Xiaomi vacuum cleaner reset: how to return factory settings in 5 minutes

Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners (including the Mi Robot Vacuum, Dreame, and Viomi models) can eventually fail, losing communication with the app, building a map incorrectly, ignoring commands, or “forgetting” cleaning settings, and 90% of the time, a complete factory reset is solved, a procedure that erases all user data and returns the device to a “box-like” state.

But resetting is not a universal magic button, for example, after it the vacuum cleaner will no longer recognize stored maps of the premises and will have to reconfigure the cleaning schedule. In this article, we will discuss when to reset, how to do it through the Mi Home app or physical buttons, and what to do if the vacuum cleaner does not respond to commands. Instructions are relevant for all modern Xiaomi models, including the Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro, Dreame Bot, and the new model. Z10 Pro and Viomi V3.

When you need a full reset of the vacuum cleaner Xiaomi

Resetting the robot vacuum cleaner is only necessary in extreme cases, and here are typical situations where the procedure is justified:

• 🔄 The vacuum cleaner doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi or permanently loses communication with the app despite rebooting the router.
• 🗺️ The device does not build a map of the room or saves it with distortions (for example, “sees” walls where there are none).
• ⚙️ After updating the firmware, the vacuum cleaner behaves inadequately: ignores commands, spontaneously turns on or off.
• 🔒 You sell or transfer the vacuum cleaner to another user and want to delete all personal data (cleaning history, room maps).
• 🛠️ The vacuum cleaner got stuck in update mode and does not respond to buttons.

If the problem is not on this list — for example, a vacuum cleaner does not suck up garbage or discharge quickly — resetting is unlikely to help, in such cases, it is better to check the filters, brushes or battery.

⚠️ Note: After the vacuum cleaner is reset, Xiaomi will automatically unplug your Mi Home account. To control it again, you will have to add the device to the application again.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before resetting, follow a few mandatory steps to avoid problems:

1. Save the maps. If the vacuum cleaner builds the maps correctly, take screenshots in the Mi Home app, which you'll have to recreate after you drop them.
2. Write down your cleaning settings. Record your current settings: suction power, room order, schedule, cleaning areas, and save time when you reconfigure.
3. Check the battery. Make sure the charge level is at least 30 percent. If the vacuum cleaner runs out during the discharge, it can damage the firmware.
4. Disconnect all accessories (such as a washing module or additional brushes) from the vacuum cleaner. These will not affect the reset, but may interfere with access to the buttons.

If the vacuum cleaner is connected to Google Assistant or Alice from Yandex, after resetting it will have to be re-integrated with voice assistants. Also check if the vacuum cleaner is not tied to the family account in Mi Home - after reset, all users will lose access to it.

Take screenshots of the maps of the premises |

Record the current cleaning settings |

Check the battery charge (minimum 30%) |

Turn off accessories (washing module, brushes)|

Make sure the vacuum cleaner is not connected to your family account-->

Method 1: Reset via Mi Home (recommended)

The safest and easiest method is to reset your settings through the official app, which works for all Xiaomi models except the oldest (released before 2018).

1. Open the Mi Home app and go to your vacuum cleaner page.
2. Slip on three points in the upper right corner (⋮) and select the device settings.
3. Scroll down and find Reset to factory settings (or Remove Device in older versions of the app).
4. Confirm the action. The vacuum cleaner will sound and start the reset procedure (it will take 1-2 minutes).

If there is no factory reset, try an alternative route:

Mi Home → Device → Settings (⚙️) → General → Reset

Once the discharge is complete, the vacuum cleaner will automatically restart. In the app, it will appear as an unconnected device - it will need to be re-additioned via Add Device (+).

💡

If the vacuum cleaner doesn’t appear on the list of available devices after reset, try restarting the Mi Home app or reconnecting your phone to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes changing the subnet helps).

Method 2: Hardware reset through buttons on the body

If the vacuum cleaner doesn't connect to the application or freezes, you can do the manual reset via physical buttons. The method works for all models, but the location of the buttons may vary.

For Mi Robot Vacuum models (including Mop 2, S6, S7)

1. Turn off the vacuum cleaner with a long press on the power button (3-5 seconds).
2. Press the power and home buttons (or Spot Cleaning if there is no home button).
3. Hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Chinese voice alert says “” (meaning “factory reset”).
4. Release the buttons. The vacuum cleaner will emit a long signal and reboot.

For Dreame Bot models (Z10 Pro, D9, L10 Pro)

1. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds to turn off the vacuum cleaner.
2. Press Power + Cleaning Mode (button with broom icon) for 10 seconds.
3. Wait for the beep (3 short squeaks) and release the buttons.

For Viomi models (V2, V3, SE)

1. Turn off the vacuum cleaner with the power button.
2. Press Power + Auto Clean (button with robot icon) for 12-15 seconds.
3. After the double beep, release the buttons.

If the vacuum cleaner does not turn on after a hardware reset, connect it to the charging station for 30 minutes - sometimes the procedure discharges the battery to a critical level.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P), a hardware reset may result in sensor calibration loss. After the procedure, the vacuum cleaner may temporarily lose its spatial orientation, which is normal and will pass after 1-2 cleanings.

Method 3: Reset via developer console (for advanced users)

This method is suitable if the standard methods do not work, and the vacuum cleaner is still connected to Wi-Fi, it requires access to the device token and work with the Xiaomi API. Use it only if you are confident in your skills!

Instructions:

1. Install Python 3.x and python-miio: pip install python-miio
2. Get a token and IP-The vacuum cleaner address is via the Mi Home app (use tools like Mi Home Token Extractor).
3. Run the reset command at the terminal: mirobo --ip 192.168.x.x --token YOUR_TOKEN reset Replace 192.168.x.x on IP vacuum cleaner, YOUR_TOKEN — token.

Once the command is complete, the vacuum cleaner will reboot and return to factory settings, which also allows you to reset certain parameters (for example, only room maps), but this will require you to study the python-miio documentation.

💡

Resetting through the console is the only way to return the vacuum cleaner to work if it is “locked” after a failed firmware update.

What to do after resetting: setting up the vacuum cleaner from scratch

Once reset, Xiaomi will be like new vacuum cleaners, and it will have to be reconnected to Wi-Fi, configured and trained.

1. Add the vacuum cleaner to the Mi Home app: Open Mi Home → Add the device (+) → select the vacuum cleaner model. Follow the instructions on the screen (usually hold the Power + Wi-Fi button on the vacuum cleaner case).

Set up a schedule and cleaning areas

• Return the previous suction power parameters, the order of the rooms and the forbidden zones.
• If you use a washing module, check the wet cleaning settings (intensity, avoidance of carpets).

After the first cleaning, check if the collision sensors or laser rangefinder (LDS) are lost. If the vacuum cleaner has become more frequent to “hit” furniture, you may need to recalibrate – it is enough to manually vacuum along the walls in each room.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the reset done correctly, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:

• 🔌 Reset during cleaning. If you interrupt the cleaning process, the vacuum cleaner can "forget" the current location and get lost. Always wait for the cleaning to be completed or stop it manually through the app.
• 📶 Using 5GHz network. Xiaomi vacuum cleaners don't support this range.If your router only broadcasts 5GHz, temporarily turn on 2.4GHz or use a separate router.
• 🔋 Reset at low charge. If the battery is discharged below 20%, the procedure may be interrupted, causing damage to the firmware. Always check the charge before resetting.
• 🔄 If the vacuum cleaner is making audible signals during the reset, don't turn it off or press the buttons, which can cause the system to freeze.

If the vacuum cleaner is unstable after reset (for example, it spontaneously turns off or does not respond to commands), try updating the firmware to the latest version.

1. Open Mi Home → go to the vacuum cleaner page.
2. Put three points on it (⋮) → Settings of the device → Firmware update.
3. If the update is available, confirm its installation.

💡

If the vacuum cleaner is constantly "lost" after reset and can not build a map, try to reset it again, but before you delete all the saved cards in the Mi Home application.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions