How to improve the network on Xiaomi: from Wi-Fi to 5G

Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their value for money, but even flagship models sometimes face network problems: slow Wi-Fi, connection breaks, weak 4G/5G signal. The reasons can lie in both device settings and external factors - from an overloaded router to suboptimal parameters of the mobile operator. This article will help you understand how to diagnose and fix network problems on any Xiaomi device - from budget Redmi to premium Mi and POCO.

We will consider both software methods (hidden settings, frequency selection, firmware updates) and hardware solutions (replacements). SIM-We'll focus on specific "chips" MIUI, For example, did you know that Xiaomi has a hidden Wi-Fi Assistant mode that automatically switches between networks? MTU It can increase mobile internet speed by 20%?

Important: all recommendations are tested on current versions of MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS (2026), and if your device runs on older firmware, some menu items may differ, we will warn you about this separately.

1. Diagnosis of the problem: how to understand what exactly inhibits

Before optimizing the network, you need to identify the bottleneck. Xiaomi has built-in testing tools, but they are often hidden from the user.

• 📊 Wi-Fi Speed: Go to Settings → Wi-Fi, tap your network name and select Measure Speed. Compare the result to the speed your tariff promises (check on your computer via speedtest.net).
• 📶 Signal Level: Enter the dialer code ##4636##, Select Phone Information and see Network Signal (in dBm). -50 before -70 dBm. If below -90 dBm - signal is critically weak.
• 🔄 Ping and Stability: Install PingTools from Google Play and check for delays to 8.8.8.8 servers (Google) DNS) If the ping exceeds 100 ms or there is a packet loss - the problem is in the router or provider.

The critical point is that if other devices (laptop, tablet) are running normally and Xiaomi is not, the hardware or firmware of the smartphone is to blame. If there are problems everywhere, look for the cause in the router or mobile tower.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) after upgrading to MIUI 14 appears bug with "hang" Wi-Fi when switching between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Solution - disable the option Smart switching in network settings.

2. Wi-Fi optimization: frequency, channel and protocol selection

Xiaomi connects to Wi-Fi in auto mode by default, but that's not always optimal. Here's how to set up the connection manually:

1. Select range: Go to Settings → Wi-Fi → Additional → Wi-Fi range. If your router supports 5 GHz, choose this range - it is less loaded and faster. But remember: 5 GHz is worse through walls.
2. Fixed channel: In the same menu, turn on Developer Mode (tap 7 times on the MIUI version in About Phone), then in Developer Settings, activate Debugging over Wi-Fi and select the channel manually (for example, 36 or 48 for 5GHz). Avoid 12-14 channels - they may conflict with other devices.
3. 802.11 Protocol: In router settings (not phone!), set 802.11n/ac/ax (if supported). On Xiaomi, this turns on automatically, but older routers can limit speeds to 802.11g (54 Mbps).

Xiaomi models with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra) have a hidden Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) feature, but it is activated only when connected to ASUS RT-BE96U or TP-Link Archer BE800 routers. Otherwise, the phone automatically switches to Wi-Fi 6.

Select 5 GHz band (if router supports)| Disable Smart Switching when bugs| Lock the channel manually | Update the router firmware | Check protocol compatibility-->

3. Mobile network setup: from 4G to 5G

If you have slow mobile internet, first check what type of network your phone is using. In MIUI, it's hidden deep in the menu:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → Type of network.
2. Choose 4G Only (LTE) or 5G/4G/3G (auto).The 5G Only option may not work as well if the tower is far away.
3. Activate Enhanced 4G (VoLTE) mode – this will allow you to call without falling Internet speed.

For advanced users, if you have Xiaomi on Qualcomm Snapdragon, you can manually select the frequency bands.

Enter the dialer: ##4636###


Select "Phone Information"




Select "Set preferred network type" and select "LTE only"




Return and select "Band selection" - mark only those frequencies that your operator supports (for example, for MTS in Russia: 3, 7, 20, 38).

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) after manual frequency selection, the roaming signal may disappear. To reset the settings, restart the phone or select Auto from the Band selection menu.

If you 5G-smartphone 12T Pro, Redmi K60 But the speed is not good, check it out:

• 📡 Does your operator support you? 5G In your area (the operator’s website has coverage maps).
• 🔄 Is the option on? 5G SA (Standalone in the settings. MIUI It is often hidden – you need to activate the developer mode and look for the item NSA/SA mode.
• 🔋 Battery level.On some firmware, Xiaomi limits 5G charge below 20%.

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After the update MIUI missing 5G, Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-map → Resetting the mobile network settings, it'll bring the settings back to factory without losing data.

4 Hidden MIUI settings to speed up network

MIUI contains dozens of hidden parameters that affect the network, and we selected the most effective ones:

• 🚀 Wi-Fi Assistant: Enables automatic switching between Wi-Fi and mobile network at low signal. Activated in Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Wi-Fi Assistant. Works unstable on firmware older MIUI 13.
• 🔧 MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit: The optimal value for a mobile network is 1500, but sometimes helps to reduce to 1472. → SIM-map → [Yours. SIM] → Access point (APN), field MTU re-imagine.
• 📶 High Performance Mode: In Settings → Battery → Performance modes select High Performance. This will turn off the power saving for the network modules.
• 🔄 Reset MAC-Addresses: If you are banned from a public network (for example, on the subway), change MAC: Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Reset MAC-address.

For owners of Xiaomi with root rights or unlocked bootloader, additional tweaks are available through Magisk:

• Network Signal Guru – shows detailed information about towers and signal.
• Disable Flag Secure module allows you to take screenshots in secure applications (for example, banking), where the network is often blocked.

Hardware solutions: from SIM-repeater-card

If the software methods didn't work, the problem might be the hardware.

• 📱 SIM-map: Obsolete SIM (older 5 years not supported 4G/5G. Replace it with nano-SIM or eSIM (if your model supports it). 13 and newer eSIM is configured in Settings → SIM-map → Add eSIM.
• 📡 Antenna: If the signal is weak even with a new one SIM, Check the antenna connector (especially after the phone falls). On the Redmi Note series, antennas often depart when the battery is replaced.
• 🔌 Repetitor or Mesh system: If Wi-Fi is not catching in distant rooms, install a repeater (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Range Extender Pro) or a Mesh system (Xiaomi Mesh Router) AX3000). They automatically switch devices between nodes.

For owners of Xiaomi with Wi-Fi 6 support (Mi 11, Redmi K50 and later), it makes sense to upgrade the router to 802.11ax standard. The speed difference can reach 30-40% when connecting multiple devices.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with MediaTek chipsets (such as the Redmi Note 12) sometimes has a conflict between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth while using it at the same time.

6. Update firmware and reset settings

About 30% of network problems on Xiaomi are solved by updating MIUI or HyperOS.

1. Update: Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. If an update is available, install it, especially for models in 2022-2023 (Xiaomi 12/13, Redmi K50/K60), where new versions fix bugs with 5G.
2. Hand-held firmware: If OTA-No updates are coming, download the latest version. MIUI from the official website (miuidownload) and install through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Select a firmware file.
3. Reset: If problems remain, reset network settings: Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings.

For power users: if the network is completely lost after the update, try to roll back to the previous version of MIUI via Fastboot.

1. Download the archive with firmware (for example, V14.0.5.0.TKLRUXM for Redmi Note 11).


2 Unpack it and move it to a folder with the Mi Flash Tool.




3. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down).




4. Connect to the PC and execute the command:




fastboot flash all [name file firmware].tgz




5. After rebooting, reset to factory settings.

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Before updating your firmware through Fastboot, be sure to unlock the bootloader on the official Xiaomi website. Without this, the phone will turn into a “brick”.

7. Alternative methods: VPN, DNS and energy saving

Sometimes network problems don't lie in the phone itself, but in the locks of the operator or the provider.

• 🌍 Shift. DNS: Xiaomi is using the default DNS ISPs that are often slowed down. 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare or 8.8.8.8 (Google's Settings → Wi-Fi → [Your network] → Settings IP → Static → DNS 1/2.
• 🔒 VPN: If the operator blocks certain sites (for example, Telegram or Torrent), install VPN (ProtonVPN, Warp. Xiaomi has built-in VPN-client: Settings → Connections → VPN.
• ⚡ Disabling power saving for applications: Some applications (such as WhatsApp or Zoom) lose connection due to aggressive energy saving MIUI. To fix: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Select the application. Select the battery. → No restrictions. Activate AutoRun and Secondary Running.

For gamers: if online games (PUBG, Call of Duty Mobile) have a high ping, try:

• 🎮 Enable Game Mode in the Notification Curtain (disables background processes).
• 📡 Connect to 5GHz Wi-Fi or via USB-Ethernet cable (on supported models).
• 🔧 In manual settings APN Specify default,supl,mms,ia (increases priority of game traffic).