Setting up Wi-Fi on Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you encounter unexpected errors, slow Internet or sudden connection breaks. Even power users sometimes get lost when the phone stubbornly does not see the network that the laptop has trouble catching, or when the download speed drops by 10 times for no apparent reason. In this article, we will analyze not only the basic steps of connection, but also the hidden settings of MIUI that will help stabilize the connection, speed up the Internet and even save battery power.
Xiaomi phones feature a proprietary shell MIUI, which is regularly updated and changes the menu layout. so the instructions for the Redmi Note 10 2021 may not be suitable for Xiaomi 14 2026.We took this into account and collected current data for the latest firmware versions (MIUI 14/15), and added universal solutions that work on most models from the budget Poco to the flagship Xiaomi Ultra.
1. Basic Wi-Fi connection: step-by-step instructions
Let’s start with the simplest way to connect to a home or public Wi-Fi network, which is the same process for most Xiaomi models, but there are nuances for dual-band devices (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz).
Open Settings (the gear icon on your desktop) and go to the Wi-Fi section. At the top of the screen you'll see a slider to turn on the module -- move it to the right. In a few seconds, the phone will start scanning available networks. If the list is empty, click Update (round arrow in the upper right corner).
- 🔍 Select the network: Tap the name of the network you want. If it's password protected, you'll see a field to enter. Enter the security key and press Connect.
- 🔄 Auto Connection: By default, Xiaomi saves and connects to the networks automatically. To turn off this feature, tap the network name after you connect and uncheck the Auto Connection box.
- 📶 Network Priority: If the phone "clings" to a weak signal instead of a more powerful one, select additionally in the network settings (tap by its name) → Network priority and manually specify preferred.
On models with MIUI 15 (such as Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), a new section called Smart Connection has appeared in the Wi-Fi menu. This feature automatically switches the phone to mobile Internet if the Wi-Fi speed drops below 500 Kb/s. To turn it off, go to Wi-Fi Settings → Additional → Smart Connection.
Make sure the router is on and the Wi-Fi indicator is green/blue.
Check if the "In Airplane" mode is activated (Settings → Connections → Flight mode)
Make sure you are within range of the network (no further than 10 meters from the 5GHz router)
Turn off the VPN if it is enabled (Settings → VPN)
-->
2. Set up advanced Wi-Fi settings
If the basic connection is successful, but the Internet speed is not good, it is time to look into the advanced settings, where you can optimize network operation, reduce ping in games, or even limit background traffic for individual applications.
Go to Settings → Wi-Fi, tap the name of the connected network and select Additional. Here are the following options:
- 📊 Frequency band: If your router supports both bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), choose 5 GHz for higher speed (but less coverage area) or 2.4 GHz for better long-distance stability.
- 🔒 Type of security: Make sure it is listed here WPA2-PSK or WPA3-PSK. If you should. WEP, Network vulnerable to hacking – change settings on router.
- 📥 Proxy: The default should be No. If you have a proxy address here, but you didn't set it up, it could be a virus.
- ⚡ Wi-Fi Power Saving Mode: Turn on this option if you want to save battery power, but be prepared for possible connection breaks.
| Parameter | Recommended value | What do you need? |
|---|
| Frequency band | 5 GHz (if the router is nearby) | Higher speed, but smaller range |
| Type of security | WPA2-PSK or WPA3-PSK | Protection against unauthorized access |
| IP-address | DHCP (automatically) | Automatic reception of network settings |
| Energy saving regime | Off. | Stable connection without breaks |
Important for Xiaomi owners with MIUI 14+: Newer versions of the firmware include Wi-Fi Direct, which allows files to be transferred between devices without internet. However, it can conflict with regular Wi-Fi. If you notice that the Internet is lost when you try to connect to another device, turn off Wi-Fi Direct in your network settings.
2.4 GHz (stability over speed)|5 GHz (maximum speed)|Automatic selection |I don't know what it-->
3. Solving Connection Problems
Even after setting up your Wi-Fi on Xiaomi correctly, there may be some problems, and let’s look at the most common problems and how to fix them.
"Failure to connect to the network is the most common mistake, and the reasons can be different, from the wrong password to conflict. IP-Start with the simplest address:
- Check the correctness of the password entered (the registry matters!).
- Restart the router (pull the plug out of the socket for 30 seconds).
- Remove the network from the saved on the phone: tap on its name → Delete → try to connect again.
- If nothing helps, reset your network settings: Settings → System → Reset → Network settings reset.
"Wi-Fi is connected, but there's no Internet" is another popular puzzle.
- 🌐 DNS-Servers: Try changing them to public ones, such as Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4). IP enter DNS manually.
- 🔄 Conflict IP: In the same static settings IP Change the last octet of the address (for example, from 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.101).
- 📵 Lockdown MAC-Addresses: Some routers are blocking new devices. Go to the router control panel and check the list of allowed devices. MAC-address.
What to do if Wi-Fi is working but the speed is very low? 1. Check if something else on your network is downloading (like updates to your PC). 2. Switch to the 5GHz band if you use 2.4GHz - it's often overloaded with neighboring networks. 3. In router settings, change your Wi-Fi channel to a less loaded one (use applications like WiFi Analyzer). 4. Turn off the Smart Connection function in your settings. MIUI, if she's active. --> ⚠️ Attention.
If after connecting to a public network (in a cafe, airport), the phone requires authorization through a browser, but the page does not open, type in the address bar 1.1.1.1 or neverssl.com. This bypasses the blocking of some captive portals. 4. Optimizing Wi-Fi for gaming and streaming For gamers and fans of online cinema on Xiaomi, the stability of the connection is critical. Even minimal delays (ping) can spoil the experience of the game or lead to "freezes" while watching. 4K-Here's how to reduce lags: Enable game acceleration mode (available on models with a MIUI 12 and later: Open Settings → Special facilities → Game mode. Activate Slider Gaming acceleration. In Network settings, select Priority Wi-Fi. For streaming services (YouTube, Netflix, Twitch) it is useful to disable background activity of other applications: 📵 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Permits → Autostart and disable Autostart for unnecessary programs. 🔄 B Settings → Battery → Power saving mode add streaming app to the list without restrictions. 📡 If you watch a video in high resolution, connect to the router via cable USB-C to Ethernet adapter (supported on most Xiaomi flagships).Exclusive for Xiaomi HyperOS: In new models (e.g. Xiaomi) 14) Wi-Fi function appeared 6 Enhance, which reduces delays in games 20-30%. To activate it, go to Settings. → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Improving Wi-Fi 6. 5. Wi-Fi module Wi-Fi is one of the main “eaters” of the battery on Xiaomi smartphones. This is especially true if the phone is constantly scanning the network or is connected to a weak signal. Here's how to reduce power consumption without losing functionality: Turn on adaptive connectivity: 🔋 Go to Settings. → Battery → Energy saving regime → Adaptive battery. 📶 Activate the option Wi-Fi Optimization - it will turn off the module when the screen is off, but leave notifications active. Set up the background Wi-Fi mode: 🕒 B Settings → Wi-Fi → Select Connect to Wi-Fi during sleep. → Only when charging. 📴 Turn off Network Search in the same menu if you don’t use an auto-mobilized connection to open networks. Function Battery Impact Recommendation Constant network search High (up to) 15% Disable Wi-Fi Connection to weak signal Very high (module works at maximum) Connect only at signal level > 2 Background synchronization over Wi-Fi Average (5-10% Limit for unnecessary applications ⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with MIUI 13 There is a bug: if you turn on Power Saving Mode and use Wi-Fi at the same time, notifications from messengers may disappear. Solution - add the desired applications (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram) to the list of exceptions in the battery settings. 6. Security: how to protect your connection Public Wi-Fi networks are hotbeds of cyber threats, and attackers can intercept your traffic, swap websites, or even steal credit card data. Xiaomi smartphones have built-in security tools, but they need to be properly configured.First rule: never connect to open networks without VPN. V MIUI built-in VPN-Client: Go to Settings → Connections → VPN. Select Add Add. VPN and configure the connection (for example, via WireGuard or OpenVPN). VPN It was automatically triggered when connected to insecure networks: 🔐 Disable automatic connection to open networks: Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Auto-connection to open networks. 🚫 Block Connection to Suspicious Networks: In the same menu, activate Insecure Network Warning. 📱 Use two-factor authentication for important accounts (e.g., Google or Mi Account). MIUI 14+ There is a function of protection of personal data in Wi-Fi, which encrypts DNS-request. To enable it: Go to Settings → Confidentiality → Privacy protection. Select Wi-Fi protection and activate slider. 💡Even if the network is password protected, it does not guarantee security.Attackers can fake an access point with the same name (an evil twin attack).Always check the network name and security certificate when you first connect.7 Hidden Wi-Fi features on Xiaomi Branded shell MIUI It hides a few useful features that few people know about, and it can help you in some very unusual situations, from sharing the Internet to diagnosing problems, and Wi-Fi Bridge mode allows you to connect your phone to one network and distribute the Internet from it to other devices at the same time. This is useful if you don't have a router, but have a smartphone with Xiaomi and a laptop.To activate: Connect to the main Wi-Fi network. Open the Settings. → Access Point and modem → Wi-Fi Bridge Mode. Turn on the function and connect the second device to the network you've created. Network diagnostics will help identify the causes of slow Internet. To run the test: Go to Settings → Wi-Fi. Tap the name of the connected network and select Diagnostic. The system will check speed, stability of the connection and the presence of interference. Priority for applications allows you to allocate more traffic to certain programs (for example, Zoom for video conferencing or PUBG Mobile for gaming. Setup: Open Settings → Annexes → Data Management. Select the desired application and activate Wi-Fi Priority. 1. Go to Settings → About the phone. 2. Tap 7 times on the item Version. MIUI. 3. Return to the main settings - a new section for developers will appear. 4. You can turn off Aggressive switching to mobile data or change the Wi-Fi buffer to reduce ping.--> 8. Frequent errors and fixes Even after setting up Xiaomi’s Wi-Fi correctly, unexpected errors can occur. Error Possible reason Solution "Connected, without Internet access" Problems on the router or provider side Reboot router, check the Internet payment "Authentication..." Infinity hangs Wrong password or type of security Delete network and connect again, check the settings Wi-Fi router is turned on, but immediately switches off Conflict with power saving mode Disconnect Wi-Fi energy saving mode in additional settings Low speed only on Xiaomi Restriction on the Internet MAC-Check the list of allowed devices in the router panel Phone does not see 5 GHz network Outdated firmware or hardware limitations Update MIUI or check 5GHz support for your model If none of the solutions worked, try resetting your network settings: Go to Settings → System system → Reset.Select Network Settings Reset (not to be confused with a full reset!). Confirm the action and restart the phone. ⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) There's a hardware problem with the Wi-Fi module that causes it to overheat and shut down. If the phone gets very hot in the upper part of the case when you use Wi-Fi, you can contact the service center, and it's not software-based. FAQ: My Xiaomi doesn’t see a 5GHz network. What to do? The reasons may be different: Your model doesn’t support 5GHz (relevant for budget phones like Redmi). 8A). The router's settings have disabled the 5GHz band. MIUI (To check for support, go to the Wi-Fi settings and see if you can manually select the range. If not, your phone only works at 2.4GHz. How to give away Wi-Fi from Xiaomi to another phone? There are two ways: Access Point: Go to Settings → Access Point and modem → Mobile hotspot. Set up network name and password. Activate hotspot. Wi-Fi Direct: Open Settings. → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct. Choose a device to connect to. Confirm the connection on both phones. To save charge, turn off the access point when it's not needed. Why does Wi-Fi work but websites don't open? DNS-Try it: switch to Google. DNS: In the network settings, specify 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. VPN, If it's on, check if the antivirus or firewall is blocking access to the network. If it doesn't work, try connecting to another network to eliminate ISP-side problems. How to find the password for a saved Wi-Fi network on Xiaomi? V MIUI There is no built-in feature for viewing saved passwords, but you can bypass this limitation: Install a file manager with access to root folders (such as Solid Explorer). /data/misc/wifi/ and find the file. WifiConfigStore.xml. Open it with a text editor – passwords will be encrypted, but they can be decrypted using online services. ⚠️ It requires root access, which voids the warranty! Can you connect Xiaomi to Wi-Fi without a password? Yes, but only if the network is open (without protection) or if you are using it. WPS: For WPS: On the router, press the button. WPS (On your phone, go to Settings. → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → WPS. Select the Connection through WPS If the network is secure, but you know the password, you can connect through the QR-code (on some routers it is generated in the web interface).