Relay Wi-Fi from the router Xiaomi: how to configure in 10 minutes

Why turn a Xiaomi router into a repeater?

A weak Wi-Fi signal in distant rooms is a problem that many users face. Instead of buying additional equipment, you can use the existing Xiaomi router as a network repeater, a solution that is especially relevant for owners of Mi Router 3/4, AX1800, AX3000 and others that support WDS or Repeater mode.

The benefits of this approach are obvious: cost savings (you don’t need to buy a separate repeater), compatibility with the existing network and the ability to configure flexibly. However, there are nuances: not all Xiaomi models support out-of-the-box relaying, and in some cases, alternative firmware will be required. In this article, we will discuss official and informal methods, as well as typical configuration errors.

Important: If your router is running MiWiFi ROM (standard firmware), the relay functionality may be limited. Advanced features will require OpenWRT or Padavan firmware, but this is a topic for a separate article.

Which Xiaomi models support the relay mode?

Not all Xiaomi routers can work as repeaters, but here is a list of models that support WDS/Repeater mode on standard firmware:

• 🔹 Mi Router 3/3G/3C — Support WDS, but no automatic connection to the main network.
• 🔹 Mi Router 4/4A/4C is a full-fledged repeater mode, but requires software updates to the latest version.
• 🔹 AX1800 (RA67) — Supports Repeater Mode via a web interface.
• 🔹 AX3000 (RA73) – Relay mode is available, but manual channel setting may be required.
• 🔹 Mi Router AC2100 is limited support, only through alternative firmware.

The Mi Router Mini, 360° and most budget variants do not have a built-in repeater function, and require custom firmware installation, which voids warranty and requires technical skills.

⚠️ Warning: Xiaomi routers with firmware for the Chinese market (CN ROM) may not have a Russian-language interface in the repeater menu. Before setting up, check the device region in Settings → General → Region.

Preparation for setting up: what to do before you start

Before turning the Xiaomi router into a repeater, follow a few mandatory steps:

1. Update your firmware to the latest version. To do this, go to Settings → General → Software Update. Outdated versions may not support repeater mode.
2. Write down the main network data: name (SSID), password and encryption type (WPA2-PSK or WPA3).
3. Place the router repeater in the zone of confident reception of the signal of the main network (at least 50% of the level), otherwise the speed will subside.
4. Reset the Xiaomi router to factory settings if it has already been used. This will avoid configuration conflicts.

If your router is connected to Mi Home, temporarily unplug it from your account. In relay mode, some cloud management features may not work properly.

Update the firmware to the latest version

Write down the SSID and password of the main network

Place the router in the zone of good signal

Reset the settings to factory (if necessary)

Disconnect from Mi Home (if tied)

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⚠️ Warning: If the main router uses 160 MHz channel width, the Xiaomi repeater may not connect. Transfer the main network to 80 MHz or 40 MHz in the settings.

Step-by-step setting up the repeater via Mi Wi-Fi

The easiest way is to use the official Mi Wi-Fi app (formerly Mi Router), which is relevant for firmware based on MiWiFi ROM:

1. Connect the router to power and wait for the load (the indicator should flash orange).
2. Launch the Mi Wi-Fi app and select "Add Device" → "Router".
3. Wait for the connection. The router will reboot and relay the signal. The new network name will be the original SSID with the addition of the EXT suffix.

If the application does not have the option "Relayer", try to configure via the web interface:

1. Connect to the Xiaomi router network via Wi-Fi or cable.

Once set up successfully, the indicator on the router should be blue (purple in some models). If the LED flashes orange, check the correct password or signal level.

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If the router does not find the main network in the list, try temporarily disabling the 802.11r Fast Roaming function on the main router (if it is enabled).

Manual WDS setup for experienced users

If the automatic mode is not working or fine-tuning is required, you can use the WDS- Bridge.This method is suitable for Mi Router 3/4 models and requires manual input of parameters:

1. Connect to the Xiaomi router and open the web interface (192.168.31.1).
2. Go to Additional settings → Wireless Mode → WDS settings.
3. Turn on WDS and click "Search." Select the main network from the list.
4. Specify the type of encryption (should match the main router) and enter the password.
5. In the IP Settings section, select DHCP or set a static IP (e.g. 192.168.31.254).
6. Save the settings and restart the router.

When setting up WDS, it is important:

• 🔧 The main router must support WDS (most modern devices support).
• 🔧 Wi-Fi channels on both routers must match (e.g. Channel 6 at 2.4GHz).
• 🔧 The encryption should be the same (WPA2-PSK is recommended).
• 🔧 Turn off AP Isolation on the main router if it is enabled.

Critical: In WDS mode, connection speeds drop by 30-50% due to dual data transfer (router → repeater → device). If you want maximum performance, consider alternatives like a Mesh network or a wired connection.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even if set up properly, the Xiaomi repeater can be unstable, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If the repeater is connected but the internet is not working:

1. Check if DHCP is enabled on the main router.
2. Make sure that the MAC- address of the repeater is not blocked in the settings of the main router.
3. Turn off the AP Isolation function on the main router.
4. Try manually specifying DNS (e.g. 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 from Google).

⚠️ Warning: If the Xiaomi repeater is constantly restarting in repeater mode, check the voltage of the power supply. Some models are sensitive to voltage drawdowns - use the original adapter.

Alternative ways to amplify the Wi-Fi signal

If the repeater setting does not give the desired result, consider other options:

• 📶 Mesh network: Modern Xiaomi routers (e.g. AX3000 or AX6000) support Mesh technology, which automatically switches devices between nodes without losing speed.
• 🔌 Wired Connection: If you can lay a cable, use the Xiaomi router in access point mode (AP).
• 📡 External antenna: For models with removable antennas (e.g., Mi Router 4A Gigabit), a 5-9 dBi amplification antenna can be installed.
• 🔄 Powerline adapters: If the repeater fails, use Powerline adapters to transmit the Internet over wiring.

To organize a Mesh network on Xiaomi routers:

1. Make sure both routers support Mesh (e.g. AX1800 + AX3000).
2. Connect the second router to the main router via Mi Wi-Fi and select the "Mesh Node" mode.
3. Wait for the synchronization (the indicator will light up in blue).

A Mesh network is preferable to a repeater because:

• 🔹 No speed loss when roaming between nodes.
• 🔹 Automatically switch devices to the strongest signal.
• 🔹 A single network name (SSID) without suffixes.

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If your Xiaomi router does not support Mesh, but there is a repeater mode, use it only as a temporary solution. For stable operation, it is better to arrange a wired connection or buy a specialized Mesh kit.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions