How to connect Wi-Fi on a Xiaomi phone: instructions for all models

Xiaomi smartphones are known for their intuitive MIUI system, but even with it, users sometimes have difficulties connecting to a wireless network. Whether you purchase a new Redmi Note 13 Pro+ model or use the time-tested POCO X3 NFC, the Wi-Fi configuration algorithm remains almost identical. However, there are nuances that depend on the firmware version, the type of network protection, and even the regional features of the router.

In this article, we’ll not only look at basic connectivity steps, but also look at common bugs (e.g., “Authentication failed” or “Save but without Internet access”), as well as advanced speed optimization settings. If your Xiaomi persistently fails to see the network or constantly loses connection, here you will find a solution.

1.The basic way to connect to Wi-Fi on Xiaomi

To start with, the simplest is a standard open or secure network connection, which works on all Xiaomi devices, regardless of the model and version of MIUI (10 to 14).

Open Settings (the gear icon on the home screen or in the app menu) and go to the Wi-Fi section. Here you will see a list of available networks. If wireless is disabled, activate it with a slider at the top of the screen. The phone will automatically start scanning the airwaves.

• 🔍 Network selection: Tap your network name. If it's secure, you'll see a password field.
• 🔐 Password Entering: Make sure the letter register matches what is listed on the router (passwords are case sensitive!).
• 📶 Connection: Press Connect. In a few seconds, the name of the network will be marked Connected.

If the network is open (without a password), the phone will connect automatically, but we do not recommend using such access points - they are vulnerable to hacker attacks. In public places (cafes, airports), it is better to use VPN to protect traffic.

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If your Xiaomi doesn't find the network, try manually updating the list by pulling the screen down in the Wi-Fi section.Sometimes automatic scanning misses weak signals.

2. Connect to a hidden Wi-Fi network

Some routers are configured to not broadcast the network name (SSID), which is done for added security but makes it harder to connect new devices.

In the Wi-Fi section, scroll through the network list to the end and click Add Network manually.

• 📡 Network name (SSID): The exact name of the hidden network (check with the administrator or look at the router sticker).
• 🔒 Security type: Usually WPA2-PSK or WPA3-PSK (if the router is modern).
• 🔑 Password: Security key (again, registry is important!)

Once saved, the phone will try to connect. If you see an error "I failed to connect to the network", check:

⚠️ Warning: Hidden networks with WPA3 may not be supported on older Xiaomi models (until 2019 release), in which case change the router's security type to WPA2.

3. Solving errors when connecting to Wi-Fi

Even after you enter your password correctly, Xiaomi can still make mistakes, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Error 1: “Authentication failed”

This means that the password is incorrect or the type of security on the router is not the same as the one on the phone.

• 🔄 Router reboot: Turn it off power for 30 seconds and turn it on again.
• 📱 Forget Network: In Wi-Fi settings, click on the problem network → Forget, then connect again.
• 🛠️ Network Reset: Go to Settings → System → Reset → Network Reset.

Error 2: “Save but without Internet access”

The phone is connected to the network, but the Internet is not working.

• 🌐 ISP issues: Check if the internet is working on other devices.
• 📡 Incorrect settings IP: In network properties (long press Wi-Fi → Change Network name) select DHCP instead of static IP.
• 🔧 Lock MAC- addresses: Some routers have MAC anchoring enabled. Add your Xiaomi address to the list of allowed ones (find MAC in Settings → About Phone → General information).

4. Optimizing Wi-Fi for stable operation

If the network is connected but is not stable (low speed, breaks), try these settings:

Selection of frequency range

Modern routers support two bands: 2.4 GHz (long range but interference) and 5 GHz (high speed but less coverage).

• 📶 For speed: Connect to the network with 5G in the name (if the router is dual-band).
• 🏠 For range: Use 2.4GHz if you are far from the router.

2. DNS setup

Sometimes the slow Internet is associated with the DNS- servers of the provider. Change them to faster ones (for example, Google or Cloudflare):

1. Go to Wi-Fi Settings → Long-Tap Your Network → Change the Network.
2. Enable additional settings → IP settings → Static.
3. In the fields DNS 1 and DNS 2 enter 8.8.8.8 208.67.222.222

5. Passwordless Wi-Fi connection (WPS)

If your router supports WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup), you can connect without entering a password. This is convenient, but less secure - the function can be disabled by default.

Algorithm of action:

1. On the router, press the WPS button (usually signed or flashed after clicking).
2. On Xiaomi, go to Settings → Wi-Fi → Additional → WPS Connection.
3. The phone will start searching for the router. Once detected, press Connect.

⚠️ Warning: WPS is vulnerable to brute force attacks. Once connected, turn off this feature in your router settings if you don't plan to use it all the time.

If the WPS button is not on your phone, your model or MIUI version does not support it, in which case use a standard password connection.

6.Tune your router for better compatibility with Xiaomi

Sometimes the problem isn't with the phone, but with the router settings, and here are the key parameters that are worth checking:

To change these settings, log in to the router’s web interface (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).The default login and password are listed on the device sticker.

7 Energy Saving and Wi-Fi: Why the Connection is Cut

Xiaomi aggressively optimizes battery consumption, which sometimes leads to a Wi-Fi shutdown in the background. If you notice that the Internet disappears when you lock the screen, check these settings:

1. Power saving switch off for Wi-Fi

Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Application Battery Management. Find Wi-Fi settings and select No Limits.

2.Setting up Wi-Fi sleep mode

B Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Select Never Wi-Fi sleep mode, which will prevent network shutdown when you lock your screen.

⚠️ Warning: These settings can increase battery consumption by 5 to 10 percent. If battery life is critical, use Always instead of Never, but then Wi-Fi will shut down when you are out of service for long periods.

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For maximum Wi-Fi stability, turn off power saving for system applications and set the network sleep mode to the "Never" position.

8. Connection to public networks (cafes, hotels, airports)

Public Wi-Fi networks often require browser authorization (called captive portal), which may not work properly on Xiaomi due to MIUI limitations.

If the Internet does not work after connecting, and the status bar contains a notification “Input required”:

1. Open a browser (like Google Chrome) and try to navigate to any site (like ya.ru).
2. You must be redirected to the login page, enter a login/password or confirm the terms of use.
3. If the page does not open, manually enter 1.1.1.1 or neverssl.com.

Some networks block access to the MAC- address before authorization.

• 🔄 Reconnect: Forget the network and reconnect.
• 📱 Replace MAC: In the Wi-Fi settings, enable the Random MAC option (available on MIUI 12 and later).

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Always use a browser rather than an application to log in to public networks, and some of them (like VKontakte) don’t redirect to the login page.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Wi-Fi on Xiaomi