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

Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum cleaners are some of the most popular smart home devices, but even they sometimes fail: they freeze, do not respond to commands or behave unpredictably. In 80% of cases, a simple reboot solves the problem, but not all users know how to do it correctly without damaging the equipment. This article covers all possible ways to reboot, from a soft reset through the application to forced reset with a full lock of the device.

We will not only analyze the standard methods (through the button). RESET or the Mi Home app), but also little-known tricks for models without physical buttons, and also explain in which cases you need a complete reset to factory settings. Special attention will be paid to the typical errors that users make when restarting, and their consequences – for example, why after an incorrect reset vacuum cleaner can lose communication with Wi-Fi or reset the map of the room.

If your Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum (whether it’s Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Lite, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P or another model) is no longer listening, do not rush to bring it to the service. In most cases, the problem is solved in 2-5 minutes – the main thing is to know what type of reboot to apply.

1.When you need to restart the Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner

Rebooting is not a universal solution, but it helps in 9 out of 10 cases of non-critical failures. Here are the key symptoms for which a reset is worth trying:

• 🤖 The vacuum cleaner does not respond to commands from the Mi Home app or voice assistant (such as Alice or Google Assistant).
• 🔄 Hanging in one place: the device spins in place, makes repeated sounds or flashes indicators without stopping.
• 📡 Loss of Wi-Fi connection: vacuum cleaner does not connect to the network, although the router is stable and the password has not changed.
• 🗺️ Resetting the room map: after updating the firmware or failure, the vacuum cleaner “forgot” the saved rooms and routes.
• ⚡ Inadequate behavior: For example, the device starts cleaning in a random location or ignores virtual areas.

However, there are situations where a reboot won’t help or even make the problem worse:

• 🔋 Battery discharge (indicator flashes red or vacuum cleaner doesn't turn on at all) First charge the device for at least 30 minutes.
• 🛠️ Mechanical damage: if the vacuum cleaner does not drive due to stuck debris in the wheels or a broken sensor.
• 💦 Moisture ingestion: after contact with water (for example, if a vacuum cleaner with a floor washing function flipped over in a puddle).

If the problem isn't on the list above, try rebooting. Start with the most gentle method, which is soft reset via the app.

2.Soft reboot via the Mi Home app

This is the safest way to do this, which does not reset settings and saves a room map.It is suitable for most Xiaomi Mi Robot models, including Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P and others with app support.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Mi Home app on your smartphone and make sure the vacuum cleaner is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the phone.
2. Select your device in the list (if there are several).
3. Go to Settings. → General. → Reboot (or Settings) → General → Reboot in English version).
4. Confirm the action. The vacuum cleaner will sound and start rebooting (it will take 1-2 minutes).

If the item "Reset" is not:

• 📱 Update the Mi Home app to the latest version.
• 🔄 Reconnect the vacuum cleaner to Wi-Fi (sometimes the item appears after re-authorization).
• 🛠️ Check if your model supports this feature (e.g. Mi Robot Vacuum). 1S may not have a soft reset option).

Vacuum is at least 20% charged |

The smartphone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network |

Mi Home app updated |

The device is selected in the list|

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⚠️ Note: If the vacuum cleaner starts to behave even stranger after rebooting through the application (for example, it can not find the base or constantly emits an Error 10 error), this may indicate damage to the firmware.

3. Hard reboot button on the body

If the vacuum cleaner doesn’t respond to commands from the app or freezes so that it can’t finish cleaning, a forced reboot using a physical button will help.This method works on all Xiaomi Mi Robot models, but the methods vary depending on the generation of the device.

For models with a button RESET (For example, Mi Robot Vacuum 1/1S, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Lite):

1. Find a small button on the case with the inscription RESET (usually located near the power button or under the lid).
2. Take a paperclip or toothpick and press the button, holding it for 5-10 seconds until you hear the beep.
3. Release the button. The vacuum cleaner will start rebooting (the indicators will go out, then blink).

For models without a button RESET (Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro):

1. Hold the power button (usually marked with an icon) ⊙) within 10-15 seconds.
2. Wait for a double beep or flashing lights.
3. Release the button. The device will restart.

If the vacuum cleaner does not turn on after a hard reboot or makes atypical sounds (for example, a continuous squeak), this may indicate a hardware malfunction, in which case it is better to contact the service.

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If the button RESET If it doesn't work, try pressing it 2-3 times at 1 second intervals. Some Xiaomi models recognize this sequence as a command to force reboot.

4. Complete reset to factory settings

This method should only be used as a last resort, as it removes:

• 🗺️ Preserved maps of premises.
• 🔧 Individual settings (cleaning modes, schedule, virtual zones).
• 📶 Wi-Fi connection data.

A complete reset is required if:

• 🔄 The vacuum cleaner constantly emits an Error 5 (a gyroscope problem) or Error 12 (a sensor error) error).
• 📱 The device does not connect to the Mi Home app even after several reboots.
• 🛠️ You plan to sell or transfer the vacuum cleaner to another user.

Instructions for discharge:

1. Make sure the vacuum cleaner is at least 30% charged.
2. Find the button. RESET (As in Section 3) and hold it for 20-30 seconds until you hear a long beep (as opposed to a short beep in a normal restart).
3. On some models (for example, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro) you need to hold the power button and the Spot Clean button for 10 seconds at the same time.
4. After the discharge, the vacuum cleaner will issue a voice message in Chinese or English (for example, "Factory reset complete").

⚠️ Warning: After the full reset, the vacuum cleaner will return to factory settings, including the interface language (default is Chinese), and to return Russian, you will have to reconnect the device to the Mi Home app and select the "Russia" region when setting up.

5. Reboot via voice assistant (Alice, Google Assistant)

If your vacuum cleaner is integrated with Yandex Alice or Google Assistant, you can try rebooting it with a voice command. This method does not work on all models, but is supported by most devices with Mi Home firmware version 5.0 and higher.

For Yandex Alice:

1. Activate Alice (for example, say “Hi Alice”).
2. Say the command: Reboot [vacuum cleaner name] (e.g., Reboot the robot vacuum cleaner in the kitchen).
3. Confirm the action if Alice requests confirmation.

For Google Assistant:

1. Say, Hey Google, restart (e.g. Hey Google, restart Xiaomi vacuum).
2. If Google asks for confirmation, answer “Yes.”

Voice reboot is equivalent to a soft reset through an app, so it doesn't reset, unless the voice assistant recognizes the command:

• 🔊 Check that the vacuum cleaner is added to Alice's list of devices/Google.
• 📱 Update the Mi Home app and voice assistant.
• 🔄 Reconnect the vacuum cleaner to your Mi Home account.

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Voice reboot is the fastest way, but it only works with a stable connection of the vacuum cleaner to Wi-Fi and proper integration with the voice assistant.

6.Reboot when updating the firmware

Sometimes the Xiaomi Mi vacuum cleaner can “hang” during a firmware update.

• 🔄 The rotating update indicator does not disappear for more than 30 minutes.
• 📱 Mi Home app has “Update...” status without progress.
• 🔊 The vacuum cleaner periodically makes sounds, but does not complete the process.

In this case, you can't pull the power cord out or press the buttons, which can damage the firmware.

1. Wait at least 1 hour – sometimes the update takes longer due to slow internet.
2. If nothing has changed after an hour, gently restart the router (turn off and turn on the power).
3. If the vacuum cleaner is still getting stuck, hold the power button for 10 seconds to force the restart, and then the update will have to be restarted.

If the update is constantly broken:

• 📶 Check the speed of the Internet – you need a stable network (minimum 2 Mbps) to update).
• 🔌 Connect the vacuum cleaner to charging – some firmware is not installed at low battery levels.
• 📱 Update the Mi Home app to the latest version.

7. Frequent reboot errors and how to avoid them

Many users make mistakes that lead to even bigger problems, and here are the most common mistakes and how to prevent them:

Another common problem is that the vacuum cleaner doesn't respond to a reboot, and the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔋 Battery discharge: connect the device to charge for 30 minutes, then try again.
• 🛠️ Button sticking: if the button RESET or the food does not work, clean it carefully with alcohol.
• 📱 App crash: reinstall Mi Home or sign in under another account.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)