How to remove the network speed limit on Xiaomi devices: from smartphones to routers

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi smartphone or Mi Router has suddenly started to slow down the Internet, even though the provider promises high speeds? Perhaps it is not the tariff, but the software restrictions that the manufacturer sets by default. In this article, we will discuss why network speed on Xiaomi can artificially decrease, and how to fix it without risk to the device.

The speed limit problem is relevant for both mobile devices (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11) and routers (Mi Router 4A, AX3600, Xiaomi AIoT Router), most often due to power saving settings, background optimization of MIUI or restrictions in the router firmware, but the good news is that in 90% of cases the speed can be returned to a maximum in 5-10 minutes, following our instructions.

Important: Before making changes, check the actual speed of your connection through services like Speedtest or Fast.com. If the speed on Wi-Fi and mobile network coincides with the provider’s tariff, the problem is not the device, but the coverage or settings of the operator.

Why Xiaomi is limiting network speed: 3 main reasons

The manufacturer has a reason to impose restrictions, which are aimed at extending battery life, stability of the system, and even compliance with local laws (for example, in China), but for users outside of Asia, these restrictions often become a hindrance.

• 🔋 Energy conservation MIUI: The system automatically reduces the data rate in the background to reduce the load on the processor and battery, both mobile Internet and Wi-Fi.
• 📡 Router firmware limitations: Some regional versions of Mi Router firmware artificially lower the top speed of Wi-Fi (for example, up to 100 Mbps instead of 300 Mbps).
• 🛡️ Traffic Monitor or Data Saver built-in features can block “suspicious” connections, limiting speed for individual applications.

Interesting fact: Global ROM devices are usually less restrictive than the Chinese version (China ROM), and if you bought a smartphone in China or through unofficial channels, there is a high probability that the network speed there is “cut” at the system level.

Method 1: Disabling energy saving for mobile network

The most common problem on Xiaomi smartphones is activated traffic saving mode or background optimization, which reduces battery consumption but also reduces download speed by 2-3 times.

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance.
2. Select the Battery Savings option and turn it off.
3. Go back and type Battery Optimization → Applications selection.
4. Find the apps you want to remove restrictions for (e.g. YouTube, Telegram, Chrome) and select No Limits mode for them.

For maximum effect, also disable Adaptive Battery Savings in Settings → Battery → Additional. This feature dynamically reduces network performance when battery power is low.

Deactivate "Battery saving"|Remove restrictions on key applications|Deactivate “Adaptive savings"|Reboot your smartphone-->

⚠️ Warning: After power saving is turned off, the battery life of the device can be reduced by 10-15%.If you have a critical long battery life, use performance mode only when connected to charging.

Method 2: Configure Wi-Fi settings on Xiaomi routers

If you have a speed problem on all devices connected to the Mi Router, it's because of the router itself, and you're most likely to have two problems:

1. Bandwidth Control is a feature that distributes traffic evenly between devices, but reduces the maximum speed.
2. Suboptimal Wi-Fi channel – Automatic channel selection can lead to interference, especially in apartment buildings.

To remove the restrictions:

1. Connect to your router via your browser at 192.168.31.1 (or miwifi.com).
2. Go to Additional Settings → Bandwidth Management and turn off Bandwidth Control.
3. In the Wi-Fi Settings section, select the channel manually (recommended 6 or 11 for 2.4 GHz and 36–48 for 5 GHz).
4. Activate 802.11ac mode (if supported) for maximum speed.

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If the speed hasn't increased after the change, try changing your router region to "Europe" or "USA" in the settings, which may unlock additional Wi-Fi channels.

Method 3: Reset network settings on a smartphone

If previous methods failed, the problem could be cached network settings or configuration conflicts, and resetting network settings would return all settings to factory settings, removing any software constraints.

How to reset your settings:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile network, and Bluetooth settings.
2. Confirm the action (a password or pattern lock may be required).
3. Reset the device.

After discharge:

• 🔄 Connect to all Wi-Fi networks again (passwords will not be saved!).
• 📱 Set up. APN mobile Internet (options can be requested from the operator).
• 🔌 Check the speed with Speedtest – it should return to the original values.

⚠️ Note: Resetting network settings will also remove all saved VPN-configurations, Bluetooth device settings (earphones, fitness bracelets) and data on previously connected Wi-Fi networks.

Method 4: Use of the Engineering Menu (for advanced users)

Xiaomi devices have a hidden engineering menu where you can manually adjust network settings, including speed limits, which is suitable for power users, as incorrect changes can lead to unstable network operation.

Instructions for smartphones:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
2. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information.
3. Scroll down to the Set preferred network type block and select the best supported standard (e.g. LTE/TD-SCDMA/GSM/WCDMA for 4G).
4. Back up and tip Battery Settings → turn off Background Limitation for LTE (if any).

For Mi Router routers, the engineering menu is available at 192.168.31.1/cgi-bin/luci (admin login/password required).

• 📶 Maximum transmission power (increases range, but may violate local norms).
• 🔧 QoS settings (disable traffic prioritization if it interferes with traffic).
• 🔄 Wi-Fi mode (for example, forced to turn on) 802.11ac).

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Changes to the engineering menu won't persist after the firmware update, so if the speed drops again, re-set.

Method 5: Update the firmware and core of the system

In some cases, the speed limit is a bug of a particular version of MIUI or router firmware. For example, MIUI 13.0.4 for the Redmi Note 10 Pro had an issue with the LTE speed drop to 10 Mbps, which was only fixed by upgrading to MIUI 13.0.6.

How to update:

• 📱 For smartphones: Settings → The phone. → System update. If the update doesn't come automatically, check manually for it.
• 📡 For routers: Settings → General. → Update firmware. download firmware only from the official Xiaomi website!

If the official update doesn’t solve the problem, you can try:

1. Install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) – but this voids the warranty.
2. Reverse to the previous stable version of MIUI via Fastboot (instructions are available on the 4PDA forum).

Additional tips: how to avoid repeated problems

To prevent network speeds on Xiaomi from falling again, follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware – in new versions often fix bugs with the network.
• 📵 Avoid “grey” firmware – Chinese or modified versions MIUI They may contain hidden restrictions.
• 🔋 Watch the temperature of the device - when overheating, the system automatically reduces the data transfer rate.
• 🛡️ Turn it off. VPN And proxies, if they're not needed, they can artificially restrict traffic.

If you frequently connect to public Wi-Fi (in cafes, airports), use the NetGuard app or the built-in Firewall in MIUI to block background traffic of unnecessary applications.This will not only speed up the network, but also save battery.

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For Xiaomi routers, set up a guest network with a separate SSID – this will prevent the main network from slowing down due to the connection of foreign devices.

FAQ: Frequent questions about network speed on Xiaomi