How to turn Xiaomi router into a powerful Wi-Fi signal amplifier

The situation when Wi-Fi signal stops making its way to distant rooms or the kitchen is familiar to many owners of smart equipment. Often the main router, even powerful and modern, can not cope with thick walls or large space, in such cases, users face low page load speeds and constant connection breaks, which is especially annoying when watching high-resolution video.

Instead of buying expensive Mesh systems or additional access points, you can use existing hardware. Xiaomi router has the hidden potential to turn it into an efficient Wi-Fi repeater. This solution will allow you to significantly expand the coverage of the wireless network using the old or spare router brand, which often lies idle after upgrading Internet equipment.

The advantage of this approach is that it saves money and can unify network management through a single application. However, the process of setting up has its own nuances, which depend on the firmware version and device model. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions that will help you reanimate an old gadget and ensure a stable Internet in every corner of the house.

Preparation of equipment and choice of model

Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that your hardware is compatible with repeater mode. Not all Xiaomi and Redmi routers support this feature out of the box in the standard interface. Most often, the ability to work in Relay mode (relay) is present in the Mi Router 3, 4, 4A, 4C series, as well as in newer versions with Wi-Fi 6 support.

You'll need the router itself, which will work as a repeater, and the main router that distributes the Internet. It's important that the main router is already configured and is distributing the Wi-Fi signal. It's critical to know the password from the main Wi-Fi network in advance, because without it, you can't connect the repeater. Also make sure that the Ethernet cable is working, although in most scenarios we'll use a wireless connection.

There are two main ways to do this: through the web interface and through the Mi Home mobile app. The first option is considered more reliable and provides access to advanced settings that can be hidden in the mobile version. The second option is easier for beginners, but sometimes works unstable when you first set up.

If you plan to use a wired connection between routers (access point mode), the quality of the cable matters. For speeds above 100 Mbps, you need a 5e or higher cable that has all 8 veins. Using an old four-core cable will limit speed even with gigabit ports.

Resetting and primary preparation

Any reconfiguration of network equipment should start with a complete reset, which avoids conflict. IP-Addresses and configuration errors that may have been left over from previous use. Even if the router is new or just out of the box, it is recommended to perform this procedure to ensure the purity of the experiment.

Find the Reset button on the device body. It is usually recessed in the case and requires the use of a clip or needle to press. Turn the router into the socket and wait for the load to be completed (the system indicator should burn with a smooth light or flash slowly).

⚠️ Note: Hold the reset button at least 10-15 A brief tap may just reboot the device, but it won't clear the configuration.

After resetting, the router will create an open Wi-Fi network with a name like Xiaomi_xxxx or Redmi_xxxx. Connect to it from your smartphone. If you get an authorization window that suggests you create a new router, if you refuse this, or if you close the window, we need to get into the mode settings menu.

In some cases, especially on global firmware versions, the interface may prompt you to choose a mode of operation. If you see a choice between router and repeater, choose the second option. If you do not have that choice, go to the next section of the instructions.

Configure via web interface (browser)

The most versatile method, which works on most firmware versions, including Chinese and global ones. First, connect your computer or smartphone to your future repeater network (via Wi-Fi or cable). Open any browser and enter 192.168.31.1 or miwifi.com in the address bar.

If the page doesn't open, check the network card settings. IP-address automatically, in rare cases, if IP-Address changed, try 192.168.1.1. Once logged in, you may need to accept the user agreement. Next, find the section responsible for the mode of operation. In Chinese firmware, it is often in the Settings menu) → Operation Mode (Operation Mode).

Here you'll find three options: a main router, a Wi-Fi Repeater, and an Access Point. To expand your network wirelessly, choose Wi-Fi Repeater. The system will offer a list of available networks to connect to. Find your main home network on the list.

Enter the password from the main network and press the connection button. The router will reboot and try to establish the connection. The successful completion of the process will be a blue light (or white, depending on the model).

Use of the Mi Home app

The Mi Home mobile app makes life much easier for Xiaomi users, but setting up the repeater mode through the app often requires the region in the app to match the router’s firmware region. If you have a global router version and China is chosen in the app, the device may not be correctly defined.

Launch the app and click Add Device. The app will start looking for new gadgets. When your router comes up, click on it. Follow the instructions on the screen. At the point of choosing the type of connection, the system can suggest using the device as a signal amplifier if it finds that you are already connected to another Wi-Fi network.

In the application interface, this mode is often called Signal Amplifier or Wi-Fi Repeater. You will need to select the main network from the list and enter a password. The application automatically copies the SSID and password settings to create a single network.

The advantage of this method is that once you've set up, you can control the device remotely, you can see how many devices are connected to the repeater, and if you need to reboot it remotely, which is especially useful if the router is installed in a hard-to-reach location.

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Tip: If the app doesn't see the router in setup mode, try temporarily changing the region in the Mi Home settings to China. Once setup, you can return the region back, the device will remain in the list.

Access Point (Access Point) vs Repiter

It is important to understand the difference between Repeater and Access Point mode. In Repeter mode, the router takes a signal over Wi-Fi and distributes it further over Wi-Fi, which results in a speed decrease of about 50%, since the radio module operates in half-duplex mode (receives and transmits in turn).

If you have the ability to stretch the cable from the main router to the far corner of the house, it is better to use Access Point mode. In this case, the Xiaomi router connects with the cable to the main one, and distributes the Internet already over Wi-Fi. The speed in this case will be maximum, close to the cable speed, and the delays (ping) will be minimal.

To switch to access point mode in the web interface, select the appropriate option. Connect the Ethernet cable to the port WAN (or LAN, if the router automatically determines the type of port that the new models can do) the second router to LAN-The setup will be automatic, and the second router will become just an extension cable with wireless distribution.

⚠️ Warning: When using repeater mode, avoid setting the device too far from the main router. If the signal at the input to the repeater is weak, then it will be distributed by the “weak” Internet, even if the indicators indicate a connection. After setting up, it's important to make sure the network is stable. The main problem with repeaters is to create porridge from channels. If the main router and repeater are running on the same channel, they can interfere with each other. Modern Xiaomi routers can automatically choose the least loaded channel, but sometimes manually. Go to the Wi-Fi settings and make sure the network name is not too busy (SSID) And the passwords on both devices are completely identical, which will create the illusion of a single network for your gadgets. In such cases, the separation of network names (for example, Home_2.4 and Home_2.4_Ext), If the speed of the Internet through the repeater is not satisfactory, try changing the frequency range. 5 GHz provides high speed, but has a shorter range and worse passes through walls. 2.4 GHz is longer-range, but slower and more noisy. For a repeater standing in another room, it's often better suited. 2.4 GHz. 💡The golden rule of placement: The repeater should be somewhere in the middle between the main router and the zone of the “dead” signal, where it still catches a confident connection from the source. Manufacturers regularly release patches that improve the stability of wireless connections, and you can do this through the web interface under the "Status" or "System Update" section». Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Can you make a repeater of a Xiaomi router with Chinese firmware? Yes, you can. Chinese versions (CN Version has even more fine-tuning options, the only difficulty is that the interface is in Chinese or English, you can use a screenshot translator on your phone to translate, and the Wi-Fi Repeater is there and it works smoothly. Will the Internet speed decrease when you use a repeater? Yes, with a wireless connection (Repeater mode), the speed will inevitably drop, in ideal conditions, by about 2 times. This is a technical feature of the technology, since the communication channel is used for both receiving and transmitting data. In access point mode (cable) + Wi-Fi) speed loss will be minimal. Do all Xiaomi models support Mesh? No, not all models support Mesh networks. Mesh technology (seamless roaming) is only supported in new models specifically designed for this (e.g. Xiaomi Mesh System AX3000). Older models can work like regular repeaters, but seamlessly switching between them without breaking the connection (like in Mesh) will not. What to do if the router does not see the main 5GHz network? Some older models of Xiaomi routers in repeater mode can only see 2.4GHz networks. Also check if the main network SSID is not hidden. If the main 5GHz network uses wide channels (80 or 160 MHz), try to reduce the main channel to 40 or MHz.