Modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco are equipped with advanced wireless modules that can operate at a frequency of 5 GHz. However, users often face a situation where the device “does not see” the high-speed network or automatically switches to a slower range of 2.4 GHz. This can be caused by both the settings of the router itself, and software restrictions or failures in the operating system MIUI and HyperOS.
Switching to 5GHz allows for significantly higher data rates and lower latency, which is critical for online gaming and watching 4K video. Unlike 2.4GHz, this range is less noisy because it runs fewer household appliances and neighbourhood networks. But it has its own characteristics, in particular, shorter range and poor penetration through walls.
In this article, we’ll look at how to force your smartphone to run in the right range, what hidden engineering menus can help, and why it’s sometimes worth changing the region of the device. You’ll learn how to properly configure the router to “friend” Xiaomi phones, and what commands to type in to reset network priorities.
Verification of the technical compatibility of the smartphone
Before you start to set up complex settings, you need to make sure that your device physically supports 5 GHz. Not all budget models, even from Xiaomi, are equipped with dual-band Wi-Fi modules. Usually support for 802.11ac or Wi-Fi 5 and later ensures that the desired range is available.
There are several ways to find out the characteristics of your device, the easiest is the specification on the official website or in the box from the device, and you can also use third-party diagnostic tools that display detailed information about the hardware.
- 📱 Check out the processor model: Snapdragon chipsets of 600, 700, 800 series and most modern MediaTek Dimensity accurately support 5 GHz.
- 📶 Check out the Wi-Fi standard: if the specifications are only specified 802.11 b/g/n, It is likely that the module is single-threaded and works only on the 2.4 GHz.
- 🌍 Note the region: Some Chinese versions of smartphones may have restrictions on global firmware.
If a smartphone is technically capable of running at high frequency but can’t see the network, the problem lies in the software part or the router’s settings, in which case it is worth checking whether the router is not enabled with the “Smart Connect” mode, which combines two frequencies into a single network with the same name.
⚠️ Note: If your router broadcasts 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks under the same name (SSID), Xiaomi phone can switch between them independently and incorrectly, choosing a signal with a longer range, but less speed.
Separate network names on the router
The most common reason Xiaomi ignores fast networking is bandwidth convergence. For stable operation and manual selection, it is recommended to separate networks in router settings, HomeWiFi_24 and HomeWiFi_5G.
To enter the control panel of the router usually need to enter IP-address (often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) in the browser. the default login and password are on a sticker at the bottom of the device.
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Write down new network names and passwords on paper or in notes so you don’t get confused when you reconnect all devices in your home.
After separating the network names, you’ll need to “forget” the old network on your phone and reconnect by choosing the exact SSID that matches the 5GHz band, which ensures that the phone won’t try to use the low frequency if the high frequency signal gets a little weaker.
☑️ Router setup
Changing the region in the settings of Wi-Fi on Xiaomi
One of the specific features of the MIUI and HyperOS shell is that the available Wi-Fi channels are tied to a selected region. In some countries, the use of certain 5GHz channels is restricted by law. If your router runs on a channel that is prohibited in the current region of the phone, the network simply will not appear on the list of available channels.
The solution is to change the Wi-Fi region, which does not affect the language of the system or the operation of applications, but only changes the list of available frequencies for the wireless module, often helping to switch to the region of Indonesia, India or the United States, where the restrictions are less stringent.
To perform this procedure:
- Open the smartphone settings.
- Go to the Additional (or Advanced Settings) section.
- Select Region.
- In the list, find and select the country you want (e.g. Indonesia).
- Restart the Wi-Fi module or the entire phone.
⚠️ Warning: Region changes may affect some system applications (such as Security or Themes) by returning them to the standard settings of the country you choose.
Once you change region, scan the available networks again, and if the router uses a rare channel, the phone should see it, especially for manually configured routers, where the fixed channel is chosen, rather than Auto.
Use of engineering menus and hidden settings
For advanced users, there is an option to access the engineering test menu, where you can see detailed connection information and even force frequency prioritization, but this method requires caution, since improper changes can lead to unstable operation of the communication module.
To get into the testing menu, open the Phone app and dial ##4636##. If the code works, the Test menu will open. Select Wi-Fi information or Wi-Fi Information.
The code's not working?
In some versions of the software, you can find the option of Wi-Fi frequency band here. If it is available, select 5 GHz only or Prefer 5 GHz. This will cause the module to ignore the 2.4 GHz networks when scanning.
| Parameter | Default value | Recommended value for 5 GHz |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Band | Auto | 5 GHz only |
| Scan Mode | Active | Active |
| Power Save | On | Off (for the test) |
| Country Code | CN/Global | US/ID (experimental) |
Remember to return the settings to automatic mode after testing, otherwise you may lose the ability to connect to public networks that only work at low frequency.
Resetting network settings as a solution method
If a software failure fails to correctly prioritize the phone’s network, a complete reset of network settings will help, removing all stored Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth headset settings, and mobile network (APN) settings, but returning the communication modules to factory status.
You can reset through the settings menu. The path usually looks like this: Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. Confirm the action and wait for the modules to restart.
Once reset, the phone will look for networks from scratch, at which point it often more correctly detects powerful 5GHz signals. Connect immediately to the desired network by entering a password. Make sure you are close enough to the router for a confident reception.
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Network resets are a secure procedure that does not affect your personal files, photos or contacts, but requires re-authorization on all Wi-Fi networks.
Frequent problems and their solution
Even after all the settings, there can be situations where the connection is unstable or the speed does not meet expectations. Often the problem lies in the overlap of channels by neighbors or physical obstacles. The wall between the router and the phone can reduce the 5 GHz signal to a level where the phone prefers to switch to 2.4 GHz.
Use Wi-Fi analyzer applications (such as Wi-Fi Analyzer) to keep airspace busy. If your channel is too busy, it makes sense to switch to a different router settings that are less busy (such as 36, 40, 44 or 149, 153, 157, 161, 165).
- 📉 Low speed: Check if Wi-Fi power saving mode is enabled in Xiaomi battery settings, which may limit the power of reception.
- 🔄 Persistent breaks: Try changing the router’s channel width from 80 MHz to 40 MHz – this will reduce speed but increase signal stability.
- 📱 Older phone: If the device is more 5-6 In the past, its antenna module may have degraded or simply failed to support modern encryption standards. WPA3, router-driven.
It's also worth checking if the phone has an app to "accelerate" or clean up memory that can aggressively control the network adapter, turning it off to save power.
Why does the phone see a 5GHz network but not connect?
Does the 5GHz speed affect the set theme?
Can you increase the Wi-Fi signal power on Xiaomi?
Do I need to reflash my phone to support 5GHz?
⚠️ Note: When choosing a channel for a router, avoid using DFS-Dynamic Frequency Selection, if your router is near weather stations or radars, your phone may permanently lose network as the router will have to change channel on demand of radar detection systems.
Competent setting of the 5 GHz band on Xiaomi smartphones allows you to unlock the potential of home Internet. The main thing is to ensure compatibility of the settings of the router and phone, as well as take into account the physical features of the distribution of high-frequency signals in your room.