Why to drop cards in a robot vacuum cleaner and when it is necessary
Xiaomi’s vacuum cleaners, from the budget Mi Robot Vacuum to the flagship DreameBot, use laser or optical sensors to map spaces, which store not only the plan of the apartment, but also the cleaning areas, virtual walls, forbidden areas. However, over time, the data can become obsolete after rearranging furniture, repairing or malfunctioning devices, in which case you need a full or partial reset of cards.
The main reasons for discharge are:
- 🔄 The robot incorrectly displays the layout after changes in the room (for example, removed the sofa or added partition).
- 🚫 The device ignores virtual zones, enters restricted areas, or does not clean designated areas.
- 🔋 After updating the firmware, the cards work incorrectly (for example, saved floors are lost).
- 📱 Application Mi Home/DreameHome Shows an empty map or synchronization error.
- 🔄 The robot loops in one area, can't find a base, or builds chaotic routes.
It's important to understand that resetting cards isn't always a radical solution, sometimes it's enough to update the data through an app or reboot the device, but if the problem persists, a complete reset will help to "nullify" the navigation memory of the robot.
Methods of card reset: through application vs. hardware reset
There are two main methods of resetting cards in Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaners:
- Software reset – via the official application (Mi Home, DreameHome, Viomi Home) is suitable for most models and allows you to remove the cards selectively (for example, only for one floor).
- Hardware resets are through physical buttons on the robot body, and are used when software fails when the application is not connected to the device.
So, if the robot responds to commands from the app and connects to Wi-Fi, start with the software method. Hardware reset is a last resort, because it can remove not only the cards, but also other settings (such as cleaning schedules or voice commands).
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Software reset is safer – it does not affect the firmware and basic parameters of the robot, unlike hardware.
| Resetting method | Suitable models | What's removed | Implementation time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through the app (Mi Home) | Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2, Dreame D9, Viomi V3, and others. | Only room maps (cleaning areas are saved if not manually reset) | 1-2 minutes |
| Through the app (DreameHome) | DreameBot Z10 Pro, Dreame D10s | Maps + Zone settings (if you choose "full reset") | 2-3 minutes |
| Hardware reset (buttons on the body) | All models Xiaomi/Dreame/Viomi | Maps + all user settings (scheduling, voice commands) | 5-10 minutes |
Step-by-step: reset cards through the Mi Home app
This method is suitable for most Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaners, including Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro and other models on the Mi Home platform.
- Open the Mi Home app and make sure the robot is connected to a Wi-Fi network.
If your app doesn’t have a direct reset option, try an alternative path:
Settings → Additional → Resetting the cardMake sure the robot is charged (>20%)
Connect the robot to Wi-Fi
Update the Mi Home app to the latest version
Close other applications using Bluetooth/Wi-Fi
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⚠️ Warning: Once the maps are reset, the robot will start a new cleaning from scratch. If you have a multi-storey house, you will have to reconfigure the floor recognition through the Multi-storey Mode function (if supported by the model).
Reset cards in Dreame robots (D9, Z10, D10s, etc.)
Dreame vacuum cleaners, like the DreameBot D9 or the Z10 Pro, use their own app, DreameHome. The interface here is different from Mi Home, but the reset principle is similar. Here's how to do it:
- Open DreameHome and select your device.
- Go to Settings (Icon) ⚙️ top-right).
- Select the Management Map → Management of the cards.
- Click Reset the card or Delete all card details.
- Confirm the action. The robot will start rebooting.
Some models (such as the Dreame D10s) have the option of selectively removing maps for individual floors.
- 📍 In the Maps section, select the desired floor.
- 🗑️ Click on the basket icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
- ✅ Confirm removal.
What if the robot doesn’t build a new map after resetting?
Hardware reset: when the application does not help
If the robot vacuum cleaner doesn't connect to Wi-Fi, freezes or the app doesn't see the map, you'll have to use hardware reset, which is universal for all Xiaomi, Dreame and Viomi models, but has a nuance: it resets all settings, not just maps.
Instructions for most models:
- Turn off the robot by pressing and holding the power button (usually) ⏻) within 3-5 seconds.
- Hold two buttons at the same time: 🔄 Home (Home) + Food (for Mi Robot Vacuum) 🔄 Spot Cleaning (Spot Cleaning) + Meals (for Dreame) D9)
10-15 seconds
Release the buttons. The robot will reboot and return to factory settings.
In Viomi V2/V3 models, the hardware reset is performed by holding the Power + Cleanup Mode button for 20 seconds until the double beep.
⚠️ Warning: After the hardware reset, the robot will disconnect from Wi-Fi and require reconfiguration through the app: 📅 Cleaning schedule 🔊 Voice commands (if supported) ⚙️ Individual suction/wet cleaning settings Save screenshots of important settings before resetting!
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even if you do the reset correctly, users are facing problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| After reset, the robot does not build a new map. | Sensors or low lighting closed | Wipe the lidar, turn on the light, reboot the robot |
| App doesn't see robot after hardware reset | Resetting Wi-Fi settings | Connect the robot to the network again by Adding the device to Mi Home |
| All settings have been dropped, not just maps. | Selected hardware reset instead of software | Restore settings manually or through backup (if made) |
| Robot after reset moves chaotically | The calibration process of sensors is not completed | Let the robot complete the first cleaning (don’t interrupt) |
Another common mistake is to interrupt the reset process, where if you release the buttons too early (before the beep), the reset may be partially performed, leading to errors in the device, in which case repeat the procedure or update the firmware through the application.
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Before resetting your cards, check if the cleaning problems are due to other factors: low battery charge (<30%), contaminated brushes or locking sensors. Sometimes it is enough to clean the robot to restore the correct operation.
How to save cards before resetting (if possible)
Unfortunately, most Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaners do not support manually exporting cards, but there are ways to save key data before resetting:
- 📸 Map screenshots: Take pictures of the in-app layout screens, which will help you recover cleaning areas more quickly after resetting.
- 📝 Handbook notes: Write down the coordinates of virtual walls, no-go zones and cleaning points (e.g.: “Zone 1 – kitchen, wet cleaning, power 80%").
- 🔄 Backup of settings: In some models (e.g. Dreame) Z10 Pro) you can save your settings profile to the cloud through Settings → Backup copy.
- 📊 Export Logs: For Advanced Users: Connect the Robot to a PC ADB Save the map files (technical knowledge required).
If you’re using Roborock (like Roborock S7), the app has Save Map to the Cloud. Xiaomi and Dreame don’t have that option, but screenshots and notes will make reconfiguration much faster.