How to turn off the Xiaomi router: all the ways and hidden nuances

Why is it that just pulling a plug out of a socket is a bad idea?

Xiaomi routers are not just “boxes for distribution of the Internet”, but complex network devices with their own MiWiFi ROM operating system. When abrupt power outage (for example, pulling the cord out of the socket) there is a risk of damage to the file system, especially if at this moment there was a firmware update or logs writing.

The latest models (Mi Router) AX6000, AX3000, 4A Gigabit Edition is equipped with non-volatile memory (NAND-Flash, which if it is turned off incorrectly, can lose some of the data about connected devices or QoS settings. Yes, most routers recover after a reboot, but why take risks if there are the right ways to do it?

In this article, we will analyze all official and hidden methods of disconnection, as well as explain when a forced emergency shutdown can be justified (spoiler: this applies only to critical situations).

Method 1: The power button is the most obvious, but not always working method

Most Xiaomi routers (except for compact models like the Mi Router 4C) have a physical power button.

• 🔘 A separate button with the words “Power” (for example, on the Mi Router) AX6000).
• 🔄 Combined (on/off) - holding 1-3 seconds off, 10+ seconds resets the settings.
• 🕳️ Hidden in the recess (requires a paper clip or toothpick, like the Mi Router) 4A).

How to turn off correctly:

1. Find the button on the back (usually next to the power port).
2. Press briefly (less than 1 second) – the indicators should go out.
3. If the router does not respond, hold the button for 3-5 seconds.

Important! On some firmware (e.g. MiWiFi R4CM for Mi Router 4C), the power button can be software-enabled, in which case only a web interface or an application will help.

💡

If the power button doesn’t work, try updating the router’s firmware – in new versions of the MiWiFi ROM, this bug has been fixed.

Method 2: Web interface for those who like control

Xiaomi’s web-based router control panel allows you not only to turn off your device, but also to schedule a shutdown or reboot, a method that works if you’re sitting at your computer and don’t want to get up to the router.

Instructions:

1. Connect to the router network (via Wi-Fi or cable).
2. Open your browser and type in the address bar 192.168.31.1 or miwifi.com.
3. Log in (login and password from the router, do not confuse with data from Wi-Fi!).
4. Go to Settings → System → Reboot / Shutdown.
5. Select Turn Off and Confirm the Action.

If the router does not respond after clicking “Switch off”, check:

• 🔌 Is the power cable connected (sometimes it moves away from the connector).
• 🔄 Is the router stuck (try rebooting it with a button).
• 📱 Does the web interface work on a mobile device (sometimes ad blockers interfere with the panel loading).

Method 3: Mi Wi-Fi app – switch off from phone

The official Mi Wi-Fi app (available for Android and iOS) allows you to control the router remotely, including turning it off, which is convenient if the router is installed in a hard-to-reach place (for example, on mezzanine or in the server rack).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the app and log in (use the same Xiaomi account as the router).
2. Select your router from the list of devices.
3. Go to the Control section → Shutdown.
4. Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter a password from the router).

If the router is connected to the Xiaomi cloud, it can take up to 30 seconds to shut down via the app — the device first sends a command to the server and then executes it locally.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ You don’t have to physically approach the router.
• ✅ You can turn off the router even from another network (if cloud management is enabled).
• ✅ In some firmware there is an option Sleep mode – the router is turned off at night and turned on in the morning on schedule.

Method 4: Command Prompt (for advanced users)

If you like to dig through settings or the router is stuck in a way that doesn't respond to the web interface, you can turn it off via SSH or Telnet, which is only suitable for advanced users, because it requires remote access and command knowledge.

Instructions:

1. Turn on SSH on the router (in the web interface: Settings → Additional → SSH).
2. Connect to the router via a terminal (e.g. PuTTY or Terminal on macOS/Linux):

ssh admin@192.168.31.1

The password is the same as for the web interface

1. Execute the shutdown command:

reboot -p

or for some firmware:



poweroff

Warning! Incorrect commands in SSH can disrupt the router, such as reboot -f will force you to restart, and mtd erase will cause the firmware partition to be erased.

💡

Shutting down via SSH is useful if the router is getting stuck but reacts to ping. In this case, the command line often works even when the web interface is not available.

Method 5: Emergency shutdown – when nothing helps

Sometimes the Xiaomi router freezes so much that it doesn't respond to buttons or commands, in which case it only has to force the power out, but even here there are nuances that will help to avoid damage:

• ⏱️ Wait 10-15 minutes – sometimes the router “slows down” after a long downtime.
• 🔌 Turn off power from the back, rather than pulling the plug out of the socket (so there is less risk of damage to the connector).
• 🔄 After turning on, give the router 2-3 minutes for self-diagnosis - do not rush to connect.

When emergency shutdown is justified:

• 🔥 Router warms to temperatures above 60°C (can be checked by hand - if it burns, turn it off immediately!).
• ⚡ There is an endless reboot (on/off cycle repeats every 30 seconds).
• 🛡️ Suspicion of malware infection (router massively sends packets or blocks traffic).

💡

If the router overheats, check before turning on whether the ventilation holes are closed and whether it is in a confined space (for example, in a closet).

⚠️ Attention! If the router fails to turn on or flashes orange after an emergency shutdown, this may indicate firmware damage. TFTP.

What happens if you never turn off the router?

Many users leave Xiaomi routers turned on for years, and in most cases this does not lead to problems.

On the other hand, frequent shutdowns are also not useful:

• 🔋 Wear of capacitors - with each inclusion there is a jump in current.
• ⏳ Delays in connection — DHCP-The server takes time to distribute IP-device addresses.
• 🔄 Failures in IoT devices (smart light bulbs, Xiaomi cameras can disconnect from the network).

Optimal mode: turn off the router for 5-10 minutes every 1-2 weeks or in a long absence from home (for example, on vacation).

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off Xiaomi routers