Resetting the Xiaomi 4C router to factory settings: 3 working ways

Why you need to reset the Xiaomi 4C router and when to use it

Xiaomi Router 4C is a popular home networking solution for its price-to-feature balance, but even the most reliable device can eventually crash, intermittently breaking the connection, not saving the settings, or not responding at all, and 80% of these cases are helped by a complete factory reset.

Resetting is relevant in the following situations:

• 🔄 You forgot your password from your admin panel or Wi-Fi network, and you can’t restore it via miwifi.com.
• 🐢 The router began to “brake”: low data transfer speed, frequent connection breaks, even after restarting.
• 🔧 After a failed firmware update, the device does not work correctly (for example, port or guest network settings are not saved).
• 🏠 You buy a used router and want to delete all data from the previous owner.

It's important to understand that the reset is a radical measure, and after the procedure, you'll lose:

• 📝 All user settings (network name, password, Wi-Fi channel, device priorities).
• 🔒 Guest network and parental control data.
• 📊 Traffic statistics and connection logs.
• 🔌 Port configuration, DMZ and other network parameters.

Method 1: Reset via web interface (without the Reset button)

The safest method is if the Xiaomi 4C router is still responding to queries and you remember the login data.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your computer or smartphone to the router network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable.
2. Open your browser and type in the address bar 192.168.31.1 or miwifi.com. If the page doesn't open, check the connection or try another browser (Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is recommended).
3. Enter the login and password (by default – admin and password from the sticker on the bottom of the router).
4. Go to Settings → Additional → System Management (or System → Restore in English).
5. Click the Restore Factory Settings button.
6. Confirm the action, wait for the reboot (it will take ~2-3 minutes).

If the router does not issue the network after resetting Xiaomi_XXXX (where XXXX — last-minute MAC-addresses, try them out:

• 🔌 Turn off power for 10 seconds, then turn on again.
• 📡 Wait 5-7 Minutes – Sometimes initialization takes longer.
• 🔍 Check if the Sys indicator is red (indicates hardware error).

Save current settings (screenshots or export config)|Connect to the router via cable (more stable than Wi-Fi)|Close all programs that use the network|Make sure that the router is on the green Sys indicator-->

Method 2: Hardware reset with the Reset button

If the web interface is not available (forgot the password, router "hang"), the physical Reset button on the case will help. On the Xiaomi Router 4C, it is located on the back next to the WAN port and has the RESET inscription or a circular arrow image.

Attention! Don't confuse short press (reset) and long press (reset). On the Xiaomi 4C, a short press (1-2 seconds) just resets the device, and reset requires holding the button for at least 10 seconds until the Sys indicator starts flashing quickly orange.

Algorithm of action:

1. Turn the router on (the Sys indicator should be green or blue).
2. Take a thin object (clip, toothpick) and press the Reset button.
3. Hold it for 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing orange (this is a signal to start resetting).
4. Release the button and wait for the reboot (the indicator will go out, then light up green).

If the indicator does not flash orange, check:

• 🔌 Is the power connected correctly (try another power supply).
• 🛠️ Is the button damaged (on old routers, contacts can oxidize).
• 🕒 Hold the button long enough (some firmwares take up to 20 seconds).

⚠️ Attention: On routers with MiWiFi firmware ROM (Chinese version) after the hardware reset may require a link to the account Mi Account, if you do not remember the data of the previous owner, the router will become a "brick", in which case only the flashing to the international version will help.

Method 3: Reset via the Mi WiFi app (for smartphones)

The official Mi WiFi app (available for Android and iOS) allows you to control your router remotely, including resetting, a method that is handy if you don’t have access to your computer but have a smartphone connected to Xiaomi 4C.

Instructions:

1. Download the Mi WiFi app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Connect your smartphone to the router network (via Wi-Fi).
3. Open the app and log in (use data from miwifi.com).
4. Go to Settings → Router Management → Resetting.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Doesn't require a computer.
• ✅ Visually understandable interface.
• ✅ Automatic check of firmware updates after reset.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ The application may not work on custom router firmware.
• ❌ Requires a router network connection (it won’t help if Wi-Fi is disabled).

💡

If the Mi WiFi app doesn’t find the router, try turning off the VPN on your smartphone or temporarily disabling the firewall.

Table: Comparison of reset methods for Xiaomi Router 4C

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even after a successful reset, users face problems, and let's look at typical situations and how to fix them.

1.The router doesn't give away Wi-Fi after reset

Causes and solutions:

• 🔌 Sys indicator does not burn: Check the power supply (try another adapter with similar characteristics: 12V/1A).
• 📡 Network Xiaomi_XXXX Not visible: Hold the Reset button again 15 Seconds – sometimes the reset is not completely.
• 🔍 The indicator is lit in red: This indicates a hardware error. Try flashing the router through UART or go to the service.

2.Requires a binding to Mi Account after reset

This problem is typical for routers with Chinese firmware (MiWiFi ROM).

• 📧 If your router is yours: enter the details of your Xiaomi account to which it was previously linked.
• 🔧 If the router used: try to flash the international firmware through SSH or UART.
• 🛠️ Extreme case: contact the previous owner for account details.

3. Low speed after discharge

Resetting returns the Wi-Fi settings to factory settings, which can cause interference.

• 📶 In the web interface, select channel 6 or 11 (less loaded in urban settings).
• 🔄 Turn on the mode. 802.11n (If you have old devices, turn off them. 802.11ac).
• 📊 Set the channel width of 20 MHz (reduces interference but reduces top speed).

💡

If a router requires a firmware update after a reset, don’t ignore this requirement! Outdated versions of the software may contain vulnerabilities exploited by hackers for attacks such as DNS spoofing or MITM (man in the middle).

How to Restore Settings After Resetting

After resetting, the Xiaomi 4C router returns to factory settings. To return functionality, perform a basic setup:

1. Internet connection

• 🔌 Insert the provider cable into the port WAN (usually blue).
• 🌐 In the web interface, go to Settings → Internet.
• 📝 Select the connection type (PPPoE, Dynamic Connection Type) IP or static IP) and enter data from the provider.

2. Wi-Fi setup

• 📡 Go to Settings. → Wi-Fi.
• 🔒 Give a new name to the network (SSID) and password (recommended) WPA2-PSK password not shorter than 8 characters).
• 📶 Select the channel manually (automatic selection often selects congested channels).

3. Firmware update

• 🔄 In the Settings section → Update the software check the relevance of the firmware.
• 📥 If an update is available, download and install it (don’t turn off the router during the process!).

4. Additional settings (optional)

• 🛡️ Set up Parental Controls to restrict access to content.
• 🖥️ Activate the Guest Network if you need a separate network for visitors.
• 🔌 Reconfigure Port Redirection (if you use torrents, game servers, or other devices) IP-camera).

💡

Save your router settings to the configuration file (Settings → System Management → Backup) to quickly restore settings after future resets.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions