How to properly reboot the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi: all ways to reset the system

Why Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaner may require a reboot

Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners (including Mi Robot, Dreame, Viomi and Mijia models) are powered by complex software that sometimes fails, and rebooting is the first step in diagnosing problems ranging from getting stuck during cleaning to connecting errors to the Mi Home app.

The most common reasons for resetting:

• 🤖 Hanging – the vacuum cleaner does not respond to commands, spins in place or emits constant sound signals.
• 📡 Wi-Fi problems – the device does not connect to the network or loses communication with the application.
• 🔄 Map errors – the robot does not build a route, “lost” in the room or ignores the cleaning areas.
• 🔋 Failures after updates – incorrect firmware can lead to unstable work.
• 🚫 Blocking buttons – physical buttons on the body do not respond to presses.

Most of the time, a soft reboot (similar to a smartphone restart) helps, but if you have a serious crash, you may need to reset hard or even return to factory settings, and it’s important to understand the difference between these methods so you don’t lose your stored room maps and customizations.

Soft Reboot: When and How to Do It

Soft restarts are the safest way to refresh a system without losing data, similar to restarting a computer and helping in 80% of non-critical crashes.

• 🛑 The robot got stuck during cleaning, but reacts to a short press of buttons.
• 📱 Mi Home app shows communication error, but vacuum cleaner indicators are on fire.
• 🔊 The vacuum cleaner makes uncharacteristic sounds or repeats the same command.

Instructions for soft reboot:

1. Find the Power button on the case (usually marked with a symbol) ⊙ or ON/OFF).
2. Hold it for 10-15 seconds until you hear a beep or all the lights go out.
3. Release the button and wait for the full shutdown (the indicators must go out).
4. Press the power button again to turn it on.

Disconnect the vacuum cleaner from the charging station

Make sure there are no obstacles around.

Check the battery charge (minimum 20%)

Close the Mi Home app on your phone-->

If the problem persists after a soft reboot, move to a hard reset, and a soft restart does not remove stored maps of the premises and cleaning history, which is a key difference from other methods.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse a soft reboot with a forced battery shutdown, which can damage the file system and require a complete reset.

Hard Reset: When a Soft Reset is Not Enough

Hard reset is a forced reset that clears the RAM and resets the temporary data, and should be used if:

• 🔄 A soft reboot hasn't helped and the vacuum cleaner still doesn't respond to commands.
• 📵 The robot does not turn on after charging (indicators do not burn).
• 🤯 The display (if any) displays an Error 5, Error 9 or similar error.

The methods of hard reset depend on the model:

After a hard reset, the vacuum cleaner will reboot automatically. If it doesn't, plug it into the charging station and turn it on manually. Note: this method doesn't delete stored cards, but it can reset some settings (such as cleaning schedules).

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If the robot emits a series of short signals after a hard reset, it means that the system has recovered successfully.

Reset to factory settings: complete system cleanup

Factory resetting is a last resort that erases all data, including:

• 🗺️ Preserved maps of premises.
• ⏰ Cleaning schedule.
• 🔧 Individual settings (suction force, wet cleaning mode, etc.).
• 📶 Wi-Fi connection data.

This method is used if:

• 🔄 The robot constantly resets the connection with the application.
• 🚫 There was a firmware failure (for example, after a failed update).
• 🏠 Maps of premises are damaged and the vacuum cleaner cannot build a new route.

Instructions for resetting to factory settings:

1. Turn off the vacuum cleaner (hold the power button for 5 seconds).
2. Hold the button combination (depending on the model, see the table below) for 30 seconds until you hear a long beep.
3. Release the buttons and wait for the reboot (can take up to 5 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: Once you reset to the factory settings, the vacuum cleaner will return to the out-of-the-box state, you'll need to reconnect it to Wi-Fi, adjust your cleaning options, and build maps of the space. If you had a binding to your Mi Home account, you'll also have to restore it.

Reboot through the Mi Home app: a remote method

If the robot vacuum cleaner is connected to the Mi Home app and responds to commands, it can be rebooted remotely, which is convenient when physical access to the device is limited (for example, the vacuum cleaner is on the second floor).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Mi Home app and select your robot vacuum cleaner.
2. Go to Settings → General → Reboot the device.
3. Confirm the action (you may need to enter a password from your Xiaomi account).
4. Wait until the process is completed (usually takes 1-2 minutes).

If the Reboot option is not on the menu, try an alternative method:

• 📱 Open Device Control. → Additionally. → Reset.
• 🔄 Choose a Soft Reboot (if available).

Remote reboot is equivalent to a soft reset and does not delete user data, but if the connection to the vacuum cleaner is unstable, the process may be interrupted, in which case use physical buttons on the case.

Solving specific errors after rebooting

Sometimes, after a system reset, the robot vacuum cleaner may fail or fail to work properly.

🔴 Error 2 (problem with sensors)

Cause: failure of calibration of the gyroscope or laser rangefinder (LiDAR).

Decision:

• Place the vacuum cleaner on a flat surface (such as a floor without a carpet).
• Hold the Power button for 10 seconds, then turn it on again.
• Wait for automatic calibration (the robot will start to rotate slowly).

🟡 Error 5 (wheel problem)

The reason: jamming of wheels or getting garbage into the mechanism.

Decision:

• Turn over the vacuum cleaner and check the wheels for threads, hair, or other debris.
• Clean the axles of the wheels with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
• Perform a hard reset (see section above).

🔵 Error of Wi-Fi connection after reset

Reason: Resetting network settings.

Decision:

• Hold the Wi-Fi button on the case for 3 seconds until you hear the signal.
• In the Mi Home app, select Add Device → Robot vacuum cleaner.
• Follow the connection instructions (make sure the smartphone is connected to a 2.4 GHz network).

If the error repeats, check the firmware version in Settings → About Device. You may need an update.

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Most of the errors after reboot are due to mechanical problems (wheels, sensors) or incorrect network settings. Always start your diagnosis with a visual inspection of the device.

Update the firmware after reset: how to avoid new failures

After a hard reset or a return to factory settings, it is recommended to update the firmware of the robot vacuum cleaner to the latest version, which will help correct known bugs and improve stability, but an incorrect update can lead to new failures.

How to safely update the firmware:

1. Make sure that the battery is at least 50%.
2. Connect the vacuum cleaner to the charging station and Wi-Fi network (2.4 GHz! only).
3. In the Mi Home app, go to Settings → About Device → Update the firmware.
4. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t interrupt the process!).

If the automatic update does not work:

• 📱 Check that the latest version of Mi Home is installed on the smartphone.
• 🌐 Make sure the robot is connected to the Internet (the router settings should not be limited to Xiaomi devices).
• 🔄 Try restarting the router and vacuum cleaner.

⚠️ Note: If after updating the firmware vacuum cleaner began to work worse (for example, became more stuck or incorrectly build the map), go back to the previous version. → About the device).

Dreame and Viomi models sometimes require manual firmware installation via USB. Instructions and firmware files can be found on official forums (e.g. Mi Community).

Frequent questions about rebooting Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaners