Buying a new smart device is always a pleasant excitement, especially when it comes to gadgets of the Xiaomi ecosystem. Robot vacuum cleaners of this brand are famous for their functionality and reliability, but the process of unpacking and initial assembly can be confusing to the inexperienced user. In the box you will find a lot of accessories, and it is important not to confuse their purpose.
Proper installation of all components directly affects the efficiency of cleaning and durability of the device. Incorrectly fastened brush or failure in the docking station can lead to engine failure or battery discharge at the most inopportune time, so it is worthwhile to carefully examine the device of the housing before starting operation.
In this article, we’ll break down every step of preparing your new assistant for work.We’ll look at not only the mechanical build, but also the software setup, which often raises more questions than the physical connection.
Unpacking and initial inspection of the complete set
The first step is to carefully remove the contents of the box and spread the elements on a level surface. Usually the complete package includes the robot itself, the charging station, the power supply, the side brushes, the main cleaning module (if not built in), and the instructions. Carefully examine the case of the device for chips or cracks that may occur during transportation.
Pay special attention to the status of the lithium-ion battery. If the device has been in storage for a long time, the charge can be minimal. Primary charging is a critical step before the first launch. Connect the dock to the network and install the robot on it, making sure that the contacts on the bottom are in contact with the base electrodes.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to turn on the power button device if the charge indicator is not lit or flashes red.
Check for all accessories according to the list in the instructions. The absence of even one side brush can disrupt the balancing of the device while driving.
Installation of side brushes and main roller
Side brushes are elements that sweep debris from the corners of a room under the main suction turbine. Most Xiaomi models, such as the Roborock S50 or Mi Robot Vacuum, have color-coded brushes. A white brush is usually mounted on the right side (when viewed from above), and an orange or gray brush is mounted on the left.
The installation process is very simple: combine the brush hole with the seat on the body and press until the characteristic click. The lock must hold the element securely, but still allow it to rotate freely. If the brush is installed incorrectly, it will emit a grinding or no spin at all.
- 🌀 Make sure the brush pile is clockwise for effective dust collection.
- 🔊 After installation, start the device and listen to whether there is an extraneous hum from the friction of plastic.
- 🛑 Never leave an unsecured brush in a working device – it can fly out and get tangled in wheels.
Then we go to the main cleaning unit, and you turn the robot upside down and open the lid of the compartment, and inside you'll see a turbo brush, which is already installed in some models, and in others it's separate, and you'll put the roller in the grooves, following the direction of rotation indicated by the arrows on the end covers.
Installation of the dust collector and HEPA-filter
The centerpiece of the cleaning system is the dust container, which is located at the top of the housing, and is often combined with a water tank in wet-cleaning models. To extract the container, press the lock button and pull the module upwards. Inside, you'll see the cell for the suction. HEPA-filter and main filter mesh.
Filters require careful handling. Make sure they are dry and free of damage before installation. Insert the filter into the compartment so that the sealing gum fits tightly to the edges of the plastic case, which will prevent fine dust from leaking into the engine.
| Type of filter | Frequency of cleaning | Replacement | Can I wash? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main (grid) | 1-2 times a week | Every 6 months | Yes, water. |
| HEPA-filter | Carefully knock out | Every 2-3 months | No |
| Premotor | Every time you clean. | By wear and tear. | Yes. |
*Note: Wash HEPA-The filter can only be dried for at least 24 hours with water, but manufacturers recommend dry cleaning.
After all the filters are installed, insert the dust collector back into the robot body before clicking. Make sure the compartment cover is tightly closed. If the filling sensor doesn't see the container, the robot will issue an error and refuse to start cleaning.
☑️ Checking the filtration system
Preparation and installation of charging station
The charging base is the home for your robot, and if it's properly placed, it depends on whether the device can autonomously return to charge. Choose a wall area where at least 0.5 meters are free on the sides of the base and at least 1.5 meters are free on the front, which is necessary for parking maneuvers.
Connect the power supply to the station and to the socket. On some Xiaomi models, the power supply has a specific connector that needs to be inserted with a certain force to the end. Make sure that the indicator on the base catches fire. If the base has a water supply function (for detergent models), install the water tank in the appropriate compartment of the base, if this is provided by the design.
⚠️ Warning: Do not place the base on fuzzy carpets or dark surfaces. Infrared sensors may lose the signal and the robot will not be able to find a way to charge.
Once you have the base, turn on the robot and press the home-back button (usually the house icon). The device should drive to the base and charge. If the robot is spinning around but doesn't find the base, check if the IR sensors are closed on the robot or on the base.
What if the robot can’t see the base?
Primary configuration through the Mi Home app
Xiaomi’s modern robot vacuum cleaners can’t run at full capacity without a smartphone connection. Download the Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Home) from the official app store. Sign up or log in to your account. Make sure your phone is Bluetooth enabled and geolocated.
To pair, press and hold two buttons on the robot body (usually Home and On/Off) simultaneously for 5-7 seconds until the voice assistant reports the switch to pairing mode. In the application, press + and select your device from the list.
Settings → Add the device → Automatic searchWhile the app is configuring, it will prompt you to update your firmware. Updating firmware is a must, as newer versions often include improvements to navigation algorithms and bug fixes. Don't interrupt this process and keep the robot next to the router.
- 📱 Select the right region (for example, Russia or China), or some devices may not be determined.
- 📶 Use 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network, most smart devices don’t support 5GHz.
- 🗣️ Configure voice packets if you want the robot to report status in Russian.
Once you've successfully connected, you'll see a map of the room (if the model is lidar) or a cleaning status, and you can now run the cleaning remotely, build virtual walls, and customize your schedule.
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If the robot doesn't connect to Wi-Fi, try temporarily renaming the 2.4GHz network, removing special characters and Cyrillic from the SSID name. Some older Wi-Fi modules in robots don't work well with complex passwords.
Test start and calibration of sensors
Before cleaning, you should run a test run, run Quiet or Standard mode, and watch the device move. The robot should move out of the base, turn around and start spiraling or zigzagging (depending on the algorithm). Pay attention to the wheels: they must confidently overcome thresholds up to 2 cm high.
Pay special attention to the elevation sensors (cliff sensors), which are located around the perimeter of the bottom and prevent falling from the stairs, wipe them with soft cloth, and if the robot starts to walk backwards for no reason or squeaks, most likely the sensors are contaminated or covered with a protective film that they forgot to remove during assembly.
An important aspect is calibrating the gyroscope and the compass, and in newer models, this happens automatically at the beginning of each cleaning, when the robot makes several rotational movements in place, so don't interfere with this process and don't lift the device in the first 30 seconds of operation.
⚠️ Attention: If the robot gets stuck on the black carpet, it may be a false triggering of the drop sensors. In the application, you can turn on the "Croat Overcoming" mode, if this function is supported by the model.
Check the main turbine. Put your hand up to the suction hole, you should feel a powerful flow of air. If the suction is weak, check again the density of the filters and the absence of debris in the channel.
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Successful calibration of sensors and test run without errors – ensure that the robot will be able to build an accurate map and efficiently clean the room in automatic mode.