How to fill up the dispenser of soap Xiaomi: instructions with photos and tips for care

Xiaomi’s automatic soap dispensers are not just a stylish addition to the bathroom or kitchen, but a smart device that saves fluid consumption, maintains hygiene, and can even sync with a smartphone through the Mi Home app. However, many users face problems when first filling up: the device does not spray, leaks occur, or the level sensor shows incorrect data, all of which are often due to the wrong technique of filling the tank or choosing incompatible liquid.

In this article, we will break down the step-by-step refueling algorithm for all popular Xiaomi dispenser models (including Mijia Automatic Soap Dispenser, Viomi Smart Soap Dispenser, and others), tell you which detergents are suitable and which can bring the device down. You will also learn how to avoid common mistakes, from fluid overflow to pump locking. If your dispenser suddenly stopped working after refueling, at the end of the article there is a checklist for diagnosing malfunctions.

What Xiaomi Dispensers Models Are and How They Differ

Xiaomi and its sub-brands produce several types of automatic dispensers that are similar in appearance, but have technical differences, depending on the model of the tank volume, the type of sprayer (foam or liquid), and compatibility with liquids of different viscosities.

• 🔹 Mijia Automatic Soap Dispenser is a classic 300 ml model that supports liquid soap and hand gel. It's battery-powered. CR2032 battery (depending on version).
• 🔹 Viomi Smart Soap Dispenser is a premium version with touch control, 400 ml capacity and automatic dosing function (configured via the application.
• 🔹 Xiaomi Youpin Smart Foam Dispenser is a specialized model for foam, equipped with a compressor for foaming. Requires liquid with low viscosity.
• 🔹 Deerma DEM-F600 — budget version from Xiaomi partner, without smart functions, but with a mechanical pump and a capacity of 250 ml.

Important: the fueling instructions are similar for all models, but there are nuances: for example, Viomi requires mandatory calibration after the first refueling, and Youpin Foam does not tolerate liquids with abrasive particles (scrabs). If you are not sure about the model, check the markings on the bottom of the device or in the Mi Home application.

What liquid can be poured into the dispenser Xiaomi

Poor or inadequate detergent is the main cause of dispensers breakdown, and the manufacturer has a clear set of regulations on liquids, but many people ignore them by pouring the first soap they see, and this is what is allowed and forbidden to use:

Critical warning: liquids with abrasives (scrabs), bleach or solvents (acetone, gasoline) instantly disable the pump and valves of the dispenser, even a single use of such a tool cancels the warranty.

⚠️ Warning: If you use Viomi Smart Soap Dispenser, avoid silicone microsphere gels (such as some Dove or Nivea shower products) that clog the sprayer and require vinegar washing.

Step-by-step instructions: how to properly fill the dispenser

The refueling process seems simple, but there are key points that even experienced users miss: for example, a loosely closed lid leads to oxidation of the contacts of the level sensor, and a fluid overflow leads to blocking the pump.

1. Turn off the power. Remove the battery or disconnect it. USB-cable (if battery model) This will prevent the pump from accidentally operating during refueling.
2. Remove the top cover. Most models unscrew it counterclockwise. Viomi, you press the latch on the side.
3. Remove the tank. In the Mijia and Deerma models, it is removed completely, and in the Youpin Foam, only the top.
4. Rinse the tank. If you fill it for the first time, rinse it with warm water. Remove the refilling fluid (see the care section).
5. Pour the liquid. Use a funnel (combined with Viomi) or pour a thin jet down the wall of the tank to avoid foam.
6. Install the tank back. Make sure the seal ring (if any) is not twisted. On models with a level sensor (Viomi), check that the float moves freely.
7. Close the lid. Clockwise it before you click. On Youpin Foam, the lid is magnetized, press it to a characteristic sound.
8. Turn on power. For models with smart functions (Viomi, Mijia), calibrate in the Mi Home app (Settings section). → Calibration of the dispenser).

Check the compatibility of the liquid with the dispenser model

Turn off power to the device

Prepare a funnel or watering water for careful pouring

Make sure the sealing ring is clean and whole.

Close the cover until a characteristic click.-->

If after refueling the dispenser does not spray the liquid, check:

• 🔋 Battery condition (voltage must be) ≥ 2.8 V V).
• 💧 Liquid level (the sensor may not work if the soap is less than 50 ml).
• 🔄 Proper assembly (on models Youpin Foam often forget to insert the tube of the sprayer).

💡

If the liquid is thick (such as a shower gel), dilute it with 1:1 water before filling and shake it, which will prolong the life of the pump and improve spraying.

What to do if the dispenser stopped working after refueling

About 30 percent of Xiaomi service centers are reported to have malfunctioned dispensers after improper refueling, and these are typical symptoms and ways to treat them:

⚠️ Warning: If the Viomi Smart dispenser still doesn’t work after flushing, reset the settings via the Mi Home app: Device → Settings → Reset to factory. This often helps with level sensor failures.

For models with a battery (Mijia Battery Version) after refueling, you may need to reboot: hold the power button for 10 seconds until the indicator flashes red. If the problem persists, check the battery voltage with a multimeter - it should be in the range of 3.7-4.2 V.

How to care for a dispenser so that it lasts longer

The average life of Xiaomi dispensers is 2-3 years, but with proper care it can be extended to 5 years. The main enemies of the device are lime plaque (in regions with hard water), drying of fluid in the tubes and corrosion of contacts.

• 🧼 Weekly cleaning: wipe the nose and tank with a wet wipe. For models with foam (Youpin Foam) use vinegar solution (1 tbsp per 200 ml of water) 1 time per month.
• 🔋 Battery care: if the dispenser works from CR2032, Remove it for long periods of downtime (over 2 weeks). Recharge it to 20% every 3 months.
• 💧 Fluid control: Do not leave the dispenser empty for longer than 3 days, which leads to the drying of residues in the tubes.
• 🌡️ Temperature: Avoid placing near heaters (for example, above a towel warmer).°C.

The secret from the service center is that if your dispenser starts spitting or spraying fluid unevenly, it's often caused by contamination of the valve.

1. Fill the tank with a solution of citric acid (1 tsp. per 100 ml of water).
2. Turn on the dispenser and let it spray the liquid 10-15 times.
3. Wash with clean water (also 10 sprays).

For models with automatic dosing function (Viomi), update the firmware every 6 months through the Mi Home app. This corrects sensor errors and improves spray accuracy.

💡

Use only original or certified detergents marked "for automatic dispensers." The savings on cheap gels will result in pump repairs (~1500–2,000 rubles.).

Frequent User Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Analysis of reviews on AliExpress, Yandex.Market and forums 4PDA showed that 70% Xiaomi dispensers are caused by typical gas station errors.-5 among:

1. The tank is designed for a strict volume (for example, 300 ml for Mijia), if you pour more, when you heat the liquid expands and flows through the seals.
2. Using thick gels without dilution.Deerma pumps DEM-F600 And Mijia is not designed for viscous liquids, and if the gel doesn't flow out of the inverted vial, it needs to be diluted.
3. Ignoring calibration: In smart function models (Viomi), after refueling, you need to adjust the dosage volume, and without it, the device will give out too little or too much liquid.
4. Storing the dispenser in wet areas, like a shower cabin without ventilation, causes contacts to corrosion and the level sensor to fail.
5. Self-repair without knowing the circuitry. Many people try to clean the pump with metal objects that break through the membrane. Use only plastic sticks or toothpicks to clean.

Another common problem is that the sensor is falsely triggered, like the dispenser spraying liquid without touching the sensor, and it's usually:

• 🌫️ Direct sunlight on the IR sensor (move the device into the shadow).
• 💦 Condensate inside the case (dry the dispenser for 12-24 hours with the lid open).
• 🔋 Replace the battery (replace the battery).

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi Youpin Foam dispenser suddenly starts to give liquid instead of foam, check the spray mesh for a blockage. It is located under a removable nozzle and cleaned with an old toothbrush.

Alternative ways to use Xiaomi dispenser

In addition to standard applications (hand soap or shower gel), Xiaomi dispensers can be adapted for other tasks.

• 🧴 Lotion dispenser or cream dispenser. Suitable for dosage-adjustable models (Viomi). Use liquid textures without oils (e.g. Nivea Soft).
• 🧼 Automatic disinfectant sprayer. Fill with alcohol solutions (70-75% concentration), but no more than 1 time in 2 months - alcohol corrodes the seals.
• 🎨 The acrylic paint dispenser. Artists use Deerma. DEM-F600 Important: Wash the tank after each use!
• 🐶 Pet shampoo sprayer suitable for large tank models (Viomi 400 ml) Use hypoallergenic agents (e.g. Beaphar).

For non-standard use, it is recommended:

1. Test the fluid for compatibility: pour 50 ml and observe the work of the dispenser for 2-3 days.
2. Reduce the dosage in the settings (if there is a function) to avoid overspending.
3. Clean the device after each filling with non-standard liquid.

Warning: The use of a dispenser for essential oils or solvents (such as varnish removal fluid) is strictly prohibited! these substances destroy plastic and rubber parts, and the fumes can ignite from the spark of contacts.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions