Is the network on Xiaomi bad? 10 proven ways to improve signal reception

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi has become worse at catching mobile, Wi-Fi or GPS? The signal constantly “jumps” between 3G and 4G, calls are interrupted and the Internet is running in spurts? The problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones - especially after updating the firmware or changing the operator. 80% of the time the weak signal is due not to hardware malfunctions, but to software settings or external factors.

In this article, we will discuss 10 working methods to improve signal reception on Xiaomi without contacting the service center.

• 🔍 How to check the real signal power (not the dBm that the smartphone shows)
• ⚙️ What settings? MIUI Killing the communication and how to disconnect them
• 📡 Why Redmi Note 12 is worse than the network POCO X5 Pro - analysis of "iron" nuances
• 🛠️ When to carry the phone for repair (3 critical signs)

All methods are tested on models of 2020-2026 and do not require root rights or disassembly of the device.

1.Diagnostics: How to check the signal strength on Xiaomi

Xiaomi smartphones often show the “strips” of the signal incorrectly – for example, 2-3 divisions at real -110 dBm (which is considered a bad level) – to get accurate data:

1. Open the engineering menu: ##4636##Select Phone Information → Network Information.
2. Pay attention to the parameters: 📶 dBm is the signal strength. Normal: from -70 (finely -100 dBm (weak). Below. -110 dBm - critical level. 🔄 ASU — The connection quality is optimal: 15–31. 📡 Type - type of network (LTE, NR for 5G, HSPA for 3G). If it's here GSM — The smartphone has been forced to switch to 2G.

🔹 Important! The readings can vary depending on the operator. For example, MTS and Tele2 often have better coverage. 4G In cities, MegaFon and Beeline are stronger in the suburbs. SIM-map.

2. Software settings: what to disable in MIUI for better signal

MIUI aggressively optimizes background processes, which sometimes leads to a communication breakdown, and here are the settings to check first:

• 🚫 Turn off Traffic Savings: Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Save traffic and deactivate the option. It limits the data rate, which can impair connection stability.
• 🔄 Reset network settings: Path: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings, which will remove stored access points and operator settings, which helps with sticking on a weak cell.
• 📱 Disallow optimization for communication applications: C Settings → Annexes → App Management Find Phone, Messages, and Google Play Services, then select Battery → No restrictions.

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the network settings, the smartphone stopped catching 4G/5G, Check to see if they're lost. APN-settings. You can download them automatically to Settings. → SIM-map → [yours SIM] → Access points (APN) → Resetting to default values.

Traffic savings disabled |Reset network settings |APN correspond to operator |Communication applications without battery restrictions-->

3. Network Choice: 4G vs 5G vs 3G – Which is Best for Xiaomi

Many users mistakenly think that 5G is always better than 4G.

• 📶 5G High speed, but the coverage is still weak – in 70% of Russian regions 5G It only works in the heart of big cities, if the smartphone is constantly switching between the two. 4G and 5G, This eats up the battery and impairs stability.
• 🔄 4G (LTE) — The best choice for most people, but in MIUI Auto mode can be enabled by default, which prioritizes 3G roamingly.
• 🐢 3G It is only relevant for voice calls in the outback where there is no 4G.

How to set network priority:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [yours SIM] → Type of network.
2. Choose: 🔹 Only LTE — if 5G You don't need to be in town. 🔹 LTE/3G/2G (vehicle - for trips outside the city. 🔹 Only 3G — if 4G No, but 2G slow-moving.

📌 Advice: On Xiaomi models 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ There is a separate option called VoLTE (voice on the phone). 4G). It should be turned on if the operator supports the technology - it will improve the quality of calls.

4 Hardware methods: antennas, covers and "iron" nuances

If the software settings didn't work, the problem could be the physical location of the antennas or external interference.

• 📱 Take off the case -- metallized or thick silicone cases shield the signal. POCO F3 redmi K50, where the antennas are located on the sides of the body.
• 🔋 Check the battery - a bloated battery can push the board with antenna modules. If the case of the smartphone is "inflated", immediately replace the battery.
• 🛠️ Look at this. SIM-tray – bent contacts or loosely inserted SIM-The card is impaired by the connection. On dual-SIM models, try using only one slot.

⚠️ Attention: If the smartphone gets worse at catching the network after a fall or impact, the antenna plume may have gone away, in which case only disassembly and soldering in the service center will help. Don't try to repair yourself - the risk of damaging the fee!

5. Updating firmware and modems: why it matters

Outdated modems are one of the main reasons for poor signaling, with manufacturers regularly releasing updates to improve interoperability with carrier networks, such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, which added support for new 5G bands for MegaFon after upgrading to MIUI 15.

How to update the modem:

1. Check the current firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Update through Settings → System Update. If there are no updates, download the latest version manually from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
3. For advanced users: Scroll a separate modem file (file with.mbn extension) through Fastboot. Instruction: fastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin fastboot reboot

🔹 Important! Do not install firmware from other regions (e.g. Global on China model) This may result in loss of band support. 4G/5G your operator.

💡

Before updating your firmware, back up via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will save your network and APN settings.

6.Alternative methods: from amplifiers to changes in the engineering menu

If the standard methods didn’t help, try these advanced methods (at your own risk!):

• 📡 Use an external antenna: For models with an antenna connector (e.g, POCO M3 Pro) a passive antenna can be connected 4G through an adapter. Cost: 500 rubles.
• 🔧 Change the modem settings in the engineering menu: Enter ##36446337##, then select Band Selection and manually specify your operator's ranges (for example, for MTS this is Band 3, 7, 20).
• 🔄 Activate the "Only" mode LTE» through ADB: Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global preferred_network_mode 9 (where 9 — priority LTE).

⚠️ Warning: Changes to the engineering menu can cause network loss or unstable modem operation. Before experimenting, write down your current settings or take screenshots!

💡

If the signal is missing after the changes to the engineering menu, reset the network (#4636## → Radio Reset) or restart the smartphone.

7. When to contact the service: 3 signs of hardware malfunction

If none of these methods worked, there may be a problem with the hardware.

1. 🔌 The signal disappears at the slightest movement - this is a sign of a break of the antenna plume or poor contact. SIM-map.
2. 🔥 The phone overheats in the upper part (where the antennas are located) - possibly a short circuit in the communication module.
3. 📵 A smartphone doesn’t catch the network even where other devices show a full signal – it could be a radio chip malfunction (e.g. Qualcomm). X55 mi 10T).

💰 Cost of repair:

• Replacement of antenna plume: 1,500–3,000 rubles.
• Radio chip soldering: 5 000-10 000 rubles (depending on the model).
• Diagnosis: usually free or for 500 rubles.

🔹 Tip: Before visiting the service, check whether your smartphone is under warranty. In official service centers Xiaomi repair antennas and modems often perform free of charge.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the signal on Xiaomi