Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners have become an integral part of smart homes, combining convenience and functionality. One of the most popular options is wet cleaning, which allows you not only to collect dust, but also to wipe floors. However, there are situations when this feature becomes unnecessary: for example, when cleaning carpets, parquet or if you prefer dry cleaning. In such cases, it is important to know how to properly turn off wet cleaning so as not to damage the flooring and extend the life of the device.
In this article, we will look at all possible ways to deactivate the function, from basic settings in the Mi Home mobile app to manual methods for specific models. You will also learn which Xiaomi models support flexible cleaning modes and which will require physical disabling of the module.
Why you may need to turn off the wet cleaning
At first glance, the wet cleaning function seems universal: it removes stains, refreshes floors and removes small debris, but in practice there are several scenarios when it is best to deactivate:
- 🧹 Carpet coatings: Most Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaners (except for flagship models with humidity sensors) are not designed to wet carpet cleaning. Water can seep into the base, cause mold or spoil pile.
- 🪵 Wooden floors. Parquet, laminate or massive board require careful care. Excess moisture can lead to swelling of joints or loss of shine.
- ⚡ Wet cleaning consumes water and detergent faster, and increases wear and tear on the wipe and pump.
- 🔧 If the robot has started to leave a divorce or is not pressing a napkin well, a temporary shutdown of the function will help diagnose the problem.
In addition, some users simply prefer separate cleaning: first dry (to collect dust), and then wet (to wash the floors), in which case, turning off the function at one of the stages becomes a necessity.
Method 1: Disconnecting through the Mi Home application
The easiest and safest method is to use the official Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Home for newer versions), which is suitable for most modern models such as Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro, Xiaomi Robot Vacuum-Mop P and others that support proprietary software.
Step instructions:
- Open the Mi Home app and select your robot vacuum cleaner from the device list.
- Go to Cleaning Settings (or Cleaning Settings in English).
- Find the Cleaning Mode option and select Vacuum Only.
- Save the changes. The robot will automatically switch to the selected mode the next time it starts.
If your model has the option of Zone Cleaning, you can create separate areas where wet cleaning will be turned off permanently, for example, for carpets or areas with delicate coatings.
Make sure the robot is connected to Wi-Fi|Update the application to the latest version|Check the battery charge (should be) ≥20%)|Close all doors to avoid card errors-->
Method 2: Manual shutdown on the robot body
Some models, especially budget models or those released before 2020 (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop Essential), do not support flexible configuration via the app, in which case wet cleaning can be physically disabled:
- 🔌 Remove the water tank. Just remove the water tank from the robot body. Without it, the device automatically goes into dry cleaning mode.
- 🧽 Removal of the napkin. If your model attaches the napkin separately (for example, in Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop). 1S), Take it off before launch.
- 🔧 In rare cases (e.g. when a water supply hose is broken), the water supply hose may be disconnected, but this requires disassembly of the body and is not recommended without experience.
Note: If you remove the water tank but leave the napkin, the robot can start drying, which will lead to rapid wear and tear of the fabric and the appearance of static electricity on the floor.
What if the robot does not switch to dry mode?
Method 3: Configure via voice assistant (Alice, Google Assistant)
If your Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner is integrated with voice assistants (like Alice from Yandex or Google Assistant), you can turn off wet cleaning with a voice command.This method is convenient if you need to quickly switch mode without opening the application.
Examples of teams:
- "Alice, turn on dry cleaning mode on Xiaomi."
- "Okay, Google, turn off the wet cleaning in the robot vacuum cleaner."
Important: Before using voice commands, make sure that:
- The robot is connected to the same account as the voice assistant.
- In the settings of the assistant, access to Xiaomi devices is allowed.
- The voice control function is supported by your model (the list of compatible devices can be specified on the official website).
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If voice commands don’t work, try reconnecting the robot to your Mi Home account through Devices → Settings → Reconnect.
Compatibility table: which models support wet cleaning switching off
Not all Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaners allow flexible cleaning modes, and here is a table with popular models and available ways to disable the function:
| Model | Disconnection through Mi Home | Manual shutdown | Voice control | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro | ✅ | ✅ (discharge) | ✅ | Supports Zone Adjustment |
| Xiaomi Robot Vacuum-Mop P | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Automatically determines the type of coverage |
| Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop Essential | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | Requires physical removal of the container |
| Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 1S | ✅ (partly) | ✅ | ❌ | Wet cleaning is only turned off during the current cleaning. |
| Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Lite | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Supports a schedule with different modes |
If your model isn't in the spreadsheet, check the instructions on Xiaomi's support site or user manual.Outdated models (released before 2019) often require manual shutdown.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When wet cleaning is turned off, users often face typical problems that can cause a robot to crash or even break down, and these are the most common:
⚠️ Warning: If after turning off the wet cleaning, the robot starts making loud noises or stops in the middle of cleaning, check if there is any water left in the hoses or pump.
- 🚫 Ignoring software updates: Outdated firmware may not support new cleaning modes. Always update the robot via Mi Home before changing settings.
- 🔋 Low battery power. Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro) block the change of modes if the charge is below 20.
- 🗺️ Unsaved maps of the spaces. When you reset or turn off the water tank, the robot can "forget" the saved maps. Always back up to Settings. → Map. → Save.
- 💧 If you remove the container but you don't dry the hoses, the moisture can get into the electronic components. After wet cleaning, let the robot stand for 10 to 15 minutes with the lid open.
Another common mistake is to try to turn off wet cleaning during active cleaning, which can cause an Error 12 error in some models, and always stop the robot before changing the settings.
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Before any manipulation of cleaning modes, check the condition of filters and brushes. Dust-clogged components can cause false errors associated with wet cleaning.
Alternative solutions: when disconnection does not help
If none of these methods worked, maybe the problem goes deeper.
- 🔄 Reset to factory settings. In extreme cases, you can return the original settings to the robot through the Settings. → Reset to Mi Home.Warning: This will delete all stored maps and schedules!
- 🛠️ Repair or replacement of the module. If the robot constantly turns on wet cleaning despite the settings, the water level sensor or the pump may have failed.
- 📱 Third-party firmware: For advanced users, it is possible to flash the robot with alternative software (like Valetudo) that gives more control over modes, but this voids the warranty and requires technical skills.
If you suspect that the water tank itself is a problem (e.g., it's cracked or it's not tightly closed), try replacing it with the original one. A faulty tank can send false signals about the presence of water, causing the robot to turn on the pump.