Your Xiaomi Redmi suddenly started to slow down, apps are late, and animations are twitching? This is a common problem faced by owners of budget and mid-budget smartphones of the brand. In most cases, the slowdown is not due to hardware breakdowns, it is caused by software factors that can be fixed on their own.
In this article, we will discuss 7 key reasons for brakes on Redmi (from Redmi Note 8 Pro to Redmi). 13C), including RAM overload, memory fragmentation, errors MIUI You'll get step-by-step diagnostic and optimization instructions, and you'll also get a look at when to go to the service center. MIUI, Xiaomi doesn’t advertise, but they significantly affect performance.
Before you start settings, check whether the brakes are manifested in specific applications (for example, in games or instant messengers) or systemically (the entire interface slows down)?
1. Overload of RAM (RAM)
The most common reason for brakes is a lack of RAM. Redmi smartphones with 3-4 GB of RAM (for example, Redmi 9A or Redmi 10A) are especially vulnerable: the MIUI system aggressively caches background processes, and users often install dozens of applications that are constantly hanging in memory.
How to check the loading of RAM:
- Open Settings → About the phone → System status.
- Slip on Memory (or Use RAM in newer versions of MIUI).
- If less than 20% is free, this is a critical level.
Ways to release RAM:
- 📱 Close applications manually: hold the Recent button (square) and swipe unnecessary apps up. Attention: do not close system processes (e.g. com.android.systemui) - this may cause a crash!
- ⚙️ Turn off autostart: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Auto-run. Leave only messengers and critical services.
- 🔄 Reboot your phone every 2-3 days: it resets the RAM cache. MIUI 14+ There is a Deep Clean feature in the power menu (hold the off button).
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If after closing applications RAM is again filled in 5-10 minutes – check the phone for viruses (see section 5).
2.Clogged internal memory
When less than 10% of the available space is left on the smartphone, the system begins to slow down: MIUI spends resources on constant file optimization, and applications do not have enough space for temporary data, especially critical for models with 32-64 GB of memory (Redmi 8A, Redmi 9C).
How to clear your memory:
- 🗑️ Remove the app cache: Settings → Memory. → Clear cache. Attention: not to be confused with Clear data - this will delete accounts and settings!
- 📸 Move your photos/video to the cloud: use Google Photos or Mi Cloud (in the cloud) MIUI There is a built-in backup function in the gallery).
- 🎮 Remove unused items APK: Check the Download folder and APK Installation residues take up to 1-2 GB!
- 🔍 Find the junk files: use the built-in cleaner (Security) → Cleaning) or third-party SD Maid.
What to do if the memory is filled with system files?
For models with microSD support (Redmi Note 11, Redmi 12C): transfer applications to the memory card via Settings → Apps → [Select App] → Storage → Change. But: this will slow down applications, as the read speed with the microSD is lower than with internal memory.
3. Fragmentation of the file system
Over time, files on a smartphone fragment — split into parts scattered across different memory sectors — causes the system to spend more resources on data collection, leading to brakes, especially on devices with eMMC memory (all Redmis until 2022, except flagships).
Signs of fragmentation:
- Long download applications (even after cleaning the cache).
- Hanging when scrolling through a gallery or a list of files.
- Slow down after copying/deleting a large number of files.
How to defragment memory:
- Connect your phone to your PC and use Defraggler (for internal memory only, not microSD!).
- There is no built-in defragmenter in MIUI, but you can start optimization: Settings → Memory → Optimize.
- For deep cleaning, reset to factory settings (see Section 7).
| Type of memory | Proneness to fragmentation | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| eMMC (Redmi 9, Note 10) | Tall. | Defragment once every 3 months, avoid filling 90%+ |
| UFS 2.1 (Redmi Note 11 Pro, 12 Pro) | Low. | No optimization is required, cache cleaning is enough |
| UFS 2.2 (Redmi K50, Note 13 Pro+) | Minimum | Fragmentation does not affect productivity |
| MicroSD (any model) | Critical | Format every six months, do not use for applications |
4.Outdated version of MIUI or firmware
Xiaomi regularly releases MIUI updates that optimize performance and fix bugs. If your Redmi runs on an older firmware version (e.g. MIUI 12 on the Redmi Note 9), it can cause brakes due to:
- 🐛 Uncorrected bugs in the core of the system.
- 🔋 Unoptimized power consumption (background processes load the processor).
- 📱 Lack of support for new applications (for example, modern games require a new application). MIUI 13+).
How to update firmware:
- Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
- If the update is available, download it over Wi-Fi (at least 1 GB of free space!).
- After installation, reboot (not just turn off/on).
Backup data | Connect to charging (minimum 50%) |Free 2 GB of storage | Connect to Wi-Fi | Disable VPN
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If the update does not come automatically:
- Check the firmware region: Settings → Additional → Region. Russia or EEA should be selected for Russia.
- Download the firmware manually from the official Xiaomi website (choose the stable version, not the developer!).
- For forced installation, use Recovery mode: turn off the phone, press the Volume.+ + Select Apply update from Apply update ADB.
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The Recovery update will reset all settings, but save user data (photos, messages).
5. Viruses and malware
Malware is one of the most insidious causes of brakes.
- 🕵️♂️ Mining cryptocurrency in the background (loads the processor to 100%).
- 📤 Send. SMS to pay numbers (check the costs in Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Using traffic).
- 📊 Collect data (geolocation, contacts) that slows down the system.
How to check your phone for viruses:
- Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light from Google Play.
- Start a deep scan (not fast!).
- Check the list of installed applications: remove suspicious ones (for example, with names like System Update, Flash Player).
Signs of infection:
- 🔥 Overheating even in plain.
- 📉 Fast battery discharge (from 100% to 0% in 3-4 hours).
- 📶 Increased traffic (check in Settings) → Connections and sharing → Use of data).
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If the antivirus does not find threats, but suspicions remain - reset to factory settings (see section 7) and do not restore data from the backup!
6.CPU overheating and trottling
When the CPU temperature is above 60 to 70°C, trottling, a forced reduction in cooling performance, triggers the brakes, even if the phone was working normally before, and causes overheating:
- 🎮 Long-term games (especially on Redmi with Helio G or Snapdragon processors) 6xx).
- ☀️ Direct sunlight or hot weather.
- 🔌 Use during charging (especially with fast charging) 33W+).
- 🔄 Cyclical reboot of background processes (e.g. due to failure) MIUI).
How to check the temperature:
- Install CPU Monitor or AIDA64.
- Run the test: if the core temperature exceeds 75 ° C in idle - this is a critical overheating.
- Check the thermal paste (relevant for phones over 2 years old): if it is dry, a replacement is required in the service.
Ways to reduce heat:
- ❄️ Disable unnecessary background processes (see Section 1).
- 🔋 Remove the case while playing or charging.
- 📴 Lower screen resolution: Settings → Display. → Screen resolution (select the screen resolution) HD+ instead FHD+).
- 🎛️ Activate Performance Mode: Settings → Battery → Battery mode → Performance (but it will reduce battery life).
What to do if the phone overheats without loading?
7.Reset to factory settings: Last chance
If all previous methods failed, you'll have to reset hard, which will delete all the data, but it will return the phone to factory performance.
How to drop Redmi:
- Method 1 (via settings): Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset → Erase all data Enter the password from your Mi Account (if tied).
- Method 2 (via Recovery): Turn off your phone. Press Volume++ Power before the Mi logo appears. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
What to do after the discharge:
- 🔄 Don't restore data from backup - this could return the problem.Install applications manually.
- 📥 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (see section 4).
- ⚙️ Turn off auto-update apps on Google Play.
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If you have left the brakes after reset, there is a problem with the hardware (processor, memory, motherboard), in which case, contact the Xiaomi service center.