Xiaomi router as a repeater: step-by-step setting of the Wi-Fi network repeater mode

Introduction: Why Use Xiaomi Router as a Repetitor

A weak Wi-Fi signal in remote rooms is a problem that most home network users face, and instead of buying an additional repeater, you can use your existing Xiaomi router (such as the Mi Router 4A/4C/4Q/AX1800/AX3000) in repeater mode, which will save money and expand coverage without losing functionality.

The repeater mode (or Wi-Fi repeater) allows Xiaomi router to connect to the main network and “transmit” its signal further, strengthening the coverage, while all devices will connect to the same network with automatic switching between access points, the main advantage of this solution is to save the original SSID and password, which eliminates the need to reconfigure the gadgets.

However, not all Xiaomi models support this out of the box mode. In some cases, alternative firmware or manual configuration via SSH will be required. In this article, we will discuss both the official and advanced options, as well as give recommendations for optimizing performance.

What Xiaomi router models support repeater mode

Not all Xiaomi devices can work as repeaters, but here is a current list of models that support Wi-Fi Repeater on stock firmware:

• 🔹 Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Gigabit Edition (R4AG) – supports repetitor mode in the web interface
• 🔹 Xiaomi Mi Router 4C — requires MiWiFi ROM firmware version 2.28.XX and higher
• 🔹 Xiaomi Mi Router AX1800 (RA67) – Repetitor mode is available in the Mi Wi-Fi mobile app
• 🔹 Xiaomi Mi Router AX3000 (RA73) – supports relaying via web dashboard
• 🔹 Xiaomi Mi Router 3G/3Gv2/3Pro – only through alternative firmware (Padavan, OpenWRT)

Mi Router 4Q and Mi Router 4 models don't officially support repeater mode, but you can reflash them. If your model isn't on the list, check the firmware version in Settings → System Status. Relay requires a minimum version of MiWiFi ROM 2.20.0.

⚠️ Warning: Xiaomi routers with firmware for the Chinese market (CN ROM) may not have a Russian interface in repeater mode. Before setting up, update the firmware to the global version (Global ROM).

If your model doesn't support the repeater mode on the stock firmware, you can use it as a second access point (with a different SSID) or install custom firmware. More on this in the section on alternative methods.

Preparation for setting up: what to do before turning on the repeater mode

Before you transfer the Xiaomi router to the repeater mode, follow a few mandatory steps:

1. Update the firmware to the latest version through Settings → Software Update.
2. Reset the settings to factory (reset button for 10 seconds).
3. Connect the router to the PC via cable or Wi-Fi for initial setup.
4. Write down the main network data: SSID, password, type of encryption (WPA2-PSK/WPA3).

Pay special attention to the channel and frequency of the main network. If the main router is running at 5 GHz and the repeater supports only 2.4 GHz (like the Mi Router 4C), the signal will be relayed with a lower frequency, which can lead to a loss of speed of up to 30-40%.

If the main router uses WPA3 and the repeater only uses WPA2, you will have to temporarily lower the security level on the main device or update the repeater firmware.

Update the firmware to the latest version|

Reset the settings to factory |

Connect the router to the PC via cable |

Write down the SSID and password of the main network |

Check frequency compatibility (2.4/5 GHz)-->

Official setting of repeater mode via web interface

For models with support for repeater mode on stock firmware (Mi Router 4A Gigabit, AX1800, AX3000) the instructions are as follows:

1. Connect the Xiaomi router to power and wait for the load (the indicator should burn blue).
2. Connect to its Wi-Fi network (default name: Xiaomi_XXXX, password is indicated on the sticker).
3. Open your browser and go to http://miwifi.com or 192.168.31.1.
4. Enter the username and password (by default: admin/ password from the sticker).
5. Go to the section Additional settings → Mode of work.
6. Select the Repeater Mode (Wi-Fi Repeater) and press Next.
7. In the list of available networks, select your main network, enter a password and save your settings.

Once you have set up the router, it will reboot and connect to the main network, the indicator should turn yellow (relay mode). If the indicator flashes red, check if the password you entered is correct or if the frequencies are compatible.

In some firmwares (MiWiFi ROM 2.28+) after connecting in repeater mode, the option to clone MAC- address appears. Turn it on if the main router is associated with MAC- device addresses (for example, the provider with MAC binding).

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If the repeater is not giving out internet after setting up, check if DHCP is on on the main router. In repeater mode, Xiaomi does not distribute IP- addresses on its own, but uses the pool of the main device.

Configure via the Mi Wi-Fi mobile application

For the AX1800 and AX3000 models, it is more convenient to use the official Mi Wi-Fi app (available for Android and iOS).

1. Install the Mi Wi-Fi app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Connect to the Xiaomi router network (if new) or reset it to factory settings.
3. Launch the application and select Add Device → Router.
4. Follow the instructions before the selection of the mode of operation.
5. Select Repeter Mode (Wi-Fi Amplifier).
6. In the list of networks, specify the main network, enter the password and wait for the reboot.

There's an option called Coverage Optimization in the Mi Wi-Fi app that automatically selects the best channel to relay, but it doesn't work on all models, and if you don't have the option, you'll have to manually select the channel from the web interface.

⚠️ Warning: When configured via the Mi Wi-Fi app, you may experience a "Unable to connect to the network" error, in which case, reconnect to the router via cable or reset the settings of the main Wi-Fi module in the phone.

Once you have successfully set up, the app will have a Repetitor Status tab, which shows the main network signal strength and the number of devices connected. If the signal level is below 50%, move the repeater closer to the main router.

Alternative methods: Padavan firmware or OpenWRT

If your Xiaomi model does not support stock firmware repetitor mode (such as Mi Router 3G or 4Q), you can install custom firmware.

• 🔧 Padavan is an optimized firmware with advanced Wi-Fi settings.
• 🔧 OpenWRT is an open firmware with Client+ AP support (relayer).
• 🔧 DD-WRT — less stable on Xiaomi, but supports relaying.

The firmware process through Padavan:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the official Padavan repository.
2. Go to the router web interface (192.168.31.1) and update the software through Settings → Software Update.
3. After the reboot, go to the new interface (192.168.1.1) and select Network → Wireless → Repeater.
4. Specify the main network SSID, security type and password.

In OpenWRT, the configuration is performed via the console:

uci set wireless.sta=wifi-iface


uci set wireless.sta.device='radio0'




uci set wireless.sta.mode='sta'




uci set wireless.sta.ssid='Name mainnetwork'




uci set wireless.sta.encryption='psk2'




uci set wireless.sta.key='password'




uci commit




wifi

After that, the router will connect to the main network and begin to relay it.

Optimizing the work of the repeater: how to avoid loss of speed

Relay mode always slows down the data rate due to double signal conversion, but there are ways to minimize the loss:

• 📶 Repetitor location: place it halfway between the main router and the dead zone. The signal level of the main network should be at least 60%.
• 🔄 Frequency separation: If the router is dual-band, set up relays at 5 GHz and device connections at 2.4 GHz (or vice versa).
• 🔌 Ethernet Power (PoE): Use a PoE adapter if the router supports (e.g. AX3000 for stability.
• ⚡ Turn off power saving: Deactivate the Wi-Fi Energy Saving option in the router settings.

To check the real speed, connect to the repeater network and run the test on Speedtest.net or Ookla. If the speed has dropped by more than 50%, try:

1. Change the Wi-Fi channel on the main router (for example, from a car to 36 for 5 GHz).
2. Reduce the channel width from 80 MHz to 40 MHz.
3. Disable Mu-MIMO or Beamforming in the settings (if any).

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The optimal location of the repeater is when the signal level of the main network is 60-70%, a weaker signal (<30%) leads to frequent breaks, and too strong (>90%) leads to unnecessary load on the network.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When setting up a repeater on Xiaomi routers, users encounter common errors, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If the repeater is unstable, try disabling the IPv6 in the main router settings.Some Xiaomi models (especially on the Padavan) conflict with the IPv6- with repeater traffic.

To diagnose, connect to the repeater by SSH (login: root, password: admin) and execute the command:

iwconfig

In the output, check the Signal level. If the value is below -70 dBm, the signal is too weak.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions