How to properly reboot the Xiaomi vacuum cleaner: from soft reset to complete reset

Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners are smart devices that make cleaning a lot easier, but sometimes even they require a reboot. Maybe your Mi Robot or Dreame has started to glittle: it doesn’t respond to commands, it freezes while cleaning, it makes a mistake or it just behaves inappropriately. 80% of the time, the problem is solved by a simple reboot — but how do you do it right so that you don’t harm the equipment?

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways Xiaomi vacuum cleaners can be rebooted, from soft reset (the equivalent of a smartphone restart) to factory reset. You’ll learn which buttons to press, how to avoid common errors, and what to do if the vacuum cleaner doesn’t respond at all. And we’ve compiled a table of methods that are compatible with popular models, from Mi Robot Vacuum 1 to DreameBot Z10 Pro.

Important: Not all methods are suitable for all devices, for example, a hard reset on older models can lead to loss of binding to the Mi Home account, and on new ones to blocking functions.

When you need to reboot the vacuum cleaner Xiaomi: 5 obvious signs

Don't be too quick to reset the settings when you first crash -- sometimes you just need to reconnect the vacuum cleaner to Wi-Fi or update your firmware.

• 🤖 The vacuum cleaner hovers in one place and does not respond to commands from the application or remote control.
• 🔄 Spinning around, unable to build a map, or constantly reporting an Error 10 error (problem with sensors).
• 📵 It doesn’t connect to Mi Home or Dreame App, although Wi-Fi is stable.
• 🔋 Quickly discharges or shows an incorrect charge level (for example, 100% immediately drops to 20%).
• 🔊 constantly beeping or issuing voice errors that are not in the instructions.

If one of these symptoms is on a regular basis, a mild reboot can bring the vacuum cleaner back to life, but first check the simple things: battery power (should be at least 20%), clean sensors and wheels, and the stability of the Internet connection. Sometimes the problem is not the software, but the mechanics — for example, a clogged dust collector can block the turbine.

⚠️ Warning: If the vacuum cleaner makes uncharacteristic noises (screaming, knocking) or smokes, do not reset it. These are signs of mechanical failure, and further operation may lead to fire. Immediately disconnect the device from the network and contact the service.

Soft reboot: how to restart the vacuum cleaner without losing data

This is the safest way, similar to rebooting a smartphone, which does not remove settings, room maps or account binding, and is suitable for most Xiaomi, Dreame and Viomi models.

Instructions:

1. Find the power button on the vacuum cleaner case (usually one on the side or top) and some models combine it with the Home button.
2. Hold it for 10-15 seconds until you hear a beep or the indicator goes out.
3. Release the button and wait 1-2 minutes. The vacuum cleaner should automatically turn on and emit a characteristic start sound.

If the button doesn't respond, try connecting the vacuum cleaner to the charging station and repeat the procedure. On models with touch buttons (for example, DreameBot D9), hold the power area until vibration.

Turn off the vacuum cleaner from the charging station |

Make sure the battery is at least 20 times charged%|

Check if there are mechanical locks (stuck debris, twisted brushes)|

Close all applications related to vacuum cleaner (Mi Home, Dreame App)

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After rebooting, the vacuum cleaner may temporarily "forget" the current map of the room, but it will recover after the next cleaning. If the problem persists, move to a hard reset.

Hard Reset: When a soft reset doesn’t help

This method returns the vacuum cleaner to factory settings, removing all stored data: room maps, cleaning schedules, suction settings and Wi-Fi binding. Use it only if:

• 🔄 The soft reset did not produce results.
• 📱 The vacuum cleaner does not connect to the application even after changing the router.
• 🔧 You sell or transfer the device to another user.

Instructions for most models:

1. Disconnect the vacuum cleaner from the charging station.
2. Press the power button and the Home button (or the Spot Clean touch area on some models) at the same time.
3. Hold them for 15-20 seconds until you hear a long beep (in some models, the indicator flashes red).
4. Release the buttons and wait for a full reboot (can take up to 3 minutes).

On Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro and later, hard reset is performed through the Mi Home app:

1. Open the app and select your vacuum cleaner.
2. Go to Settings → General → Reset settings.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

⚠️ Attention: After a hard discharge, DreameBot vacuum cleaner L10 Pro and other LiDAR models may require recalibration of the sensors, so place the device on a flat surface and follow the voice prompts.

Table: Reboot methods for popular Xiaomi models

Not all vacuum cleaners reload the same way. In the table below, we have collected the most common methods for the most common models. If yours is not on the list, use a universal method (soft reset via the power button).

If your model is not listed, check the instructions in the official app or on the Xiaomi website. For vacuum cleaners older than 2018 (for example, Mi Robot 1), a hard reset can lead to a loss of functionality of some sensors - be careful.

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Take a photo before resetting QR-code from the bottom of the vacuum cleaner or write down its serial number, which will speed up re-assignment to the account in the Mi Home or Dreame App after a hard reboot.

Reboot through the app: when buttons don't work

If the physical buttons don’t respond, but the vacuum cleaner is connected to Wi-Fi, try rebooting it through the official app, which works for most current models (2019 and later).

Instructions for Mi Home:

1. Open the app and select your vacuum cleaner.
2. Go to Settings (⚙) → General. → Reboot.
3. Confirm action. The vacuum cleaner will shut down and turn on on itself in 1-2 minutes.

For Dreame App:

1. Go to the card of the device.
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right.
3. Choose Reboot or Restart.

If the app doesn’t have a reboot button, try updating the firmware: sometimes it solves the freeze problem. To do this, go to Settings → Software Update and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with firmware older than 2020 (Mi Robot Vacuum 1), rebooting via the app may not work due to outdated communication protocols.

What to do if the vacuum cleaner does not react to anything

If none of the methods worked and the vacuum cleaner remains “dead” (it does not turn on, does not make sounds, does not charge), follow the following steps:

1. Check the charger: 🔌 Connect the vacuum cleaner to another outlet or use a knowingly working adapter (for example, from a smartphone with Quick Charge support). 🔋 Make sure the contacts at the docking station and vacuum clean (wipe them with alcohol).

Try "forced" charging:

Turn the vacuum cleaner off the station, then plug it back in and hold the power button for 30 seconds, sometimes triggering the charging process even on fully discharged devices.

Use the hidden recovery mode:

Some models (like the DreameBot L10) have a hidden combination for emergency reset:

1. Disconnect the vacuum cleaner from the network.


2. Press the "Power" + "Spot Clean" + "Home" buttons at the same time.




3. Hold for 30 seconds until the white light flashes.




4. Connect to charging and wait for the reboot.

If the vacuum cleaner still shows no signs of life, the problem may be in the battery or motherboard, in which case, contact the Xiaomi service center - self-repair without experience can be fraught with final failure.

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In 90% of cases, a dead vacuum cleaner can be resuscitated through forced charging or hidden recovery mode. Don't rush it to the service until you try all the methods in this article.

How to avoid frequent failures: prevention for vacuum cleaners Xiaomi

Regular reboots are not the norm, but a sign of problems, so that your vacuum cleaner works steadily:

• 📱 Update your firmware through Mi Home or Dreame App at least every 3 months. New versions fix bugs and optimize sensor performance.
• 🧹 Clean sensors and wheels after every 5-10 cleanings. Dust on sensors can cause false alarms and getting stuck.
• 🔋 Keep the vacuum cleaner charged when the charge drops below 15-20%. Deep discharge shortens battery life.
• 📡 Use stable Wi-Fi. Xiaomi vacuum cleaners don’t work well with 5GHz networks – switch your router to 2.4GHz or create a separate network for smart devices.
• 🗺️ Don't save too many cards. Remove unnecessary room plans, which reduces the processor load.

A critical mistake most users make: ignoring firmware updates, such as in DreameBot vacuum cleaners. D9 older version 3.5.4_2005 have a bug that freezes when building the map, upgrade to the latest version (at the time of the map) 2026 year-end — 3.6.8_2112) solves the problem forever.

Also avoid using informal firmware or "custom" modifications. These can unlock additional features (such as increased suction power), but often lead to unstable operation and loss of warranty.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about rebooting vacuum cleaners Xiaomi