Why Xiaomi is slowing down: a full analysis of the causes and solutions

Your Xiaomi is getting hung up, apps are late, and animations are twitching? This is a common problem that can occur even on flagship models like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or the budget Redmi Note 12. In 90% of cases, the brakes are not associated with hardware - they are caused by software failures, an overloaded system or unoptimized settings. MIUI.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible causes of lags, from simple memory shortages to hidden firmware errors that are not visible to the user, learn how to diagnose a problem by symptoms (for example, why Xiaomi slows down when scrolling in TikTok, but works well in YouTube), and get step-by-step instructions for each case. Without unnecessary theory, only proven solutions that work on models from 2020 to 2026.

Spoiler: Cache cleaning and background processes help 70% of the time, but if the problem is deeper, we’ll show you how to update the firmware without risking bricking your phone or returning factory speed through the phone. ADB.

1.Overloaded memory: the main culprit of lags

The most common reason for brakes is a lack of free space in internal memory. Xiaomi starts to “glut” when it is free less than 10-15% of the total volume. For example, on the Redmi Note 11 with 128 GB, the critical threshold will be 12-13 GB of free space. MIUI actively uses memory for the cache of applications, and when it is scarce, hangings begin.

How to check:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Memory.
• 📊 If free is less than 10 GB (for 128 GB model) – this is a critical area.
• 🔍 Click Memory Analysis – the system will show which files take up the most space (most often it is a cache of Telegram, TikTok or games).

Decisions:

• 🧹 Clear the app cache: Settings → Annexes → Select an application → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files through the built-in “Cleaner” (Security) → Cleanup).
• 📁 Move your photo/video to the cloud (Google Photos or Mi Cloud) or to a memory card (if supported).
• 🎮 For gamers, games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile can weigh 10.+ GB – Remove unused or transfer to SD-Card (if the model supports Adoptable Storage).

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.miui.home) through Settings → All applications - this can cause the launcher to crash. Use only the built-in "Cleaner».

2. background processes and "battery-eating" applications

MIUI It aggressively optimizes the background of applications, but some programs (especially messengers and social networks) are able to bypass these limitations. CPU They call lags. They're the culprits»:

• 📱 Facebook and Instagram – Even in the background can download content.
• 💬 Telegram and WhatsApp – if you have read notifications or autoload media.
• 🎮 Game Clients (Xbox Game Pass, Google Play Games) – synchronize data in the background.

How to check:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Use
2. See which apps consume more than 5% of the charge in the background.
3. Click on the app. → «Limit background activity».

Additional measures:

• 🔄 Include “Adaptive Optimization” in Settings → Battery → Battery settings – this will automatically limit background processes.
• 🚫 Turn off auto-start for unnecessary apps: Settings → Annexes → Autostart control.
• 🔋 Activate the "Ultra-Battery Saving" mode (if the lags occur with a low charge).

Disable auto-start for social networks

Limit background activity of messengers

Enable adaptive battery optimization

Checking the use CPU at the Settings-->

3.Outdated firmware or update failure

Xiaomi regularly releases updates MIUI, If your phone hasn't been updated in a long time, lags can be caused:

• 🐛 Uncorrected bugs in the current firmware version (for example, in the MIUI 14.0.3 had a problem with scrolling hangings).
• 🔄 Interrupted Update that damaged system files.
• 📱 Incompatibility of firmware with iron (relevant for customized ROM orbeta).

How to update correctly:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. If you have an update, download it over Wi-Fi (not mobile!).
3. Close all applications before installation and make sure that the battery is charged. >50%.
4. After the update, reboot (not just turn off / turn on, but a full reboot).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone brakes even more after the upgrade, it may be that the new firmware contains bugs: 📌 Check the reviews on the forums (for example, 4PDA Xiaomi Community – If complaints are massive, wait for the next patch. 🔙 Reverse to the previous version via Fastboot (instructions below in the section about resetting).

4.CPU overheating and trottling

Xiaomi (especially Snapdragon processor models) 7xx Or Dimensity) is prone to overheating, which causes trottling, a forced decline in performance for cooling:

• 🔥 The phone gets hot when charging or playing games.
• 🐢 Sudden "subfreeze" (e.g., in the PUBG Mobile or when shooting video 4K).
• 📉 A sharp drop FPS benchmark (3DMark, Geekbench).

Causes of overheating:

• 🔌 Charging during games (especially fast charging) 120W Xiaomi 12T Pro).
• 🌡️ Clogged radiator or thermal paste (relevant for phones over 2 years old).
• 🎮 Long-term gaming sessions without interruptions.
• 📶 Bad signal network (module) 5G or 4G scorch).

Decisions:

• 🧊 Use a game cooler (such as Black Shark FunCooler Pro) or fan.
• 🔋 Do not play while charging – plug your phone into the socket 30 minutes before the game and turn off the charging before starting.
• 📵 Turn it off. 5G, if the signal is weak (overheating of the Snapdragon module) X65 — frequent).
• 🔧 Reset the settings. MIUI Game Turbo: Settings → Special facilities → Game Turbo → Reset the settings.

💡

If the phone is warming even in plain, check the battery consumption on standby. >1% per hour - it may be the application or virus that's to blame.Install AccuBattery for detailed diagnosis.

5. Work failures MIUI: system cache and launcher

Lags when scrolling desktop, slow menu opening or “subfreeze” when swiping are often associated with failures in the system cache or launcher. MIUI. This is not a virus or hardware problem – just a temporary file that conflicts with the current firmware has accumulated.

Symptoms:

• 📱 Desktop “twitches” when swiping between screens.
• 🔄 Applications open long (more than 2 seconds).
• 🖼️ Wallpaper or widgets are displayed incorrectly.

How to clean:

1. Cleaning the launcher cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Show all applications → Find the Launcher. MIUI" → Warehouse → Clear the cache
2. Resetting launcher settings: Settings → Home screen → Additionally. → Reset the settings
3. Clean the system cache via Recovery (does not delete data!): Turn off the phone. Press Volume up + Power before the Mi logo appears. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache. Confirm and restart.

⚠️ Warning: If you have left lagas after cleaning the cache, try changing the launcher. Install Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher - they work smoother than the standard one. MIUI Launcher on weaker models (e.g. Redmi) 9A).

6. Viruses, Advertising Software and Left-Wing Applications

Over 20% of lags on Xiaomi are caused by malware that penetrates pirated sites APK or fake updates. Viruses can:

• 🕵️‍♂️ Stealing data in the background, loading the processor.
• 📢 Display hidden advertising that consumes memory.
• 🔄 Replace system functions (e.g., redirect) SMS).

How to check:

• 🛡️ Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light and perform a full scan.
• 📊 Check the list of installed applications: remove suspicious ones (for example, with names like com.system.update or android.service.secure).
• 🔍 B Settings → Apps sort programs by installation date – viruses are often masqueraded as “updates».

What to do if a virus is found:

1. Remove the infected app.
2. Clear your browser cache and data (viruses often penetrate Chrome or other browsers) UC Browser).
3. If the virus is systemic (for example, replaces the virus). settings.apk) — perform reset to factory settings.

💡

Never install. APK from unverified sources (especially hacked games or modified firmware) Even if the antivirus does not swear, such software may contain hidden miners or spies.

7. Hardware problems: when the "iron" is to blame

If all the software methods didn't work, it's possible that the lags are caused by physical malfunctions.

• 🔋 Worn-out battery (capacity) <80%) — The phone starts trolling the processor to save energy.
• 💾 Damaged flash memory (bad blocks) – leads to freezes when reading / writing files.
• 🔌 Faulty display plume – can cause lags when touched (relevant after falls).
• 🌡️ The dump of memory chips (for example, after overheating during soldering) - symptoms: accidental rebuttals, artifacts on the screen.

How to diagnose:

• 📊 Check the battery health with #4636## → «Battery information. If health is not good, replace battery packs.
• 🔧 Test your memory with the help of MemTest86 (requires unlocking the loader).
• 👁️ See if artifacts appear on the screen when loaded (e.g. in GFXBench).

Decisions:

• 🔋 Replace the battery (cost for Redmi Note 10 Pro — ~1500–2000 ₽).
• 💾 If memory is damaged, contact the service to sell the chip (or consider buying a new phone if the model is old).
• 🛠️ When the plume is rolled off - replacing the screen with a digitizer (~3000–8000 ₽ model-wise).

Extreme measures: dumping, firmware and ADB-team

If nothing works, radical methods remain, requiring precision, but often returning the phone to its factory smoothness.

Reset to factory settings (without data loss):

1. Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Local Backup and save the data to a memory card or PC.
3. Perform reset: Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge → Resetting settings.
4. After restarting, recover data from the backup (except system applications!).

Fastboot firmware (if the phone doesn’t turn on or is “bricked”):

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
2. Unpack the archive and place the folder in the root of the C:\ disk.
3. Install the Mi Flash Tool and Qualcomm or Mediatek drivers (depending on the processor).
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down) + Power and slick through Mi Flash (select clean all).

ADB-Acceleration commands (for experienced users only):

adb shell settings put global window_animation_scale 0.5


adb shell settings put global transition_animation_scale 0.5




adb shell settings put global animator_duration_scale 0.5

These commands disable animations, which speeds up the interface on weak models (for example, Redmi). 8A).

⚠️ Note: Fastboot firmware erases all data, including photos in internal memory. If the phone is not detected by a PC, try mode EDL (Requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

FAQ: Frequent questions about lags on Xiaomi