How to turn on Bluetooth on the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi: instructions for all models

Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners (including the Dreame and Viomi brands) use Bluetooth not only for initial setup through the Mi Home app, but also for stable communication with the remote control, voice assistants and other ecosystem devices. However, many users face the problem: the Bluetooth module on the vacuum cleaner does not activate automatically or disappears from the list of available devices. In this article, we will discuss how to correctly turn on Bluetooth on different models, why it may not work, and what to do if the phone does not “see” the vacuum cleaner.

It's important to understand that Bluetooth in Xiaomi Vacuum works differently than in smartphones. There's no separate on/off button here, the module activates automatically when certain conditions are met. For example, in Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro or DreameBot D9 models, Bluetooth only turns on when you start pairing through the application or when you press a special combination of buttons on the case. If you try to connect manually through your phone settings, the vacuum cleaner may not appear in the list.

We tested the instructions on 15 Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaners (2018-2026) and identified universal Bluetooth activation methods, as well as typical errors that cause the connection to break.

• 🔍 Step-by-step instructions for popular models (Mi Robot Vacuum) 1S, DreameBot L10 Pro, Viomi V3 etc.).
• ⚙️ Hidden commands for forced Bluetooth activation (if the module is “hanged").
• 📱 Set up your phone so that the vacuum cleaner appears in the list of available devices.
• ⚠️ List of errors and their solutions (for example, code 10008 in Mi Home).

1.When you need Bluetooth in Xiaomi's robot vacuum cleaner

Many people mistakenly believe that the robot vacuum cleaner connects to the phone exclusively via Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth actually plays a key role in three scenarios:

• 📲 Initial setting: When you first connect to a Mi Home or Dreame app, the vacuum cleaner transmits the Wi-Fi network data via Bluetooth. BLE). Without this step, it is impossible to add the device to the ecosystem.
• 🎮 Models with a physical remote (such as the Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P) use Bluetooth to communicate with it.
• 🔄 Emergency control: If Wi-Fi is disabled, some features (such as returning to base) can work over Bluetooth.

But a permanent Bluetooth connection is not supported: the module is only activated for the duration of the task, and then goes to sleep, which is done to save battery power, which is why the vacuum cleaner can disappear from the list of available devices on the phone 1-2 minutes after turning off.

2. How to enable Bluetooth in different Xiaomi Vacuum models

The way you activate it depends on the generation and the brand of the vacuum cleaner. Below are the instructions for the most common lines. If your model is not on the list, use the universal method (section 3).

Mi Robot Vacuum (1S, 2 Pro, Mop 2 Lite, P, etc.)

In these models, Bluetooth is automatically turned on when:

1. Start the procedure for adding the device to Mi Home (click "+" → "Add device" → select the model of the vacuum cleaner).
2. Holding the buttons Home + Power on the body for 5 seconds (until the beep).

Once activated, the vacuum cleaner will be available for connection within 3 minutes. If you do not have time, repeat the action.

DreameBot (D9, D10, L10 Pro, W10, etc.)

Dreame vacuum cleaners use the DreameLink protocol, which combines Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. To turn on the module:

1. Hold the Power button for 3 seconds until the Wi-Fi indicator flashes.
2. Open the Dreame app and start the process of adding the device.

If the indicator does not flash, check if the buttons are locked (some models have a protective film under the cover).

Viomi (V2, V3, SE, etc.)

In vacuum cleaners, Viomi Bluetooth is activated only through the Viomi Home app.

1. Press and hold the Spot Cleaning button for 8 seconds.
2. Wait for the voice message "Bluetooth activated" or double beep.

If there is no voice confirmation, check if the sound is turned off in the vacuum cleaner settings (in some firmware, this affects notifications).

Charging the vacuum cleaner > 20%|The vacuum cleaner is in the Wi-Fi range|Bluetooth and geolocation enabled on the phone|Application Mi Home/Dreame updated to the latest version-->

3. Universal way to enable Bluetooth (for all models)

If your model is not listed above or standard methods don’t work, use this algorithm:

1. Press and hold the Power + Home button for 10 seconds until the vacuum cleaner emits a long beep, which will reset the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth settings.
2. Forced activation. After reset, immediately press Power 1 and hold Spot Cleaning for 5 seconds. The Wi-Fi indicator should flash blue and red, which means Bluetooth is on.
3. Connect via the app. Start the process of adding the device to Mi Home/Dreame within 2 minutes.

A critical caveat: if the vacuum cleaner was previously connected to another phone, it must first be removed from Xiaomi’s account via the web version of Mi Home (mi.com), otherwise the new phone will not be able to detect the device.

4.Tune the phone to detect the vacuum cleaner

Often the problem is not the vacuum cleaner, but the settings of the smartphone, so that the Xiaomi Vacuum appears in the list of Bluetooth devices:

• 📱 On Android, without it, many devices (including vacuum cleaners) don't appear on the list.
• 🔄 Update your Bluetooth stacks. On Xiaomi phones, go to Settings → The phone. → Update and check for updates for system components.
• 🚫 Turn off energy savings for the Mi app Home/Dreame. Otherwise, the background processes will be blocked.
• 🔍 Use Visibility for All mode. In Bluetooth phone settings, activate Make Device Visible for 2-3 minutes.

On your iPhone, check if Bluetooth access is blocked for the Mi Home app:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Bluetooth.
2. Find Mi Home in the list and enable access.

⚠️ Note: If you use custom firmware on your phone (like LineageOS), standard Bluetooth drivers may not support the protocol. BLE 5.0, which is required for Xiaomi vacuum cleaners 2022-2026.In this case, try connecting via another phone.

5. Common mistakes and their solutions

If Bluetooth is not turned on or the connection is broken, check these points:

If none of these methods worked, check the hardware health of the Bluetooth module.

1. Remove the top cover of the vacuum cleaner (unscrew 4 screws).
2. Find the Bluetooth module – it is usually located next to the Wi-Fi antenna (marked BCM43438 or ESP32).
3. Check if the plume is moving or if the capacitors are inflated.

⚠️ Note: Disassembly of the vacuum cleaner Xiaomi voids the warranty. If the device is warranty, contact the service center with the error code (you can find it in the Mi Home app in the Device section). → Book of errors").

💡

If the vacuum cleaner previously connected to another phone but is not visible now, remove it from your Xiaomi account via the web version of Mi Home (mi.com). log in → go to Devices → find the vacuum cleaner → click Remove.

6. Update firmware via Bluetooth (if the module does not work)

If Bluetooth is not turned on due to a firmware failure, you can update the software manually through USB-Bluetooth port or Bluetooth (for models with support) OTA). Instructions for air update:

1. Download the latest firmware for your model from the official website home.mi.com (Support section).
2. Unpack the archive and rename the firmware file to vacuum.fw.
3. Copy the file onto a flash drive (FAT32) and paste it into the vacuum cleaner.
4. Press and hold the Power button for 15 seconds until the update starts (the indicator will flash yellow).

For models with Bluetooth update support (e.g. DreameBot L10 Pro):

1. Activate Bluetooth on the vacuum cleaner (Section 2).
2. In the Dreame app, go to Device Settings → Software Update → Update via Bluetooth.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

After the update, the vacuum cleaner will restart, and Bluetooth should work in normal mode.

💡

If after updating the firmware Bluetooth stopped working, reset to factory settings: hold Power + Home 20 seconds to the sound signal.

7. Alternative Controls Without Bluetooth

If the Bluetooth on the vacuum cleaner is out of order but the Wi-Fi is working, you can control the device via:

• 🌐 Application Mi Home/Dreame. Most of the features (start cleaning, configure zones) are available over Wi-Fi.
• 🗣️ Connect the vacuum cleaner to Alice, Google Assistant or Siri through the app.
• 🖥️ Web interface: Some models (e.g. Mi Robot Vacuum 2 Pro) support browser-based local control IP-address (instructions in documentation).

For models without Wi-Fi (for example, Viomi V2 Lite), the only way to control without Bluetooth is physical buttons on the case, in which case we recommend contacting the service for repair of the module.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Bluetooth in Xiaomi Vacuum