Why Xiaomi is slowing down: reasons and solutions for all models

Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi and POCO lines) are known for their price-performance ratio, but even they eventually start to “hang”; brakes can manifest themselves in various ways, from small delays when opening applications to complete “reflection” of the interface for a few seconds. In 80% of cases, the problem is solved by software methods, but sometimes the “iron” – worn-out battery, overheating or damaged components – is to blame.

This article will help you understand why your Xiaomi is slowing down, even if you are not an expert. We will look at both obvious reasons (filled memory, background processes) and hidden ones (for example, the degradation of eMMC memory on budget models after 2-3 years of use). For each problem, we give proven solutions - from basic to advanced, with step-by-step instructions and warnings about possible risks.

1.Overloaded memory: the main culprit of lags

The most common cause of brakes is a lack of free space in internal memory, and Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are particularly sensitive to this, as the system starts to “glut” when memory is filled by 85-90%, and not only user files, but also system cache, which eventually grows to gigabytes.

How to check:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Memory (or Storage in New Versions) MIUI).
• 🔍 Please note the System Data section - if it is >10GB, time to clean up.
• 📊 Check the “Other” category – temporary files from apps are often hidden here.

Decisions:

• 🧹 Remove the app cache: Settings → Annexes → Select an application → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🗑️ Use the built-in “Cleaner”: Security → Cleanup → Deep cleaning.
• 📁 Move files to the MicroSD or cloud, but remember: MIUI does not support the transfer of applications to the map!).

⚠️ Note: Do not clean the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui) manually through ADB — This can cause the interface to fail.

2. Background processes and "gluttonous" applications

MIUI is known for aggressively optimizing background processes, but sometimes it works against the user. Some applications (especially instant messengers, social networks and games) continue to consume resources even when rolled up. For example, Facebook or TikTok can eat up to 20% of the CPU in the background, which leads to jerks when scrolling the screen.

How to identify the culprit:

1. Open Settings → Battery → Battery Use.
2. Click on the chart and select “Use of CPU”.
3. See which apps take up >10% of the CPU in the background.

Decisions:

• ⚡ Turn off auto-start for unnecessary apps: Settings → Permits → Auto-start.
• 🚫 Ban background activity: Settings → Annexes → Select an application → Battery → Background activity → Limit.
• 🔄 Use the “Performance Mode” (available on the POCO F-series and flagships Xiaomi).

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If notifications from messengers have stopped coming after limiting background processes, add them to “No Limits” in the battery settings.

3.Outdated firmware or "raw" version of MIUI

Xiaomi regularly releases updates for its devices, but not all of them are stable. for example, MIUI 14 on the Redmi Note 10 caused mass complaints about lags due to bugs in the kernel. On the other hand, outdated firmware (for example, MIUI 12 on the 2020 phone) can conflict with new applications, which leads to hanging.

How to check the relevance of the firmware:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Compare the current version with the latest stable builds on the official website.

What to do:

• 🔄 Update to the latest stable version via Settings → Updating the system.
• 🛠️ If after the update there are lags, reset the cache: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Reboot to Recovery → Wipe Cache.
• 📥 For advanced: Install custom software (e.g. Pixel Experience), but this voids the warranty.

⚠️ Note: Do not install beta versions MIUI on the main smartphone – they often contain critical bugs, for example, a constant reboot when connecting to the main smartphone 5G Redmi Note 12 Pro+.

4.Overheating: when iron fails to cope

Xiaomi smartphones on Snapdragon processors (especially the 7xx and 6xx series) are prone to overheating, which causes trottling, an artificial decrease in performance for cooling, manifested as sharp slowdowns during games, video shooting or charging.

Causes of overheating:

• 🔥 A game or application (such as Genshin Impact or Wild Rift) loads GPU 100%.
• 🔋 Fast charging (especially on models with support) 120W+).
• 🌡️ Clogged radiator or worn-out thermal paste (relevant for devices older than 2 years).

How to diagnose:

• Install the CPU Monitor or AIDA64 app to track temperature.
• If the temperature exceeds 50°C in plain or 70°C under load, this is a critical value.

Decisions:

• ❄️ Remove the case while playing or charging.
• 🎮 Limit it. FPS in games through graphics settings (for example, in Call of Duty Mobile, set the “Average” settings).
• 🔧 Replace the heatpaste (for experienced users only!).

5. Battery degradation: the hidden cause of lags

After 300 to 500 charging cycles, the battery capacity drops by 20 to 30 percent, leading not only to a fast discharge, but also to unstable power supply, and the processor and RAM begin to malfunction, which manifests itself as random interface hang-ups or application crashes.

How to check the status of the battery:

1. Enter the dialer code: ##4636##.
2. Go to Battery Information and see the Health option.
3. The ideal value is 100%. If <80%, the battery needs to be replaced.

What to do:

• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: completely discharge the phone, then charge to 100% without interruptions.
• 🔄 Enable Adaptive Charging (available on Xiaomi flagships with a MIUI 14).
• 🛠️ Replace the battery (cost for Redmi — ~1500–2500 ₽, for flagships - up to 5000 ₽).

Make a backup copy of the data|Buy the original battery (code starts with the first one) MB)|Use a plastic mediator to open the enclosure|Do not touch the plumes with your bare hands-->

6. Memory problems eMMC/UFS

Xiaomi’s budget models (e.g. Redmi 9A, POCO M3) are equipped with eMMC memory, which degrades over time due to a limited number of write cycles.

• 🐢 Slow application loading (even after resetting settings).
• 🔄 Frequent reboots when copying files.
• 💥 Departures for video shooting in 4K.

How to diagnose:

• Install AndroBench and run the sequential recording test.
• If the write speed is <50 MB/s, the memory is worn out.

Decisions:

• 🔧 Try formatting your memory with Fastboot (team: fastboot) format:ext4 userdata).
• 📱 If the phone is warranty - contact the service (memory defect refers to warranty cases).
• 🆕 For older models, the only way out is to replace the motherboard.

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Xiaomi’s low-end eMMC memory fails after 2-3 years of heavy use, a hardware problem that cannot be solved software.

7. Viruses and malware

Despite MIUI protection, viruses can penetrate through third-party APKs or phishing sites, such as the Android.Triada Trojan masquerading as system processes and consuming up to 30% of CPUs, and Adware loads ads in the background, causing lags.

Signs of infection:

• 📱 Unknown applications appear (e.g. com.system.update).
• 🔋 Battery goes down in 2-3 hours without active use.
• 🌐 Advertising pops up even in the lock screen.

How to treat:

1. Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light and perform a scan.
2. Remove suspicious apps through Settings → Apps.
3. If the virus is sewn into system files, perform a full reset (Settings → Additional → Resetting).

⚠️ Do not download cleaners like Clean Master or DU Speed Booster – They often contain malicious code and aggravate the brakes.

8 Hardware malfunctions: when without service can not do

If all software methods have been tried and the phone is still slowing down, the problem may lie in:

• 🔌 Oxidized contact motherboard (for example, after moisture hits).
• 🖥️ Damaged RAM chip (manifested as random reboots).
• 📡 Faulty module. Wi-Fi/Bluetooth (causes a freeze when connecting to the network).

Diagnosis:

• Check your phone for physical damage (bloated battery, corrosion).
• Connect to the PC via ADB and execute the command: adb shell dumpsys meminfo If the output has lines with OOMS (Out of Memory), this indicates a problem with RAM.

What to do:

• 🛠️ Contact the service center (diagnosis is worth it). ~500–1000 ₽).
• 🔄 If the phone is warranty - do not open the case yourself!

FAQ: Frequent questions about brakes on Xiaomi