How to connect to Wi-Fi on a Xiaomi phone: 4 proven ways + problem solving

Why Xiaomi Smartphones Don’t See Wi-Fi Sometimes – and How to Fix It

You just bought a new Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+, turned it on, and you found that the phone was not connecting to the home network, or worse, it didn't see any access points at all, and this is a familiar situation for many MIUI device owners, and there may be a dozen reasons for it, from a simple password error to hardware malfunctions of the Wi-Fi module.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to connect to WiFi on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones (including the models of 2023-2026 on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS), focusing on typical errors, for example, when the phone says “Save, WPA/WPA2 protection”, but the connection is not, or when the network “connects” indefinitely, and at the end you will find an FAQ with answers to frequent questions and a security protocol compatibility table.

Before proceeding to the instructions, make sure that:

• 📶 The router is turned on and distributes the network (check the indicators on the router case).
• 🔒 You enter the correct password (registration is important! Password) ≠ password).
• 📱 Flight mode is turned on on on the phone (if yes, turn it off in the notification curtain).
• 🔄 The problem is not the router: try to connect another device (laptop, tablet).

Method 1: Standard Connection through Settings

This is the basic method that works on all Xiaomi models, from the budget Redmi A2 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. The interface may slightly differ depending on the version of MIUI, but the algorithm remains unchanged.

To connect to the WiFi:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Wi-Fi section (in some firmwares – Network and Internet → Wi-Fi).
3. Activate the Wi-Fi slider (if it is turned off).
4. In the list of available networks, find your own and tap it by its name (SSID).
5. Enter the password and click Connect.

If the network is hidden (does not broadcast SSID), click Add Network at the bottom of the screen and manually specify:

• 🏷️ Name of the network (SSID)
• 🔐 Type of security (usually) WPA2-PSK or WPA3-PSK)
• 🔑 Password.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware may display a “No Internet access” notification after connecting to a new network, which does not always mean an error – sometimes you just need to restart the router or wait for the issuance of a message. IP-addresses (up to 30 seconds).

Method 2: Connection to QR-code (fastest)

If you are already connected to WiFi on another device (for example, on a laptop or tablet), you can generate QR-And you can scan it with your phone, and that eliminates the need to type in a long password manually, which is especially useful for networks with a long password. WPA3-Enterprise.

Instructions for Xiaomi:

1. On a device that is already connected to WiFi, generate QR-Code: On Windows 11: Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi → Network properties → Generate QR-On Android: use an app like WiFi QR Generator. On iPhone: Open Settings → Wi-Fi, tap the network and select “Share password» (QR will automatically appear).

Xiaomi

Settings → Wi-Fi

QR-code

Connect to QR

Point the camera at the generated code – the connection will happen automatically.

This method is supported by all Xiaomi smartphones on MIUI 12 and later. If the option is missing, update the firmware through Settings → About phone → System update.

💡

If QR-The code is not scanned, try to increase the brightness of the screen of the device from which you read the code, or turn on the flashlight on Xiaomi for better lighting.

Method 3: Connect via WPS (for routers with a button)

WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) is a technology that allows you to connect to the network without entering a password. Just press the physical button on the router and confirm the connection on the phone. The method does not work on all Xiaomi models, but is supported by most modern routers (Xiaomi Router, TP-Link, ASUS, etc.).

How to connect:

1. Make sure your router supports WPS (Look for a button that says WPS or 🔄).
2. On the phone, open the settings → Wi-Fi.
3. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Additional → WPS (or WPS Connection).
4. Press the WPS button on the router (usually you need to hold 2-3 seconds).
5. Wait for the message “Connected” on the phone screen.

Save the settings and wait for the connection.

Table: Compatibility of Xiaomi with Wi-Fi security protocols

Not all Xiaomi smartphones support modern encryption standards, and below is a compatibility summary for popular models:

Important: Xiaomi smartphones on Qualcomm processors (such as Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G) work better with Wi-Fi 6/6E than models on MediaTek (such as Redmi 12C).

Typical errors and their solutions

Even after you have entered your password correctly, the connection may not work, so let's look at some of the most common problems and how to fix them.

1. "Retained, WPA/WPA2 protection" - but no internet

This means that the phone connected to the router, but did not receive it. IP-address or access to the network. Solutions:

• 🔄 Restart the router (pull the plug out of the socket for 30 seconds).
• 📱 Forget the network on your phone (Settings) → Wi-Fi → tap-toe → Forget) and connect again.
• 🔧 In router settings (192.168.1.1) check if it is enabled. DHCP (must issue IP automatically).
• 🛡️ Turn off the router filtering by MAC-address (or add) MAC whitelist).

2.The phone doesn't see the 5 GHz network

Many routers broadcast two networks: 2.4 GHz (long-range, low-speed) and 5 GHz (high speed, but less coverage).

• 📡 Check if 5 GHz is enabled in the router settings (sometimes it is disabled by default).
• 🔄 Switch to 36-48 or 149-165 (not all bands are allowed in Russia).
• 📱 Make sure your smartphone supports 5 GHz (like Redmi). A1 It only works at 2.4 GHz).

3. Permanent Wi-Fi shutdowns

If the network periodically falls off, try:

• 🔋 Turn off power saving mode for Wi-Fi: Settings → Battery → Energy saving regime → Additionally. → Optimize Wi-Fi in the background (turn off).
• 📶 Change the Wi-Fi mode on the router with 802.11ac on 802.11n (Sometimes helps with an unstable connection).
• 🔄 Update your phone and router to the latest version.

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If the problem persists, try connecting to another network (e.g., distribute WiFi from a friend's phone), and if it doesn't work there, the phone's Wi-Fi module is faulty.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions