Modern smart devices, such as Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners, often require a reboot or a complete reset if software failures occur. Users may find themselves in a situation where the device stops responding to commands or loses connection to the wireless network.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the various methods of returning a device to its original state, we will look at both software methods through a mobile application and hardware methods using physical buttons on the case, which will help you to resolve most common problems without going to the service center.
It is important to understand the difference between a simple reboot and a complete reset. If the first action simply turns off and turns on the system, the second deletes all user data, room maps and Wi-Fi settings. A complete reset completely clears the device’s internal memory of all stored cards and cleaning history, returning it to the “out of the box” state.
When forced resetting of settings is required
It's not every day that a reset procedure needs to be done, but it's not something that you can ignore. Most people wonder how to reset a Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner when the device starts to behave inappropriately, and this can be manifested in persistent sensor errors or failure to start cleaning on a schedule.
Another common reason is a change in router or password from your home Wi-Fi network. If you change the provider’s equipment, the vacuum cleaner will not automatically connect to the new access point, in which case the old network profile in the device’s memory creates a conflict that can only be resolved by completely clearing the settings.
⚠️ Warning: Before performing a full reset, make sure the battery is at least 60% charged. interruption of the reset process due to battery discharge can cause software damage.
The reset is also necessary when selling the device or transferring it to another user, ensuring that your personal data, including your apartment plan and cleaning schedule, is not shared with the new owner, and without this step, the new owner will not be able to link the robot to his account in the Mi Home app.
Differences between Soft Reset and Hard Reset
Many owners of Xiaomi and Dreame equipment confuse these two concepts, which leads to unnecessary data loss. Soft Reset is a normal system reboot, similar to turning off and on a computer. It is secure and does not delete saved maps or history.
In contrast, Hard Reset is a radical measure, which initiates formatting of the user's memory partition, and once it's complete, the device will require re-configuring the language, time and Internet connection, as it did when it first started.
- 🔄 Soft Reset: Used to fix temporary bugs, interface freezes or sensor errors in real time.
- 🗑️ Hard Reset: Used for critical firmware failures, cloud authorization issues, or preparation for sale.
- 💾 Data storage: With a soft reset, maps and schedules are saved, with a hard one - completely deleted.
Understanding this difference will help you choose the right method of solving the problem. If you just have a navigation bug, try first just to restart the device through the app or power button. Only if this does not help, move to more serious measures.
Risks of frequent discharges
Resetting methods through the Mi Home mobile app
The most civilized and safe way to get back to factory settings is to use official software, which requires a smartphone with the Mi Home app installed (or Xiaomi Home) and an active Internet connection, which is available if the device is even partially functional and responsive to commands.
Go to the app and select your robot vacuum cleaner from the list of devices. Usually, the path to the desired function is hidden in the additional settings menu. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the control screen to open the drop-down menu, and find the option "Settings".
Inside the settings menu, you need to scroll down to the bottom, and you'll find an option that might be called "Reset" or "Reset factory settings," and the system will request confirmation of action, warning you of data loss.
☑️ Algorithm of reset via application
Once confirmed, the cleaning process will begin, and the robot can beep and flash the lights, while you don't turn the device off or close the application until you hear a message that you've successfully completed the operation.
Hardware reset buttons on different models
If software access is not possible due to a network freeze or loss, you have to use physical buttons. The location and key combination depend on the specific model of your Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner. Below is a table with combinations for popular series.
| Model of the device | Clutch buttons | Retention time | Indication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Robot Vacuum Mop | Two buttons at once | 5-7 seconds | Sound signal |
| Xiaomi Vacuum Mop 2 | Power button | 10 seconds. | Blinking LEDs |
| Dreame D9 / L10 | Two buttons on top | 5 seconds | Voice menu |
| Roborock S5 / S6 | Home button + power | 5 seconds | Light signal |
To perform the procedure on most Mi Robot Vacuum models, you need to simultaneously press the Home and Food buttons, holding them for a few seconds until you hear a voice message about the start of the reset in English or Chinese.
Dreame and new Mijia models often use a long press (about 10 seconds) on a single on button or a combination of Local Cleanup and Power buttons. The exact combination is always found in the instructions, but the two button method works 90% of the time.
⚠️ Note: Some older generation models require a special tool (clip) to press the hidden Reset button located next to the charging port to enter reset mode.
Once the combination is successfully performed, the device will emit a distinctive sound and reboot, the Wi-Fi indicator will flash quickly, signaling the transition to pairing mode, which means that the old network profile has been removed, and the vacuum cleaner is ready for a new setup.
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The general rule is that if you don’t know the exact combination, try to pinch all the physical buttons on the top bar for 10 seconds at the same time.
Resetting Wi-Fi module without losing cards
Often, users don't need to format the device completely, but simply reconnect it to the router, so you don't have to reset it completely, you just need to reset the network settings, and that will save your room maps and schedules.
To do this, most Xiaomi and Roborock models need to press the Home and Power buttons (or Local Cleanup and Power) for 5-7 seconds at the same time. You will hear a voice message “Reset Wi-Fi” or “Reset Wi-Fi.” The device will not be completely rebooted, but will only go into standby mode.
After that, in the Mi Home app, you need to remove the device (if it is displayed with an error) and add it again as new, and during the process of adding, the system will find that the device is already associated with the account, and prompt you to use existing card data.
- 📡 Pairing mode: Wi-Fi indicator starts flashing quickly, indicating readiness to connect.
- 🗺️ Save maps: The local map in the robot’s memory remains if the full Hard intact Reset has not been executed.
- 🔐 Link: The device must be linked to the same Mi Account, otherwise access to the card may be restricted.
This method is ideal when replacing the router, when the SSID network remained the same, but the password changed, or when switching to the 2.4 GHz network. It saves time, since it does not require re-running the apartment to build a map.
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If Wi-Fi resetting doesn’t work, try temporarily distributing Wi-Fi from a phone with your home network’s name and password. The robot will automatically connect, and you can change your network settings to new ones through the app.
Solving problems after resetting settings
Once the reset procedure is complete, the device may have difficulty re-initializing. Users often complain that the robot cannot see the 5GHz network. Remember that all Xiaomi vacuum cleaners are exclusively in the 2.4GHz range.
Another common problem is the “Device is occupied” error when you try to link, which occurs if the previous owner or you did not untie the device from the cloud server before resetting, in which case you need to go to the profile settings in the application, find the device and choose “Delete” or “Untie”.
If the robot starts to behave strangely after reset, such as moving randomly, the gyroscope calibration data may have been lost, in which case it is recommended to launch the device to the charging station, press the power button for 15 seconds to fully restart the controller, and then let it reset the map.
⚠️ Warning: After completely resetting and re-binding the device, update the firmware to the latest version.This will correct known bugs that may have caused the initial need to reset.
In the rare cases where a software reset does not help and the device continues to reboot cyclically or give an error, it may be necessary to flash through the PC. However, this is a complex procedure that requires special tools and knowledge, and it is better to contact an authorized service center to perform it.