How to speed up Wi-Fi on Xiaomi: from smartphone settings to router firmware

Slow Wi-Fi on Xiaomi devices is a problem faced by both Redmi/POCO smartphone owners and Mi Router routers. The reasons may lie in phone settings, congested network channel, outdated hardware firmware, or even physical interference. In this article, we will discuss system acceleration methods (without buying new equipment) and hardware solutions for those who are willing to invest in a stable signal.

Many people mistakenly believe that the provider is to blame, but in 70% of cases, the brakes are associated with suboptimal device or router settings. For example, Xiaomi smartphone by default can limit background data transfer, and the router can work on an overloaded channel 2.4 GHz. Next you will find step-by-step instructions for different scenarios, from basic optimization to advanced tricks for power users.

—— • —— • ——

Checking the current speed: basic measurements

Before you set up anything, you need to know where the bottleneck is, and the speed of Wi-Fi depends on three components:

• 📶 Router - its technical characteristics and settings.
• 📱 Xiaomi device - smartphone model, firmware version MIUI, background.
• 🌐 Provider – tariff plan, network loading in your area.

To measure accurately, use the Speedtest by Ookla app (available on Google Play). Run the test on your smartphone, then repeat it on another device (like a laptop) connected to the same router. If you have a higher speed on your laptop, the problem is with Xiaomi settings. If it's equally low, it's the router or the provider's fault.

The critical point is, if you have faster cable speeds to your router than Wi-Fi, the problem is the wireless network, and then you go to the router optimization sections, and if you have the same low speeds on cable and air, call your provider.

2. Optimization of Wi-Fi settings on Xiaomi smartphone

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones have hidden settings that can limit internet speeds. Here’s what to check first:

1. Turn off Responsive Wi-Fi: This feature automatically switches the device between 2.4GHz and 5GHz, but often works incorrectly. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi → Additional → Adaptive Wi-Fi and deactivate the option.
2. Enable Developer Mode: Activate it through Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times). Then in Settings → Additional → For Developers, find Background Limitation and select Without Limits.
3. Reset network settings: Sometimes a complete reset helps: Settings → System → Reset → Network settings Reset. After that, you have to re-enter the Wi-Fi password.

If you have a POCO F3, Redmi Note 10 Pro or another model with MIUI 13/14, check for firmware updates. The new versions fix bugs with Qualcomm and Mediatek Wi-Fi chip drivers.

Disable Adaptive Wi-Fi|

Enable the developer mode and remove restrictions |

Reset your network settings |

Update MIUI last-minute-->

3. Choosing the right channel and range on the router

Xiaomi routers (like the Mi Router 4A or AX3600) are automatically channel-selected by default, but that's not always optimal. 2.4GHz channels are often overloaded in apartment buildings, and 5GHz may not cover all rooms.

How to choose the best channel:

1. Install the WiFi Analyzer (or NetSpot for PC) app on your smartphone.
2. See which channels are least loaded in your area.
3. Go to the router’s web interface (192.168.31.1 or miwifi.com) and manually set the channel in the Wi-Fi settings.

For the 5GHz band, we recommend 36-48 or 149-165 channels (they are less intersecting with neighboring networks). For 2.4GHz, choose channels 1, 6 or 11 - they do not overlap.

Important: If your router supports Wi-Fi 6 (such as the AX1800 or AX3000) but your smartphone does not (such as the Redmi 9A), then the maximum speed will be limited to the Wi-Fi 5 standard (up to 866 Mbps).

💡

If you have a dual-band router, give the networks different names (e.g., a different router, MyWiFi_2G and MyWiFi_5G). You can manually choose which range to connect to.

4. Router firmware update and DNS change

Outdated router firmware can limit speed due to bugs in Wi-Fi drivers. For Xiaomi devices, current firmware is downloaded automatically, but sometimes manual installation is required.

How to update firmware:

1. Go to the router’s web interface (miwifi.com).
2. Go to General settings → Update firmware.
3. If a new version is available, install it. Don't turn off the router during the process.

We also recommend changing it. DNS-servers to faster ones (e.g., 1.1.1.1 from Cloudflare or 8.8.8.8 from Google) This will speed up the opening of sites, but will not affect the download speed of files. DNS:

1. In the router settings, find the Internet section → DNS settings.
2. Enter alternative DNS and save it.

⚠️ Note: If after updating the firmware router stopped turning on, try to reset it to factory settings with the Reset button (hold 10 seconds). UART service-centre.

5. Hardware acceleration methods: from antennas to Mesh systems

If the software methods didn't work, it's time to consider hardware improvements.

• 📡 Replacement of antennas on Xiaomi routers with connectors RP-SMA (Like Mi Router. 3G/4A Gigabit: You can install amplified antennas 5-9 This will increase the radius of coverage by 20-30%.
• 🔄 Repeater installation – if the signal does not reach far rooms, use Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Repeater 2 or Redmi AC2100 amplifier.
• 🌐 Mesh-system for large houses (100)+ m2) to use the Xiaomi Mesh System optimally (e.g., a set of AX3000 + AX1800). It automatically switches devices between access points.

For Xiaomi smartphones with Wi-Fi 6 support (like the Xiaomi 12 Pro or POCO F4 GT), it makes sense to upgrade the router to a model with an AX3000 or higher. The speed difference between Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 can be as high as 40% when connecting multiple devices.

Upgrade cost:

• Antennas 9 dBi - from 800 ₽.
• Repeater Mi Wi-Fi Repeater 2 — ~1 500 ₽.
• Xiaomi Mesh system AX3000 (2 knots) — ~10 000 ₽.

6. Hidden MIUI settings for power users

There are hidden settings in MIUI firmware that can be changed through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) which will help if the standard settings don’t work.

Instructions to increase the priority of Wi-Fi:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and enable USB debugging in the developer settings.
2. Open the command line and type: adb shell settings put global wifi_supplicant_scan_interval 120 This will reduce the interval of scanning networks, which will reduce the load on the processor.
3. To disable the speed limit, type: adb shell settings put global captive_portal_detection_enabled 0

You can also manually set the Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) for your network, the optimal value is 1472 (for most providers), and you can change it through the Termux app:

su


ifconfig wlan0 mtu 1472

⚠️ Attention: Wrong commands ADB You can disrupt the system. Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

7. Alternative methods: power saving shutdown and VPN

Sometimes the speed drops due to background processes.

• 🔋 Energy saving: In Settings → Battery → Select Performance mode. Some models (Redmi Note 11) have a separate setting: Optimize Wi-Fi in Sleeping Mode – Turn it off.
• 🛡️ VPN and proxy: if you use VPN (Like Mi. VPN), temporarily shut it down and check the speed. Some servers are very slowing down traffic.
• 📴 Background applications: C Settings → Annexes → Permits → Autorun disable autorun for unnecessary programs (especially social networks and instant messengers).

If you are connected to a public network (such as a cafe), try using a private DNS via Cloudflare WARP or AdGuard DNS.

💡

The greatest increase in speed gives the combination: updated router firmware + manual setting of the 5 GHz channel + power saving switch on the smartphone.

8.When nothing helps: diagnosis and contacting the service

If the speed remains low after all the manipulations, the following problems are possible:

• 🔌 Faulty Wi-Fi module in the smartphone (often occurs after falls or moisture).
• 📡 Breakdown of the router – for example, the signal amplifier burned out.
• 🏢 Problems with the provider - traffic throttling or accident on the line.

How to diagnose:

1. Connect your smartphone to another network (like your mobile internet or your friend’s Wi-Fi) if the speed is normal, your router or ISP is a problem.
2. Check the router on another device, and if it's slow, bring it to service.
3. Ask the provider to check the line, ask for data on the channel load in your area.

Cost of repair:

• Replacement of Wi-Fi module in a smartphone – from 2 000 ₽.
• Router repair (replacement of antennas / chips) – from 1,500 ₽.
• Diagnosis with the provider is usually free under the contract.

—— • —— • ——

FAQ: Frequent questions about speeding up Wi-Fi on Xiaomi