How to increase the speed of the Internet on the Xiaomi router: from basic settings to advanced hacks

Have you noticed that the Internet on your Xiaomi router is slower than the provider promised? Pages load forever, YouTube videos are constantly “buffering” and online games are lagging? The problem is not always the tariff or cable — 80% of the time the suboptimal settings of the router itself are to blame. Even budget models like the Mi Router 4A or 4C are able to deliver speeds close to the maximum of your tariff if you set them correctly.

In this article, we’ll look at 10 proven ways to speed up the Internet on Xiaomi routers, from simple Wi-Fi channel change to fine-tuning QoS and alternative firmware. You’ll learn how to diagnose bottlenecks, why the Mi Router AX6000 can slow more than the Mi Router 3G, and what hidden parameters in the web interface affect speed the most. All instructions are adapted to the latest versions of MiWiFi firmware (including 3.0.30+) and tested on models from 2020-2026.

1. Real Speed Check: Where Megabits Are Lost

Before you optimize your router, you need to understand where the speed drawdown is, and you need to take three levels of measurements to do this.

1. Speed from provider – connect the cable directly to your computer (bypassing the router) and run the test on Speedtest or Fast.com.
2. Wi-Fi speed – Turn off all devices except one (like a smartphone) and repeat the test within 1 meter of the router.
3. Cable speed – connect the same computer to the router via LAN-Port and check the speed again.

If the difference between the first and second test is more than 30%, the problem is the Wi-Fi settings. If there is a drawdown even on the cable, it is the WAN parameters or hardware limitations of the router. For example, the Mi Router 4A Gigabit Edition is physically unable to process more than 900 Mbps even at a 1 Gbps tariff.

⚠️ Note: If the cable speed is below 90% of the provider’s tariff, check the settings. MTU In the Settings section → Internet: For most providers, the optimal value is 1472, but Rostelecom may need 1492.

2. Optimization of Wi-Fi channels: how to avoid interference

The most common reason for slow Wi-Fi is congested channels. In apartment buildings, neighbors’ routers cause interference, especially at 2.4 GHz. Xiaomi routers default to selecting a channel automatically, but the algorithm is far from ideal.

To find a free channel:

1. Install WiFi Analyzer (Android) or NetSpot (iOS) on your smartphone.
2. Run the scan in the place where you use the Internet most often.
3. Select a channel with a minimum load (for 2.4 GHz - from 1 to 11, for 5 GHz - from 36 to 165).
4. Go to the router’s web interface (192.168.31.1), go to Wi-Fi Settings → Additional settings and manually specify the selected channel.

For models with 160 MHz support (like the AX6000), turn on this mode in 5 GHz settings, but note: it may be unstable over long distances. If the speed "jumps," go back to 80 MHz.

Select the channel manually (not "Auto")|Set a channel width of 40 MHz (2.4 GHz) or 80 MHz (5 GHz)|Disable compatibility with 802.11b|Turn on WPA3 (if maintained)-->

3. firmware update: why it's critical for speed

MiWiFi firmware directly affects the performance of the router. In older versions, there may be bugs that limit the speed of NAT (network address conversion) or QoS. For example, in firmware 2.0.70 for Mi Router 4A, there was a bug that caused Wi-Fi speeds to drop by 40% when more than 10 devices were connected.

How to update the firmware correctly:

• 🔄 Automatic Update: Go to Settings → General. → Update your firmware. If a new version is available, click Update. Do not turn off your router during the process (it will take 3-5 minutes).
• 🖥️ Manual Update: Download the latest firmware from the official website (choose the version for your model!). In the web interface, download the file via Additional → Local Update.
• ⚠️ Reverse to the old version: If the speed has dropped after the update, go back to the previous firmware, miwifi_r4a_firmware_xxxxx.bin) and download it through the same section.

For advanced users, alternative firmware like OpenWRT or Padavan can increase speed by 15-20%, but require unlocking the bootloader (which voids the warranty).

4. QoS setup: Prioritizing traffic

Quality of Service (QoS) is a feature that distributes bandwidth between devices and traffic types. By default, it is disabled, and the router processes all requests "in order," which slows down online games or video calls, mientras other devices pump updates.

How to set up QoS on Xiaomi:

1. Go to Settings. → QoS.
2. Turn on the function and select mode: By Device: Priority is given to selected gadgets (for example, a PC for games or Smart TV). By Application: Prioritize specific services (Zoom, Steam, Netflix).

maximum loading/return speed

Save the settings and restart the router.

For gamers: Manually add ports of popular games (e.g., 27000–27030 for CS2, 3074 for Call of Duty) to Port Redirect (Settings → Additional → Port Redirect).

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If you have a Mi Router AX6000 or newer, turn on the Game Accelerator feature in the QoS settings. It automatically reduces ping in games by optimizing packet routing.

5. Reset to factory settings: when it helps

If you tried all the ways, but the speed is still slow, it is possible that the router settings are “cluttered”, especially after multiple firmware updates or experiments with VPN/DDNS.

How to properly reset the router:

• 🔧 Software reset: Go to Settings → Additionally. → Factory reset. Confirm and wait for the reboot (2-3 minutes).
• 🔄 Hardware reset: Press and hold the Reset button (on the back) for 10 seconds until the indicators start flashing.This method clears all settings, including Wi-Fi passwords.

After discharge:

1. Set up your Internet connection again (enter data from the provider in Settings → Internet).
2. Update the firmware to the latest version.
3. Restore Wi-Fi passwords and QoS settings.

⚠️ Attention: On Mi Router models 4A and 4C After reset, the option may disappear IPTV In the settings. To return it, go to Settings. → Additionally. → Bridge mode and turn it off/on again.

6. Alternative firmware: OpenWRT and Padavan

If standard MiWiFi firmware doesn't work, you can install custom, which gives you access to advanced settings, like:

• 📶 Increased transmission power (up to 20 dBm instead of the standard 17 dBm).
• 🔧 Fine tuning NAT (Acceleration up to 20% on models with a weak processor).
• 🛡️ Blocking Advertising at Level DNS (For example, through AdGuard Home).

How to install OpenWRT on Xiaomi:

1. Check the support for your model on the official website.
2. Download the firmware and the MiWiFi Unlock Tool (to unlock the bootloader).
3. Connect the router to the computer via LAN, run the utility and follow the instructions.
4. Once unlocked, run OpenWRT through the web interface or TFTP.

For Padavan, the process is similar, but the firmware is more adapted for Xiaomi (there is a Russian interface), the main disadvantage is the loss of warranty and the risk of “bricking” the device if you make an error.

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Alternative firmware only gives speed gains on weaker models (e.g. Mi Router 3G), while flagships like the AX6000 are minimally different, but additional features (e.g. WireGuard VPN) are added.

7. Hardware restrictions: when the router does not pull the tariff

Even the perfect settings won't help if the router isn't physically able to process your fare.

• Mi Router 4A (without Gigabit prefix, limited to 100 Mbps WAN-port.
• The Mi Router 3 has a weak processor (MT7620A) that doesn’t pull QoS at speeds above 300 Mbps.
• The AX1800 does not support 160 MHz at 5 GHz, so the top speed is 1201 Mbps.

If your rate exceeds the router’s capabilities, there are two options:

1. Use the router in bridge mode (connect it to a more powerful device via LAN).
2. Buy a new model - for tariffs of 1 Gbps AX6000 or AX9000 will suit.

Before buying, check the specifications on the official website.

• 🔌 Type WAN-port (should be 1 Gbps or 2.5 Gbps).
• 📡 Support MU-MIMO and OFDMA (Improves the work with multiple devices).
• 🖥️ Processor model (e.g. Qualcomm) IPQ6000 into AX6000 Can handle 2 Gbps).

8 Additional Tricks: From DNS to Cooling

There are a few non-obvious ways to get the most out of a router:

• 🌐 Change. DNS: Xiaomi is using the default DNS Try 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google). → Internet → DNS.
• ❄️ Cooling: Overheating reduces speed by 10 to 15 percent. Put the router vertically, away from the batteries. AX6000 You can install a cooler (connect to the USB).
• 🔄 Turn it off. IPv6: If not, deactivate in Settings. → Internet → IPv6. This will eliminate delays when connecting.
• 📵 Turn off Wi-Fi for downtime: C Settings → Wi-Fi → Set up a schedule to shut down the network at night, which will reduce the load on the router.

For Mi Router 4A/4C owners, if the Wi-Fi speed is less than 100 Mbps, check the encryption settings. WPA2-PSK + AES algorithm works faster than TKIP or mixed mode.

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If you have Xiaomi with Mesh support (like the AX3000), build a network of 2-3 routers, which will increase coverage and spread the load, which will indirectly increase speed.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions