Owning a smart appliance means not only active use, but also competent management of downtime, especially if you plan a long trip or just do not use the device for several weeks. Many Xiaomi owners wonder how to properly de-energize the gadget so as not to harm electronics or lithium-ion battery. Simply pressing a button can not give the desired effect of a complete shutdown, and in some cases even lead to a battery discharge to zero.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the ways to deactivate robot vacuum cleaners, including the Mi Robot Vacuum, Roborock and Mijia series. You will learn about the differences between sleep and full shutdown, as well as what nuances you need to consider when storing equipment for long-term.
The difference between a pause, sleep and a complete shutdown
The first thing that a smart device owner needs to understand is the architecture of their operating system, so when you press the power button on the case once, the device most often goes into standby mode or puts the current cleaning on pause, in which the main systems continue to consume energy, and the Wi-Fi module can remain active to wait for commands from the cloud.
Double-pressing or long-term button retention usually puts the device into sleep mode, but there is no complete power outage. Xiaomi engineers design devices so that they are always ready to start on schedule or voice command. However, for prolonged downtime, this mode is not suitable, since the background power consumption will still lead to a deep battery discharge.
Complete shutdown requires physical circuit breakage or the use of specific key combinations that are not available on all models, and it is important to distinguish between program sleep and physical shutdown, since only the latter guarantees zero current consumption.
Mechanical shutdown: use of tumber and keys
The most reliable way to stop all processes is to physically interrupt the power supply. Most modern robot vacuum cleaners, such as the Roborock S5 Max or Mi Robot Vacuum Mop 2, have a main power switch on the top or side, which can look like a standard swing switch or a button that requires long retention.
If you have a physical Power switch on your device, turning it to OFF (usually denoted by a circle with a line or simply "0") completely breaks the battery circuit. In this state, the device does not respond to any commands, buttons on the case, or signals from the application.
Models without a visible switch, such as some versions of the Xiaomi Vacuum E10, use the forced shutdown method, which requires pressing the switch on for 5-10 seconds until the indicators are completely turned off, but even after that, it is recommended to disconnect the charging station from the socket, since some models can be activated at low charge.
☑️ The algorithm for a complete shutdown
⚠️ Warning: Never leave a robot vacuum cleaner connected to a charging station off for more than a month.Even when switched off, some base controllers can transmit current, which is harmful to battery chemistry in the long run.
Software management through the Mi Home application
Xiaomi's ecosystem offers a lot of control, but the functionality of completely shutting down through the software is limited. In the Mi Home app, you can send a command to return home or force the device to the base, but there are usually no "Stop Full" commands there. This is done so that the user does not accidentally turn off the device, which should be cleaned on a schedule.
However, you can turn off the Wi-Fi module through the application, which will significantly reduce power consumption, by going to the device settings, selecting the Wi-Fi settings and clicking "Disconnect" or simply removing the device from the network (which is not recommended before each departure). Also in the Settings section → General you can turn off voice prompts and light indication, which will save charge.
Some advanced users use automation scenarios to put the robot into Do Not Disturb mode or turn off charging when it reaches 100%, but this does not replace physical shutdown.
Why is there no button on the app?
Preparation of the battery for long-term storage
The lithium-ion batteries used by Xiaomi and Roborock are extremely sensitive to deep discharge. If you turn off the device and put it in the closet for a few months, it is critical to leave the charge at 50-60%. A fully charged battery with a long simple one degrades faster, and a fully discharged one can go into a "deep sleep" from which even the original charging can not take it out.
The optimal level of stress for storage is 3.7–3.8 Volt per cell, which is exactly the same. 50-60% And with this charge, the chemistry inside the battery is the slowest, and the self-discharge is minimal. If you leave the robot on or in sleep mode, it will go to zero in a minute. 2-4 After a week, the irreversible sulfation process will begin.
Once every 3-4 months, it is recommended to take the device out of storage, turn it on and recharge it until the same 60%, then turn it off again, which will help keep the electrolyte in working order and ensure that after a year of idleness, the robot will work again as new.
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Before long storage, be sure to remove and dry the main brushes and side broomstick. The frozen dust and hair can compress and damage the bearings of the motors the next time you start.
Comparison of methods of disabling different series
Different generations of robots have different power logics, and to make it easier for you to navigate, we've created a table that describes the features of turning off popular models.
| Series/Model | Type of power management | Feature of shutdown | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Robot 1S / Vacuum Mop | Physical tumbler from the bottom | Total chain break | Switch to OFF |
| Roborock S5 / S6 | Button on the body + Tumbler | Tumbler under the lid | Use a hidden tumbler |
| Xiaomi E10 / E11 | Just the button | Long pressing | Hold for 10 seconds + remove from the base |
| Dreame Bot L10s | Touch panel. | Programmatic sleep | Be sure to disconnect the base from the socket |
As you can see from the table, having a physical switch is the most reliable option. In models where it is not available (for example, many budget E series or new Dreame), owners have to be more careful, in such cases, disconnecting the base from the network becomes a must-do, since the robot can periodically wake up to check the charging status.
Also, it is worth considering that in models with a self-cleaning base (where the robot itself shakes out the dust), the process of turning off can be more difficult. Such bases often have their own batteries or capacitors that take time to discharge. 1-2 minutes before removing it.
Frequent errors in shutdown and storage
One of the most common mistakes is to store a device with a water container in the water. If you used the wet cleaning function, be sure to remove the tank, pour out the remaining water and wipe it. The remaining moisture can evaporate inside the housing, causing the contacts to oxidize or short circuit the next time you turn on.
Another mistake is storage in places with extreme temperatures: Don't leave the robot vacuum cleaner on an unheated balcony in winter or in direct sunlight in summer. Low temperatures are detrimental to lithium batteries, and high temperatures can cause the battery to bloat. The optimal storage temperature is room temperature, from +10. +25 degrees Celsius.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to disassemble the body of a robot vacuum cleaner to disable the battery plume unless you have the electronics repair skills.This will result in a loss of warranty and can damage complex plume connections that are very fragile.
What if the robot does not turn on after storage?
If after a long period of downtime the device does not respond to the pressing of the buttons, it is possible that the battery has gone into a deep discharge, in which case you need to put the robot on the charging station and leave it for at least 2-3 hours, even if the indication does not light up immediately.
Sometimes it helps to "reboot" the system. Many models have a small hole with a Reset button on the bottom panel, pressing it with a thin object (for example, a paper clip) for 3-5 seconds can restart the controller, after which the device can start charging.
In rare cases, especially after storage at subzero temperatures, the battery can be permanently damaged. If after 12 hours of charging there are no signs of life, most likely, a replacement of the battery will be required, this is a standard procedure that can be performed on your own or in a service center.