Xiaomi Gateway 3 reset: all ways to return factory settings

Why would you need to reset the Xiaomi Gateway 3?

The Xiaomi Gateway 3 (also known as the Mijia Hub or the Aqara Hub M2 in some regions) is the central device of Xiaomi’s smart home ecosystem that links sensors, lamps, sockets and other gadgets into a single network. However, even such a reliable device sometimes requires a complete reset, the reasons can be different from banal connection errors to serious software failures.

For example, you may have encountered a gateway that stopped detecting new devices, started to disconnect from Wi-Fi arbitrarily, or issued an “offline device” error in the Mi Home app. In some cases, a reset helps resolve firmware conflicts after a failed update or return to work after experimenting with alternative firmware like Zigbee2MQTT. It is also useful to know how to reset the gateway before selling or transferring it to another user – to delete all associated devices and credentials.

It's important to understand that resetting is not a universal solution to all problems. If the gateway is physically damaged (for example, after a fall or moisture), software reboot is unlikely to help. In such cases, repair or replacement of the device will be necessary. But in 80% of cases, resetting does restore operability, especially if the problem is related to network settings, device conflicts or synchronization errors.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before you start resetting, make sure you take into account all the nuances. First, once reset, the gateway will completely remove all the attached devices from its memory, which means you will have to re-introduce sensors, lamps and other gadgets into the Mi Home ecosystem. If you have many of them (for example, 20+ devices), the process can take several hours.

Second, check the firmware version of your gateway. 1.5.0_0046) You may have bugs that make the reset incorrect. Update the firmware through the Mi Home app before resetting, if possible. To find out the version, go to the Device Profile. → Settings → About the device.

• 📱 Save the device list: Take a picture or record all connected gadgets (names and rooms) to restore the system faster after a reset.
• 🔌 Check power: make sure the gateway is connected to a stable power source.Discharge during a power outage can cause the device to "brick.
• 🌐 Wi-Fi network: the gateway must be connected to the same network as your smartphone with the Mi Home app. If you use 5 GHz, temporarily switch to 2.4 GHz - not all gateway models support dual-band Wi-Fi.
• 🔄 Backup: Mi Home doesn’t have a gateway settings backup feature, but you can export a list of devices through Settings → Smart home. → Data export (not available in all regions).

⚠️ Note: If your gateway is connected to Aqara Home (not Mi Home), the reset process may be different, in which case use the official Aqara app rather than Mi Home to avoid conflicts.

Method 1: Hardware reset through a button on the body

This is the most reliable method that works even if the gateway is not connected to Wi-Fi or not responding in the application. On the case of Xiaomi Gateway 3 there is a small Reset button that you need to hold for 5-10 seconds, which is located on the back next to the power connector.

Algorithm of action:

1. Turn off the gateway from power (remove the plug from the socket).
2. Press and hold the Reset button (you can use a paper clip or toothpick).
3. Without releasing the button, connect the gateway to the power supply.
4. Keep holding the button for another 5-7 seconds until the indicator starts flashing yellow (in some models, a quick blink in blue).
5. Release the button. The gateway will reset and reset (this will take about 1-2 minutes).

Once reset successfully, the indicator will start flashing orange slowly, meaning that the device is ready for a new setup, and you can now plug it into the Mi Home app as a new gateway.

Press and hold the Reset button|Connect the power without releasing the button|Wait for the blinking yellow/blue|Release the button after 5-7 seconds|Wait for the reboot (1-2 minutes)-->

⚠️ Warning: If the airlock does not flash orange after reset, but burns red, this is a sign of a hardware malfunction.

Method 2: Reset via the Mi Home app

If the gateway is connected to the network and it's displayed in the application, you can do a software reset, which is more convenient because it doesn't require physical access to the device. Open Mi Home, find your Xiaomi Gateway 3 in the list of devices, and go to its settings.

Follow the instructions:

1. Slip the gateway icon → select Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
2. Scroll down and find Delete Device or Reset Settings (depending on the version of the application).
3. Confirm the action – the system will ask you to enter a password from your Mi Account for security.
4. Wait until the process is complete (usually 30-60 seconds).

Once reset, the gateway will disappear from the device list in Mi Home and can be added again via Add Device → Gateway. Note that in some regions (e.g. Europe) Reset settings may not be available – in this case, use hardware reset (mode 1).

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If there is no reset button in Mi Home, try changing your account region to China (in your profile settings).

Method 3: Reset via web interface (for advanced users)

The Xiaomi Gateway 3 has a hidden web interface that you can connect to over a local network, which is useful if you want to reset without using Mi Home or if the gateway is running in developer mode.

• 🖥️ Computer or smartphone on the same network as the gateway.
• 🔍 IP-Gateway address (can be found on the router or via the Fing app).
• 🌐 Browser (recommended by Chrome or Firefox).

Instructions:

1. Find out. IP-gateway address (e.g. 192.168.1.100).
2. Enter the address in the browser http://[IP_lock]/miIO.info (for example, http://192.168.1.100/miIO.info).
3. If the page is opened, go to the address http://[IP_lock]/reset.
4. Confirm the reset (it may be necessary to enter a token that can be obtained through Mi Home in the gateway settings).

Once you send the command, the gateway will reboot and return to factory settings, and this method doesn't work on all firmware, because if the page doesn't open, the web interface is disabled by the manufacturer.

What if the reset didn't help?

If the gateway doesn't turn on, doesn't flash the indicator, or it comes back up with errors, the problem could be deeper.

• 🔌 Power supply failure: Try another adapter with similar parameters (5V/1A).
• 📶 Wi-Fi problems: The gateway may not connect to the network due to router channel incompatibility. Switch the router to channel 1-11 (not 12-14) and turn off WPA3 (use WPA2-PSK).
• 🔄 Damaged firmware: if the reset was interrupted, the airlock could "brickle" and in this case, only the flashing through the airlock will help. UART (soldering skills required).
• 🛠️ Hardware failure: If the indicator is lit red or does not respond to a button, the controller may have failed.

If the gateway is switched on but not connected to Mi Home, try:

1. Delete it from your account through Profile → Settings → Smart Home → Delete the device.
2. Change the region in Mi Home to China (sometimes helps with synchronization errors).
3. Use another smartphone or Mi Account to add.

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If the gateway is not responding to the reset, first check the power supply and router settings. 60% of the time, the problem is there, not in the device itself.

How to Restore a Smart Home After Resetting a Gateway

Once you've successfully reset, you'll have to re-introduce the gateway to Mi Home and tie all the devices together, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the number of gadgets.

1. Add the gateway to the app: press + → Add the device → Gateway and follow the instructions. Make sure the indicator on the gateway flashes orange.
2. Set up rooms: Distribute the devices to the rooms in advance so you don’t get confused when adding.
3. Connect devices one at a time: start with the most important ones (like motion sensors or sockets), then add the rest.
4. Restore Automation: Check scripts in Automation → My scripts and recreate them if necessary.

Tips for speeding up the process:

• 📋 Use a pre-saved list of devices (see Preparation section»).
• 🔄 Add devices in order of their location in the house – so it is easier not to get confused.
• 📱 If the device is not added, try resetting it separately (usually there is a button on the case for this).

⚠️ Note: If you have set up a group of devices (e.g., All the lamps in the room), you will have to recreate them, too.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi Gateway 3