How to reset the Xiaomi router to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Resetting Xiaomi router to factory settings is a necessary procedure when selling a device, fixing software failures or if you forgot your Wi-Fi password. However, improper actions can lead to locking the device or losing important settings. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of resetting for Mi Router models. 3/4/4A/4C/AX1800/AX3000 Others, including hidden nuances that are not written in the official instructions.

It’s important to understand that the reset removes all user settings — network name (SSID), Wi-Fi password, parental controls, Mi Account binding, and even guest network. If the router was part of Xiaomi’s smart home, you’ll need to reconfigure integration with devices like Yeelight or Aqara. Before you get started, make sure you have access to an admin panel or a physical Reset button on the case.

In the article you will find:

• 🔧 Three working reset methods (including hidden through Mi Home)
• 📌 Table of methods compatibility with popular router models
• ⚠️ Critical errors that block the router forever
• 🔄 How to Reset Your Settings After Resetting Without Losing Speed

1. Reset via web interface (admin panel)

The safest way is to use the built-in control panel, which is suitable if you have access to the router network (connected via Wi-Fi or cable) and remember the login / password from 192.168.31.1. By default, this is the admin and the password from the sticker on the bottom of the device.

Instructions:

1. Connect to the router via cable or Wi-Fi.
2. Open your browser and type 192.168.31.1 (or miwifi.com for new models).
3. Enter your login and password. If the standard one doesn't work, try root + password from the sticker.
4. Go to Settings → Additional → System Management → Restore factory settings.
5. Click "Reset" and confirm the action.

It takes 2-3 minutes. The router will reboot and the indicators will light up in standard mode (usually flashing yellow/orange is replaced by stable blue). If the admin panel does not open on 192.168.31.1 after reset, try 192.168.1.1 - some Xiaomi models change the subnet after reset.

⚠️ Note: If the router is linked to the Mi Account, you will need to re-authorize after the reset. email/phone you will not be able to configure the device!

Save screenshots of current settings (DHCP, ports, parental controls)

Disconnect all devices from your router (except your PC)

Check the stability of the power supply (use UPS in frequent blackouts)

Write it down. MAC-Device addresses for rapid re-authorization-->

2. Hardware reset with the Reset button

If you forget the admin panel password or Xiaomi router is not responding to connections, a physical Reset button will help.It is located on the back (sometimes hidden under a plug) and marked as RESET or an arrow / circle is depicted.

Algorithm of action:

• 🔌 Turn off the router power (remove the plug from the socket).
• 📍 Press the Reset button and hold it.
• 🔄 Without releasing the button, connect the power back.
• ⏳ Hold Reset for 10-15 seconds until the lights start flashing quickly (some models will turn orange).
• 🚀 Release the button – the router will start the reset process (it will take up to 5 minutes).

On the Mi Router 4A Gigabit Edition and AX3000, the Reset button can be touch-sensitive, in which case hold it with your finger rather than a sharp object. If the lights don't flash, try repeating the procedure with a different power source (sometimes the power supply from a 5V/2A smartphone helps).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi routers with MiWiFi firmware ROM (Chinese version of Reset long-term retention (more than 30 seconds) can put the device in mode TFTP It's risky -- without experience, you can build a router!

3. Reset via Mi Home app (hidden method)

A little-known way is to use the official Mi Home app (available for Android and iOS) that works even if you don't remember your Wi-Fi password, but the router is tied to your Mi Account, AX3000 or 4A Gigabit).

Step-by-step:

1. Open Mi Home and go to Devices → Router.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Device Settings.
3. Scroll down and find Resetting (may be called Factory Recovery).
4. Confirm the action by entering a password from the Mi Account.
5. Wait for the process to be completed (the router will restart).

The advantage of this method is that you don't have to physically interact with the router, but it doesn't work on all firmware, for example, on Mi Router 3 with Padavan international firmware, this item may not be available, and once reset, the router will automatically upgrade to the latest version of the software, which sometimes leads to loss of functionality (for example, disabling OpenVPN on Chinese versions).

💡

If there is no reset button in Mi Home, try untie the router from your account via Settings → Delete the device and then re-attach. This sometimes resets the settings without a full hard reset.

4. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users make reset errors that cause the router to fail, and here are the most common:

• ⚡ Interrupting the process – if you turn off the router during reset (for example, due to a blackout), it can stop loading. UART or TFTP.
• 🔒 Forgotten Mi Account: If the router is tied to the account and you don't remember the data, it will require authorization after the reset, without it, the device will become a brick. Solution: restore access to the account in advance.
• 📶 Wrong firmware – after resetting some models (AX1800) Automatically update to the latest version of the software, which may be unstable. To avoid this, disconnect the Internet for 10 minutes after resetting.
• 🔌 Use of non-original PD - power supplies with inappropriate parameters (for example, 5V/0.5A instead 5V/2A) may cause failure in discharge.

Another common problem is that the router resets, but does not give out. IP-address DHCP. In this case:

1. Connect to him via cable.
2. Manually set on PC IP 192.168.31.2 with a mask of 255.255.255.0.
3. Open 192.168.31.1 and reconfigure.

💡

If the router doesn't give away Wi-Fi after reset, check the region in settings. On the Chinese version (CN ROM) there may be a 5 GHz limit - change the region to "Russia" or "Europe".

5. Restore settings after reset

Once reset, the router returns to the "out of the box" state to quickly restore the network:

1. Update your firmware (if you didn’t do it automatically). Go to Settings → Software Update and check the version’s relevance.
2. Set up Wi-Fi: Network Name (SSID) – use the Latin alphabet without spaces. Password – minimum 8 characters (we recommend WPA2-PSK or WPA3). Channel – for 2.4 GHz, choose 1, 6 or 11 (less loaded).

Turn on DHCP.

192.168.31.100–192.168.31.200

Set up ports.

Redirection → Virtual servers

For a smart home Xiaomi after reset will require:

• 🏠 Re-link router to your Mi Home account.
• 🔄 Reconnect devices (Yeelight, Aqara, Mi Robot Vacuum) to a new Wi-Fi network.
• 🔐 Update access tokens in applications (e.g. Home Assistant if you use integration).

If you were pre-reset. VPN-server (e.g. OpenVPN or WireGuard), export configuration files in advance, and you'll have to recreate them once you reset them. AX3000 and AX6000 Only certificates are saved, not tunnel settings.

6. Alternative methods of discharge (for experienced)

If standard methods don't work, you can try advanced methods, which require technical knowledge and can void warranty.

Reset via Telnet/SSH (for Padavan or OpenWRT firmware):

nvram erase


reboot

This command completely clears NVRAM, which is a nonvolatile memory with settings, and when you reboot, the router will be like new.

Flashing over TFTP (if the router does not load):

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website.
2. Rename the file to miwifi.bin.
3. Launch it. TFTP-server on a PC (for example, Tftpd64).
4. Connect the router by cable, set PC IP 192.168.31.2.
5. Hold Reset when you turn on until the file starts downloading.

⚠️ Note: Incorrect Firmware Through TFTP It can turn a router into a brick. Use only files for your model and region! 4A (CN) Not suitable for the Mi Router 4A (Global).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions