How to reset Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Mop Essential to factory settings: the complete guide

Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Mop Essential is a popular wet cleaning robot, but even the most reliable equipment sometimes requires rebooting. Resetting to factory settings helps eliminate malfunctions, Wi-Fi connection errors, room map problems or incorrect behavior of the device after a firmware update. In this article, we will analyze all available reset methods, their features and potential risks.

It's important to understand that resetting is not a universal solution. If the robot doesn't turn on, doesn't respond to buttons or makes uncharacteristic sounds, the problem may lie in the hardware (battery, engine or control board), in such cases, first check the battery charge and the purity of contacts at the docking station, reset is appropriate for software failures: for example, when the Mi Home does not see the device, the robot "forgets" the map or cyclically reboots.

The reset procedure removes all saved settings, including:

  • πŸ“‘ Wi-Fi connection;
  • πŸ—ΊοΈ maps of premises and cleaning areas;
  • βš™οΈ individual parameters (suction power, schedule, voice prompts);
  • πŸ”„ cleaning history and statistics.

1. Soft reset (reset) - when a "restart" is sufficient

Soft reset doesn't erase user data, it just reboots the device, and it helps with temporary freezes, application communication errors, or sensor malfunctions, and use it first, because it's safe and takes less than a minute.

To perform a soft reboot:

  1. Make sure the robot is on a docking station or on a flat surface.
  2. Press the power button on the device for 10-15 seconds until you hear the beep.
  3. Release the button and wait for a full reboot (the indicators should go out and light up again).

After the reboot, check the robot through the Mi Home app. If the problem persists (for example, the device does not connect to Wi-Fi or does not respond to commands), proceed to a hard reset.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse soft reset with forced shutdown. If you just press and release the Power button right away, the robot will go into sleep mode, but the system won't restart.

πŸ“Š What problem are you facing?
The robot does not connect to Wi-Fi
Hanged up while cleaning.
Does not keep a map of the room
Another problem.

2. Hard reset through buttons on the body

Hard reset returns Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Mop Essential to factory settings, deleting all user data.

  • πŸ“± The robot does not sync with the Mi Home app even after reinstalling it;
  • πŸ”„ device cyclically reboots;
  • πŸ—ΊοΈ room map is lost or not saved;
  • πŸ”Œ The robot does not respond to voice assistant commands.

Resetting instructions:

Disconnect the robot from the docking station|Press the Power and Home buttons at the same time|Hold 5-7 seconds to the sound signal|Release the buttons and wait for the reboot (about 2 minutes)-->

After the reset, the robot will issue a voice message in Chinese (if voice feedback is enabled) and go into initial settings.

  1. Connect the device to Wi-Fi again.
  2. Create a new map of the room.
  3. Set up a schedule and cleaning parameters.

⚠️ Warning: If the robot was tied to the Mi Account, it will automatically unplug after the reset. QR-code on the case or enter the serial number manually.

3.Reset via the Mi Home app

If the robot is connected to the Mi Home app but is unstable, you can reset directly from the program interface, which is more convenient than manipulating the buttons, because you can save some data (for example, a cleaning history) or choose the type of reset.

Step-by-step:

  1. Open the Mi Home app and go to the robot management page.
  2. Slap the icon. βš™οΈ Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
  3. Select About (or About in English).
  4. Scroll down and click Reset Settings.
  5. Confirm the action by selecting Reset all settings or Reset network settings (if only Wi-Fi reassignment is needed).

Depending on the firmware version and Mi Home regional server, menu items may be named differently. If you don't have a reset option, upgrade to the latest version.

Type of reset in Mi HomeWhat's removedWhen to apply
Resetting network settingsOnly Wi-Fi data.The robot doesn’t connect to the internet, but the rest of the functions work.
Resetting the cardStored maps of premises and cleaning areasMap is lost, robot is lost in familiar space
Total resetAll settings, including schedule and voice commandsSystem failures, cyclical reboots, firmware errors

πŸ’‘

Before resetting via Mi Home, check if the robot is tied to your Mi Account.If the device was gifted or bought from hand, the previous owner could not untie it - in this case, the reset will not help, you will need to contact Xiaomi support.

4.Reset after firmware update

Updates to the firmware for Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Mop Essential usually improve stability, but sometimes cause failures. If after the update the robot began to behave incorrectly (for example, ignores obstacles, builds a route wrong or refuses to return to base), the reset will help to return to work.

After updating to the firmware version 3.5.8_004316 And above, some users are faced with the error "Map Save Failed" (Map Save Failed), in which case only a complete reset and then reconnect to Wi-Fi on the frequency will help. 2.4 GHz (robot does not support) 5 GHz).

Algorithm of action:

  1. Make a hard reset through the buttons (see Section 2).
  2. Connect the robot to the docking station and wait for full charging (at least 80%).
  3. Start the firmware update process again via Mi Home, following the app’s hints.
  4. After a successful upgrade, configure the robot from scratch.

⚠️ Note: If the robot refuses to update after reset, check the regional settings in Mi Home. For Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Mop Essential server should be selected as Mainland China (China), even if you are in another country. Otherwise, the updates may not show up.

5 What to do if the discharge did not help

If problems persist after reset, the reasons may be as follows:

  • πŸ”‹ Discharged or faulty battery – the robot does not hold a charge, turns off during cleaning.
  • πŸ“Ά Wi-Fi Interference: A weak signal or conflict IP-address.
  • πŸ› οΈ Hardware damage – sensors, motors or control boards are faulty.
  • πŸ–₯️ Xiaomi server failure – temporary problems with authorization in Mi Home.

Diagnosis by symptoms:

Problem.Possible causeDecision
The robot does not turn on after resettingBattery discharged or power board damagedPut it on a 4-6 hour charge. If it doesn't work, check the dock.
Not connected to Wi-Fi.The wrong region in Mi Home or router runs on 5 GHzSwitch router to 2.4 GHz, select server China in the application settings
Hanging in the construction of the mapFailure of the gyroscope or lidarCheck the cleanness of the sensors, perform calibration (see instructions below)

If the robot does not respond to the reset (does not emit audible signals, does not restart), try an alternative method:

  1. Turn off the power supply (remove from the dock).
  2. Turn it over and remove the battery for 10-15 minutes (a screwdriver is required to remove the lid).
  3. Install the battery back and connect to the charger.
How to Calibrate Robot Sensors After Resetting?
After a hard reset, the lidar and the robot gyroscope may require recalibration. 1. Place the robot on a flat surface (for example, on a floor without carpets). 2. In the Mi Home app, go to Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Calibration of sensors. 3. Follow the voice prompts - the robot will rotate 360Β° to adjust the lidar. 4. After calibration, reboot the device. If the calibration option is missing, update the firmware to the latest version.

6. Frequent errors in resetting and how to avoid them

An improperly executed reset can make problems worse, and consider common user errors and ways to prevent them:

  • πŸ”Œ Reset during cleaning or charging - interrupting the process can damage the firmware.Always stop the robot before resetting.
  • πŸ“Ά Using 5GHz network – Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Mop Essential only works with 2.4GHz. If your router supports both bands, create a separate network for smart home devices.
  • πŸ”„ Interrupting the reset process – if you release the buttons before the beep, the reset may be partially performed, leading to a reset cycle.
  • πŸ“± Mi Home incompatible – use the latest version of the app from Google Play or App Store. Older versions may not support newer robot firmware.

If the robot produces an Error 10 (engine problem) or Error 12 (collision sensor failure) after reset, don't try to repeat the procedure repeatedly.

  • Cleaning brushes and rollers from hair / thread.
  • Checks on wheel and bumper mobility.
  • Contact the service center in case of mechanical damage.

πŸ’‘

Always check the battery power before reset – if the level is below 20%, the robot may not complete the procedure correctly, which will lead to additional errors.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can you reset the robot without accessing the buttons (for example, if they are broken)?
Yes, but only through the Mi Home app, if the robot is connected to Wi-Fi. If the buttons are down and the connection is lost, all that remains is disassembling the case to remove the battery (see section 5).
Once reset, the robot requires a link to another account.
This means that the device was tied to the previous owner's account, and you need to: Contact the seller and ask to untie the robot through Mi Home. If you can't contact the robot, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, contract). You can't bypass the binding yourself, this is a measure of protection against theft.
The reset removed the map of the room. Can it be restored?
No, after a complete reset, the map is removed without recovery, and you have to retrain the robot: start cleaning in Mapping Mode and wait for it to make a new map. Tip: before reset, take screenshots of the old map in Mi Home, which will help you set up the cleaning areas faster.
The robot doesn't see the dock after the reset.
The problem could be: Station location β€” make sure it's at least 1 meter free on either side; contaminated contacts β€” wipe the metal plates on the robot and station with alcohol; failure of the infrared sensor β€” try to reboot the robot again. If nothing helps, check the power dock (the indicator should burn green).
How often should a robot be dropped for prevention?
No preventive resets are required. Only perform the procedure if you have problems. Frequent resets can result in: Flash memory wear (limited number of write cycles); loss of sensor calibration; conflicts with Xiaomi servers (frequently reassigning accounts).