How to improve the quality of communication on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones: from settings to hardware solutions

Why Xiaomi Redmi is Bad at Catching Networks and How to Fix It

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi Redmi has become worse at catching mobile networks, often loses connection to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth devices for no reason? Communication problems are one of the most common complaints of users of budget and mid-budget smartphones of the brand. 70% of cases are not hardware defects, but incorrect settings, outdated software or external interference.

In this article, we will discuss 8 proven ways to improve communication on the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/13C and other models - from basic settings to radical solutions like replacing an antenna.

• 📶 Set Network Priority 4G/5G maximum speed
• 🔄 Update the radio module without losing data
• 🛠️ Check the hardware for defects
• 📡 Enhance Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signal in the face of interference

Important: Some methods require root or ADB rights, and we've marked them with special warnings, so if you're not sure about your skills, skip these steps or see a specialist.

1. Check basic settings of the mobile network

Before you dig deeper, make sure the problem isn't with the elementary settings. → SIM-Maps and mobile networks and check:

• 📱 Network mode: should stand 4G/3G/2G (car) or Only 4G (if your operator supports VoLTE, if only 3G, The smartphone will not use modern frequencies.
• 🔄 Automatic network selection: disable this option if the phone is constantly "jumping" between base stations.
• 📞 VoLTE and VoWiFi: Turn on both options if available. This will improve the quality of calls over the Internet.

On a 5G-enabled Redmi (like the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G), sometimes the priority gets lost: the phone clings to a weak 5G signal instead of a stable 4G. In this case, force only 4G.

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If you change your settings, you lose all communication, reboot your phone in flight mode for 30 seconds, then turn it off. That will reset the communication module.

2. Updating the radio module and firmware

Manufacturers regularly release updates to the modem part (radio firmware), which is responsible for communication, these patches do not always come along with the main MIUI updates.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Package Update.
3. If a modem firmware update is available (the name will be radio or modem), install it.

For advanced users: if there are no official updates, you can manually flash the radio module through Fastboot. For example, for Redmi Note 10 Pro, the current version of the radio is V13.0.9.0.SKFMIXM. Firmware incompatible version of the radio module can lead to complete loss of communication!

⚠️ Note: Firmware of a radio module from another model or region (e.g., Chinese firmware for the global version) may block the transmission of a radio module from the global version. IMEI. Before firmware check compatibility on forums.

3. Reset network and APN settings

Incorrect APNs are a common cause of mobile Internet problems, and even if you didn't manually change them, the operator could update the configuration to reset:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → Access points (APN).
2. Click on three points → Reset to default values.
3. If the Internet does not work after reset, add APN manually (options can be found on your operator's website).

To completely reset the network settings:

1. Go to Settings → System → Reset settings.
2. Select Network Reset (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action. The phone will reboot.

Name: Internet (or as operator)

APN: Internet.mts.ru (example for MTS)

Proxy/Port: not listed

Username/Password: Not specified (or as operator)

Type of authentication: PAP or CHAP

Type APN: default, supl-->

After the phone is reset, it can 1-2 If you don't have a connection, try manually selecting the operator in the settings. SIM-map.

4. Checking of hardware: antennas and SIM-map

If the software methods didn’t help, the problem could be physical damage to the antenna or slot. SIM-Here's how to diagnose a card:

• 🔍 Visual inspection: Light a flashlight into the slot SIM-If the contacts are bent, scratched or oxidized, it can be the cause of poor communication.
• 📱 Testing with another SIM: Put it in. SIM-If the service is improved, your ISP has a problem. If it's not, it's the phone.
• 📡 Antenna check: Dial ##4636## → Phone information. In the Signal section, look at dBm. Normal values: 4G: from -85 before -110 dBm (the closer the -85, better) 3G: from -75 before -100 dBm

If the signal is weaker than -110 dBm, even in the zone of confident coverage, the antenna may have departed. On Redmi, it is located under the back cover and is attached to the motherboard with thin wires, and if the phone falls or breaks up, the contacts can depart.

⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to disassemble your phone to check the antenna unless you have experience. Damage to the plume can lead to complete loss of communication.

5. Optimizing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Fighting Interference

Communication problems aren’t limited to mobile networking.If your Redmi doesn’t hold Wi-Fi well or constantly loses connection to headphones, try:

• 📶 Change Wi-Fi Channel: Select a Channel in the router settings 1, 6 or 11 ranged 2.4 GHz (they are the least crossed). 5 GHz, use the channels. 36-48 or 149-165.
• 🔄 Turn off power saving for Wi-Fi: Go to Settings → Battery → Energy saving regime → Settings and disable the option to turn off Wi-Fi in sleep mode.
• 🎧 Update your Bluetooth device firmware: For Redmi AirDots or Xiaomi Mi True Wireless headphones, check out the updates in the Mi Home app.

To diagnose Wi-Fi, use the WiFi Analyzer app (available on Google Play), which will show you the load of channels and help you choose the free one. If the signal is weak even near the router, try:

• Switch from 5 GHz to 2.4 GHz (better passes through walls).
• Disable the Smart Connect function in the router settings (it automatically switches devices between ranges, which can cause breaks).

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On the Redmi Note 11 and later, there is a Wi-Fi power saving bug: the phone may lose connection when the screen is locked, so the solution is to turn off the option "Adaptive Battery Savings" in the Wi-Fi settings.

Radical methods: root, engineering menu and antenna replacement

If nothing works, there are advanced (and risky) ways that require technical skills and can be insecure.

🔧 Engineering menu (MTK Engineer Mode)

For phones running MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi 9A, Redmi 10C):

1. Install the MTK Engineering Mode app from Google Play.
2. Go to MTK Settings → BandMode.
3. Choose yours. SIM-map and manually activate all supported frequencies (e.g., for 4G: B1, B3, B7, B20 Europe).

🛠️ Replacement of antenna

If the diagnostics show a weak signal (-120 dBm or worse), the antenna may be damaged.

• The main antenna (for mobile network) is located at the top of the phone.
• Wi-Fi/Bluetooth antenna – at the bottom, next to the USB connector.

The cost of replacement in the service: 800-1500 rubles (depending on the model).

🔓 Root access and modifications

Root rights are available:

• Remove operator frequency restrictions (e.g., unlock B28 for 4G 700 MHz).
• Install a custom core with improved communication support (e.g., FrancoKernel).
• Disable energy saving for the radio module via Build.prop.

⚠️ Note: Getting root rights to Redmi with MIUI 13/14 Can I block Widevine? L1, This will stop the use of services like Netflix. HD-It also voids the guarantee.

7.Alternative solutions: repeaters and external antennas

If the problem is not the phone, but the operator’s weak coverage, consider external devices:

• 📡 4G-Repeater: Enhances the signal of the mobile network in the room, suitable for country houses. Example: Xiaomi Mi WiFi Repeater 2 (about 2000 rubles).
• 📶 External antenna: Connects to the phone via an adapter (e.g. Poynting) MIMO 4G-XPOL-0001). Requires phone support (check the antenna connector on the body).
• 🌐 Mesh Wi-Fi system: If a problem with home Wi-Fi, the system is 2-3 Routers (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Mesh Router) AX3000) signalize.

For a temporary solution, you can use modem modem mode: connect Redmi to another device via USB or Wi-Fi and distribute the Internet from it, sometimes this helps to bypass the communication problems on the main phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about communication on Xiaomi Redmi