Resetting the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Why you might need to reset the Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner?

Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners (Mi Robot Vacuum, Viomi, Dreame) can eventually fail, losing communication with the app, building a map of the room incorrectly, or refusing to clean the room on schedule. In 80% of cases, these problems are solved by a complete factory reset, a procedure that cleans all user data and returns the device to a “box-like” state.

But resetting is not a universal solution. For example, if the vacuum cleaner stopped charging because of a worn-out battery or does not respond to physical buttons because of mechanical failure, software reboot will not help. In such cases, you need to diagnose iron or replace components. This article will help you determine whether you need a reset, and conduct it correctly - without the risk of turning the vacuum cleaner into a "brick".

We’ll look at three official reset methods (via the app, the buttons on the case and the key combination) and also break down the hidden service mode, which is only available on models with an STM32 chip (for example, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Lite), which is often missed in standard instructions, although it allows you to reset the settings even when you block the main menu.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before you reset, follow a few critical steps, and ignoring this step can lead to loss of room maps, cleaning schedules, and even the inability to reconnect the vacuum cleaner to the Mi Home app.

First, export the maps of the premises if you need them. In the Mi Home app, go to Device → Map → Save. A file with the.map extension can be downloaded back later (on some models). Second, check the firmware version in Settings → About Device - after the reset, an update may be required.

• 📱 Untie the vacuum cleaner from the account in Mi Home: Profile → Devices → Find your vacuum cleaner. → This will prevent conflicts when you reconnect.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50%. Reset at low charge can be interrupted, which will lead to an error Error 14 (critical loader error).
• 📡 Disable the vacuum cleaner from Wi-Fi manually if it is connected to a 5 GHz network. After resetting some models (Viomi) V3, Dreame D9) They don't see networks.
• 🔧 Prepare a screwdriver (if you need a disassembly to access the hidden Reset button on the board).

If you use a zoning vacuum cleaner (such as the Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P), save screenshots of zone settings — you’ll have to reset them after resetting. Also make sure you have access to a 2.4 GHz network: many Xiaomi models don’t support 5 GHz, and once reset, you won’t be able to connect to Wi-Fi without rebooting the router.

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If the vacuum cleaner produces an Error 10 error (a gyroscope problem), the reset will not help, in which case the sensors are calibrated through the engineering menu (available only in service centers).

Method 1: Reset via Mi Home (the safest)

This method works for all models connected to the application and does not require physical access to the device, and the main advantage is that it preserves firmware history, which makes it easier to reconfigure, but on vacuum cleaners with custom firmware (for example, Valetudo), this method may not work.

Instructions:

1. Open Mi Home and select your vacuum cleaner.
2. Go to Settings (⚙️) → About the device → Resetting settings.
3. Confirm the action in the pop-up window, the vacuum cleaner will sound and reboot.
4. Wait for the process to be completed (3-5 minutes) and the indicator on the case will flash white (normal) or red (error).

If the vacuum cleaner does not appear in the list of devices to connect after reset, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the router (sometimes) DHCP No new one is issued IP).
• 📱 Remove the Mi Home app cache in your phone settings.
• 🌐 Connect to the network Xiaomi_Vacuum_XXXX, The password is usually given by the vacuum cleaner (password). 12345678).

Make a backup of the cards

Untie the vacuum cleaner from the account

Charge the battery >50%

Disconnect from 5 GHz Wi-Fi-->

On voice-enabled models (such as the Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro) you may need to re-assign to Alice or Google Assistant after reset.

Method 2: Hardware reset buttons on the body

If the vacuum cleaner doesn't respond to the application or you forget the Wi-Fi password it's connected to, use physical buttons. This is universal, but requires exact adherence to key retention times. A sequence error can cause the bootloader to freeze (only solved by flashing through USB-UART).

The standard combination for most models:

1. Turn off the vacuum cleaner with a long press on the power button (3 seconds).
2. Press the power and home buttons (or Spot Cleaning if there is no home button).
3. Hold for 10-15 seconds until you hear a double beep.
4. Release the buttons. The vacuum cleaner will start the reset process (the indicator will change color from blue to orange).

Some models (such as the Dreame W10) use a touchpad instead of buttons.

1. Turn off the vacuum cleaner.
2. Touch and hold the home area and food at the same time.
3. Hold until vibration (about 7 seconds).

⚠️ Note: On Valetudo firmware vacuum cleaners, a hardware reset will result in loss of access to alternative software. SSH (team: tar -cvzf /tmp/backup.tar.gz /valetudo/config).

Method 3: Hidden service reset (for power users)

This method is suitable for models based on the STM32 chip (for example, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Lite, Viomi SE) It allows you to reset the settings even if the main menu is blocked, but requires access to the board contacts or use ADB (on Android devices).

To activate the service mode:

1. Turn off the vacuum cleaner.
2. Press the power button and simultaneously 5 times quickly press the Home button.
3. Release Power after the 7th signal (the sound will be different from the standard beep).
4. The vacuum cleaner will go to Factory Test Mode, and you can have options like Reset Wi-Fi, which is just a network reset, Full Reset, which is a factory reset, Firmware Info, which is a firmware version check.

To exit the service menu, hold the Power for 10 seconds. If the vacuum cleaner is getting stuck in this mode, disconnect it from the network for 30 seconds.

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Service reset removes even hidden calibration settings of the sensors. After the procedure, you may need to re-tuning the height of the vacuum cleaner (Settings → Floor Adjustment).

In the models with LDS-Error 2 error may appear after a service reset, which means that recalibration is required:

1. Place the vacuum cleaner on a flat surface.
2. Turn it on and wait until the lidar makes 2 full turns.
3. Press and hold Spot Cleaning for 5 seconds.

If the vacuum cleaner is continuously squeaking after the discharge, it indicates a critical error in the collision sensor.

1. Clean the IR sensors (located under the front bumper).
2. Check the connection of the bumper plume (can depart when vibrating).
3. Reset the settings again, but through the service menu (mode 3).

⚠️ Warning: If the vacuum cleaner moves in a circle after reset or does not react to obstacles, do not use it until the problem is resolved! this may lead to a fall from the stairs or damage to furniture. First, perform manual calibration of the sensors (instructions are in the section "Service reset").

How to avoid resetting in the future: prevention of failures

To avoid having to reset your settings regularly, follow these recommendations:

• 🔄 Update the firmware once in a while. 2-3 Outdated versions often contain bugs that lead to hanging.
• 📶 Use stable Wi-Fi. Frequent communication breaks corrupt configuration files.
• 🔋 Don't drain the battery to zero. Deep discharge knocks down the time and schedule settings.
• 🧹 Clean the sensors once a week. Dust on the IR sensors causes false positives and errors.
• 📱 Do not install beta versions of the Mi Home app. They often conflict with the vacuum cleaner firmware.

If you use a wet vacuum cleaner (such as Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro), wipe the water tank contacts after each cleaning. Contact oxidation is a common cause of Error 17 error (a bug in the moping system), which is sometimes solved only by resetting.

For models that support Yandex Alice or Google Assistant, check your connection to the Xiaomi cloud regularly. If the vacuum cleaner stops responding to voice commands but works through the app, the problem lies in the authorization tokens.

1. Untie the vacuum cleaner from the voice assistant.
2. Reboot the router.
3. Add the device to Yandex or Google Home.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions