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

Xiaomi Roborock’s robot vacuum cleaners have become an integral part of the smart home, but even the most reliable appliances sometimes require rebooting. Hanging during cleaning, connecting errors to the Mi Home app, crashes after updating the firmware all get solved with the right reset. However, not everyone knows that rebooting can be soft (software) and hard (hardware), and improper actions can lead to loss of settings or even failure of the device.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to reboot for the Roborock S7, S8, Q8, S7 MaxV and others, including hidden features for power users. Particular attention will be paid to recovering from a failed software update when the vacuum cleaner ceases to respond to commands or constantly issues an Error 12 error. All instructions are tested on firmware 2023-2026 and are compatible with the latest versions of the Mi Home application (including regional versions for Europe and Asia).

1.When you need to restart the Roborock vacuum cleaner

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 restart the app, but there are situations where you have to reboot.

• 🔄 The vacuum cleaner hovers during cleaning (does not move, does not respond to buttons, makes a monotonous sound).
• 📱 Mi Home shows offline status, although the vacuum cleaner is on and charged.
• ⚠️ Errors appear on the screen (if any) or in the application: Error 5 (problem with sensors), Error 12 (firmware failure), Error 18 (base error).
• 🔋 After the firmware update, the vacuum cleaner discharged faster or incorrectly built the map.
• 🔄 The robot does not return to base despite being fully charged and having no obstacles.

If the problem is hardware-related (e.g., the vacuum cleaner doesn’t turn on at all or makes uncharacteristic sounds when the engine is running), rebooting is unlikely to help – you will need a diagnosis at the service center.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse a reboot with a full factory reset! The first option saves all your maps, schedules and settings, and the second one erases them irrevocably.

2. Soft reboot (software reset)

This is the safest way to do so, which does not affect user data, and is suitable for fixing temporary failures, such as when the vacuum cleaner “thought” or does not respond to commands from the application.

Method 1: Through a button on the body

All Roborock models (except the touch-screen S8 Pro Ultra) have a physical power button to make a soft reboot:

1. Press and hold the power button ⏻ for 10 seconds.
2. Release the button when the vacuum cleaner emits an audible signal (or the Roborock logo appears on the screen).
3. Wait for the full load (usually takes 20-30 seconds).

If the button doesn't respond, check if the battery is running out. Connect the vacuum cleaner to the base for 10-15 minutes and try again.

Method 2: Through the Mi Home app

If the vacuum cleaner is connected to Wi-Fi and is displayed in the application (even in the status of “Offline”), try rebooting it remotely:

1. Open Mi Home and select your vacuum cleaner.
2. Go to Settings. → About the device.
3. Slip on the item Reboot (or Restart in English version).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (the vacuum cleaner will make a characteristic sound).

⚠️ Warning: If the vacuum cleaner never shows up after you restarted through the app, check your router settings. Some Roborock models don't work with networks where IPv6 or WPA3 is on, switch to WPA2.

3. Hard reset (hardware reset)

This method is used when a soft reboot does not help, or the vacuum cleaner does not respond to buttons and commands at all. Hard reset does not erase user data, but resets current tasks (for example, unfinished cleaning).

Instructions for models with a button

Suitable for Roborock S5, S6, S7, Q7 and similar:

1. Turn the vacuum cleaner off the base (if it is on it).
2. Turn the robot over and find the RESET button (usually next to the power button or under the battery cover).
3. Press and hold RESET for 15 seconds until you hear a double beep.
4. Release the button and wait for the reboot (the vacuum cleaner will emit the start melody).

Instructions for touch screen models (S8 Pro Ultra, Q8 Max)

On the new flagships with the display, the process is slightly different:

1. Make sure the vacuum cleaner is on (the indicator is on the screen).
2. Press and hold the power button and the home button (with the image of the house) for 10 seconds.
3. The screen will go out, and after 5-7 seconds the vacuum cleaner will reboot.

If the vacuum cleaner doesn't work after a hard restart, check the battery status. A discharged battery can block the start, plug the robot into the base for 30 to 40 minutes and try again.

4. Complete reset to factory settings

This is an extreme measure that deletes all data: room maps, cleaning schedules, suction settings and no-go zones.

• 🔄 The vacuum cleaner does not connect to Wi-Fi despite the correct password.
• 📱 The Mi Home app is constantly getting a Device offline or Failed to connect error.
• 🔧 You sell or transfer the vacuum cleaner to another user.

How to make a complete reset

The procedure differs depending on the model:

Once reset, the vacuum cleaner will return to factory settings, and it will have to be reconfigured: connect to Wi-Fi, calibrate sensors and create maps of the premises. If you reset the device before selling, remember to untie it from your Xiaomi account in the Mi Home app (Devices section → Settings → Delete the device).

💡

Before a full reset, back up your room maps! In the Mi Home app, go to vacuuming settings → Maps → Export and save the files to your phone or cloud. Once reset, you can download them back.

5.Reboot after a failed firmware update

One of the worst scenarios is when the vacuum cleaner freezes during a software update and doesn't react to anything, which can happen because:

• 📶 Unstable Internet connection (disconnection during file downloads).
• 🔋 Discharged battery (upgrade requires at least 50% charge).
• 🛠️ Firmware failure (less commonly but in beta versions).

In this case, the forced reset with firmware restoration will help:

1. Turn the vacuum cleaner off the base and turn it over.
2. Remove the garbage container and battery (if possible).
3. Hold the RESET button (or a button combination for your model) for 30 seconds.
4. Connect the vacuum cleaner to the base and wait until it starts flashing red and blue (recovery mode).
5. In the Mi Home app, a notification will appear about the need to update again - confirm it.

If the vacuum cleaner never loads, try updating the firmware manually via USB (instructions for power users are given below).

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Never interrupt the firmware update process!If the vacuum cleaner flashes blue during the update, a power outage can cause the device to "brick" (completely inoperable).

6. Manual firmware update via USB (for power users)

If automatic updates through the Mi Home don’t work, you can manually stitch the vacuum cleaner, a method that is suitable for the Roborock S5-S8 models, but requires caution.

What you need:

• 🖥️ USB- drive (flash drive) format FAT32 up to 32 GB.
• 📁 Firmware file for your model (you can download it on the official Roborock website or forums like 4PDA).
• 🔌 Charger (vacuum cleaner must be connected to base during firmware).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware and rename the file to roborock_vacuum.mi (it is important to follow the register!).
2. Copy the file to a flash drive (it should be empty!).
3. Insert the flash drive into the USB-port based on the vacuum cleaner (usually located at the back).
4. Press and hold the RESET button on the vacuum cleaner for 10 seconds until you hear the beep.
5. The firmware will start automatically (the vacuum cleaner will flash orange).
6. Wait for the completion (about 5-10 minutes) – the vacuum cleaner will reboot and make a long sound.

If the process is frozen, don't remove the flash drive and turn off the vacuum! Wait 15 minutes, and if nothing has changed, repeat the procedure with another flash drive.

7. Frequent errors and their solution after restart

Sometimes after the vacuum is discharged, the vacuum cleaner continues to work incorrectly, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If the error is repeated, check the condition of the brushes and wheels - sometimes mechanical contamination blocks the sensors. Also make sure that there is enough light in the room: some Roborock models are poorly oriented in the dark.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions