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

Your Xiaomi suddenly started to “think” when opening apps, hanging during games or slowly switching between windows? This is a common problem faced by owners of smartphones brand — from budget Redmi to flagship Mi and the new model. POCO. In 80% of cases, the brakes are not associated with hardware breakdowns, but are caused by software failures, system overload or suboptimal settings.

In this article, we will look at all possible causes of slowdown, from the banal cache clogging to hidden viruses in the firmware, and learn how to diagnose the problem yourself (including hidden tools). MIUI), What settings should be changed first, and when is it really time to bring the phone to the service. 4/5, Mi A1/A2) We have prepared separate recommendations for extending the life of the device.

Spoiler: 9 out of 10 cases remove the brakes in 10 to 30 minutes without losing data. Start with Diagnostics if you want to get right to practice.

1.Diagnostics: How to understand why Xiaomi is slowing down

Before you reset the settings or carry the phone for repair, determine the nature of the brakes:

• 🔄 Slowing down when opening applications – a problem with RAM or background processes.
• 🎮 Lags in games – overheating, weak processor or drivers GPU.
• 📱 Interface hangings (MIUI slows down with swipes) - shell failure or lack of memory.
• 🔋 Brake at low battery charge - battery worn or activated energy saving mode.

Use Xiaomi’s built-in diagnostic tools:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI and tap 7 times on the line "Core" - this will open a hidden menu CIT (hardware-test).
2. Run the tests. CPU, RAM If one of them shows a mistake (red cross), the problem is the hardware».
3. Check the processor boot: go to Settings → Battery → Battery usage and see which apps consume more than 10% of their charge.

If CIT-The test was successful, but the brakes remained, move to the next section. If errors are detected, see the section "Hardware problems».

2. Firmware problems MIUI: Why does the shell slow down?

MIUI — Xiaomi's branded shell, which is known for its functionality but also for frequent bugs:

• 📦 Older versions of firmware (especially relevant for Redmi Note) 8/9, whereupon MIUI 14 Many complain about lags).
• 🧹 Clogging system cache – temporary shell files take up to 5-10 GB of memory.
• 🔄 Conflicts after an update (for example, if you missed multiple versions) MIUI).
• 🛡️ Integrated restrictions for non-Chinese regions (in Global) ROM Often artificially reduce productivity).

How to check the firmware version and clear the cache:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. If the version is older MIUI 13, update via Settings → Updating the system.
2. Clean the shell cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three dots (menu) → Show system-based → MIUI System → Memory. → Clear the cache.
3. Reset the settings. MIUI without data loss: Settings → Additionally. → Resetting settings → Reset the settings MIUI.

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After the update MIUI phone began to brake more, roll back to the previous version via Fastboot (instructions in the section "Updates and firmware»).

Important for owners POCO F1/F2 mi 9/10: Android-based firmware 10+ Often, there's a bug that freezes animations, and the solution is to turn off transitions to Settings. → Special facilities → Delete the animations.

3.Apps and Background Processes: Who Steals Resources

One "gluttonous" application can load the processor to 100% or take up all the RAM.

• 📱 Social networks (Facebook, TikTok, Instagram) – consume up to 30% CPU background.
• 🎮 Games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact – even after closing, process memory is left in the memory.
• 🔍 Antiviruses and cleaners (e.g. Clean Master, 360 Security) – by themselves slow down the system.
• 📊 Monitoring applications (AccuBattery, CPU Monitor – constantly interrogating sensors.

How to find and stop the “culprit”:

1. Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Sorting by memory use.
2. Click on the application that occupies >500 MB of memory and choose Stop + Limit background activity.
3. For games: Enable Game Turbo Mode in Settings → Special facilities → Gaming acceleration.

If your memory is running out quickly after cleaning, check your phone for viruses (see Viruses and Malware section).

4.Memory and storage: why space shortages are slowing down the phone

Xiaomi with 32-64 GB of memory begins to slow down when there is less than 10% of free space.The system uses internal storage for cache and temporary files, and when it is not enough, the read / write speed drops by 2-3 times.

How to check and free up space:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory and see what takes up the most space (usually Apps, Photos and Cash).
2. Delete unnecessary files through Files → Cleanup (Integrated File Manager Xiaomi).
3. Move your photos and videos to the cloud (Google Photos or Mi Cloud) or to the cloud. SD-card (if supported).
4. Clear the cache of system applications: Settings → Annexes → Three points. → Show system-based → Select an application → Memory. → Clear the cache.

For models with eMMC memory (Redmi) 4/5/6, Mi A1) critically 15% Free space – otherwise the recording speed drops to 10–20 MB/s (against) 100–150 MB/s normal).

⚠️ Warning: Do not use cleaners like Clean Master or CCleaner, which delete important system files and can aggravate the brakes. MIUI.

5. Viruses and malware: hidden threats

Malware can not only steal data, but also load the processor with cryptocurrency mining or spam.

• 📈 Unexplained traffic consumption (check in Settings) → SIM cards and mobile networks → Using traffic).
• 🔋 Quick battery discharge even in standby mode.
• 📱 Appearance of unfamiliar apps or ads in notifications.
• 🔄 Spontaneous reboot or heating of the phone.

How to check and remove viruses:

1. Install Malwarebytes or Kaspersky Mobile (from Google Play! only).
2. Start a deep scan (not fast!).
3. Check the list of installed applications: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Delete suspicious ones (such as System Update, Flash Player).
4. Reset network settings: Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → Reset network settings (remove connections to malicious Wi-Fi).

If the antivirus has not found anything, but suspicions remain, reset to factory settings (see the section "Extreme measures").

⚠️ Warning: Viruses are often disguised as system applications (e.g. com.android.system). Do not delete anything unless you are sure it will knock your phone out.

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

If software methods do not help, the cause of the brakes can lie in physical malfunctions:

• 🔋 Worn-out battery – when it degrades below 70% of its original capacity, the phone begins to artificially limit performance.
• 🔥 Overheating of the processor - due to dust in the charging connector or damaged thermal paste.
• 💾 Damaged memory (eMMC/UFS) — fall-in.
• 📶 Faulty communication module – if the brakes occur only when using mobile Internet.

How to diagnose "iron" problems:

1. Battery: Check wear through AccuBattery (if capacity) < 2000 mAh at 4,000 mAh - it's time to change).
2. Overheating: Install CPU Monitor and look at the core temperature.°C in plain, up to 60.°C under load.
3. Memory: Run the test through AIDA64 (storage → Read/write test speed below 50MB/s - a sign of malfunction.
4. Communications module: Check the speed of the Internet through Speedtest, if it's below 10 Mbps with a good signal, the antenna is a problem.

If the diagnosis showed a hardware malfunction, do not try to repair the phone yourself (especially if it is soldering).

7.Extreme measures: resetting and flashing

If none of the previous methods worked, there are radical ways to:

1. Reset to factory settings (will delete all data, but save firmware).
2. Fastboot Firmware (complete reinstallation) MIUI).
3. Install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

How to reset your settings:

Settings → About the phone → Reset settings → Erase all data


(or Recovery: Turn off your phone, press Power + Volume Up)

How to reflash through Fastboot:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from en.miui.com.
2. Unpack the archive and connect the phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clamp Power). + Volume Down).
3. Launch the file. flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for macOS/Linux).

⚠️ Note: Fastboot Flash Flashing deletes all data, including files in internal memory.Pre-backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

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If after resetting the brakes remained, the problem is exactly in the "iron" - carry the phone to the service.

8 Prevention: How to Prevent Brakes in the Future

To make Xiaomi work faster, follow these rules:

• 📵 Do not install cleaners and antiviruses – they only slow down the system.
• 🔄 Update the firmware, but not immediately after the release - wait 1-2 weeks (often in the first versions there are bugs).
• 📱 Limit background activity for social networks and instant messengers.
• 🔋 Change the battery every 2-3 years – the degraded battery brakes the processor.
• 🧹 Clean the cache once a month through Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.

For owners of old models (Redmi) 4/5, Mi A1):

• Install Lite versions of applications (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
• Turn off animations: Settings → Special facilities → Delete the animations.
• Use lightweight firmware like this. MIUI Lite or Havoc OS.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi brakes