you to connect to the router via cable and use the terminal. IP-device address and credentials for SSH-access, if they have been established.

Connect to the router via the terminal using the ssh root command@192.168.31.1. Once you've successfully logged in, you'll need access to the file system, and the main task is to find and edit the configuration file that stores the hash of the administrator password. /etc/config/xqsystem or similar, depending on the model.

cd /etc/config


vi xqsystem

You need to find the password string in this file and delete it or replace it with a hash of a known combination. Once you save the changes, you need to restart the service or the router itself with the reboot command. Modifying system files carries risks, so back up before making changes.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system configs can lead to a device "bricking" if you are not sure about your actions with the Linux command line, use the Reset button.

Table of standard addresses and entry data

Once you reset the router, it goes back to the factory settings. IP-Address other (factory) data. Below is a table with the most common values for various Xiaomi and Redmi models.

Note that in modern firmware, the default password has been virtually eliminated in favor of security. The first time you connect after a reset, the system will force you to come up with a new password. If the router does not accept the standard IP, check your PC network card settings - they must stand for automatic IP (DHCP).

Sometimes the address can be changed by the previous owner or provider, in which case you can find out the current IP through the computer command line by entering the command ipconfig (for Windows) or ifconfig (for macOS/Linux) and looking at the value of the "Default Gateway".

Setting up a router after resetting the password

Once you've successfully reset and logged in, you'll be met by the original setup wizard, the first step is to create a new administrator password, come up with a complex combination that's hard to guess but easy to remember, or write it down in a safe place.

The next step is to set up the Internet connection, the router will try to automatically determine the type of connection, if the provider uses Dynamic IP (DHCP), the Internet will work immediately. In the case of PPPoE (often Rostelecom, Dom.ru, etc.), you will need to enter the login and password from the contract.

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The main result of the setup: After resetting, the router becomes a “clean slate” – be sure to reset the Wi-Fi network name and password, otherwise neighbors can access your network with a factory name.

Remember to update your firmware to the latest version via the Status → System Update menu, which will close security vulnerabilities and improve stability. The current version of the software often contains bug fixes that may have caused access problems in the past.

In the Wi-Fi settings section, it is recommended to change the network name (SSID) and set a strong password. Using the WPA2/WPA3 encryption protocol will ensure data protection from interception, and it is worth checking whether the guest network feature is turned on if you do not need it.