Why Xiaomi Redmi is slowing down: all the reasons and solutions for each model

Your Xiaomi Redmi suddenly starts to think about opening apps, hanging around during games, or reacting slowly to touch? This is a common problem that can occur even on new devices. Brakes are not always associated with the ageing of the phone — often caused by software failures, system overload or suboptimal settings.

In this article, we’ll look at 12 key reasons why Redmi (including the Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/13C, and others) is starting to brake, and give you step-by-step instructions to fix each of them. You’ll learn how to diagnose the problem, which settings to change first, and when to think about replacing the battery or flashing it over. And for advanced users, we’ve prepared a list of hidden MIUI commands that will help speed up the system without resetting to factory settings.

Before you start optimizing, ask yourself one question: Did the brakes suddenly appear or did they get worse gradually?

1. Overloading of RAM (RAM)

Xiaomi Redmi is known for its ability to “skillfully” manage RAM, but even they are not immune to overload. If too many applications are running in the background, the system begins to force the active processes to close, which leads to slowdowns when switching between tasks.

This is especially true for budget models (Redmi 9A/10A/12C) with 2-4 GB of RAM. For example, when you simultaneously launch Telegram, YouTube and games like PUBG Mobile, the phone can begin to stutter.

• 📱 How to check: Open Settings → The phone. → Memory status: If RAM is less than 20 percent free, it's time to clean up the background.
• 🧹 How to fix: Enable Easy Memory mode in Settings → Special facilities → System acceleration (available on the MIUI 12+).
• ⚡ Radical solution: Disable auto-run of unnecessary applications through Settings → Annexes → Auto-start.

⚠️ Note: Do not use the Google Play memory boosters, which often contain ads and consume resources themselves. MIUI All the necessary tools for optimization have already been built in.

Close all applications through the multitasking menu (swipe up)

Turn off auto-run for messengers and social networks

Restart your phone (hold the power button for 10 seconds)

Check the list of active processes in Settings → Developer → Processes

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2. Completed storage (internal memory)

When Redmi’s internal memory is packed to the fullest (especially if it’s less than 10% free), the system starts to slow down when writing new data – whether it’s installing apps, saving photos or caching videos – because MIUI uses some of the memory for temporary files and virtual memory (swap).

The critical situation occurs when there is less than 5 GB of free space. For example, on the Redmi Note 10 Pro with 128 GB of memory when filling up to 120 GB, lags may occur when shooting video in 4K or updating applications.

To make room without losing data, use the built-in Cleanup utility (Settings → Storage → Cleanup) that will find large files, duplicates and unnecessary cache. Also check the Download folder, which often accumulates gigabytes of forgotten files.

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If the phone is slowing down when connecting to a PC, turn off File Transfer (MTP) mode and use PTP – this will reduce the load on the processor.

3.Outdated version of MIUI or firmware

One of the most common causes of brakes is the irrelevant version of MIUI. Xiaomi regularly releases updates that optimize the processor, fix memory leaks and close security holes. If your Redmi has not been updated in a long time, it can slow down due to:

• 🐛 Uncorrected bugs in the system kernel (e.g., in the MIUI 12.5 had a problem with animation lags).
• 🔒 Security conflicts when older versions of apps are incompatible with newer ones API.
• 🎮 Lack of optimization for games (in new versions) MIUI Game Turbo 5.0 mode is available).

To check for updates, go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. If a new version is available, install it. If there are no updates but the phone is slowing down, try manually flashing through Fastboot or Recovery.

⚠️ Warning: Before you run through Fastboot, unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi's official website. Without it, the phone could turn into a brick».

4. Processor overheating

Xiaomi Redmi on Snapdragon processors (for example, Snapdragon 660/732G) and Mediatek Helio (G88/G96) are prone to overheating, especially when:

• 🎮 Long-term gaming sessions (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile).
• 📹 Video recordings in 4K streaming.
• ☀️ Use in the sun or in a hot room.

When the temperature of the processor is above 60-65°C, trottling, a forced performance reduction to prevent damage, is triggered, as a result, the phone begins to brake, frieze or suddenly turn off.

To check the temperature, install the AIDA64 or CPU Monitor app.

• In plain: 30-40°C.
• Under load: up to 55°C.
• Critical mark: 70°C+ (immediate cooling required)

If your phone is overheating, try:

1. Remove the case (especially silicone - it worsens heat transfer).
2. Close the background applications.
3. Lower the screen resolution to FHD+ (instead of QHD+).
4. Turn off 5G (if you don’t need it) – the module is very warm.

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If overheating occurs even in a simple, this may indicate a malfunction of the battery or thermopaste (diagnosis is required in the service center).

5. Viruses and malware

MIUI, despite its built-in Security, is not immune to viruses. Malware can:

• 🕵️‍♂️ Stealing resources in the background (mining cryptocurrency, click-fraud).
• 📊 Loading the processor with invisible tasks.
• 📤 Send data to remote servers, consuming traffic and battery.

Users are particularly at risk, who:

• Install APKs from unverified sources.
• They use “hacked” versions of apps (Spotify Premium, YouTube Vanced).
• Connect to public Wi-Fi without VPN.

To check your phone for viruses:

1. Open Security → Virus Scanner (built-in solution from Xiaomi).
2. Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light for a deep check.
3. Check the list of installed apps for suspicious (Settings → Apps → All apps).

⚠️ Note: Some “optimizers” (such as Clean Master) contain malicious code themselves.

6. Battery wear and performance limitation

After 300-500 charging cycles, the Xiaomi Redmi battery capacity drops by 20-30%.

• ⚡ It's discharged fast.
• 🐢 Automatically reduces productivity (Energy saving mode is switched on).
• 🔄 Turns off at 10-15% charge (false shutdown).

Check the status of the battery:

1. Enter the dialer code ##4636##.
2. Select Battery Information.
3. Compare Battery Health with normal (100% new, 80% or lower critical).

If the capacity fell below 80%, Replace the battery. 10/11 It's worth it. ~1500–2500 ₽ The alternative is to turn off the Adaptive Battery in Settings. → Battery. → Food options, but this is a temporary solution.

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If the phone brakes only on a low charge (10-20%), turn on the Ultra-energy saving mode - it will turn off background processes and prolong work.

7 Conflicts after MIUI Update

Sometimes the brakes appear immediately after the MIUI update.

• 🔄 Incomplete firmware installation (files not unpacked correctly).
• 🗃️ Conflict of old data with new version (for example, application cache is not compatible).
• 🔧 Settings errors (optimizations for games dropped).

To correct:

1. Clear the cache: Go to Settings → Storage → Cache data and click Clear.
2. Reset settings: Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset all settings (data will not be deleted).
3. Reinstall firmware: Download the full service pack from the official Xiaomi website and install through System Update → Three dots → Select a firmware file.

⚠️ Warning: If after the update the phone began to brake and discharge quickly, check the Adaptive Brightness and Autosynchronization settings - they could reset to the default values.

8. Hardware problems: what to do if nothing helps

If all software methods have been tried, but Redmi is still slowing down, the reason may lie in a hardware malfunction:

If your Redmi is older than 3-4 years, it may make sense to consider replacing it with a new model. For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 shows 2-3 times better gaming performance and multitasking compared to the Redmi Note 9 Pro.

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Before visiting the service center, back up your data via Settings → System → Backup – some faults require a complete reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Redmi brakes