What to do if the Xiaomi phone lost the signal of the cellular network: the complete guide

You take Xiaomi out of your pocket, and you have a scary "No Network" sign on your screen, or no signal indicator at all. Calls don't go through, SMS don't go, and mobile Internet only works via Wi-Fi. The situation is familiar? Cellular problems on Xiaomi smartphones (be it Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or flagship Xiaomi 14) are more common than they seem, and the causes can be rooted in software failures and hardware malfunctions.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible causes of a lack of signal, from the banal “flight mode” to complex problems with the communication module. You’ll learn how to diagnose a problem in 2 minutes, which settings to check first, and when it really is time to bring the phone to the service. And we’ve collected unique life hacks for Xiaomi models with MediaTek and Qualcomm processors – these are not found in standard instructions.

Important: If the signal is lost after a phone drop, moisture or self-disassembly, immediately go to the section on hardware malfunctions. Otherwise, start with simple steps.

1. Checking basic settings: 5 steps before panic

Before you dig deeper, make sure that the problem is not the small things, and 30 percent of the time, the signal goes missing because of a feature that's accidentally turned on or a setup that's not right.

Make sure flight mode is turned off (swipe down → airplane icon)

Check if the 2G mode is activated in the network settings

Reboot your phone (press the power button for 10 seconds)

Try inserting. SIM-The card is another slot (if there are two of them)

Make sure the operator doesn’t have a crash (check the site or call from another phone)-->

Pay special attention to flight mode. On Xiaomi, it sometimes turns on spontaneously after updates or when connected to some Bluetooth devices (for example, to wireless headphones Xiaomi Buds). Also check whether the function is activated Charge Saving in battery settings - it can limit the background activity of the communication module.

If you have a two-sim Xiaomi, try changing it. SIM-There are times when one of the slots stops reading correctly due to contact oxidation or software failure. On Redmi 10 and older models, a simple reposition often helps - the second slot sometimes works more stable than the first one.

⚠️ Note: If after the restart, the phone stopped seeing SIM-card (not even asking for it) PIN-code, don't try to insert it back again. This can damage the slot contacts. SIM.

2. Reset and manual network setting: when automation fails

If the basic check doesn't work, the next step is to reset the network settings, which deletes all stored Wi-Fi networks, passwords and mobile settings, but 40 percent of the time solves the signal problem.

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Put your hands on yours. SIM-If you have two cards, choose one that doesn’t work).
3. Select Reset Mobile Network Settings (on some firmware, the item is called Reset APN settings).
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

After the reset, the phone should automatically load your carrier's APN settings, and if that doesn't happen, you can manually enter them:

On Xiaomi models with a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi 9A, POCO M3), an additional step is sometimes required after manually entering the APN: go to Settings → Additional → Mobile Network → Network Type and select 4G (recommended). Automation is sometimes confused to 3G, where the signal may be weaker.

MTS

Beeline

MegaFon

Tele2.

Other-->

3.Problems with SIM-map: from oxidation to incompatibility

If the phone can't see SIM-map at all (no request even) PIN-code, the problem may be in:

• 🔹 Physical damage to the card - microcracks, chips, scuffed contacts.
• 🔹 Oxidation of contacts in the slot or on the SIM (often occurs after humidity).
• 🔹 Format incompatibility – some new Xiaomis don’t support the old ones SIM Mini-SIM standard.
• 🔹 Software lock – if the phone was purchased abroad or was blacklisted.

The first thing you should do is to wipe your contacts. SIM-Use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol (not vodka!) Carefully clean the gold contacts on the map and inside the phone slot. On Xiaomi models with a retractable tray (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) Be careful – do not press too hard so as not to bend the mechanism.

If SIM-Old card (released more than 5 years ago), try replacing it with a new one in the operator's cabin. Modern Xiaomi is optimized for Nano-SIM, and old cards can work unstable. SIM-card upside down - on the tray there is usually a diagram of the correct position.

4. Software glitches: from updates to hidden MIUI bugs

MIUI firmware is known for its surprises, and signal problems are one of them, and most often, failures occur after:

• 📱 System updates (especially in beta versions).
• 🔄 Resetting to factory settings without proper preparation.
• 🛠️ Installation of custom firmware or modified kernels.
• 🔋 Deep battery discharge (below 3%).

If the signal is missing after the update, try to roll back to the previous version of MIUI.

1. Download stable firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of the phone’s memory.
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select a firmware file.
5. Select the downloaded update.zip and confirm the installation.

On models with a Qualcomm processor (for example, POCO F5, Xiaomi 12 Pro) sometimes helps to reset the modem through the engineering menu.

1. Open the Phone app and type ##4636###


2. Go to the tab "Telephone Information"




3. Scroll down and press "Radio off"




4. Wait 30 seconds and press "Radio on"




5.Reboot the phone

⚠️ Note: Some firmware may not have an engineering menu or be blocked. Do not try to activate it through third-party apps - this may lead to loss of service. IMEI (Unique phone ID).

5. Hardware malfunctions: when without service can not do

If none of the software methods worked, the problem is likely hardware.Typical hardware reasons for the lack of signal on Xiaomi:

• 📡 Damage to the antenna module (often after falls or impacts).
• 🔌 Heaping or oxidation of contacts on the motherboard.
• 🔥 Overheating or failure of the radio frequency chip.
• 💧 Corrosion after moisture hits (even if the phone hasn't sunk, condensation can damage the board).

Check hardware malfunction can be on the following grounds:

• 🔍 The phone doesn't see any. SIM-card (even after replacement).
• 🔍 The signal is lost when the phone is heated (for example, during games).
• 🔍 In the engineering menu (#4636##) in the phone information field IMEI null.
• 🔍 The phone stopped catching the network after disassembling, falling or contacting water.

If any of these items are suitable, don’t waste time on software methods. Contact the service center. The average cost of repairing an antenna module on Xiaomi is from 1500 to 4000 rubles, depending on the model. On flagships (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra), repairs can cost more because of the complexity of disassembly.

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Before you go to the service, back up your data via Mi Cloud or your computer. Hardware repairs sometimes require a complete phone reset.

6.Operator-side problems: how to check and what to do

Sometimes it's not the phone that's the fault, it's the carrier's fault.

1. Put it in. SIM-If there's no signal there, the problem is on the operator's side.
2. Call your operator’s hotline (numbers: 0890 for MTS, 0611 for Beeline, 0500 for MegaFon, 611 for Tele2).
3. Check the information about the failures on the operator’s website or in its mobile application.

Typical operator problems that may cause a signal to disappear:

• 📶 Planned technical work at the nearest tower.
• 🔄 Failure in the billing system (for example, if the money for the tariff was not written off).
• 🆔 Lockdown SIM-Cards due to suspicious activity.
• 📡 Reconfiguration of frequencies (for example, when switching to 5G).

If the operator has confirmed the problems on their side, you can only wait, usually these failures are eliminated within 2-24 hours, and if the problem is individual (for example, blocked your SIM), you may need to visit the salon with your passport.

7. Advanced methods: for experienced users

If you're not afraid of experimentation, these techniques can help in difficult cases, but beware - doing the wrong thing can lead to a loss of warranty or a phone breakdown.

Method 1: Reset the IMEI (only if it is lost!)

If the phone's settings show zeros or incorrect numbers instead of IMEI, you can try to restore it through the engineering menu.

1. Install the MTK Engineering Mode (for MediaTek) or Qualcomm USB Drivers (for Snapdragon).


2. Open the app and go to Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information.




3. In the field at the top, type AT+EGMR=1.7, "VASH IMEI" (replace with the correct IMEI, which is written on the box or under the battery).




4. Press "Send AT Command."




5. Reboot the phone.

Method 2: Modem firmware

On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) a separate radio module firmware is used.

1. Download the modem file for your model (see 4PDA or XDA-Developers forums).
2. Unclick it and place the modem.bin file in the firmware folder.
3. Fastboot commands fastboot flash modem modem.bin

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrogate the modem from another model or firmware version! this can lead to complete loss of communication and the need to flash the phone through the phone. EDL-regime.

8 How to Prevent Signal Problems in the Future

To avoid missing a signal, follow these guidelines:

• 📲 Update your firmware regularly, but don’t beta unless you’re ready for bugs.
• 🔋 Do not allow the phone to run too low (below 5%) and this can cause a modem setting to crash.
• 🌡️ Avoid overheating – do not leave your phone in direct sunlight or near heat sources.
• 💼 Use high-quality covers – some cheap accessories shield the signal.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone every 2-3 days to reset temporary crashes.

If you are often in places with a bad signal (for example, in the subway or outside the city), turn on the Improved Signal Reception settings (on some Xiaomi models, this item is hidden in Settings). → SIM-maps and mobile networks → This feature increases the transmission power but slightly reduces battery life.

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If the phone often loses network in the same place (for example, at home), the problem may be poor coverage of the operator.

Frequently asked questions