Why Xiaomi Redmi 4X is slowing down and how to fix it: the full guide

Xiaomi Redmi 4X — One of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017, but even after a few years of use, it starts to hang. Slow-motion, long downloads of applications, sudden reboots are familiar symptoms? The causes can be hidden in software failures and hardware wear. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to diagnose and eliminate brakes, from simple to radical.

It's important to understand: Redmi 4X It's equipped with a Snapdragon 435 processor and 2-4 GB of RAM. These are modest specs by modern standards, but when optimized properly, the smartphone is still capable of doing basic tasks. MIUI or installing new applications, don't be in a hurry to write it off. In 90% of cases, the problem can be solved without repair.

We tested all of these on real devices, and we only selected the ones that have a noticeable effect, and we start with the safest and end with the most drastic measures, and you can choose the right one depending on the degree of braking your Redmi has. 4X.

1.Diagnostics: why the Xiaomi Redmi is slowing down 4X?

Before you start "treatment", you need to identify the root of the problem, and brakes can manifest themselves in different ways:

• 🐢 Slow opening of applications (especially social networks and instant messengers).
• 🔄 Freezes when switching between tasks or returning to the main screen.
• 🔋 A sharp drop in performance at battery level below 20%.
• 📱 Spontaneous reboots or departures from apps.
• 🌡️ Overheating of the body even with minimal load.

Main reasons:

Critical: if the brakes are accompanied by artifacts on the screen (strips, flickering) or complete sensor failure, the problem is hardware (possibly a memory chip dump or a plume damage), in this case, diagnostics are required at the service center.

For the initial inspection:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone. → Condition and look at the load on CPU and RAM.
2. Run Settings. → Battery → Battery use – if an application consumes >15% in the background, it's suspicious.
3. Check the free space in the Settings → If it's less than 1 GB, clean it immediately.

2. Clean up memory and cache: a quick way to speed up Redmi 4X

The most common cause of brakes is clogged memory.Redmi 4X It was built with 16 or 32 GB of internal storage, and even if you have a 32 GB model, it can slow down because of fragmentation:

Step 1. Clean up the app cache

• 🧹 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
• 🔍 Select the “heaviest” app (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube).
• 🗑️ Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – it will delete accounts!).
• 🔄 Repeat for all applications where the cache is taking up >100MB.

Step 2: Delete unnecessary files

Use the built-in Cleanup (Security) app → Cleanup):

• 📁 Select Garbage Files and Cash Applications.
• 🔍 Check the Large Files section – old videos or backups often accumulate there.
• 🗑️ Remove anything unnecessary (especially.apk files).

Step 3: Transfer of data to SD-map

If you have a microSD model (up to 256GB):

1. Insert a memory card (preferably a class) UHS-I Class 10).
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → By default, write down SD-map.
3. Move heavy apps (such as games) through Settings → Annexes → [select] → Move it to SD-map.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use third-party cleaners like Clean Master or CCleaner - they often delete important system files and cause brakes themselves. MIUI fairly.

3. Optimization of background processes and autoboot

Redmi 4X Snapdragon 435 is not multitasking – if there are 20 in the background+ And the system starts to choke. Here's how to reduce the load:

Disabling Auto-Run Applications

• 🚫 Go to Settings. → Battery → Battery consumption management.
• 🔧 Select App Selection and disable Autoplay for all unnecessary programs (especially games and social networks).
• 📵 In the Background Limitation section, set a limit for applications that you rarely use.

Limitation of synchronization

Many applications are constantly sharing data with servers, which eats up resources:

• 🔄 Open the Settings. → Accounts and synchronization.
• 🔕 Turn off sync for unnecessary accounts (e.g. Mi Account if you don’t use the Xiaomi cloud).
• ⚙️ In the settings of individual applications (for example, Gmail or VKontakte), disable Auto Update or increase the interval.

Utilization of productivity mode

V MIUI There are hidden settings for optimization:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Install: Limit background processes → Maximum 2 process: Do not save actions (disables transition animation). GPU-acceleration → Forced inclusion (can help with gaming).

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If after disabling background processes, notifications from messengers stopped coming, add them to the exceptions in the Settings section. → Battery. → Battery consumption management → Exceptions.

4. Firmware update: is it worth it?

Firmware MIUI on the Redmi 4X updated to version MIUI 11 (based on Android 7.1.2) The latest stable version — V11.0.4.0.NCMCNXM (Updates can fix bugs and add new brakes, so it's important to understand the risks.

When the update will help:

• 🐞 If the brakes appeared after a recent update (possibly a bug patch).
• 🔒 If there are security vulnerabilities (e.g. data breaches).
• 📱 If the new firmware promises optimization for older devices.

When the update will hurt:

• 🚫 If you already have the latest version MIUI.
• 🔋 If the battery is worn out (>500 charge cycles).
• 📉 If the new firmware requires more resources (for example, MIUI 12 unofficially ported).

How to upgrade safely:

1. Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup.
2. Charge your phone at least 60%.
3. Connect to Wi-Fi (don’t upgrade via mobile!)
4. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update and click Check Updates.
5. If the update weighs >1 GB, it is better to download it manually from the official Xiaomi website and install through Select firmware file.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install custom firmware (like LineageOS) without experience - this can lead to brick (complete device failure). 4X has a blocked bootloader and its unlock erases all data.

5. Resetting to factory settings: a radical method

If the previous methods didn't work, and the smartphone is still "dumb", it's time to consider hard reset, which will delete all data, but return the device to "second youth."

• 📱 Backup your contacts, photos and messages (for example, through Google Account or Mi Cloud).
• 🔋 Charge your phone at least 50%.
• 📡 Make sure you know the username and password from Mi Account (confirmation may be required after resetting).

Method 1: Resetting through settings

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select Settings Reset.
3. Mark Clear your internal memory (if you want to delete everything, including photos and music).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Method 2: Reset via Recovery (if the phone is not turned on)

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

After discharge:

• 🛠️ Don’t restore all apps at once – install them one at a time and monitor performance.
• 🚫 Don’t install SEOs and cleaners – they will only make things worse.
• 🔄 Update Google Play Services and MIUI last-minute.

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Factory reset deletes all data, including app accounts. If you forget your Mi Account password, your phone may lock after reset (requires confirmation via mail or email). SMS).

6. Firmware through Fastboot: for power users

If the smartphone is slowing down because of a firmware curve or viruses, and the reset didn't work, you just have to reflash it through the Fastboot, which requires a PC and minimal knowledge, but gives you 100% control over the system.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer (or Linux with fastboot installed).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 📁 Official firmware for Redmi 4X (Download from the official Xiaomi website).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (for Windows).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware (file with.tgz extension) in the folder on the disk C:\.
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and drivers for Xiaomi (if they are not available, download here).
3. Turn off the phone and press the volume down. + Food to enter Fastboot mode (a hare will appear with the inscription Fastboot).
4. Connect the phone to the PC.
5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
6. At the bottom, select Clean All and press Flash.
7. Wait for the end (5-10 minutes). The phone will reboot automatically.

⚠️ Note: Fastboot firmware erases all data, including files in internal memory. If you have a bootloader blocked, pre-unblock it through the official Xiaomi tool (you will need to link Mi Account).

If the phone doesn’t turn on after firmware (black screen, vibration without image), try:

• Repeat the firmware with the choice of Clean all and lock (block the bootloader back).
• Switch another version MIUI (for example, older).
• Check the serviceability of the cable and port USB.

7. Hardware problems: when is it time to go to service?

If the software methods didn't work, maybe it's the hardware.Typical hardware causes of Redmi brakes 4X:

How to check the battery:

1. Install the AccuBattery app from Google Play.
2. Check out the battery health indicator (if you have a <80% — change).
3. Check the number of charging cycles (norm for Redmi) 4X — up to 500 cycles).

How to check for overheating:

• Use it. AIDA64 or CPU Monitoring for Temperature Monitoring.
• Normal temperature in simple: 30-40°C.
• Critical temperature: >60°C (to turn off the phone).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts to run out even faster after the battery is replaced, there may be a problem with the power controller on the motherboard, which requires a diagnosis in a service with DC-analysis equipment.

8. Alternative methods: if nothing has worked

If Redmi 4X It still slows down, but you’re not ready to part with it, try these custom solutions:

1. Use of lightweight versions of applications

Many popular services have “light” versions optimized for weak devices:

• 📘 Facebook Lite instead of Facebook.
• 💬 Messenger Lite or Telegram X.
• 🎵 YouTube Go or NewPipe (for viewing ads-free videos).
• 📷 Google Photos Go to save memory.

2. Disable animation and visual effects

This won’t speed up the phone much, but it will make the interface more responsive:

1. Activate Developer Mode (as in Section 3).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the items: Window animation scale → No animation. Transition animation scale → No animation. Animation duration scale → No animation. Animation duration scale → No animation.

Installation of an alternative launcher

Standard launcher MIUI It can slow down. Try it:

• 🏠 Nova Launcher (Tunestable, Lightweight).
• ⚡ Smart Launcher 5 (optimized for weak devices).
• 📱 Lawnchair (minimalistic, without unnecessary effects).

4. Utilization of cloud services

Move some of the data to the cloud to relieve internal memory:

• 📁 Google Photos – Automatically uploading photos/video.
• 🎵 Yandex Music or Spotify – for streaming instead of storing tracks.
• 📄 Google Drive – for backup copies of documents.

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If you are using Redmi 4X As a second phone (for example, for calls and instant messengers), disable all unnecessary functions: GPS, NFC, Bluetooth and autobrightness. This will reduce background activity and save battery power.

If even these techniques haven't helped, it may be time to consider replacing the device.Redmi 4X It's been a long time since it's been true, but today's apps require more resources. 9A POCO C31 — They keep the headphone jack and removable battery, but they run on more modern processors.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 4X brakes