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

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi has become worse at catching the network? Call from the basement and the person can't hear you? Mobile Internet is slowing down, even though friends with other phones are working? Communication problems on Redmi, POCO or Mi smartphones are common, but in 90% of cases they can be solved without contacting the service. In this article, we will analyze the causes of the bad signal and give step-by-step instructions on how to improve communication on any Xiaomi phone, from the budget Redmi 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Weak signal can be caused by hardware malfunctions (damaged communication module, antenna) and software failures (incorrect network settings, outdated firmware). We will focus on methods that you can apply yourself without disassembling the phone. If after all the manipulations the connection does not improve, most likely the problem is in the hardware or SIM card.

Important: Before you start setting up, check if there are any problems with your operator. For example, MegaFon or Beeline can carry out technical work in your area, check this on the official website or by calling support (*111# for MTS, *555# for Tele2).

1. Signal Level Check: How to Know if the Phone Is Problem

Before you set up anything, you need to make sure that the weak signal is really a problem for your Xiaomi, not the operator or the terrain.

• 📶 Look at the network indicator in the status bar. 1-2 division E/G instead 4G/5G) — weak-signal.
• 🔍 Compare it to another phone. Ask a friend with another device (like an iPhone or Samsung) to check the signal level in the same place. If he's okay, the problem is your Xiaomi.
• 📊 Use the engineering menu. Type it in the phone keyboard ##4636##, Select Phone Information and see Signal Strength (in dBm). -70 before -90 dBm. If below -100 dBm - signal is very weak.

Critical information: If the ASU is 0 or 99 in the engineering menu, it means that the phone does not see the network at all, in which case only rebooting the communication module or resetting the settings will help.

Also note the switching between standards: If the phone is constantly “jumping” between 4G and 3G, this may indicate unstable module operation or problems with the SIM card, in which case, try to turn off automatic network selection (more on this below).

2.Reboot the communication module: a quick way to return the network

If the signal is suddenly lost (for example, after updating or crashing the phone), the first thing you should do is to try to reboot the communication module.

Rebooting methods:

• 🔄 Flight mode. Turn it on for 10 seconds, then turn it off. This forcefully restarts all radio modules (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile network).
• 📴 SIM card extraction. Turn off the phone, pull out the SIM, wait 30 seconds, insert back in and turn on the device.
• 🔧 Reset network settings. Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network resets. Warning: this will delete all stored Wi-Fi passwords!

If the connection did not recover after the module restart, try to force the network to manually select:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → Choice of network.
2. Turn off the option automatically.
3. Wait for the phone to find the available networks and select your carrier manually (e.g. MTS-RU or Beeline RU).
4. Reboot the phone.

3. set up preferred network type: 4G vs 5G vs 3G

Many Xiaomi users experience a phone getting stuck on a slow 3G network, even though 4G or 5G is available, due to incorrect network-type settings. Here's how to fix them:

Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → The preferred network type is available here:

The recommendation for most users is to choose 4G/3G/2G (auto). If you notice that the phone often falls on 3G, try Only 4G (but then in places without 4G, the connection will disappear completely).

For owners of Xiaomi with 5G support (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G or POCO F5 5G) it is worth trying the option 5G/4G/3G/2G, but keep in mind that 5G is not yet available in all regions and can drain the battery faster.

💡

If the Internet is gone after a network type change, restart the phone, and sometimes the changes only apply after the reboot.

4. Firmware updates and modified radio modules

A weak signal can be caused by outdated firmware or bugs in the radio module (the file responsible for communication). Xiaomi regularly releases updates that fix network problems, so:

1. Check the relevance of the firmware: Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. If you have an update, install it. Importantly, connect to Wi-Fi and charge your phone at least 50 percent.
3. After the update, restart the device.

If the connection is poor even after the upgrade, you can try installing a modified radio module, which is true for users of custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

• 🔗 Download the current one. modem.img for your model from the forum 4PDA or XDA Developers.
• 📱 Write it through the Fastboot or TWRP (The instructions depend on the model).
• ⚠️ Warning: Incorrect firmware of radio module can lead to total network loss.

For Xiaomi owners, there is a safer way to reset network settings on the official MIUI firmware - resetting the network settings through the engineering menu:

1.Type ##4636##


2. Select "Phone Information"




3. Click on three dots in the upper right corner → "Update statistics"




4.Reboot the phone

5 SIM card problems: from damage to incompatibility

It's often not the phone that's the fault, it's the SIM card.

• 🛡️ Physical damage. Take out your SIM card and examine it for scratches, chips, or dirt. If your contacts are dimmed, wipe them gently with a pin.
• 🔄 SIM type. Make sure you use nano-SIM (for modern Xiaomi). If you have a micro-SIM or mini-SIM with an adapter, replace it in the carrier cabin.
• 📶 Incompatibility with the network: old SIM cards (issued before) 2015 years may not be supported 4G/5G. Order a new one in the operator’s personal account (usually free of charge).
• 🔒 Operator lock: If the phone is bought abroad (e.g. Xiaomi for China), it can be locked under local carriers. → The phone. → Status. SIM-map.

If the SIM card is fine but the connection is still poor, try moving it to another slot (if the phone has two slots), sometimes one of the modules works worse due to hardware features.

⚠️ Note: If you use eSIM, make sure your Xiaomi model supports it. For example, Xiaomi 13 Pro works with eSIM, and Redmi Note 11 does not.

Hardware problems: antenna, communication module, housing

If the software methods didn't work, it might be the hardware problem, and here are the most common reasons:

• 📡 Antennas in Xiaomi are located on the sides of the body (usually at the bottom and top), if the phone fell or got wet, the contacts could oxidize.
• 🔌 The communication module is faulty, it's responsible for receiving the signal, and when it fails, the phone either doesn't catch the network at all, or the signal is very weak.
• 🛠️ Bad SIM card contact: If the SIM card tray is bent or contacts are oxidized, the phone may not recognize it.
• 📱 Some metal cases will shield the signal. Try removing the case and checking the link.

How to diagnose a hardware problem?

1. Try inserting a SIM card into another phone, and if it's normal, your Xiaomi is a problem.
2. Check if the phone is warming up in the antenna area (usually the top left corner).
3. Check the SIM card tray for damage. If it bends, replace it (costs ~200-300 rubles).

If you suspect a hardware malfunction, it is better to contact the service.Self-repair antenna or communication module without experience can lead to complete loss of communication or damage to the motherboard.

💡

If the phone stopped catching the network after falling, getting wet or disassembling, there's a 90% chance of hardware failure.

7. Alternative ways to improve communication: from amplifiers to developer settings

If standard methods don’t help, try these advanced methods:

• 📶 Signal amplifier. If you live in a low-course area, buy a repeater (mobile signal amplifier) starting at 3,000 rubles, but it greatly improves communication.
• 🔧 Developer settings. Activate them (7 times click on Version) MIUI In About Phone, then in Settings → Additionally. → For developers, find the option to Set a network type and select LTE only.
• 🌐 Change of change APN. Sometimes, operators update access points (APN). Go to Settings. → SIM-map → Access points (APN) Compare the settings with the current ones on the operator’s website.
• 🔄 Reset to factory settings. Last resort, if nothing works. Attention: it will delete all data from the phone.

For owners of Xiaomi root-rights there is another way – edit the file build.prop. Add to it the lines:

ro.telephony.default_network=22


telephony.lteOnCdmaDevice=1

This forcefully includes 4G support on some models, but without root rights, this method will not work.

8. Frequent Questions and Myths About Communication on Xiaomi