Why Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is slowing down: a full analysis of the causes and solutions

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, released in 2019, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its balanced characteristics: Snapdragon 660 processor, 3/4 GB of RAM and a battery of 4000 mAh. However, over time, even this reliable device begins to “hang”, slowly open applications or suddenly reboot. If your Redmi Note 7 began to work worse, do not rush to write it off to a landfill – in 90% of cases, the problem can be solved without repair.

In this article, we will look at all possible causes of brakes, from clogged memory to battery wear, and give step-by-step instructions for diagnosing and eliminating lags. We will focus on the unique “diseases” of the Redmi Note 7 associated with its hardware and MIUI firmware. For example, why even after resetting to factory settings, the smartphone can continue to brake, and how to fix it.

1. Overloading of RAM (RAM)

The most common reason for brakes is a lack of RAM. The Redmi Note 7 was released with 3 or 4 GB of RAM, and over time, the background processes, application updates and debris in the system eat up precious megabytes. If you see in Task Manager that less than 500 MB is free, that's the critical threshold after which the hangouts begin.

How to check:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Memory status and see the RAM usage schedule.
• 🔍 Launch Security → Task Manager (or click on the square in the navigation bar) and see which apps consume the most memory.
• 📊 Install the app CPU Monitor or DevCheck for detailed diagnosis.

Decisions:

• ✅ Close unused applications manually through Task Manager (but don’t get carried away — MIUI aggressively kills background processes, which can worsen the work of messengers).
• ✅ Disable auto-run of unnecessary programs: Settings → Annexes → Auto-start.
• ✅ Install lightweight versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
• ✅ If you have 3GB of RAM, consider overclocking through the kernel (requires root rights).

⚠️ Note: Do not use the “memory boosters” from Google Play – they not only do not help, but can increase the load on the processor, as they work in the background. MIUI It already has a built-in optimizer that does better.

2. Completed Storage (ROM)

If less than 10% of the available space is left in the smartphone memory, the system begins to slow down when writing new data, and applications start to fly out. Redmi Note 7 was released with 32 or 64 GB of internal memory, and even 64 GB can quickly clog with photos, cache and updates.

How to check:

• 📁 Go to Settings. → Storage and see which categories occupy the most space.
• 🔎 Use Files by Google or SD Maid to find large and unnecessary files.

Decisions:

• 🗑️ Remove the app cache: Settings → Annexes → Select the application → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📸 Transfer photos and videos to the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) or to a memory card.
• 🎮 Remove unused games – they take up to 2-5 GB.
• 🔄 If less than 5GB is free, make a deep clean through Settings. → Additionally. → Cleanup.

💡

If you use a memory card, format it as internal storage (in Settings → Storage) and this will allow you to install applications directly on the SD, but note that once you remove the card, the applications will stop working.

3. Battery wear and processor trottling

The Redmi Note 7 is equipped with a 4,000 mAh battery, but after 2-3 years, its capacity drops to 70-80% of its original capacity. The worn-out battery not only discharges faster, but also causes the processor to trottlize — a forced performance decline to save energy, manifested as a sharp “hang” when opening applications or scrolling lists.

How to check the wear:

• 🔋 Install AccuBattery and check the battery health (Health).If the value is below 80% - the battery is critically worn out.
• 📉 See the graph of the discharge in Settings → Battery → Battery use: Abrupt consumption spikes may indicate a malfunction.

Decisions:

• 🔄 Calibrate the battery: completely discharge the smartphone (before turning off), then charge to 100% without interruptions.
• ⚡ Turn off battery optimization for critical applications: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
• 🔧 If the capacity is below 70%, replace the battery. ~1500–2000 ₽.

⚠️ WARNING: If after replacing the battery, the smartphone has become more warm or discharge faster - most likely, a fake is installed.The original Xiaomi batteries have a built-in controller that prevents overheating.

4.Outdated firmware or MIUI errors

Xiaomi regularly releases updates for the Redmi Note 7, but many users ignore them for fear of bugs.

• 🐌 Slow-motion animation of the interface.
• 🔄 Self-involved reboots.
• 📱 Hanging when opening a camera or gallery.

How to update firmware:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on "Check Updates."
3. If a new version is available, download and install it (preferably via Wi-Fi).

If the update doesn’t help or doesn’t help:

• 🔄 Make a reset to factory settings (don’t forget to save data!).
• 🛠️ Install custom firmware (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS), but it requires unlocking the bootloader.

Save contacts in a Google account

Copy photos on PC or cloud

Record passwords from Wi-Fi and accounts

Make sure the battery is charged >50%

-->

For power users: if the smartphone brakes only after the update, you can roll back to the previous version of MIUI via fastboot.

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img


fastboot boot twrp.img




(in TWRP, select a firmware file and flash)

5. Processor overheating

The Snapdragon 660 in the Redmi Note 7 is prone to overheating, especially when:

• 🎮 Long game sessions (PUBG, Genshin Impact).
• 📹 Video recordings in 4K.
• 🔄 Background loading of large files.

How to check the temperature:

• 🌡️ Install. CPU Monitor AIDA64.
• 📊 Normal temperature: up to 45°C in plain, up to 60.°C under load. If higher, it's overheating.

Decisions:

• 🧊 Remove the case (especially silicone) - it worsens the heat sink.
• 🔄 Close the background applications before the game.
• ⚙️ Lower the screen resolution to HD+ (720p) In Settings → Display.
• 🔧 Replace the heat paste (if you've taken your smartphone apart). ~800–1200 ₽.

💡

If the smartphone overheats even in simple (for example, when watching a video), most likely the problem is the wear of the thermal interface between the processor and the radiator.

6. Viruses and malware

Even if you haven’t installed suspicious apps, viruses can get in through:

• 📎 Investments in WhatsApp/Telegram.
• 🔗 Phishing sites (such as “free” games or movies).
• 📦 APK-files from unverified sources.

Signs of infection:

• 🚀 A sharp increase in traffic consumption.
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge.
• 📱 Appearance of unfamiliar apps on the menu.

How to check and clean:

1. Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light and perform a scan.
2. Check the list of installed apps: Settings → Apps → All apps. Remove suspicious ones.
3. Disable installation from unknown sources: Settings → Privacy → Special permissions → Install unknown applications.

⚠️ Warning: Some viruses masquerade as system applications (e.g. com.android.system) If you're not sure, don't delete anything manually, but reset to factory settings.

Hardware malfunctions

If none of the above methods worked, the problem may be in the iron:

• 💾 Wear of flash memory (especially in models with 32 GB) manifests as a “stuttering” when writing files or installing applications.
• 🔌 Oxidation of the contacts on the motherboard (for example, after moisture is ingested) leads to accidental reboots.
• 📡 Module malfunction Wi-Fi/Bluetooth (brakes when connected to the network).

How to diagnose:

• 🛠️ Take a memory test through MemTest86 (requires unlocking the loader).
• 🔍 Check your smartphone for oxidation – disassemble it or take it to a service center.
• 📊 Use it. AIDA64 To check the stability of the processor and memory.

Decisions:

• 🔧 If the problem is flash memory, replace it (cost) ~3000–5000 ₽).
• 💧 If the contacts are oxidized - ultrasonic cleaning of the board is required (~2000–3000 ₽).
• 📱 If the communication module is faulty, its replacement will cost ~1500–2500 ₽.

💡

If the smartphone starts to brake after falling or getting moisture, there's a 90% chance that the problem is hardware, and then the software won't help, it needs repair.

8. Incorrect system settings

Sometimes the brakes cause suboptimal settings that the user does not even suspect:

• 🎨 Interface animation is enabled to maximum.
• 🔒 Fingerprint or facial recognition work constantly in the background.
• 📡 Auto-update applications over the mobile network.

How to optimize:

• ⚡ Disable or reduce animation: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times, then return to Additional → For developers → Scale of animation).
• 🔒 Turn off biometrics if not used: Settings → Password and security.
• 📱 Turn off auto-update apps: Google Play → Settings → Auto-update of applications → Only through Wi-Fi.
• 🌙 Turn on a dark theme – it reduces the load on the processor when rendering the interface.

For advanced users, you can disable MIUI Optimization (improves performance, but can cause lags).

adb shell settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 1

After completing the command, restart the smartphone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note 7 brakes