The Xiaomi Gateway 3 hub is the heart of the smart home ecosystem, connecting dozens of sensors and devices into a single network. However, during operation or when moving, it becomes necessary to return the device to factory settings, this may be necessary to sell the gadget, fix software errors or connect to a new gateway.
The process of cleaning data does not require complex hardware, but having accurate sequence information is critical. The wrong approach can lead to the hub remaining locked in the cloud of the previous owner. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of resetting.
Before you start any manipulation, make sure that the device is connected to the power supply. Setting reset is an irreversible operation that will delete all scripts, attached devices and log history. Be prepared for the fact that after the procedure you will have to reconfigure the smart home.
Preparation for the lock discharge procedure
The first step is to physically prepare the workplace and the device itself, and you will need access to a 220V outlet and, preferably, a smartphone with the Mi Home app installed. If you are planning to resell the device, pre-production will help you avoid account problems.
You need to understand the difference between simply turning off the device and completely resetting. A conventional outlet shutdown does not erase user data. A special procedure is used to completely clean up, which can take 10 to 30 seconds of continuous exposure.
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Before resetting, untie all devices in the Mi Home app if possible, which will speed up the reconfiguration process and avoid Zigbee addressing conflicts.
It is important to check the firmware version of your gateway. In older versions of the software, the reset algorithm may have differed, but for current models, a single standard is relevant. Make sure that the indicator is on with a smooth light, rather than flashing, which could indicate an upgrade process.
Reset hardware reset method
The most common and reliable way to return Xiaomi Mijia Gateway 3 to its original state is to use a hidden button. It is located on the device body and requires mechanical action with a thin object, such as a paper clip or toothpick.
Find a circular hole on the bottom or side of the case marked as Reset. insert the object inside until the characteristic click. Hold the button for 5-10 seconds. The device indicator will flash yellow, signaling the beginning of the cleaning process.
⚠️ Warning: Do not release the button immediately after the blinking begins. Wait until the indicator lights up in blue, and only then release the button.
Once the indicator lights up in blue, the device will reboot, which means that the gateway has gone into standby mode, and the hardware reset completely clears the internal memory of the configuration files, but does not affect the firmware itself.
☑️ Proper reset button
If the device lights up again in yellow or orange after the button is released, then the procedure is not completed successfully. Try repeating the action by increasing the hold time of the button to 15 seconds. Mechanical wear of the button inside the case sometimes requires a longer exposure.
Reset via the Mi Home app
If you have physical access to an application that the hub is running through, the software method is the most convenient one, and it allows you not only to reset the device, but also to correctly remove it from the list of hardware in the server cloud.
Open the Mi Home app on your smartphone. Find your gateway card in the device list and go to the control menu. In the upper right corner of the screen, there's usually a three-dot or gear button that opens the settings.
Scroll down the settings menu, and you'll find "Delete Device" or "Reset" where you click on this button and you'll initiate a command to the gateway, and it'll go back to pairing mode, which is preferable because it synchronizes the state of the device with the cloud.
Why can't the app see the gateway?
It's worth noting that software reset via Mi Home only works if the gateway is online, and if the device is stuck or lost communication with the router, this method will not work, and you will have to resort to physical pressure.
Unlocking the Gateway for Home Assistant
A separate category of users are enthusiasts who want to integrate the gateway into the Home Assistant system through the MiOT or Telnet protocol, which requires not just a reset, but unlocking the device to get the access token.
The unlocking process is different from a normal reset: you will need to get a device token, often using third-party utilities or scripts in Python. The standard button reset here is just a preparatory step before flashing or changing the configuration.
The table below shows the main differences between conventional reset and custom firmware preparation:
| Parameter | Ordinary discharge | Preparation for Home Assistant |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Deletion of user data | Getting root access |
| Risk | Minimum | High (brick risk) |
| Tools | Reset button | PC, Python, Telnet |
| Guarantee | It's still there. | Burns. |
| Time. | 1 minute | 30-60 minutes. |
| Difficulty | Low. | Tall. |
If you don't have a deep knowledge of Linux and networking protocols, don't try to unlock the gateway for Home Assistant. A conventional reset is enough to bring the device back to factory settings.
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Unlocking for Home Assistant is a complex technical process that goes beyond simply resetting settings and requires obtaining a device token.
Solving problems: the indicator flashes yellow
A common problem users face is that the gateway does not switch to blue light after reset, but continues to flash yellow or orange, indicating that the device cannot find the activation server or is locked.
The first thing you need to do is check the Internet connection, and the gateway needs stable access to the global network to be activated in the first place after the reset, and if the router doesn't give away the Internet or if it's blocked, the process will freeze.
The second reason could be a link to someone else’s account: If the device was previously registered to another user’s account and was not untied, Xiaomi Gateway 3 will require confirmation from the owner, in which case a simple reset will not help unlock the device.
- 🔴 The indicator is lit orange – there is an update process or network error.
- 🔵 The indicator is lit blue - the pairing mode is active, you can connect.
- 🟡 The indicator flashes yellow – waiting for confirmation or activation error.
- 🟢 The indicator is lit green – the device works in normal mode.
⚠️ If the gateway flashes yellow endlessly, try changing DNS-server in router on 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1. This often solves problems with connection to the activation servers Xiaomi.
Also worth checking out is the region in the Mi Home app. If the device is Chinese (CN) and the app selects the region "Russia" or "Europe", there may be conflicts when activated after the reset. Try temporarily switching the region.
What to do if the gateway does not respond
There are situations where neither the reset button nor the software methods are working, where the device may be completely dead or in a state of deep software failure, and in such cases a comprehensive approach is required.
Try to run a power cycle. Turn off the gateway from the socket, wait 30 seconds and turn it on again. Immediately after turning on, in the first 3-5 seconds, try pressing the reset button. Sometimes the timeout to enter recovery mode is very short.
If the indicator does not light up at all, check the power supply and cable. Using a non-original adapter with insufficient current (less than 1A) can lead to unstable operation and inability to reset.
As a last resort, if the device is stuck in the firmware update phase (flashing orange), recovery through UART may be required, which means disassembling the case and soldering, which means that for most users, you need to contact a service center.