How to improve the Wi-Fi signal on the Xiaomi phone: from settings to upgrade iron

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi or Redmi is not good at catching Wi-Fi in some rooms, although other devices are stable? Or the signal is constantly “losing” even though the router is two meters away? The problem of poor Wi-Fi reception on Xiaomi smartphones is common — and not always due to hardware limitations. 80% of cases are to blame for MIUI settings, interference from neighbors or outdated software.

In this article, we will discuss 10 working ways to improve the Wi-Fi signal on Xiaomi, from basic (reboot router) to advanced (change channel and modification of the antenna). Particular attention will be paid to the hidden MIUI settings, which the manufacturer does not advertise, but can increase Internet speed by 30-50%. And if you are a user of POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13T, you will find solutions for specific models with their “iron” features.

Before you rush to buy a new router or repeater, check all the items in this guide. In most cases, the problem is solved in 10-15 minutes - and completely free.

1. Checking the basic parameters: router, distance, interference

To start with, the obvious is that often the weak WiFi signal on Xiaomi is not due to the phone, but to external factors.

• 📶 The best distance is 10 meters without obstacles (concrete or brick walls reduce the radius by 30 to 50 percent). If you are sitting in another room, try moving the router closer to the center of the apartment.
• 🔌 Reboot the router. Turn it off the socket for 30 seconds - this will reset cache and temporary errors. On Xiaomi Mi Router or Redmi Router, you can do this through the Mi Wi-Fi app (section "Reboot»).
• 📡 Interference from other networks. Run the Wi-Fi Analyzer app on your phone (available on Google Play) and see how many networks are running on your channel. If there are more than 3, change the channel in the router settings (more on this in section 3).
• 🔋 Battery charge. on some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) If you have a charge level below 15%, the system automatically limits the power of the Wi-Fi module.

If the signal hasn't improved after this manipulation, the problem goes deeper, into the settings of the phone or router.

Wi-Fi settings in MIUI: what to turn off to amplify the signal

MIUI is not just an Android shell, it's an ecosystem with hundreds of hidden features, some of which can slow down Wi-Fi or limit its power.

1. Turn off Smart Network Switch, which automatically switches the phone from Wi-Fi to mobile data if the signal is weak, but often it works too early, even when the Wi-Fi is still working. → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Intelligent switching.
2. Enable Wi-Fi Performance Mode, which gives Wi-Fi priority over other processes, and is located there: Settings → Wi-Fi → Additional → High Wi-Fi performance.
3. Reset the network settings. If the phone used to connect to dozens of networks, it could cause conflicts. Reset will delete all saved passwords, but return the factory settings of the Wi-Fi module. Path: Settings → System and device → Reset → Network settings reset.
4. Update MIUI. Older versions of the firmware had bugs with Wi-Fi drivers (for example, MIUI 12.5 for the Redmi Note 10 had a problem with connecting to 5 GHz networks). The update will fix them. Way: Settings → About the phone → System Update.

After the changes, restart your phone and check the speed of the WiFi on speedtest.net. If there is no improvement, go to the router settings.

Deactivate "Intelligent Switching"

Enable "High Wi-Fi performance"

Reset the network settings

Update MIUI last-minute-->

3. Router optimization: channel, frequency, power

If the phone isn't the problem, it's the router's fault. Even the Xiaomi Router 4A or Redmi Router AX5 budget models can give a stable signal if set up correctly.

To change these settings, go to the router’s web interface (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and look for the Wireless Settings section (or “Wireless Network”). For Xiaomi routers, you can use the Mi Wi-Fi app – there the settings are simpler and more visual.

⚠️ Warning: If your phone’s Wi-Fi is gone after changing the channel or frequency, check if your Xiaomi model supports the chosen range. 8A It does not work with 5 GHz networks, but POCO X3 NFC Can not see channels above 149.

4.Iron problems: antenna, Wi-Fi module, body

If the software methods didn't work, it might be the hardware of the phone, and here are the most common "iron" reasons for weak WiFi on Xiaomi:

• 📱 Bad antenna contact. In some models (for example, Redmi Note 9 Pro or POCO X3) The Wi-Fi antenna is attached to the motherboard via a connector, and if it oxidizes or leaves, the signal will be weak, so the solution is to take the phone apart and check the contact (better at the service center).
• 🔌 A damaged Wi-Fi module. If your phone fell or got wet, it could have malfunctioned, and you can check that by connecting another phone to the same router -- if it's signaling normally, your Xiaomi is the problem.
• 🛡️ Metal case or case: models with an aluminum body (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11 or POCO F3) They're worse at passing a signal. Take off the case and check the difference. Also, avoid magnet covers, they can shield the antenna.
• 🔋 Energy savings: Ultra-saving mode or Battery mode enabled (Settings) → Battery) phone limits Wi-Fi module. Turn off these options.

If you suspect a hardware malfunction but don’t want to carry your phone to the service, you can try a temporary solution: connect an external antenna through the service. OTG-Adapter (not working on all models, but on the same model) POCO F1 Xiaomi Mi. A2 That trick works).

5. Alternative ways of connecting: Mesh-networks, repeaters, USB-adapter

If none of the previous methods worked, consider hardware solutions to amplify the signal, which will require additional investment, but will give a guaranteed result:

• 📶 Wi-Fi repeater: The device connects to your network and distributes it further, if the problem is only in one room, you can use Xiaomi Wi-Fi Repeater 2 or TP-Link for Xiaomi. RE605X (Mesh supports).
• 🌐 Mesh system: two or three routers that work as a single network, ideal for large apartments, for example, Xiaomi Mesh System or ASUS ZenWiFi. Minus is expensive (from 10,000) ₽).
• 🖥️ USB Wi-Fi adapter. If your Xiaomi supports OTG, You can connect an external adapter (for example, TP-Link) TL-WN725N). Speed will increase, but it is inconvenient for constant use.
• 📡 4G/5G router SIM-If the provider's WiFi is constantly "laying down", replace it with mobile Internet. 4G Huawei E5788.

Check device compatibility before buying, for example, not all repeaters work with 5GHz networks, and some Mesh systems require a router of the same brand.

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If you live in an apartment building, check whether the frequency of 2.4 GHz is overloaded before buying a repeater or Mesh system. In densely populated areas, it is better to use 5 GHz or a wired connection (via Powerline adapters).

6. Specific problems of Xiaomi models: POCO, Redmi, Black Shark

Some Xiaomi models have unique Wi-Fi bugs that are not found in other smartphones.

If your model is not in the table, but the problem is specific (for example, WiFi only works after restarting), try resetting your phone to factory settings (Settings → System & Device → Reset). 30% of the time, this helps.

⚠️ Attention: POCO F2 Pro and POCO F3 There's a bug with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). If you have a router that supports Wi-Fi 6, try disabling this standard in the router settings and leave only the option. 802.11ac.

Advanced methods: change MAC-Addresses, firmware modification

If you're willing to take risks for stable WiFi, you can try out-of-the-box solutions, which require root rights or an unlocked bootloader, so they're only suitable for advanced users.

• 🔧 Shift. MAC-Some routers block devices with "suspicious» MAC-To change it, you need root rights and the Mac Changer app.
• 📱 Install custom firmware. Some versions of LineageOS or Pixel Experience fix Wi-Fi bugs. For example, Redmi Note 7 has a patch for the bcmdhd module, which increases the signal power.
• 🛠️ Modification of the build.prop file. Adding a line wifi.supplicant_scan_interval=15 It reduces the interval of network scanning, which can speed up the connection.
• 📡 Wi-Fi module firmware. On some models (for example, Xiaomi Mi 9), you can separately flash the Wi-Fi driver through Fastboot.

Warning: these methods can break the phone or take away warranties.

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If you are not sure about your skills, you should contact the service center. Wrong firmware or changing system files can turn the phone into a brick.

8. When nothing helps: contacting the service or replacing the phone

If you’ve tried everything, but Xiaomi’s WiFi still doesn’t work well, there are two options:

1. Contact the service center. In official Xiaomi services (listed on mi.com), you can: Diagnose the antenna and Wi-Fi module, reflash the phone with official firmware (sometimes helps with "curve" updates), Replace the Wi-Fi module (cost from 1,500 to 3,000) ₽).

Buy a new phone

Redmi 5

Mi A1

Xiaomi 13 Lite

POCO X5 Pro

Wi-Fi 6

MIMO

Before visiting the service, collect information:

• When did the problem occur (after a crash, update, router change?)
• Have you tried resetting your network settings?
• Is there a guarantee (if yes, don’t hack your phone yourself!)

If you decide to buy a new smartphone, pay attention to models with Wi-Fi 6E support (for example, Xiaomi 14 or POCO F6 Pro) – they work in the new 6 GHz band, where there is almost no interference.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Wi-Fi on Xiaomi