Xiaomi router requires authorization: reasons and 5 ways to fix

You turned on the Xiaomi router, but instead of the usual Wi-Fi network, you see a window demanding to enter a login and password? Or after resetting, the device insists on asking you to log in through Mi Account, although everything worked without it before? This problem is familiar to many owners of Mi Routers 4A/4C/4Q, AX3600 and other models, most often it occurs after updating the firmware, resetting to factory settings or buying a used device.

In this article, we will discuss all possible reasons why Xiaomi router requires authorization, and give step-by-step instructions for fixing the problem - from simple ways (like disabling checking in settings) to radical ones (flashing through SSH).

⚠️ Important: some methods require technical knowledge. If you are not confident in your abilities, you should consult a specialist - the wrong actions can turn a router into a brick».

Why Xiaomi Router Asks for Authorization: 4 Main Reasons

Requiring you to enter a username and password when connecting to Wi-Fi or logging into the control panel is not a bug, but a security feature of MiWiFi firmware.

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings. After a hard reset, the router returns to the out-of-the-box state, where authorization is mandatory.
• 🔒 Link to Mi Account: If the previous owner has linked the device to his account, the new user will not be able to manage it without a login.
• 📥 Update of firmware: New software versions often tighten security policies by adding mandatory authorization.
• 🛡️ Guest network with authorization. Some firmwares include an option that requires login even to connect to Wi-Fi.

The worst thing is that the router is tied to someone else's Mi Account, and in this case, without the previous owner's data, you can't unlock it using official methods, and you'll have to use workarounds (which we'll talk about below).

💡 Tip: if you buy a used Xiaomi router, always ask the seller to untie the device from your account and make a reset with you.

Method 1: Disabling authorization in router settings

If the router only requests authorization when logging into the control panel (at 192.168.31.1 or miwifi.com), but Wi-Fi is password-free, the problem can be solved through the device menu.

1. Connect to the router network (if Wi-Fi requires a password, look it up on the sticker on the bottom of the device).
2. Open your browser and go to 192.168.31.1 (or miwifi.com).
3. Enter the username and password (by default – admin / admin, if not changed).
4. Go to Settings → System → Device Management.
5. Find the option “Require authorization upon login”** and turn it off.
6. Save the changes and restart the router.

If there is no such item, try to update the firmware to the latest version - sometimes the manufacturer removes the mandatory authorization in new releases.

Method 2: Reset router to factory settings

If Xiaomi routers require authorization even to connect to Wi-Fi, the Guest Network Checked feature is likely activated, in which case a full hard reset will help. Importantly, after this procedure, all network settings, including the Wi-Fi name and password, will be deleted.

Resetting instructions:

1. Find the Reset button on the back of the router (usually it is recessed in the case).
2. Take a paperclip or toothpick, press and hold the button for 10-15 seconds until the indicators start flashing.
3. Release the button and wait for the reboot (1-2 minutes).
4. Connect to the network. Xiaomi_XXXX (password is on the sticker).
5. Go to the control panel on 192.168.31.1 and configure the router again.

⚠️ Note: on some models (e.g, AX3600) Reset button reset does not always work because of protection against accidental pressing, in which case try holding the button for 30 seconds or use an alternative method through the use of a reset button. SSH (described below).

Method 3: Bypassing authorization via Mi WiFi (official method)

If the router is linked to a Mi Account account, but you have access to the previous owner’s phone, you can try untie the device through the Mi WiFi app. This method only works for routers who have been added to the account through official software.

Step-by-step:

1. Install the Mi WiFi app on your smartphone (available for Android and iOS).
2. Sign in to the account to which the router is linked.
3. Go to the Devices section and find your router in the list.
4. Click on the three dots next to the device name and select Remove the device.
5. Confirm the action and reset the router (as in Method 2).

If you don’t have access to the previous owner’s account, this method won’t work, leaving only informal ways (see Method 5).

📌 Key takeaway: official uncoupling over Mi WiFi is the safest way, but it requires data from the previous owner. If it's not there, you'll have to use alternative methods.

Method 4: Connecting via SSH (for advanced users)

If the Xiaomi router blocks access due to binding to the Mi Account, but you have access to the network (for example, via cable), you can try to disable authorization via SSH. This method is suitable for models based on the MiWiFi R3 firmware and later.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect commands in SSH You can only use this method if you're confident in what you're doing.

Instructions:

1. Connect the router to the computer through LAN-cable.
2. Install a program to work with SSH (e.g. PuTTY for Windows or a terminal for Linux/macOS).
3. Enter the command to connect: ssh root@192.168.31.1 The default password is admin (if not changed).
4. Execute the command to disable account verification: nvram set xq_system_auth_check=0 nvram commit reboot
5. After restarting, the router does not need to require authorization.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

nvram set xqSystemAuthCheck=0


nvram commit




reboot

💡 Advice: Before making changes to SSH Backup your current settings with the nvram show command > backup.txt. This will help restore the router in case of an error.

Method 5: Install custom firmware (Padavan, OpenWRT)

If all previous methods failed, the last option is to install an alternative firmware, which is a radical solution, but it is guaranteed to remove the binding to the Mi Account and disable the mandatory authorization.

• 🛠️ Padavan – Optimized for Mi Router 3/3G/4A, supports Russian language.
• 🐧 OpenWRT – universal firmware with open source.
• 🔧 Breed Bootloader – allows you to install any firmware, but requires soldering.

⚠️ Note: Installation of custom firmware deprives of warranty and may lead to loss of functionality (for example, stop working). 5G Wi-Fi or USB-Before firmware, carefully read the instructions for your model!

The general algorithm of actions:

1. Download the Padavan firmware for your model from the official repository (for example, here).
2. Connect the router to your computer via cable and enter recovery mode (usually the Reset button is clamped when power is turned on).
3. Download the firmware through TFTP-Emergency server or web interface.
4. Wait for the installation to be completed (5-10 minutes) and reconfigure the router.

📌 Key takeaway: custom firmware gives you full control over the router, but requires technical skills. If you are a beginner, it is better to seek help on profile forums (for example, for example, for example, for a newcomer, 4PDA OpenWRT).

How to avoid authorization problems in the future

To prevent Xiaomi router from blocking access after the next reset or upgrade, follow these guidelines:

• 🔐 Untie the router from the Mi Account immediately after buying (if new) or receiving from a previous owner.
• 📥 Turn off automatic firmware updates in your settings to avoid unexpected changes to your security policy.
• 📋 Save a backup of settings in the file (Settings section) → System system → Backup).
• 🔄 Reset the administrator password periodically so you don’t forget it.

If you are selling a router, you must:

1. Make a reset to factory settings.
2. Untie your device from your Mi Account via the Mi WiFi app.
3. Remove all saved settings from the Xiaomi cloud.

💡 Tip: If you often encounter authorization issues, consider buying a router without being tied to cloud services (such as TP-Link or TP-Link). ASUS). They do not require mandatory account registration.

FAQ: Frequent questions about authorization on Xiaomi routers