If your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone has started losing Wi-Fi connection, slowly connecting to networks, or has completely stopped seeing available access points, the problem can lie in outdated wireless module drivers, firmware failures or incorrect system settings. Unlike a PC where updating Wi-Fi drivers occurs through Device Manager, on Android smartphones, the process has its own nuances.
In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to update Wi-Fi on Xiaomi: from the standard firmware update through the Internet. MIUI to manual firmware module via Fastboot or ADB. You will also learn how to diagnose a problem (hardware failure or software bug), and what to do if the network does not work after the update. MIUI 14/15 Android 13/14, including Xiaomi models 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5 others.
Before you start, make sure the problem is not on the router’s side.Reboot the router, check other devices are connected to the same network, and try connecting to an alternative access point (for example, distribute Wi-Fi from another phone).
1. Updating MIUI firmware is the first step to fixing Wi-Fi
In 80% of cases, Wi-Fi problems on Xiaomi are solved by installing the latest version of MIUI. The manufacturer regularly releases patches to fix bugs with wireless modules, especially after major Android updates.
- Open Settings → About the phone → Update MIUI.
- Click on "Check Updates."
- If a new version is available, download and install it (preferably via Wi-Fi to avoid mobile traffic limits).
If the system says there are no updates but you know that a new version for your model is coming (for example, through the XDA Developers or Mi Community forums), try a forced check:
- 🔄 Click on the “Three Dots” icon in the upper right corner of the update screen.
- 📥 Select “Download the latest version” (if the option is available).
- 🔍 Manually check the build number in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI Compare it to the latest releases on the official website.
⚠️ Note: If your phone is locked in a region (e.g., Chinese firmware on a global device), updates via the standard menu may not come.
2. Network resets are a quick way to get Wi-Fi back
If the firmware update didn't work, the next thing to try is resetting your network settings, which deletes all stored Wi-Fi networks, passwords, Bluetooth and VPN settings, but doesn't affect personal data (photos, messages, apps).
- Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset network settings (on some models, the path may be different: Settings) → Memory. → Resetting settings → Resetting network settings).
- Confirm the action by entering PIN-code.
- After restarting, try connecting to Wi-Fi again.
If the network is still down after the reset, check to see if flight mode or power saving is activated (they can block Wi-Fi). MAC-Addresses – sometimes after a reset, the address of the device changes.
Make sure you know the passwords from all Wi-Fi networks
Record VPN settings (if you use them)
Disable two-factor authentication via SMS (at the time of reset)
Check that SIM-Card is recognized (if the reset affects the mobile network)-->
Manually Update Wi-Fi Drivers via Fastboot (for Advanced)
If standard methods don’t work, the problem may be the wireless module drivers. On Xiaomi, they can only be updated via a separate partition firmware (wcnss or modem) in Fastboot mode. This method requires an unlocked bootloader and basic knowledge of working with ADB/Fastboot.
Step-by-step:
- Download the current firmware for your model from the official MIUI Downloads website or resources like Xiaomi Firmware Updater. You need a file with the.tgz or.zip extension containing the image folder.
- Unpack the archive and find the files: wcnss.mdt wcnss.b00 wcnss.b01... wcnss.b06 (number may vary) These are Wi-Fi partition images.
- Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Volume Down + Power until a bunny with the word Fastboot appears).
- Open the command line in the firmware folder and execute commands: fastboot flash wcnss wcnss.mdt fastboot flash wcnss.b00 fastboot flash wcnss wcnss.b01... fastboot flash wcnss wcnss.b06 (repeat for all.bXX files)
- Reboot your phone with the command fastboot reboot.
⚠️ Warning: Incorrect firmware of the wcnss partition can result in a complete loss of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.Make sure that the firmware files match your model and version MIUI. If the module stopped working after the procedure, try flashing the original version back.
What if Wi-Fi is completely lost after the firmware?
4. Checking hardware faults
If the software methods didn't work, the problem could be physical damage to a Wi-Fi module or antenna.
- 📡 Check the network indicator: If the Wi-Fi icon in the notification panel is gray (not active) or absent at all, the module is not determined by the system.
- 🔍 Use the engineering menu: Enter ##4636## in the phone dialer, select Phone Information and check the Wi-Fi status. If the field is empty or unavailable is displayed, the hardware problem is.
- 🛠️ Disassemble the phone: On models with a removable back cover (for example, Redmi). 9A) You can visually view the Wi-Fi contacts on the motherboard, and oxidation or detachment of the tracks is a sign of a malfunction.
Most vulnerable to hardware failures of the model with a metal body (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11 or POCO F3), where Wi-Fi antennas are located along the frame.
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi is turned on but does not find a network | Failure of drivers or module firmware | Update the firmware, flash the wcnss section |
| Network is located but not connected (authentication error) | Incorrect router settings (WPA3, MAC filter) | Change the security type to WPA2, disable the MAC filter |
| Wi-Fi is working, but the speed is extremely low. | Router channel overload, outdated standard (802.11n) | Change the channel to 5 GHz, update the router firmware |
| Wi-Fi icon is grey or missing | Hardware failure of the module/antenna | Diagnostics at the service center |
5. Alternative methods: rollback of firmware and custom ROM
If Wi-Fi problems have occurred after the MIUI update, sometimes a rollback to the previous firmware version helps.
- Download the old version of MIUI for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
- Unpack the archive and swipe through the Mi Flash Tool (selecting the clean all option for complete cleanup).
- After rollback, block the updates for a specific version of MIUI so that the system does not install the problem update again.
For power users, custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) can be an alternative, often containing more recent drivers than official MIUI builds.
- 🔓 You will need to unlock the bootloader (the procedure takes up to 72 hours and resets all data).
- 📱 Not all customisers. ROM Support proprietary Wi-Fi drivers for Xiaomi (especially on new Snapdragon chipsets) 8 Gen 2/3).
- ⚠️ The warranty on the device will be cancelled.
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Before you run custom ROM, check on forums (such as 4PDA or XDA) to see if there are any Wi-Fi bugs for your model. Some firmware requires additional patches to make the wireless modules work properly.
6. Set up a router for stable operation with Xiaomi
Sometimes the problem isn’t with the phone, but with the incompatibility of your router settings with Xiaomi, especially with the new Wi-Fi 6/6E standards.
- 🔄 Mode of operation: Install 802.11a/n/ac (for 5 GHz 802.11b/g/n (for 2.4 GHz. Turn it off. 802.11r (Fast Transition – It often conflicts with the MIUI.
- 🔒 Type of security: Use WPA2-PSK (AES). WPA3 It may not be supported on older Xiaomi models.
- 📶 Channel and width: For 2.4 GHz, select channel 1, 6 or 11 (least loaded). Channel width set to 20 MHz (auto can cause cliffs).
- 🔗 DHCP: Put the tether on. IP down MAC-Address to your phone to avoid conflicts.
If you have a dual-band router, try splitting networks (create separate SSIDs for 2.4GHz and 5GHz).Some Xiaomi models don't switch between ranges automatically well.
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
When you upgrade your Wi-Fi to Xiaomi, users often make critical errors that can make the problem worse.
- 🚫 Firmware of an incompatible version MIUI. For example, trying to install global firmware on a Chinese device or vice versa, which causes the module to fail.
- ⚡ Interrupting the update process: If you disconnect your phone from your PC during Fastboot firmware, the wcnss partition may get damaged.
- 🔧 Ignoring backup: Resetting or firmware erases data about the stored networks, which can create problems in offices with corporate Wi-Fi.
- 📡 Using unofficial drivers: Downloading wcnss files from questionable sources can cause viruses or incompatibility.
⚠️ Warning: If after a failed firmware, the phone stopped turning on or stuck on the logo MI, Don't try to repeat the procedure, and then you can only firmware the full package through the Mi Flash Tool in mode. EDL (emergency loading).
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Before any manipulation of the Wi-Fi module firmware, make sure you have a backup of the persist partition (it stores the calibration data of the module). its loss can make Wi-Fi recovery impossible without changing the board.